On behalf of the German Federal Ministry of Research and Technology, the Weissach Development Centre completes the O.R.B.I.T. firefighting system. The purpose of this research project is to support the fire brigade by means of trendsetting technical equipment.

Referred to within the company as Type 995, the concept of a sports car of the future is developed in 1979 on behalf of the German Federal Ministry of Research and Technology. This four-door concept car focuses in particular on fuel economy, safety, and noise emissions.

In cooperation with Airbus Industries, engineers in Weissach set out to design an ergonomic cockpit layout for the Airbus passenger aircraft. This development assignment conducted under Porsche project designation Type 2603 lasts from 1980 to 1984.

Using the Boxer engine carried over from the Porsche 911, engineers in Weissach create Porsche aircraft engine PFM 3200 conceived to power small aircraft. The particular strengths of this power unit are low fuel consumption, low noise emissions and simple control.

From 1981 to 1984, the Weissach Development Centre develops an entirely new range of Linde forklift trucks designed according to the latest findings in ergonomics. This marks the beginning of a joint venture lasting many years.

The Measuring Centre for Environmental Protection, the first self-sufficient exhaust emission test centre in the world, is opened in late autumn 1982. Fully computerised, the test stands and dynamometers in Weissach simulate real-life driving conditions and thus serve to reproduce various test cycles. Test series under all kinds of climatic and altitude conditions can be carried out in the climate pressure chamber.

The Porsche double clutch transmission (PDK) developed in Weissach enables the driver to shift gears without the slightest interruption of engine power and torque. This new transmission is tested for the first time in practice in a Porsche 956 in 1983.

The TAG Turbo power unit developed on behalf of British racing team McLaren International and financed by Saudi-Arabian businessman Mansour Ojjeh makes its debut in the McLaren MP4 Formula 1 racing car. Output of this turbocharged 1.5-litre V6 is up to 1,000 horsepower. Scoring a total of 25 Grand Prix victories and winning three World Championships, the TAG Turbo made by Porsche becomes the dominating power unit in Formula 1 from 1984 to 1986.

Porsche develops the Lada Samara on behalf of Russian state car manufacturer AvtoVAZ. This robust compact car with front-wheel drive is conceived particularly for the demands made by road conditions in the Soviet Union.

The Weissach Development Centre is further enhanced and upgraded by a modern crash test facility with permanently installed control and monitoring technologies. Apart from Porsche sports cars, models from other manufacturers are also tested here on behalf of various customers.

The Type 2708 racing car developed for the US CART Series is an all-new construction with an aluminium-plastic monocoque body. The power unit is a 750-bhp V8 racing engine running on methanol.

In spring Porsche AG starts assembly of the Mercedes-Benz 500 E. Apart from a wide range of development activities, this assignment from Mercedes-Benz AG includes the construction of the body-in-white as well as the final assembly process.

The 3.5-litre twelve-cylinder Grand Prix power unit developed by Porsche is supplied exclusively to the Footwork Arrows racing team in the 1991 Formula 1 season.

In a joint venture Audi and Porsche develop a high-performance sports estate, the Audi Avant RS2. Since October, the Avant RS2 is being built in the Zuffenhausen plant parallel to the Mercedes-Benz E 500.

On behalf of Adam Opel AG, Porsche Customer Development starts the overall development of the Opel Zafira compact van according to a pre-determined concept.

Porsche AG takes part in an international presentation at the Beijing World Trade Centre, together with 19 other manufacturers. The C 88 family car presented on the occasion is a concept vehicle developed by Porsche Engineering Services especially for the Chinese market.

Porsche Engineering Services GmbH (PES GmbH) based in Bietigheim-Bissingen is established in October. Approximately 120 engineers working for this new subsidiary are intended in particular to strengthen and support the customer business handled by the Weissach Development Centre.

Porsche Engineering Group GmbH (PEG), a wholly owned subsidiary of Porsche AG, officially commences its business activities on 1 August. PEG’s assignment is to control and market customer developments world-wide.

A highlight in the joint venture with US motorcycle manufacturer Harley Davidson conducted since 1997 is the completion of the Revolution power unit developed by Porsche to production standard and featured since 2002 in the Harley Davidson V-Rod.