The full name of the Porsche company is Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, which can also be decomposed into Doktor Ingenieur honois causa Ferdinand Porsche Aktiengesellshaft. This engineering company was founded by the legendary German designer, Doctor of Engineering Sciences Ferdinand Porsche in 1931. Porsche's headquarters and main production facility are located in the German city of Stuttgart. The main shareholder of this company to this day remains the Porsche family.

Based on profit per vehicle sold, Porsche is one of the most profitable automakers in the world. In 2010, these cars were even recognized as the most reliable on the Planet.

Ferdinand Porsche's company specializes in the production of luxury sports cars, and more recently, SUVs. Porsche production is heavily dependent on the Volkswagen Group. Side by side, the companies develop standardized vehicle designs and participate in motorsports. Over the years, engineers from both brands jointly developed a manual transmission synchronizer, an automatic transmission with manual switching (later the system evolved to a push-button switch on the steering wheel), turbocharging for production cars, turbocharging with variable turbine impeller geometry for a gasoline engine, electronically controlled suspension and much more. .

50.1% of Porsche shares are owned by Porsche Automobil Holding SE, and since December 2009, 49.9% belongs to the Volkswagen Group. Porsche is a publicly traded company with shares listed on the global electronics system Xetra and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. The largest private shareholders of the brand are the Porsche and Piech families. Since 1993, Wendelin Wiedeking has been President and CEO of Porsche. The company set an absolute revenue record in the 2009/2010 financial year - 7.79 billion euros. During this time, the Stuttgart company sold 81,850 sports cars, while production capacity that year ensured the production of 89,123 cars.

The company holds regular competitions among different classes of cars, and is also the founder of authoritative cup competitions. This area of ​​Porsche activity is highlighted in the computer game Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed.

The Porsche logo was designed by Franz Xavier Reimspiess in 1952, when the brand first began delivering cars to the American market. Previously, Stuttgart cars had a simple “Porsche” inscription on the hood.

History of Porsche 1931 – 1948 From idea to serial production

By the time Ferdinand Porsche released the first car under his own name, he had accumulated enormous design experience. Founded by Ferdinand on April 21, 1931, Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche GmbH has already produced the Auto Union racing car with a 16-cylinder engine and the Volkswagen Käfer (aka VW Beetle). The latter remained the best-selling car in the world for a long time.

The first Porsche car appeared only in 1939 - it was the model 64, the progenitor of the entire family. This example is based on many components borrowed from the Volkswagen Beetle.

Throughout World War II, Porsche produced military products - staff vehicles and amphibians. Ferdinand himself worked in a team with other designers to develop heavy tanks of the Tiger family.

After the end of World War II in 1945, Ferdinand Porsche was arrested on charges of war crimes. The great designer spent 20 months in prison. At the same time, Ferdinand's son Ferdinand Anton Ernst (better known by his short name Ferry) decides to organize serial production of his own cars. In Gmünd, through the efforts of Ferry and several engineers he knew, the first prototype of the Porsche 356 was assembled. The car received an open aluminum body. Active preparations for serial production of this machine begin. In 1948, the car successfully passed certification for public roads. Ferry followed his father's example and based the Porsche 356 on parts from the Volkswagen Beetle, including its suspension, gearbox, cooling system and, of course, its four-cylinder engine.

But the first production Porsche cars were fundamentally different from their prototype - the engine was installed on the rear axle, due to which they reduced the cost of production and freed up space for seating for two more passengers. The new body had very good aerodynamics CX 0.29. Only in 1950 did Porsche production return to its native Stuttgart.

History of Porsche 1948 – 1965 Prosperity of the brand

Porsche's return to Stuttgart was marked by a switch to steel body panels. The plant mainly specializes in the assembly of coupe and convertible cars. At first, 1100 cc engines with a power of only 40 hp were produced, but by 1954 the choice expanded significantly: the range was complemented by engines 1300, 1300A, 1300S, 1500, 1500S. The design is constantly being improved, the volume and power of engines is growing, a synchronized gearbox, a disc brake system and new bodies are appearing - roadsters and hardtops.

Porsche is gradually abandoning Volkswagen units, replacing them with its own. For example, the 356A, produced from 1955 to 1959, was already equipped with a four-cam engine, a pair of ignition coils and many other original components. The A series is replaced by the B series (59 - 63), and the latter is replaced by the C series (produced from 1963 to 1965). All modifications are produced in quantities of slightly more than 76,000 copies.

In parallel, development of racing modifications of the Porsche 550 Spyder, 718 and others is underway. In 1951, 75-year-old Ferdinand Porsche suffered a heart attack, from which he dies. The designer could have lived longer, but the time spent in prison greatly undermined his health.

History of Porsche from 1963 to 1976 The 911 takes off

By the end of the 50s, the development of the Porsche 695 prototype was completed. The management's opinion about this car is divided: the 356th model enjoyed a good reputation, so the transition to the production of a new model for a small family company was associated with a great risk. However, the design developed in 1948 was outdated, and there was almost no reserve for updating it.

In 1963, something happened that predetermined the future of Porsche - an open presentation of the Porsche 911 takes place at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The main points in the design of the car do not change: a boxer engine at the rear, rear-wheel drive and classic body lines inherited from the Porsche 356. The design of the car was developed by Ferdinand's son Anton Ernst - Ferdinand Alexander Porsche (nicknamed “Butzi”). Read more information about this car in the article "". At first it was assumed that the car would be released under the symbol “901”, but the combination of these numbers had already been reserved for itself by another company - Peugeot. The transition to the 911 index does not at all put an end to the 901 index - it was used in the company’s in-plant nomenclature until 1973.

In the first two years of production of the Porsche 911, the model was only available with a 2.0-liter, 130-horsepower engine. In 1966, assembly line assembly of the Targa modification (an open body with a glass roof) began. In 1965, production of Porsche 356 convertibles ended.

At the end of the 1960s, the wheelbase of the 911 increased. The range includes engines with increased displacement and a mechanical injection system. The pinnacle of the evolution of the 901 is the modification of the Carrera RS 2.7 and Carrera RSR of the 70s. The word Carrera was added to the vocabulary of the Stuttgart company in the mid-1950s - then the sports version of the Porsche 356 was named by this name, perpetuating the memory of the victory in the Carrera Panamericana race in 1954, which glorified the German brand in North America.

At the end of the 60s, the Stuttgart manufactory mastered the production of another sports car - the Porsche 914 with an unusual conveyor history. During this period, Volkswagen decides to expand its lineup with at least one sports model, and Porsche is just finishing the development of a successor for the model with the 912 index (a cheaper version of the 911 with an engine from the 356). The companies join forces and in 1969 release the one-of-a-kind Volkswage-Porsche 914. The model is equipped with a 4- or 6-cylinder engine. But the project does not live up to its expectations - the rather unusual appearance and unsuccessful marketing (in particular, the indication of Volkswagen-Porsche in the name) negatively affect sales. As a result, over 7 years, the Volkswagen-Porsche 914 was produced in the amount of 120,000 copies.

History of Porsche in 1972 - 1981 Led by Ernst Fuhrmann

In 1972, Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche KG becomes a public company and the Porsche family loses direct control over all its affairs. Despite this, the Porsche family still has a share of shares at its disposal that exceeds that of the Piech family. Ferdidand Alexander Porsche and his brother Hans-Peter founded their own company, Porsche Design, which produces exclusive watches, glasses, bicycles and many other prestigious things. Ferdinand Porsche's nephew, Ferdinand Piech, moves to Audi and then to Volkswagen, where he subsequently holds the post of CEO.

The first head of Porsche who is not a member of the Porsche family is Ernst Fuhrmann, who previously headed the engine development department. Upon taking office, Fuhrmann replaces the 911-series with a sports car with a classic layout (front engine and rear-wheel drive), which becomes the Porsche 928. An 8-cylinder engine is installed under the hood of the car. Under Fuhrmann's leadership, Porsche begins mass production of another front-engine car, the Porsche 924.

After the 1974 Porsche 911 Turbo premiered at the Paris Motor Show, development of the entire line virtually stopped until the early 1980s. The modernized 930 series was catching up to this point, remaining in production from 1973 to 1989 (when Fuhrmann lost control of the company). But Ernst's projects continue to be produced even after a change in management: the last front-engine Porsche car rolled off the assembly line in 1995.

A replacement for the Porsche 914 arrived in 1976, not just one, but two at once - 924 and 912 (with a Volkswagen 2.0 engine). The last machine turns out to be unsuccessful. The history of the Porsche 924 is very reminiscent of the history of the 914 model, but with a happy ending - Volkswagen continues to harbor illusions about the prospect of releasing an affordable sports car and invites Porsche engineers to develop such a car. They get complete freedom of action, but under one condition: to ensure compatibility with the engine and gearbox developed in the bowels of the Audi design department. Work on the project does not have time to finish when there is a change of leadership at Volkswagen: the German concern is headed by Tony Schmücker, who doubted the feasibility of the project due to the oil crisis that broke out in 1973. Then Porsche decides to completely buy out the protracted project from Volkswagen.

Compared to its ideological inspiration, the 911, the Porsche 924 receives a completely different design, modern design, classic layout and close to ideal weight distribution along the axles. The car is equipped with economical 4-cylinder water-cooled engines. The Porsche 924 immediately sells well, which the sports car owes to constant updates and additions to the family. Just three years after the start of sales, the Porsche 924 with turbocharging appears, and three years later the successor to the model, the Porsche 944, comes out.

In general, the Porsche 944 is still the same 924 with evolutionary changes: many important indicators are improved, and the most noticeable change in appearance is the protruding wings, inherited from the special version of the Porsche 924 Carrera GT. Both cars have been produced in parallel for six years. In 1988, they were discontinued with a total circulation of almost 150,000 copies.

The Porsche 944 had a noticeably more advanced engine than the 924. By and large, the sports car inherited the V8 engine from the 928 model, which worked with other proprietary components. Over 9 years, Porsche produces 160,000 copies of the 944 in all modifications: S, S2, Turbo and even Cabriolet. The latest evolutionary step in this model is the front-engine Porsche 968, produced from 1992 to 1995.

Fuhrmann's biggest mistake was abandoning the 911 model: between 1978 and 1995, only 60,000 928s were produced, while several times more 911s were sold during the same period. Judging by the sluggish commercial start of the Porsche 928, one could conclude that the 911 series is indispensable.

When in 74-82. The 924 and 928 models were developed in priority; there was complete lull in the 911 family. With the change of generations, the Porsche 930 is equipped with new energy-absorbing bumpers and a base engine with a displacement of 2.7 liters. Since 1976, it has been replaced by a 3.0-liter unit. Starting next year, the line will be simplified: the production of the 911, 911S and 911 Carrera modifications will be phased out, instead of which only one will be produced - the 911SC with less power. A new 3.3-liter engine with a power reserve of 300 hp is being prepared for the 911 Turbo version. This version becomes the most dynamic car of its time: the coupe could accelerate to the first “hundred” in just 5.2 seconds, with a top speed of 254 km/h.

History of Porsche 1981 – 1988 Led by Peter Schutz

With the assistance of Ferry Porsche, Fuhrmann nevertheless resigns, and his post passes to Peter Schutz, the American manager of Porsche. Peter is returning the 911 to its unspoken flagship status. Thanks to his efforts, the Porsche 911 Cabriolet kept pace by 1982. Another year later, the role of the base model is taken over by the Porsche 911 Carrera with a 231-horsepower engine as the driving force.

New for 1985 is the Porsche 911 Supersport, built on the basis of the regular Carrera (the chassis and body are borrowed from the Turbo version, wider rear wings and a large spoiler are installed). A year later, the Porsche 911 Turbo comes in an SE version with retractable headlights and a sloping front end. At the same time, Porsche is releasing a lightweight version of the 911 Carrera Clubsport, which is the successor to the Carrera RS of the 70s. The Clubsport version itself later forms the basis of the modern GT3.

The origins of the Porsche 959 go back to 1980, the year the world rally championship approved the new “Group B”. Almost all cars are accepted into the group without restrictions, except for the need to produce it in quantities of at least 200 copies. Takes part in the new group and Porsche. Schutz involves the company's best engineers in the development of new products. The technical filling is based on a 2.8-liter 6-cylinder engine with two turbochargers, producing 450 hp. The transmission of the sports coupe is all-wheel drive, and each suspension shock absorber was controlled by a computer (it was also responsible for the distribution of torque between the axles and the change in ground clearance).

The body of the Porsche 959 is made of Kevlar, a very lightweight and durable plastic composite material. Even at the stage of pre-production copies, the Porsche 959 twice participated in the Dakar Rally, and in 1986 it took two first places in the overall standings.

A little later, the inevitable happens: “Group B” is closed: several pilots and spectators tragically die, prompting the FISA motorsport federation to abandon the group. From 86 to 88, the Porsche 959 was produced in quantities of more than 200 copies.

In general, the 959 project brings nothing but losses, but the ideas tested in it are later used as the basis for new technologies for production cars: a simplified all-wheel drive transmission is subsequently installed in the Porsche 964 (serial production from 1989 to 1993). Modern turbocharging is derived from the 959 Porsche 964 Turbo and 993 Turbo. A similar front end, headlights and air intakes were later used in the Porsche 993, produced from '93 to '98. The same air intakes are installed on the Porsche 996 Turbo (this is already 2000 - 2006) with similar front bumpers and rear fenders. The proprietary PASM adaptive suspension (all modern Porsches are equipped with it) is also based on a complex system first used in the Porsche 959.

History of Porsche in 1989 – 1998 Time for a change

During this period, the front-engine “veterans” and classic Porsche 911s completely left the assembly line. They were replaced by the new Boxster convertible and 911 Carrera. The latter is now equipped with an automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.

The most changes in the Carrera occur with the body: a new frame is being developed, aerodynamics are seriously improved (CX is reduced to 0.32) and an active spoiler appears at the rear. The archaic torsion bar suspension is a thing of the past, and engine displacement increases to 3.6 liters. The car with rear-wheel drive is called Carrera 2, and with all-wheel drive – Carrera 4. The sports version of Clubsport is renamed back to RS. For the first three years, the Turbo is equipped with a proven 3.3-liter engine, but since 1993, the coupe has been equipped with a 3.6-liter version (producing 360 hp).

Limited editions of the Porsche 911 America Roadster and the semi-racing Porsche 911 Turbo S are produced. During the same period, 62,000 Porsche 964 units rolled off the assembly line.

The economic crisis of the early 1990s found Porsche not in the best shape: production volumes were rapidly declining and losses were growing. In 1993, another change of leadership took place: the company is headed by Wendelin Wiedeking (he comes after Arnaud Bon, who, in turn, was Schutz’s successor). From the same year, serial production of the fourth generation of the flagship model Porsche 991 was mastered.

Only this time the model evolves significantly. The car is equipped with built-in aerodynamic bumpers, new lighting equipment and a body with smoother shapes. The engine is once again undergoing a slight boost, and the rear suspension is undergoing major modifications. The Targa is based on a regular coupe, while the Turbo gets a successor with all-wheel drive and a heavily upgraded 3.6-liter twin-turbocharged engine. Traditional features of the Porsche 911 Turbo include wide rear wings and an even larger rear spoiler. This resulted from an increase in power to 408 hp. and the need to use larger intercoolers.

In 1997, the Porsche 911 Turbo S was released, which was equipped with an even more powerful power plant and minor changes in body design. But the fastest and most expensive modification of the 993 was the road racing GT 2. Porsche planned to compete with this car in the newly formed BRP Global GT Series championship (turbocharged cars were allowed in the championship). Therefore, the standard engine does not change significantly, unlike other elements: the sports car gets rid of “ballast” in the form of all-wheel drive, and its body is improved to meet racing needs. In 1998, the GT2 engine was improved - a dual ignition system appeared, and power increased to 450 hp. The sports coupe turned out to be far from the most successful, as it often flew off the road, which is why it got the nickname “widowmaker,” which literally translates as “leaving widows.”

The year 1998 was a period of losses and gains. In the summer, the last air-cooled 911 is produced at the Porsche plant in Zuffenhausen. Over the entire period, 410,000 copies of such cars have been produced (the 993rd contributes 69,000 copies to this figure). At the same time, Porsche celebrates 50 years since its founding. In March, 88-year-old Ferdinand Anton Ernst Porsche passed away. Recently, he no longer took any part in the affairs of the company and since 1989 he lived on an Austrian farm in Zell am See.

Porsche history. 1996 – 2001

At the end of 1996, Wiedeking's efforts became evident: in 1996, the first Porsche 986 Boxster roadster rolled off the assembly line, becoming the new face of the brand. The design for the car is being developed by Harm Lagaay, who led the development of the exteriors of all Ingolstadt cars from the 1990s to the first half of the 2000s. In creating the appearance of the Boxster, he relied on the exterior of the company's earlier models - the open Porsche 550 Spyder and Porsche 356 Speedster.

The name of the new product is a combination of two words – boxer (the so-called boxer engines) and roadster (roadster, two-seater open coupe). Compared to its predecessors, which often received open versions based on closed ones, the Porsche 986 Boxster was initially designed as an open car.

The Boxster gets one single engine - a 2.5-liter 6-cylinder boxer unit. This continued until 2000, when a 3.2-liter unit became its companion (it was equipped with the Porsche 986 Boxster S). The new compact roadster was relatively inexpensive, which is why it was very well received by the public. Until 2003, the new roadster topped the Ingolstadt company's annual sales, until it was overtaken by the Porsche 955 Cayenne, which debuted in 2002.

The brand's first SUV becomes so popular that the production capacity of the brand's only plant is not enough and it orders the production of some components for SUVs from Valmet Automotive (Finland).

After the success of the Boxster, the 911 is once again turning heads. The presentation of the new Carrera takes place at the 1997 Frankfurt Motor Show. It immediately becomes clear that the new product has a lot in common with its younger brother, starting from the similarity of the front part of the body, ending with drop-shaped headlights, a similar interior and the general design of the engines. Due to such solutions, development and production costs are reduced, which is very useful, since the financial resources of the brand by the end of the 90s were still far from desired.

The Carrera in the 996 body receives a good supply of power and a noticeable increase in size, but this does not prevent the model from remaining a first-class sports car. For example, Evo magazine (British publication) alone has recognized the Porsche 911 in the 996 and 997 body as “Sports Car of the Year” six times in a row since 1998.

1998 brings the convertible and Carrera 4 to the world, and in 1999 the public meets two big new products at once: the first generation GT3 for amateur competitions and the new flagship in the model range - the 996 Turbo. Both of the latest models receive engines based on the design of the GT1 unit (the 1998 sports prototype).

The GT3 is equipped with a naturally aspirated engine option, while the Turbo is equipped with a twin-supercharged version. The flagship not only gets the most powerful engine, but also a special appearance: the bumper and lighting equipment are changed especially for it, and this does not take into account the unique spoiler and wide body with holes in the rear wings. The new liquid-cooled 3.6-liter engine could run without a large radiator, meaning the design could eliminate the Whale-tail rear spoiler. The compactness of the new design is noticeably increased. The GT3 had nothing like that, although the sports car was not deprived of its features: a lightweight body, lowered suspension and the absence of rear seats.

The Porsche 996 GT3 was produced between 1999 and 2004. The conveyor assembly of its improved GT3 RS modification was established in 2003 and closed in 2005. The Turbo version has been produced for 5 years since 2000. In 2004 and 2005, Turbo Cabriolet and Turbo S versions with a 450-horsepower engine were sold.

In terms of ideology, the GT2 of the 2001 model year was more of a modified version of the Turbo, rather than its road-racing modification, as it was before the change of generations. The reason for this was the tightening of global motorsport regulations, which banned turbocharging. Structurally, it was the same Turbo, only with rear axle drive, a large rear wing and a different front bumper. First, the car is equipped with a 462-horsepower engine, and later it is replaced with a 483-horsepower analogue.

In November 1999, Porsche announced an increase in production of the Porsche 911 Turbo by 60 percent, which was preceded by increased demand for the model. Buyers were forced to wait several weeks for their sports car. If it was previously planned to produce the car in the amount of 2,500 copies, then as a result the production volume is increased to 4,000.

Based on an analysis of sales in Latin America (250 vehicles in 2000), Porsche decides to double its sales volume. Analysts from Stuttgart make such optimistic forecasts based on a study of demand dynamics over the past 5 years. The popularization of the brand's cars is entrusted to the head of Porsche's Latin American division, Thomas Starzelli.

Porsche's first SUV, called the Cayenne, will be officially announced at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. During the preliminary presentation of the model, the president of the brand, Wendelin Wiedeking, spoke, who said that with the Cayenne a new era was beginning in the history of the Stuttgart company. New products and the right company policy allow it not only to stay afloat, but also to increase sales. The USA is becoming a particularly important market for the new SUV and all other cars: this market brings Porsche 50% of its profits.

By the end of 2001, Porsche is preparing an update for the Boxster roadster (a restyled version will debut in 2002). The main changes affect only the design of the car. Thus, the front and rear bumpers, ellipsoidal exhaust pipe and front air intakes are subject to modifications. There are some changes in the interior as well.

At the end of October, Porsche resumes production of the Targa modification, albeit based on the Carrera coupe. The car gets a glass roof and a rear sliding window, like a hatchback. By pressing a button on the dashboard, a servo drive is activated, which moves the roof back by 50 cm, creating an open area of ​​​​almost 0.5 square meters above the head of the driver and his passenger. m. Like any other Carrera, the Targa modification receives a 3.6-liter boxer engine with a power of 320 hp, paired with a manual gearbox or an automatic Tiptronic S. The sports car reaches a top speed of 285 km/h and gains first " hundred" in 5.2 seconds.

Porsche history. 2002

At the beginning of the year, Wendelin Wiedeking reported at the Detroit auto show that they were almost ready for mass production of their new flagship supercar, the Garrera GT. At first, it is planned to produce only 1,000 of these cars.

The official presentation of the Porsche Cayenne, built on a modified platform from the Volkswagen Touareg, is taking place at the Geneva auto show. The Stuttgart masters are developing all-wheel drive for their SUV themselves (the system is called Porsche Stability MANagement).

The SUV gets quite impressive body dimensions: 4.78 m long, 1.93 m wide and 1.7 m high. Porsche is positioning its debutant not so much as an SUV, but as a sports car with increased capacity and cross-country ability. Both the body shape and the low ground clearance give off a sporty spirit in the Cayenne. By the way, the front of the first-generation SUV strongly resembled the Porsche 911 sports coupe.

From the very beginning, the Cayenne is available in S and Turbo versions. Under the hood of the first is a 340-horsepower V8 engine producing 420 Nm of torque. The Turbo version uses a 450-horsepower version of the same engine with a torque of 620 Nm. The Turbo version also featured more luxurious interior trim. The engines work in conjunction with a Tiptronic S semi-automatic gearbox.

The Porsche Cayenne gets pretty good dynamic performance: even in the “base” version it accelerates to 100 km/h in 7.2 seconds, while the Turbo version takes 5.6 seconds. The maximum speed is 242 and 266 km/h, respectively.
In May, the American division of Porsche AG reports a 17% drop in sales compared to last year. The worst situation is with the demand for the Boxster roadster - minus 31%: for example, in April 2002 in the USA, the roadster in all modifications was sold in the amount of only 934 copies, while in 2001 they were sold here in the amount of 1,361 copies.

In the same month, testing of the restyled Porsche 911 GT3 ends. The current generation was released in 1999, and the GT2 version was introduced at the beginning of 2001. The GT3 is based on the 911 Carrera. The new Porsche 911 GT3 is equipped with a six-speed manual transmission and a 3.6-liter six-cylinder engine producing 370 hp. The car reaches a maximum speed of 310 km/h. Traditionally, the GT3 gets a spartan interior, as it has been a true racing car throughout its generations.

On August 24, the opening ceremony of the new Porsche plant is held in Leipzig. Porsche invested $127 million in the construction of the new plant. The number one model for the plant is the Porsche Cayenne sports SUV. The annual production capacity of the plant is 25,000 cars. Later, production of the flagship supercar Porsche Carrera GT was established here.

Porsche history. 2003

The year 2003 begins for the brand with a reshuffle in the top management of the American division of Porsche: Fred Schwab resigns and is replaced by Peter Schwarzenbaur, who previously managed the company's sales markets in Spain and Portugal.

In February, Porsche is getting closer to the start of production production of its newest model, the Carrera GT. Deliveries of the first cars to customers begin by the end of the year. The Germans presented a conceptual model of this supercar back in 2001, and they plan to premiere the production modification at the 2003 Geneva Motor Show.

Everything is going according to plan: in Geneva, Porsche is rolling out its supercar with a completely new design, not devoid of corporate style. Powering the new supercar is a 5.7-liter engine producing 612 hp. and a torque of 590 Nm. To transfer all this power to the wheels, Porsche engineers developed a special six-speed transmission. With this filling, the supercar accelerates to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds, and to 200 km/h in 10 seconds. This roadster becomes the most powerful production car of the German company. The widespread use of carbon fiber made it possible to reduce the weight of the supercar to 1,380 kg. The top speed for the Carrera GT is 330 km/h.

In mid-August, Porsche announces the updated Porsche 911 GT2, sales of which begin in October. Compared to the previous modification, the power and speed of the sports coupe increases. The main innovation is an uprated 3.6-liter turbocharged engine producing 483 hp, an increase of 21 hp. more than before. The updated GT2 accelerates from zero to one hundred in just 4 seconds, and the top speed reaches 319 km/h. The suspension and braking systems are also being modernized.

The body of the updated GT2 is complemented by a new powerful carbon fiber rear spoiler and an upgraded aerodynamic body kit. 18-inch wheels appear as standard. The updated supercar is sold in Europe at a price of 184,674 euros.

Porsche celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Porsche 550 Spyder in October. In honor of this car, a special edition of the Porsche Boxster S 50 Jahre 550 Spyder roadster is being produced. The special series differs from the base car in a special configuration.

In this version, the power of the 3.3-liter engine increases by 6 hp. – 266 “horses”. The maximum speed is brought to a symbolic 266 km/h. The car hits 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds. Another difference of the special series is the suspension lowered by 10 mm.

The sports coupe receives a special body color, new 18-inch wheels, special trim, xenon headlights, climate control and high-quality sound. Exactly 1,953 examples of the Porsche Boxster S 50 Jahre 550 Spyder are produced.

Porsche history. 2004

The year begins with a series of spy photos of the new Porsche 911 Turbo on road tests. Porsche reports sales growth for the first 6 months of its fiscal year and recalls 22,000 Cayenne SUVs for the possibility of pinching nearby wires with the parking brake lever, which can cause electronic malfunctions.

In March, Porsche Chairman of the Board of Management Wendelin Wiedeking receives the award for best manager.

April brings a series of spy photos of the new generation Porsche Boxster road testing at the Nurburgring. The premiere of the roadster is planned for the fall. At first, it is assumed that the main innovation of the Boxster with the change of generations will be the appearance of the Coupe modification, but in reality, a new representative of the model range is being built on the roadster platform - the Cayman.

In mid-April, Porsche confirmed the development of a four-door GT coupe, the production version of which is scheduled to debut in 2008. In reality, the car only catches up in 2009 and it becomes the Panamera. Porsche management initially had ambitious plans for this model, since 16 years have already passed since the presentation of the first concept!

In May, Porsche officially unveils the new generation of the legendary Porsche 911 (body style 997). As you would expect, the design does not change much, but the technical content changes quite significantly. Externally, the new generation is moving closer to the classic design (this is largely due to the return of round headlights). The sports coupe receives a new front bumper with direction indicators and fog lights. The rear part of the body also changes slightly.

The “base” is equipped with a modernized 3.6-liter 325-horsepower engine, with which the Porsche 911 accelerates to 60 mph in 5 seconds at a top speed of 285 km/h. Under the hood of the more powerful version of the Carrera S is a 3.8-liter 355-horsepower engine, which accelerates the new coupe to 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds with a maximum speed of 293 km/h.

Each engine is paired with the latest six-speed transmission. The car is equipped with an upgraded PASM active suspension with several operating modes. It is included immediately in the Carrera S equipment. And in the basic version of the Porsche 911, the PASM suspension is installed as an option. Sales of the new generation Porsche 911 begin in the summer.

At the end of May, the new generation of Porsche 911 will be replenished with the most powerful modification, Turbo S, boosted to 450 hp. engine, which is 30 horsepower more than the 911 Turbo. The increase in power is due to a more efficient turbocharger, an upgraded engine control unit and a new intercooler. With a manual transmission, the Porsche 911 Turbo S accelerates to 200 km/h in just 13.6 seconds with a top speed of 307 km/h.

The Porsche 911 Turbo S comes standard with Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes with 350mm discs and six-piston calipers. The fastest Porsche 911 is sold in Germany for 142,248 euros. A similar convertible gets a price tag of 152,224 euros.

In August, Porsche publishes statistics for the previous financial year. During the reporting period, the automaker sold 15,299 cars, which is 15.7% more than the financial year 2002/2003. The largest growth was recorded for the Cayenne SUV, which sold as many as 5,872 units, which is 74% more than a year earlier. The other models, on the contrary, sold worse.

On September 9, Porsche officially announces the new generation of Porsche Boxster and its “charged” modification Boxster S. The cars will premiere at the Paris Auto Show, and sales will begin by the end of the year.

The Porsche Boxster features a modernized body design. The front part of the roadster changes greatly, which is more consistent with the style of the new generation Porsche 911. The new product is equipped with a different front bumper with large ventilation holes. The rear wings are complemented by new air intakes. The width of the car increases, which has a positive effect on its handling and impressive image.

A 6-cylinder 2.7-liter boxer engine producing 240 hp is installed under the hood of the base new generation Porsche Boxster. (previously there were 12 forces less). This Boxster accelerates from zero to one hundred in 6.2 seconds with a top speed of 256 km/h. The Porsche Boxster S modification now gets a 3.2-liter engine producing 280 hp. (20 strength gain). Acceleration from zero to hundred in this roadster takes 5.5 seconds with the ability to accelerate to a maximum of 268 km/h. Both modifications are available with five- and six-speed manual transmissions, or with a five-speed Tiptronic S automatic transmission.

The first version of the Boxster is available with 17-inch wheels, and the second with 18-inch wheels. The Porsche Boxster starts in Germany from 43,068 euros, and the Boxster S from 51,304 euros.

In September, Porsche will announce the updated Cayenne SUV for the 2005 model year (deliveries begin in December). The most obvious change is the panoramic roof with three sliding elements, which allows you to choose to open the space above only the front, only the rear, or above all the seats in the cabin at once. A panoramic roof becomes an option on all models and is offered for $3,900.

At the same time, the Cayenne Turbo is being updated, receiving an increase of 50 hp. (500 hp). The increase in power is due to the upgraded intercooler. Acceleration to 100 km/h is reduced to 4.9 seconds, and the maximum speed jumps to 267 km/h. An optional rearview camera is available on all 2005 Cayenne models, complete with a 6.5-inch display on the instrument panel. Porsche is asking $1,680 for this option.

Another announcement at the end of September is the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, based on the new generation of Porsche 911, specially built for participation in professional racing. This modification becomes the entry ticket for many sports teams into the world of racing. In the GT3 Cup, engine power is increased to 400 hp. and 400 Nm of torque. Another innovation of the new product is a sequential six-speed gearbox and a ceramic clutch. At the rear of the sports car there is a huge spoiler, increased by 60 cm in width. A second adjustable spoiler is installed under the front bumper.

During test runs at the Nürburgring, the Porsche Carrera GT sets a world speed record for completing the 22.6-kilometer track in 7.32.44 minutes.

In November, the American press publishes spy photos of the new generation coupe-cabriolet version of the Porsche 911. Prototypes of the car are seen during road tests.

Porsche history. 2005 year

The coupe, based on the Porsche Boxster, is split into an independent model called the Cayman. The premiere of a new representative of the model range of the Stuttgart brand is being prepared for the autumn auto show in Frankfurt.

In January, Wendelin Wiedeking admitted that Porsche bought a hybrid power plant from Toyota, which it plans to use as the basis for the hybrid modification of the Cayenne. The head of the Stuttgart brand considers this unit the only way to meet strict emission standards.

In March, the future of the Porsche Panamera becomes increasingly clear. It is announced that the car will have a front-engine layout and a 340-horsepower V8 engine producing 300 hp. The concept arrives at the Frankfurt auto show, and the production model is launched in 2009. Assembly of the model is subsequently mastered at the new Porsche plant in Leipzig, where the Cayenne SUV and the flagship Carrera GT are already produced without it.

In the summer, during road tests, a restyled Porsche Cayenne SUV comes across, which goes on sale in the spring of 2006. There are no revolutionary changes in the design: new bumpers, different optics, etc. The suspension, steering and other components are slightly modernized. The range of engines is replenished with a new unit, which replaces the base 3.2-liter V6. Volkswagen's new VR6 produces 280 hp. instead of the previous 250.

The year 2005 ends with the closure of the Carrera GT project. The last copy of the model rolled off the assembly line on December 29, which brought the total number of supercars produced to 1,250. In total, the car lasted in the series for only 2 years.

Porsche history. 2006

At the beginning of the year, Porsche announced the start of sales of the most powerful Cayenne Turbo S, equipped with a 4.5-liter V8 twin-turbocharged engine producing 521 hp. Increase of 71 hp is due to an increase in the degree of boost and some changes in the engine control unit. Torque also increases - 720 Nm instead of the previous 620 Nm. Due to this, acceleration to 100 km/h is reduced to 5.2 seconds. The Turbo S version is more expensive than the Turbo by 15,500 euros.

By the middle of the year, production of the “budget” Cayman coupe, equipped with a 2.7-liter engine producing 245 hp, is being mastered. Even with this engine, the car reaches a top speed of 258 km/h.

In the fall, intensive road testing of the 4-door car begins. According to preliminary statements, the length of the car will be about 5 meters: about the same as the BMW 7-series and Mercedes S-classe. The cabin can comfortably accommodate 4 people and place all your belongings in the trunk (volume 450 liters).

The Stuttgart company delayed updating its Cayenne crossover until the end of 2006. Official photos of the restyled car are published on December 5, while the car itself arrives at the Detroit Auto Show in January 2007.

In the restyled crossover, the design of the front part of the body changes - different headlights, a huge air intake in the bumper, new fenders, a hood, etc. The rear part changes accordingly. The range of engines is changing, all-wheel drive is being improved. Special active stabilizers appear in the suspension, which eliminate the strong roll of the SUV when cornering. The new Porsche Cayenne goes on sale on February 24, 2007.

Porsche history. 2007

At the beginning of the year, some online publications publish new computer drawings of the four-door Panamera coupe, which by this time is about to begin road testing on the Nurburgring track, where all cars of the brand are traditionally honed. In these pictures, the Panamera was as close as possible to its real appearance.

At the March Geneva Motor Show, Porsche is showing several new products, including the restyled Cayenne SUV (which was talked about so much at the end of 2006). The engines for the restyled crossover deserve the most public interest. Thus, the base 3.2-liter unit, which produced 250 hp, is replaced with a 3.6-liter engine with a power of 290 hp. Well, the most popular 4.5-liter engine is being replaced with a 4.8-liter unit with a power of 385 hp. (with a turbine it already produced 500 hp). The most powerful modification of the Cayenne after restyling began to accelerate to a maximum of 275 km/h and reach 100 km/h from a standstill in 5.1 seconds.

Porsche's other Geneva premiere is the bright orange Porsche 911 GT3 RS, built for racing. The declared title corresponds to a 3.6-liter boxer engine with an output of 415 hp. The sports car is freed from excess cargo in the form of passenger seats and unnecessary panels in the interior, but a safety cage and a fire extinguisher are installed. The 911 GT3 RS is equipped with an adjustable carbon fiber wing. Porsche dealers in Germany sell the sports car at prices starting from 133,000 euros.

On March 7, Porsche officially reveals its fastest convertible ever, the 911 Turbo Cabriolet. This roadster is powered by a 3.6-liter boxer engine producing 480 hp. and 620 N m (turbocharged version). The acceleration dynamics of 0-100 km/h is 3.8 seconds for the convertible, and the top speed reaches 310 km/h, which at one time made the Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet one of the fastest production convertibles in the world.

In June, the Stuttgart-based company shares information about plans to launch a new generation of the Cayenne SUV in 2010. This time the forecast turns out to be surprisingly accurate - the new Caen appears on time. The second generation of the SUV, as before, is based on the platform from the Volkswagen Touareg (this time the second generation). At the same time, more economical and environmentally friendly engines are being developed.

Towards the end of June, spy photographers are sharing several photos of the restyled Boxster Convertible road testing at the Nurburgring. The changes, quite naturally, do not become revolutionary: restyling is limited to new bumpers and slightly different headlights. The chassis of the convertible is also being slightly modernized.

July. The first official photos of the 911 GT2 sports car have been published, which at one time became the fastest mass-produced 911. The coupe is driven by a 3.6-liter turbocharged boxer engine producing 530 hp. and 684 Nm of torque. The new coupe had a record low weight of 1,440 kg, which predetermined amazing dynamics: 3.6 seconds to 100 km/h and a top speed of 328 km/h. The public presentation of the fastest Porsche 911 GT2 is held at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.

By the end of the year, one of the most sensational news was the bonus of Porsche head Wendelin Wiedeking in the amount of 70 million euros, which made him the richest top manager of his time.

Porsche history. 2008

In February, Porsche introduces a new supercar for racing - the 911 GT3 Cup S. The sports car borrows heavily from the standard 911, but is equipped with a completely new aerodynamic body kit, an active rear wing, a completely different suspension and brakes. And in the interior of the GT3 Cup S, little remains of the production car. The fastest Porsche 911 is driven by a 3.6-liter engine producing 440 hp, paired with a 6-speed gearbox. The hottest 911 sells for 250,000 euros. The circulation of the new item is very modest - only 265 copies.

Next month brings news of Porsche's plans to release its first ever diesel car. This important role is assigned to the off-road Cayenne, which is equipped with a 300-horsepower unit developed by Audi.

In the summer, even before the official presentation of the Porsche Panamera, information about prices appears. The publication AutoBild predicts a price tag of at least $127,000 for the car, and only for a car with a base 3.6-liter engine.

Meanwhile, the first spy photos of the Panamera's interior are being published. The photographs show incredible luxury and stunning style of the future car.

In September, road tests of the new generation Cayenne will start, which is again reported by photo spies.

On September 16, Porsche begins to intrigue fans with photographs of individual parts of the four-door Panamera coupe.

Restyled Boxster and Cayman co-platforms are being prepared for the Los Angeles Auto Show. A full generation change is predicted by 2012, and in restyled versions of cars they are limited to changing the optics and adding a proprietary strip of LEDs to the headlights. The updated cars are equipped with a modernized aerodynamic body kit, new design wheels and dual exhaust pipes. From now on, the cars are equipped with manual gearboxes and robotic PDK with two clutches.

November. The long-awaited Porsche Cayenne with heavy fuel is released. The version is equipped with a V-shaped turbocharged “six” with a capacity of 240 hp. and 550 Nm of torque. The engine's efficiency is fine - only 9.3 liters of diesel per 100 km. The partner for the new engine is the adapted “hydromechanics” Tiptronic-S. In Europe, the diesel version of the Cayenne is sold at a price of 47,250 euros.

November 24. A series of the first official photos of the Porsche Panamera has been published. The length of the new four-door coupe is 4,970 mm, slightly less than that of the Mercedes-Benz S-classe and BMW 7-series. The interior turned out to be really very spacious for the driver and all passengers.

As expected, under the hood of the most modest “Panamera” they put a 3.6-liter gasoline engine, developed by Volkswagen mechanics, producing 300 hp. The next step is a V8 unit with a displacement of 4.8 liters. In the naturally aspirated version it develops 405 hp, and with turbocharging – 500 hp. There is not a single diesel engine. Instead of diesel engines, lovers of economy are offered a hybrid version that combines a gasoline V6 and an electric motor. The choice of gearboxes is limited to the standard manual and the newfangled dual-clutch automatic with manual shift capability.

Porsche history. year 2009

The new Porsche Museum in Stuttgart opens in January. In 5 months it is visited by 250,000 people. The exhibition of the new museum consists of more than 80 sports cars. For comparison, the old museum housed only 20 cars of the brand.

End of January. Porsche presents the restyled 911 GT3 coupe - the most powerful modification of the 911 model, intended for track racing, and not for public roads. Externally, the updated sports car remains virtually unchanged: except for the headlights, bumpers and spoiler.

But the technical filling is undergoing a more serious modernization: if previously the sports car was equipped with a 3.6-liter boxer engine, then with restyling it now has 3.8-liters and 435 hp. Such a powerful engine accelerates the 911 GT3 to 100 km/h in 4.1 seconds and a top speed of 312 km/h.

Other changes to this Porsche include a more powerful braking system and adjustable spoilers. In Europe, the 911 GT3 starts with a price tag of 116,947 euros.

On March 10, the 250,000th Porsche Cayenne rolls off the assembly line at the Leipzig plant. The anniversary was an all-terrain vehicle with a diesel engine. By this time, the crossover existed in seven modifications. The 250,000th example of the Cayenne was sent to a buyer from Austria.

The Stuttgart company will make an official presentation of the previously announced four-door Panamera coupe in April at the Shanghai auto show.

In June, Porsche begins a project to revive the legendary Spyder, a convertible produced from 1953 to 1956. The future Porsche 918 Spyder super hybrid will be based on the platform from the Volkswgaen BlueSport concept.

End of August. Porsche is updating the track-ready 911 GT3 RS, which is also suitable for use on public roads. The modernization turns out to be very thorough: just what does it cost to replace the old 3.6-liter engine with a new 3.8-liter engine producing 450 hp? The car is equipped only with a six-speed manual transmission, optimized for shorter shifts, which obviously reduces the maximum speed of the car in favor of faster acceleration. To improve sporting qualities, the GT3 RS is equipped with a special PASM suspension. The car body becomes wider, which increases its stability when cornering.

Beginning of autumn. Porsche produces a unique model – the 911 Sport Classic, limited to 250 units. This car was developed for 3 years by the Porsche Exclusive division for the most demanding customers of the brand. The exclusive coupe is equipped with a new roof, a redesigned “stern” (built on the basis of the Carrera S) and a characteristic front cladding. The coupe is distinguished by a special rear spoiler in the shape of a duck's tail (from the 1973 Porsche Carrera RS 2.7).

The engine of the 911 Sport Classic is also special - a 3.8-liter unit with direct injection that produces 408 hp. Only a six-speed manual transmission is available for the car. The ground clearance is reduced by 20 mm, a mechanical rear differential lock and 19-inch wheels of a special design appear. The exclusive 911 Sport Classic arrives at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.

Porsche 911 GT3 RS (997 body). 2009 - 2013

In addition to the 911 Sport Classic, Porsche is showing the 911 Turbo, 911 GT3 RS and 911 GT3 RS Cup in Frankfurt. All cars are equipped with a 3.8-liter engine, which has become a source of special pride for the engineers of the Stuttgart brand. Moreover, they really have a reason to be proud, since they developed this engine from scratch.

November. By the middle of the month, Porsche is revealing the fastest version of the 911, designed exclusively for racing competitions. The name of the special version is Porsche 911 GT3 R, which the Stuttgart brand’s racers are driving in next year’s championships. In addition to racing teams, cars are offered to everyone at a price of 279,000 euros.

The Porsche 911 GT3 R version is based on the 911 GT3 Cup, presented in Frankfurt. Compared to its progenitor, the weight of the car is reduced to 1,200 kg, and its heart becomes a 4.0-liter six-cylinder unit developing 480 hp. Only a six-speed manual transmission is available for the engine.

At the beginning of December, the new generation of Porsche Cayenne is captured by spy photographers. The official presentation of the new generation of the all-terrain vehicle is planned for the March Geneva Motor Show.

Porsche Panamera exceeds all expectations: the Leipzig plant produces the 10,000th Panamera, despite the fact that mass production of the car started only 3 months ago! Another interesting thing is that Porsche initially planned to produce only 20,000 four-door coupes per year.

Porsche history. 2010

In March, the official presentation of the most powerful road-going 911 in history, the Porsche 911 Turbo S, takes place. The model is proclaimed to be the pinnacle of development of the current generation of sports car and the company no longer plans to continue working on the project.

The 3.8-liter unit of this car produces 530 hp. and 700 N m, which is a great merit of the new turbocharging. The Porsche 911 Turbo S dashes to 100 km/h in 3.3 seconds, and to 200 km/h in just 10.8 seconds. The engine power is enough to accelerate the sports coupe to a top speed of 315 km/h. The coupe and convertible versions immediately appear.

One of the main sensations of the Geneva Motor Show is the Porsche 918 Spyder concept. No one doubted the prospects of launching such a machine into series from the very first presentation. The car inherits a lot from the previous flagship in the form of the Carrera GT.

The supercar gets a spectacular appearance and an equally impressive technical component. The driving force behind the concept is a hybrid power plant based on a 3.4-liter petrol V8 producing 500 hp. and two electric motors with a total power of 218 hp. This provides the lightweight model with dynamic acceleration to 100 km/h in 3.2 seconds and a top speed of 320 km/h. What surprises most is the average fuel consumption - only 3 liters per “hundred”! The supercar can travel 20 km on electric power alone.

Porsche's next big premiere in Geneva is the second generation Cayenne. The car turned out just great! He inherited all the related features of the first-generation thoroughbred Stuttgart crossover. Changes in the interior are also predictable, but this doesn’t make it boring.

What’s even more interesting is that a hybrid modification of the Cayenne is immediately announced, with a 333-horsepower 3.3-liter gasoline engine and a 47-hp electric motor. With the change of generations, the Cayenne receives a range of very economical engines. Compared to their predecessor, all engines become more economical by an average of 23%. The most modest consumption is the 3.6-liter six, with a power of 300 hp. In the naturally aspirated version, the power of this 8-cylinder unit is 400 hp. (previously 385 hp), and in the turbocharged version – already 500 hp. The characteristics of the diesel engine do not change: 3.0-liter volume and 240 hp. power.

All engines are coupled with a new eight-speed automatic transmission. All modifications of the crossover receive a switchable start-stop system.

The latest high-profile presentation of Porsche in Geneva is the hybrid “combat” coupe 911 GT3 R. This sports car is based on a four-liter petrol boxer engine producing 480 hp. Paired with this internal combustion engine are two electric motors of 60 kW each.

At the end of March, photo spies catch a camouflaged Porsche 911 of the new generation, the development of which ends only at the end of 2011. Such lengthy work on the car can be explained simply – this is the key model of the brand. No revolutions are expected in design. But at the same time, the coupe gets rid of all the old body parts! In addition, the suspension is radically reconfigured, as the coupe increases in length and width.

In the summer, Porsche finally decides to mass produce a flagship model based on the 918 Spyder Concept, but it immediately becomes known about its small-scale production and terribly high cost.

By the end of the year, Porsche is creating a new version of the 911 – the Porsche 911 Carrera GTS, which becomes the stop version of the entire line. The engine chosen for the model is quite predictable - a 3.8-liter unit with a capacity of 408 hp. The new coupe is very different both externally and technically. The coupe rides on 19-inch RS Spyder wheels painted black. The front fascia of the coupe, the spoiler lip, the side sills, the doors and the rear lid are greatly changed. Particular attention was paid to the special resonant intake system with six dampers in the sports car. The Porsche 911 Carrera GTS is immediately available in coupe and convertible body styles.

At the same time, a new modification of the Porsche 911 Speedster is being built, released in honor of the 356 Speedster model, which was on the assembly line in the 50s. In technical terms, the special version is very similar to the Porsche 911 Carrera GTS. The new product is produced in an exclusive edition of 356 copies.

In November, talk about Porsche's plans to release a compact crossover, a junior version of the Cayenne, will not subside. The management of the Stuttgart brand cannot make a final decision for a long time. And when the project is given the green light, at first it is assumed that the new crossover will be called Cajun, but later it is changed to Macan.

This month marks another batch of spy photos of the new generation Porsche 911 undergoing road tests at the Nurburgring.

Also in November, photos of Porsche’s new “hot” Cayman R are published. The sports car not only receives an increase of 10 hp, but also becomes 55 kg lighter. The Cayman R's 3.4-liter engine increases output to 330 hp. Not only is a stiffer suspension installed, but also a reinforced braking system.

All the work to reduce weight and increase power results in a reduction in acceleration to 100 km/h to 4.9 seconds (which is 0.2 seconds faster than the Porsche Cayman S). The new central-engine coupe with manual transmission accelerates to a maximum of 282 km/h, and with the PDK automatic transmission up to 280 km/h. Sales of the car begin in February 2011.

Porsche history. 2011

January. The main novelty of Detroit is the Porsche 918 RSR concept, which became a further development of the 918 Spyder Concept. The model pleases not only with its spectacular appearance, but also with its technical perfection. The new Spider is powered by a V8 petrol engine with a displacement of 3.4 liters and a power reserve of 500 hp. As before, its partners are two electric motors with a total power of 218 hp. The enormous torque of the electric motors allows the 918 RSR to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 3.2 seconds.

The 918 RSR at this exhibition already looked completely ready for series production. It combines all the engineering experience of the company in recent years, all the most modern and technologically advanced.

At the end of February, the company will present a limited edition of the 911 Black Edition coupe, produced in the amount of 1,911 units. A similar series is being prepared for the Boxster, released in 987 copies and called the Boxster S Black Edition. Black cars differ in almost everything, from the body and interior trim, to new air intakes, 19-inch wheels and more.

The Geneva Motor Show becomes the venue for the presentation of the second production hybrid in the Porsche range – the Panamera S Hybrid. Just like the hybrid Cayenne, the role of the main fiddle still goes to the petrol 3.0-liter V6 compressor engine, developing 333 hp. An electric motor with a power of 47 hp plays along with this “violin”. The engines can work either together or separately, however, on electric power alone the range is only 2 km (with the prospect of acceleration to a maximum of 165 km/h).

In total, the Panamera S Hybrid develops 380 hp, thanks to which its maximum speed reaches 270 km/h and acceleration to 60 mph takes 6.0 seconds. The average fuel consumption declared by the manufacturer is 6.8 liters of fuel per 100 km. Sales of the Porsche Panamera S Hybrid will start in the summer.

April. The official presentation of one of the fastest Porsche cars is taking place - the 911 GT3 RS 4.0, which is produced in the amount of 600 copies. Yes, it wasn’t the most powerful exclusive, but its 4.0-liter, 500-horsepower unit was enough to make it an enviable sports car. The four-liter unit in the 911 GT3 RS 4.0 is called the largest engine ever used in a production 911 model. Moreover, it produces the highest power of any naturally-aspirated engine - 125 hp. per liter of working volume. The power reserve gave the dynamics of acceleration from zero to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds.

May. Spy photographers catch the new generation of Cayman during road tests. The Boxter co-platform is planned to be shown in 2012. At the end of May, Porsche strives to create an environmentally friendly image for itself, for which it creates the Boxster E electric car concept, which develops 121 hp. The concept model takes an eternity to accelerate to 100 km/h - 9.8 seconds, which is very mediocre even for a golf class. The maximum speed is generally discouraging - only 150 km/h. The Germans have been emphatic about their plans to add a decent electric car to their lineup in the coming years.

Mid August. The first official photos of the new generation Porsche 911 are being circulated, while a public presentation is planned for the Frankfurt Motor Show. The design does not change too much, but this should not be surprising: Porsche has never allowed itself radical experiments with the appearance of the 911 model. But quite significant changes are taking place in the cabin: the interior inherits a lot from the Panamera, and important buttons are placed on the central tunnel.

The new model's wheelbase increases slightly, and new engines appear in the range. So, the 911 Carrera is equipped with a 3.4-liter engine producing 350 hp. (the same one is installed in the Boxster S). The Porsche 911 Carrera S is already equipped with a 3.8-liter unit producing 400 hp. In both cases, power is transferred to the rear axle via a 7-speed manual transmission or a PDK dual-clutch automatic transmission.

By November, a convertible based on the new 911 will also arrive. The highlight of the convertible is not only its stunning design, but also its roof, which folds in just 11 seconds. The roof is made of a special composite material covered with fabric. A lot of magnesium is used in the roof structure, which provides significant lightening of the entire structure. The convertible is produced in two versions: 911 Carrera with a 3.4-liter boxer 350-horsepower engine and 911 Carrera S with a 3.8-liter 400-horsepower engine.

In December, road tests of early prototypes of the brand's new crossover, the Macan, begin. Then it was also tested in the shell of the Audi Q5, which is not surprising, since the cars have an identical platform.

Porsche history. year 2012

Contrary to the expected Cajun name for the new crossover, Porsche still chooses the Macan name. At the beginning of the year, it becomes known that although the platform will be common with the Audi Q5, the Stuttgart craftsmen are making a completely original suspension, steering, wheels, stabilization system and brakes for the car.

The third generation of the Porsche Boxster roadster arrives at the 82nd Geneva Motor Show. In technical terms, the development of the Boxster proceeds smoothly and time after time this sports car comes closer to Porsche’s ideas of ideal and impeccability.

But if the previous generation of Boxster was just a deep restyling of its predecessor, now we are talking about a fundamentally new Boxster with body index 981. First of all, the wheelbase increases - 2,475 mm (plus 59 mm), although the dimensions increase only by 5 mm – 4,374 mm.

Porsche Boxster (body 981). 2012 - 2016

As before, the Boxster is offered with two engines – both opposed six-cylinder. The base Boxster gets a 2.7-liter unit that produces 265 horsepower and 280 Newton-meters. With a manual transmission, acceleration to 100 km/h takes 5.8 seconds for this modification. With the PDK robot, this exercise takes him 5.7 seconds. The Boxster S modification is equipped with a 3.4-liter engine producing 315 hp, with which the dynamics of acceleration to hundred are reduced by a second. The maximum speed of the most powerful Boxster is 279 km/h, and the “regular” one is 264 km/h.

On April 3, Porsche announces sad news: Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, who once created the legendary 911 model, dies at the age of 76. He designed cars almost all his life, and he headed the project to create the Porsche 911 in 1962. In addition to this legendary sports car, he also created sports models such as the Type 804 Formula and 904 Carrera GTS.

On April 10, Porsche will present the Cayenne GTS. The modification receives a V8 engine with 420 hp. A forced unit, a slightly different aerodynamic body kit and a stiffer suspension increase the maximum speed of the Cayenne GTS to 261 km/h. The base already has an air suspension with adjustable ground clearance. The interior of the car is leather, and some elements are upholstered in Alcantara.

In May, an almost uncamouflaged Porsche Macan comes across during road tests, the official presentation of which is carried out only a year later. In the summer, car tests begin at the Nürburgring.

On August 6, Porsche shows the production 918 Spyder roadster for the first time at a private event in New York, a video of which is posted on YouTube. After a few hours, the video is deleted from the video hosting site, but vigilant fans manage to take screenshots. There are no radical changes in appearance compared to the concept: the massive rear spoiler disappears, a different diffuser appears, and the exhaust pipes “move” behind the headrests.

In September, Porsche officially announces the most powerful diesel modification, the Cayenne S Diesel. The car is equipped with a 4.2-liter eight-cylinder biturbo engine producing 382 hp. and 850 N m. With this engine, the Cayenne S Diesel accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds with a top speed limit of 252 km/h. In mixed mode, the car consumes 8.3 liters of fuel per 100 km. With this consumption, with a full 100-liter tank, the range reaches 1,200 km. The modification arrives at the Paris Motor Show this fall.

A little later, Porsche shows the first photos of the Cayenne Turbo S, the fastest crossover in its history. Under the hood of the modification is a turbocharged V8 engine with a displacement of 4.8 liters and a power of 550 hp. and 750 N m. The most powerful version of the Porsche Cayenne is distinguished by “tinted” optics, a slightly different aerodynamic body kit, stylish 21-inch wheels and a sports suspension with active stabilizers. All this ensures the car accelerates to a hundred in 4.5 seconds.

In December, official information about the new Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, built on the basis of the seventh generation 911 GT3, will be released. The sports car is being built specifically to participate in the Porsche Mobil 1 Super Cup race. The heart of the car is a 3.8-liter six-cylinder boxer engine producing 460 hp. The car is equipped with a redesigned brake system, ground and ventilated brake discs, six-piston aluminum monoblock calipers and more. The safety of the pilot is well taken care of: in the event of a rollover or collision, he is protected by a new safety cage and bucket seats with special protective padding.

Porsche history. year 2013

The Germans are showing the seventh generation of the Porsche 911 GT3 in Geneva. The driving force behind the debutant is a 3.8-liter naturally aspirated boxer engine, developing 475 hp, with which acceleration to 60 takes 3.5 seconds and a top speed of 315 km/h. This Porsche becomes the first GT3 available exclusively with PDK, while the manual is consigned to oblivion. This GT3 is also the first to be equipped with a fully steering chassis: at speeds of up to 50 km/h, the rear wheels also turn in antiphase, which improves agility. At high speeds, the rear wheels turn slightly towards the front ones, increasing the stability of the car.

On April 20, an open display of the Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid is taking place in Shanghai with an increased power reserve and expanded capabilities for interacting with your car through a special program for your smartphone. The machine's power increases to 416 hp. (one electric motor develops 95 hp). On electric power alone, the car can travel 36 km with acceptable acceleration dynamics and a maximum speed of 135 km/h. But if you connect the internal combustion engine, the dynamics of acceleration to 100 km/h will be only 5.5 seconds, and the maximum speed will be 270 km/h.

In May, the story of the new generation of the legendary Porsche 911 Turbo and Turbo S begins, which are discussed in more detail in our.

On September 10, 2.5 years after the first display of the Porsche 918 Spyder concept, the production flagship supercar of the Stuttgart brand is coming to the stand. This car is immediately declared the most powerful, fastest and most technically advanced in Porsche history. The 918 Spyder uses technology from the future.

Super hybrid Porsche 918 Spyder

The production supercar differs little from the concept. In both cases, the cars were built with a durable carbon fiber monocoque and a subframe made of the same material. The roof of the Porsche 918 Spyder consists of two removable halves that can be folded into the 100-liter trunk.

At the rear there is a 4.6-liter petrol V8, created using Porsche RS Spyder technology and producing 608 hp. The rear wheels rotate through a seven-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission. This internal combustion engine has two assistants working with the front wheels (though only at speeds up to 235 km/h, after which the supercar again becomes rear-wheel drive). The total power of the power unit is 887 hp. The supercar accelerates to “hundred” in 2.8 seconds, to two in 7.7 seconds, and to three in just 22 seconds. The physical maximum for the new Porsche flagship is 345 km/h with an average fuel consumption of only 3.0 - 3.3 liters.

Read about other key moments in the life of Porsche in the main sections of our website and on the page.

PORSCHE (Dr. Ing. h. c. Ferry Porsche AG), German automobile company. The headquarters is located in Stuttgart.

The company was founded by the famous designer Ferdinand Porsche Sr. as a design bureau in 1931 in Germany. The Type 22 racing car was developed for the Auto-Union company in 1936. After the successful racing Auto-Union, the first versions of the future “people's car” for all times were born - the famous Volkswagen Beetle, which had other name -Type 60.

In 1937, the “Third Reich” needed a racing car to participate and, of course, win in the Berlin-Rome marathon, scheduled for September 1939. It was then that the Porsche project received the support of the National Sports Committee. Work was in full swing.

It was for this event that on the same “Beetle” base, or rather “KdF” (name before 1945), three Porsche prototypes “Type-60K-10” were built with an engine boosted to 50 “horses” ( instead of the standard 24 hp). But the war prevented the release of this model.

The war years were devoted to the fulfillment of government orders - the production of staff vehicles, amphibians, tanks and self-propelled guns.

In post-war Germany in 1948, the company launched the first car under the name “Porsche” - a small sports Porsche 356 with a forced Volkswagen engine and a streamlined coupe. Without having time to take its first steps, the car was able to win the race just a week after its “birth”. Production Porsche 356 cars were already rear-engine. "356" was produced until 1965 and served as the basis for the Carrera model.

Considering the advantages and good results shown in 1951 by the “356” model, Ferry is trying to build a pure sports car. It became the Porsche 550 Spider in 1953. It was this car that repeatedly won one victory after another. Thanks to his participation (and victory) at the Carrera Panamericana auto race in Mexico in 1953, the custom began to call the company’s fastest models by this name.

By 1954, the first Spider appeared with a straight windshield and a soft top.

The very first Porsche Carrera was released in 1955. In addition, this modification received a power plant entirely developed by Porsche specialists. The same “heart” was transplanted into the “550” model. After which laurels began to fall on the creators of the machine.

The coming year 1956 brought two events at once: an updated version of the “356th” appeared - model “356A”; a more “calm” modification “550A” appeared in the sports series.

Two years later, a completely new racing model, the Porsche 718, was born, both externally and internally. At the end of 1958, the much-loved Spider came to an end. Its place was taken by the more powerful model “356D”.

In 1960, the last version of the “550s” dynasty was released - the “718/RS” model. In parallel, there was a closed version of the joint development of Porsche and the Italian Abart.

As for production cars, the most important step in the development of the range of models was the Porsche 356B, which was easily recognizable by its high bumpers with large vertical “bulls”. The car had three modifications. The most powerful is “Super 90”.

In 1961, the 356 GS Carrera model successfully competed in the Gran Turismo class. In the spring, the last and fastest car from the Carrera family appeared - Carrera-2.

In 1963, a few more changes were made, resulting in the 356C model.

For about 15 years, the Porsche 356 was one of the most prestigious sports cars in the world. However, over time, it also became less and less consistent with modern requirements. Something completely new was needed, to match the times. This car turned out to be another masterpiece of Ferdinand Porsche - the world famous Porsche 911. Ferry's son, Ferdinand Alexander, took part in the creation of this car. The new car was first shown to the public at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1963.

In the world of sports, there has also been a worthy replacement. The successor to the RS Spider and 356 GS Carrera models was the 904 GTS, which had the features of a racing car. These features were continued in the next model - “906”, created in 1966. In turn, it was the ancestor of a large series of cars that achieved many successes in prototype competitions in the late 60s (models “907”, “908” and “917”) and were distinguished by exceptional reliability and good style.

In 1965, a cheaper modification of the Porsche 912 with a 4-cylinder Super 90 engine was released.

In 1967, the Porsche 911 Targa finally went on sale. Buyers were now offered a coupe, a “Targa” model (index “T” in the model name), a luxury model labeled “E” and a modification “S” - especially for the USA, where the company returned again after a year-long absence.

In 1975, the Porsche 924 model was released, which was considered the most economical sports car in the world.

In March 1977, the “928” model was released (already with an “8-cylinder” engine of 240 hp), which also managed to become the “Car of 1978” in Europe.

In 1979, a more powerful model “928S” appeared with a 300 hp engine. The speed of the car reached 250 km/h, which was 20 km/h higher than the maximum speed of the “924th” model.

In 1981, the Porsche 944 became a further development of the 924 model. 220 hp also affected the speed - 250 km/h.

Three years later, at the Frankfurt Motor Show, a prototype of another masterpiece of minds was presented - the “959” model. Having collected everything possible and impossible, it personified the most modern sports car from Porsche.

Throughout the decade, the class of prototypes was replenished with new successful models: “936”, “956” and “962”, which repeatedly collected laurels in the “24 Hours of Le Mans” race, “959” reigned in the “Paris - Dakar” marathon. .

To add variety and, to an even greater extent, to increase popularity, the Porsche 944 S2 Cabriolet was introduced to the auto community in 1988.

At the end of the 80s, the 911 Spider model appeared. Three decades passed before the name “spider” was revived. As for the turbo version, it saw the light of day already in the new decade, or rather in 1991.

In 1992, the Porsche family was replenished with another model with a front engine - the 968. It replaced the entire 944 range, which had ceased production by this time.

Another gift from the Porsche designers was the debut in 1993 at the Frankfurt Motor Show of a new generation of the 911 model - type 993. Two years later, a Porsche appeared with a 408-horsepower boxer turbo engine. In the same year, the “928” and “968” models, which did not live up to expectations, completed their journey.

In 1995, the Porsche model range was replenished with the unusual at first glance Porsche 911 Targa with a glass roof that retracts electrically under the rear window.

In order to consolidate its post-crisis position in the sports car market and in the class of “inexpensive” cars, Porsche introduced a completely new type of car in 1996 - the Boxster model. The model has a soft (automatically folding) top. If desired, you can get the option with a hard top. Finally, a “cheap” competitor to the great “911” has appeared.

July 15, 1996 was a significant day in the history of the company: the millionth Porsche was produced. It was “911 Carrera” in police performance.

As for the company's experimental development area, its concept cars, there were very few of them. Firstly, this is the Porsche Panamericana (1989) with a completely new body “a la Targa”, which has found its application in the modern 911 model with the same body, then the Porsche Boxster ( 1993), which subsequently influenced the birth of the production version, and the “C88” project (1994), which personified yet another idea of ​​a “people’s car” for the PRC.

The “highlight” of 1999 is the GT3 (in the 996 body), which replaced the spartan RS. The GT3 now dominates all road car and club racing. In terms of dynamics, this model comes close to the great “turbo” - 4.8s.

Next year is the triumph of the new turbo based on the 996 model. With a modest 420 hp. it reaches “hundreds” in 4.2 s. And it confirms its direct relationship to the rank of supercars.

The latest new product is the Carrera GT. It's more of a prototype like the 959. The ten-cylinder V-twin engine made of light alloy accelerates to hundreds in less than four seconds, and to 200 km/h in ten seconds. Think about these numbers for a second!

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Ferdinand Porsche founded a company called "Dr. Ing. HC F. Porsche AG" in Austria in 1931. Initially, the company offered technical development of cars, but did not produce them themselves. However, at the direction of the German government, she was forced to take part in the development of a “car for the people,” which led to the creation of the Volkswagen Beetle, one of the best-selling automobiles of all time. The company's firstborn, the Porsche 64, was released in 1939, and in many ways resembled the Beetle.

The first post-war car, the 356, also initially had many components in common with the Volkswagen Beetle. This was due to a lack of components in post-war Germany. However, gradually, as production was established, Porsche replaced borrowed components with parts of its own production. By 1954, the car began to be equipped with completely original components.

Ten years later, after several race victories and with the need to replace the aging Porsche Roadster 356 model, the company released the Porsche 911, a sports car with a rear-mounted, air-cooled six-cylinder engine.

The 911 has become Porsche's most popular and iconic car – successful on both the race track and the highway. Far more than any other car, the 911 determined the fate of the Porsche brand. The 911 is still in production, but after several generations of modifications, all that remains of the original car is the basic configuration of a coupe with a rear-mounted six-cylinder engine and a similar silhouette to the 1964 car.

Ferdinand Piech, responsible for developing the powertrains of Porsche cars (including the very successful 911, 908 and 917), created his own design office. This division developed the five-cylinder in-line diesel engine that later appeared in Audi cars.

Porsche AG CEO Dr. Ernst Fuhrmann planned to discontinue the 911 model during the 1970s and replace it with the 928 sports wagon. However, the popularity of the 911 model helped it survive much longer than planned. In 1990, Porsche entered into a cooperation agreement with Toyota to study and apply the Japanese method of production management. In addition, Toyota assisted Porsche in the development of hybrid technologies.

The companies joined forces in 1969 to produce the 914 and 914-6 models. In 1976, the 912E and 924 contained a number of Audi components. The Cayenne shares its entire chassis with the 2015 Volkswagen Touareg and Audi Q7.

Corporate restructuring

In August 2009, Porsche and Volkswagen reached an agreement under which the two companies' automotive technology businesses would merge to create the "Integrated Automotive Group."

Production and sales

The company is at the top of its game and claims to have the highest profit per unit of any car company in the world.

Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG is a German manufacturer of premium sports cars, sedans and SUVs, founded by the legendary designer Ferdinand Porsche. Part of the Volkswagen Group. The headquarters is located in Stuttgart.

The founder of the company, Ferdinand Porsche, was born on September 3, 1875 in the town of Maffersdorf, Bohemia, in the family of the owner of a repair shop. He was the third child in the family, and after the death of his eldest son he became the heir to his father’s business. From the age of 15, Ferdinand worked in a workshop, and after graduating from primary school he went to a technical school.

In 1898, a young engineer received an order to design an electric car and in a few weeks created a sample - a fast and compact electric car that could accelerate to 40 km/h. The only drawback of the car was its heavy weight, because the capacious lead batteries were very heavy. Having presented the prototype to the owner of the company Jacob Lohner, Porsche immediately received the position of chief designer and began work on his first car - the Lohner-Porsche Electric Car.

In 1898, Porsche transferred to Austro-Daimler. Under his leadership, legendary models were born: Sascha, ADM, Prinz-Heinrich and ADR. During the First World War, he designed engines for airplanes and airships, as well as cars with a hybrid powertrain. For innovative developments he receives the title of Emeritus Professor of the Vienna Technical University and the Cross of Merit.

In 1923, Ferdinand began working at Daimler-Benz AG, where he led the creation of sports cars such as the S and SS. In the 1930s, he visited Russia, where he became acquainted with the work of aircraft and tank factories. Here he receives an offer to move with his design bureau to the USSR to work in the automotive, aviation and tank industries. Porsche refuses and returns to Germany, where during World War II the Nazis extort information from him about the equipment and technologies used by the Russians in the military industry.

In 1932, Ferdinand Porsche invented the torsion bar suspension, which was subsequently used by all automakers. After returning from the USSR, he became the chief designer of Auto-Union and developed the Type 22 racing car for the company. His next work was the famous “people's car” Volkswagen Beetle.

Before the outbreak of the First World War, Porsche managed to create the first car - the Porsche 64, which would become the progenitor of all models of the brand. It was distinguished by a streamlined body shape that looked completely different from the usual cars of those times. Under the hood was a 100-horsepower air-cooled boxer engine, which allowed the car to accelerate to 160 km/h. A total of three copies of the model were made.

Porsche 64 (1939)

During World War II, Porsche produced jeeps, amphibians, and military vehicles. Ferdinand Porsche takes part in the design of the Tiger and Panther tanks, as well as the Ferdinand self-propelled guns. For his participation in Nazi war projects, he was arrested in December 1945 and imprisoned for 20 months. At this time, Fenny Porsche, his son, began developing the brand.

Together with a team of engineers, Porsche Jr. assembles the first production model of the brand - 356. Most of the parts, including a 1.1-liter 35-horsepower engine, suspension and gearbox, were borrowed by the designers from the Beetle. The body was designed by the same person who designed the body of the Volkswagen Beetle - Erwin Komenda. This model became the basis for the creation of the Carrera and was produced until 1965.

Porsche 356 (1948-1965)

Since 1950, the company is again based in Stuttgart, and a year later its founder, Ferdinand Porsche, dies.

Now only steel is used to make body panels. The company is gradually abandoning Volkswagen engines, which are being replaced by power units of its own design. Thus, the 356A series was equipped with an engine with four camshafts and two ignition coils. Later, the B series came out with a more powerful engine and disc brakes on all wheels, and then the C series with a number of improvements.

In 1951, the Porsche 550 Spyder sports car appeared, which repeatedly won races. In 1954, a modification of the model with a soft top and a straight windshield was released.

The Porsche 356 was a very popular car and for 15 years it held the title of one of the most prestigious in the world. However, time flew, and the market needed to offer something completely new, but no less impressive. In 1963, at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the company presented the 911 model, developed under the leadership of Ferry Porsche. The original model name, 901, was changed to 911 to avoid litigation with Peugeot, which reserved the name for itself. This did not affect the success of the car in any way; it soon became a cult car.

Initially, the 911 was equipped with a 2-liter engine producing 130 hp, which was mated to a five-speed manual transmission. In 1964, a sports version of the Porsche 911 Carrera appeared with an engine equipped with a water cooling system. Since 1966, the Targa modification has been produced with a characteristic open body, including a glass roof.

Porsche 911 (1963)

In 1965, Porsche introduced the four-cylinder 912. Compared to the six-cylinder 911, it was cheaper and therefore quickly gained popularity. At the end of the 60s, this model was replaced by the 914, developed jointly with Volkswagen. The car was offered in two versions: with 4 and 6 cylinders, with the 914/6 selling rather poorly, while the cheaper 914/4 became Porsche's best seller.

In 1972, the company ceased to be just a family business and received public status. The Porsche family lost control of business management, and Ernst Fuhrmann became the head of the brand. He decided during the 70s to replace the 911 with the large rear-wheel drive 928 sports car with a front-mounted V8 engine. However, as we can see, the 911 outlived the 928. In the early 1980s, Fuhrmann was replaced by Peter W. Schutz, an ardent 911 fan.

In 1976, the 914 was replaced by the 924, also developed together with Volkswagen. The German auto giant invited Porsche to develop an affordable sports car, which was to be equipped with an Audi transmission. However, as a result of the oil crisis, management began to doubt the need to release the model. Then Porsche bought the project from Volkswagen.

The 924 was distinguished by its appearance in keeping with the spirit of the times, a classic layout, almost ideal weight distribution and economical four-cylinder engines with an air-cooling system. Three years after the start of sales, the car received a turbocharged version.

Porsche 924 (1976-1988)

After Peter Schutz was appointed to the position of head of the company, the Porsche 911 again becomes a favorite of the brand. In 1982, an open-top version appeared, in 1983 - a 911 Carrera with a 231-horsepower engine.

In 1980, the Porsche 959 debuts with a 2.8-liter six-cylinder engine with two turbochargers, developing 450 hp. The body parts were made of Kevlar, the computer controlled the operation of four shock absorbers, the amount of ground clearance, and also distributed torque between the axles.

In 1990, Porsche signed an agreement with Toyota to provide training in lean manufacturing methods. Since 2004, the Japanese company has helped Porsche develop hybrid technologies.

In 1993, the premiere of the new generation of the 911 model took place, which received a new powerful engine of 272 hp, a rear multi-link suspension and a unique body shape.

In 1996, the two-seater Boxster roadster debuted, which, unlike other models, was originally conceived with an open top. Its water-cooled engine developed 204 hp. and was located in front of the rear axle.

A year later, the new 911, similar to the Boxster, was released, which later received a version with a convertible top controlled by a hydraulic drive.

In 2002, a completely unexpected but very impressive new product was introduced - the Cayenne SUV, which became one of the most popular models of the brand all over the world, including in Russia. The model was developed with the participation of specialists from the Volkswagen concern. A completely new platform was created for it, providing for a longitudinal engine arrangement, a body with subframes and completely independent suspension on all wheels. The Volkswagen concern has released its version of the model - Touareg.

The Cayenne has become the brand's bestseller thanks to its reliable suspension, good handling and excellent off-road characteristics. The younger brother of the Cayenne, the compact crossover Porsche Macan, was presented in 2013 at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The brand was inspired to create it by the success of its first SUV.

Porsche Cayenne (2002)

The history of the brand in Russia began in 2001, when the company ZAO Sportcar-Center sold the first Porsche car, the 911 Carrera. Russian buyers quickly fell in love with the German brand, and its sales in Russia, despite the changing economic situation, show stable growth.

Now the Porsche brand is improving its model range, which is the most diverse compared to other sports car manufacturers. Among other things, the automaker has released several hybrid versions of its cars and, according to management, will continue to work in this direction. Continuing the legacy of its founder, Porsche remains a leader in many areas of the automotive industry, remaining a cult brand for an entire army of fans.

Who owns car brands?

The automotive industry has always suffered from the fact that the relationship between manufacturing companies was very difficult to understand. After the global financial crisis thoroughly crippled it in almost all countries, European and American auto giants began to frantically resell their brands. In this confusion, it became unclear who is now responsible for the famous brands. Let's trace the complex history of relationships between the largest automobile brands.

German Porsche is owned by the Porsche and Piech families - the heirs of the company's founder Ferdinand Porsche and his sister Louise Piech. The family clan owns shares in the company, which give the right to make key decisions, and a small part of preferred shares listed on German stock exchanges. By the way, the cunning family has a very significant influence on the German automobile market. For example, Ferdinand Piech (grandson of Ferdinand Porsche), headed Volkswagen from 1993 to 2002.

In 2009, the family concern acquired its first major foreign shareholder. It was the Qatari emirate, which bought 10% of the holding’s shares. By the way, Volkswagen itself actually belongs to Porsche, and vice versa - since 2009, Volkswagen owns 49.9% of the shares of Porsche AG. Initially, the Volkswagen automaker was state-owned. It was reorganized into a joint stock company only in 1960, and the German federal government and the government of Lower Saxony each received 20% of the shares in its capital.

In addition to its own production, the divisions of the Volkswagen Group currently include: Audi (acquired from Daimler-Benz in 1964), Seat (since 1990, the Volkswagen Group owns 99.99% of the shares), Škoda, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini (the company was acquired subsidiary of Audi in 1998)

Japanese Toyota Motor Corp., whose president is the grandson of the company's founder Akio Toyoda, is 6.29% owned by The Master Trust Bank of Japan, 6.29% by Japan Trustee Services Bank, 5.81% by Toyota Industries Corporation, 9% by treasury shares.

Of all the Japanese automakers, only Toyota can boast of a good “collection” of brands - Lexus, Scion, Daihatsu and Subaru. In addition, Toyota Motor includes truck manufacturer Hino.

Honda's achievement is much more modest. Apart from the premium Acura brand and the motorcycle department, the Japanese have nothing else to boast of.

The Peugeot-Citroen automaker is still 30.3% owned (45.1% of voting shares) by the Peugeot family. Shares are also owned by the concern's employees (2.76%), and there are also treasury shares (3.07%). The remaining shares are in free circulation.

By the way, Peugeot SA acquired a 38.2% stake in Citroën back in 1974, and two years later increased this share to 89.95%. So today, Peugeot almost completely controls the previously independent Citroen.

Another of the world's largest automakers is the Renault-Nissan alliance, which owns brands such as Renault, Dacia, Nissan, Infiniti, and Samsung. In addition, Renault-Nissan has owned 50%+1 share of AvtoVAZ since December 2012, so from now on the Lada brand actually belongs to the French-Japanese alliance.

Over the past 60 years, the Renault concern has gradually emerged from state control. Until 1945, Renault was 100% private. However, during the war, the company's factories were destroyed, and Louis Renault himself was accused of collaborating with the Nazis and convicted. A major entrepreneur died in prison, and his company was successfully nationalized. However, over the years, the government share began to decline. And if in 1996 Renault was more than half state-owned, then in 2005 it already owned only 15.7% of the shares. In 1999, Renault and Nissan entered into perhaps the strongest automotive alliance. Nissan is 44.4% owned by the French manufacturer, and Renault, in turn, gave 15% of the shares to the Japanese.

The fifth largest automobile concern, DaimlerChrysler, is very fond of Arabs. The owner of the top brands Maybach, Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes-AMG and Smart, the Arab investment fund Aabar Investments (9.1%) is the main shareholder; the government of Kuwait owns 7.2% of the shares, and about 2% belongs to the Emirate of Dubai. Next to such brands, it is surprising to see our KAMAZ, a 10% stake in which Daimler acquired in 2008. The German automaker paid $250 million for KAMAZ shares immediately and left $50 million until 2012. As a result of the transaction, Daimler received one seat on the board of directors of KAMAZ. In February of this year, the concern bought another 1% stake in the truck manufacturer.

The Bavarian BMW concern, which in 1959 was virtually single-handedly saved from sale by Herbert Quandt, still depends on his family. In the late 50s, the rival company Daimler-Benz became interested in the unprofitable German brand, but Quandt did not sell it and invested himself. Today, his widow Joanna Quandt and children Stefan and Susanne control 46.6% of BMW shares and live quite well. Stefan Quandt even served as deputy chairman of the company's board for some time. Despite the fact that at various times Ford, General Motors, Volkswagen, Honda and Fiat offered very lucrative deals, Quandt’s heirs refuse to sell because they consider preserving the brand for the family a matter of honor.

In recent years, the Hyundai-Kia alliance has rapidly emerged as one of the leaders in the global automobile industry. Currently, the alliance produces cars under the Hyundai and Kia brands, but in the near future the Koreans plan to create a premium brand. According to unconfirmed information, it will be called Genesis.

Hyundai Motor was “raised from its knees” by one single person - Chung Mong Koo, the eldest son of the founder of the Hyundai industrial group. In the late 90s, he took the quality of cars seriously. In just 6 years, the Korean was able to increase sales in the US market by 360% and take fourth place among imported brands.

Ford Motor is run by William Ford Jr., great-grandson of the famous Henry Ford. Henry Ford himself always dreamed of being the sole owner of the company. In 1919, Henry and his son Edsel bought shares of the company from other shareholders and became the sole owners of their brainchild. There is no doubt that the shares were sold to them without any problems, because the first shareholders were: a coal merchant, his accountant, a banker who trusted the coal merchant, two brothers who had an engine workshop, a carpenter, two lawyers, one clerk , owner of a dry goods store and a man who made wind turbines and air rifles.

Until recently, Ford could boast of two more British brands - Jaguar (in 1989, Ford bought Jaguar for $2.5 billion) and Land Rover (in 2000, it was bought by Ford for $2.75 billion). dollars from BMW). In 2008, both brands were put up for sale due to huge debts. In June 2008, they were bought by the Indian Tata Motors.

Today, in addition to cars with its own name, Ford Motor owns the Lincoln and Mercury brands. Ford also owns a 33.4% stake in Mazda and a 9.4% stake in Kia Motors Corporation.

General Motors, which has long held a leading position in the automobile market, is currently controlled by the state (61% of shares). Its main shareholders are: the Government of Canada (12%), United Auto Workers (17.5%). The remaining 10.5% of the shares were divided among the largest creditors.

The famous automaker still owns the Chevrolet, Pontiac, Buick, Cadillac and Opel brands. More recently, he also owned a controlling stake in the Swedish company Saab (50%), but after the crisis, in January 2010 he sold the company to the Dutch sports car manufacturer Spyker Cars.

In the summer of 2008, General Motors decided to sell the Hummer brand, and for almost a year tried to sell it to the Chinese, Russians, and Indians. As a result, the only promising deal with the Chinese Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Co fell through, and on May 26, 2010, the last SUV of the brand rolled off the assembly line of the General Motors plant in the American city of Shreveport.

On January 1, 2011, the Fiat Group was divided into two subsidiaries in two sectors: Fiat SpA (passenger transport) and Fiat Industrial (industrial transport).
Among the mergers and acquisitions of recent years, I would like to note the transfer of the Volvo brand to the control of the Chinese Geely and the purchase of the English premium brands Jaguar and Land Rover by the Indian Tata Motor. The most curious thing in this series is the acquisition of the Swedish brand SAAB by the tiny Dutch supercar manufacturer Spyker.

The once powerful British car industry is now nothing but memories. The most famous British car manufacturers have long lost their independence, but even small English firms have passed to foreign owners. The legendary Lotus company is owned by the Malaysian Proton, and MG was bought by the Chinese company SAIC. At the same time, SAIC sold the Korean SsangYong Motor to the Indian automaker Mahindra & Mahindra. based on materials from hhttp://www.km.ru