About Porsche Engineering - your global technology partner

1931: Founding of the Porsche Design office

On April 25, 1931, “Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung, Konstruktion und Beratung für Motoren- und Fahrzeugbau” was officially entered into Stuttgart's commercial register. From its inception, Ferdinand Porsche and his initial team of 12 pioneers tackled the full spectrum of automotive engineering. The establishment of the design office laid the foundation not only for Porsche as a brand but also for Porsche Engineering as a visionary force in automotive development. The later spin-off of Porsche Engineering ensured that Ferdinand Porsche's original design bureau continued its legacy, carrying forward its spirit of innovation and groundbreaking engineering into the future.

Legendary automobiles such as the Auto Union Grand Prix racing car and the Volkswagen Beetle would be created in the Stuttgart engineering office in the years to come. Porsche’s workshop advanced to become one of the most significant birthplaces for automotive engineering and at the same time paved the way for German mass motorization.

1934-1948: Pioneering the Porsche engineering legacy

Porsche's engineering expertise, rooted in Ferdinand Porsche's 1931 design office, led to groundbreaking achievements during this period. This era established Porsche’s transition into a sports car manufacturer, a legacy driven by its innovative engineering capabilities. Highlights include the development of the Volkswagen Beetle in 1934, the Type 80 World Speed Record Car and Type 110 tractor in 1937, and the launch of the Porsche 356 in 1948, marking the birth of Porsche as a sports car brand.

1981-1990: Client-centered innovation

For over 90 years, Porsche has driven technological innovation for clients, continuing Ferdinand Porsche’s pioneering legacy. Notable milestones include the design of a futuristic digital cockpit for Airbus in 1981, the creation of award-winning forklifts for Linde in the early 1980s, the development of the dominant TAG turbo engine for McLaren's Formula 1 car in 1983, and the collaboration with Daimler-Benz in 1990 on the Mercedes-Benz W 124 sedan, handling design, testing, and assembly.

Porsche's history underscores that it is more than just a sports car manufacturer—it is also a trusted engineering partner for external clients. The collaboration with Linde, which began in the 1980s and continues today, exemplifies Porsche Engineering’s enduring role as an innovative, client-focused development partner.

1994: Vehicle study for the Chinese market

At the Beijing International Family Car Congress, Porsche presented the C88 study, which was developed especially for the Chinese market. Porsche Engineering’s engagement with the Chinese market spans over three decades, beginning with the C88 concept. This early project established a foundation of deep expertise in understanding and catering to the unique demands of the Chinese market—a strength that continues to drive Porsche Engineering’s innovations and partnerships in the region today.

The automobile catered to the needs of Chinese customers and was designed in three versions: In addition to an extremely affordable, two-door version, a standard and four-door notchback luxury version were also planned. The development goals were simple manufacturing methods, a high quality standard and high level of vehicle safety.

1996: Founding of Porsche Engineering Services

With the founding of Porsche Engineering Services GmbH in October 1996, the storied tradition of engineering services by Porsche at last got its own legal entity since Ferdinand Porsche’s original design office. This move reinforced Porsche Engineering’s commitment to offering cutting-edge solutions and expanded its reach as a trusted development partner across industries. Since that time, the Bietigheim-Bissingen location has been an important center for the project teams of Porsche Engineering.

2001: Founding of Porsche Engineering in the Czech Republic

In 2001, Porsche Engineering established a location in Czech Republic, specializing in complex technical calculations and simulations. The expansion to Prague marked a strategic enhancement of Porsche Engineering’s capabilities by adding new talents and specialized skills. The success of the Prague location has led to further growth, including the addition of a second site in the scientific and technological park Ostrava, demonstrating the value of investing in regional expertise to bolster Porsche Engineering’s global services. The growing team of experts in Ostrava focuses on software and hardware development, electronics integration for the automotive industry. This expertise plays a crucial role in Porsche Engineering’s internationally integrated engineering services. The teams in the Czech Republic collaborate closely with colleagues at other locations and benefit from partnerships with the renowned Universities in Ostrava and Prague, some of which have existed since 1996.

2001: Formation of the Porsche Engineering Group

In 2001, the Porsche Engineering Group GmbH, headquartered at the Porsche Research and Development Center in Weissach, was founded as the central holding company for Porsche's rich tradition of engineering services. The resulting tight networking of the Porsche Engineering locations at home and abroad with the Porsche Development Center in Weissach and the efficient exchange of information in the project teams enables the Group to provide the requisite coordination, networking and lateral thinking that ensures smooth and successful execution of customer projects.

2002: A revolutionary engine for Harley Davidson

Under the code name “Revolution Engine”, in 2002 development partner Porsche Engineering developed a new V2 engine for the “V-Rod” model of the American motorcycle manufacturer Harley-Davidson. This project exemplified Porsche Engineering’s ability to deliver Porsche-level quality and innovation to other historic and prestigious brands. By bringing advanced engineering expertise to Harley-Davidson, Porsche Engineering solidified its reputation as a trusted partner for delivering exceptional solutions across industries. Porsche engineers constructed a water-cooled 1,131 cc motor based on a racing engine that delighted Harley-Davidson's demanding clientele both for its performance as well as its imposing sound.

2002: Racing toboggan for Georg Hackl

For the luge racer Georg Hackl, Porsche Engineering developed a competition sled that allowed him to adjust the damping during the ride, enabling higher cornering speeds. The result: a silver medal for “Hackl Schorsch” at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City (USA). This project was of great importance to Porsche Engineering, as it impressively demonstrated how the company’s engineering expertise, combined with its automotive experience, can contribute to achieving top performance not only in other industries but also in sports. The combination of precision, technological know-how, and innovative spirit made it possible to redefine the limits of performance in competitive sports.

2007: Cayago Seabob

The Seabob from manufacturer Cayago is designed for battery-powered fun on the surface of the water and in the depths. The engineers at Porsche Engineering developed three electronic components for the water sports device in 2007: the battery manager, the motor controller and the control unit with graphic display. This project highlights the versatile expertise of Porsche Engineering, demonstrating its ability to contribute essential technologies for comprehensive vehicle development across a wide range of applications.

2011: Boxster E research project introduced

With the “Boxster E” lab vehicle, Porsche Engineering demonstrated its deep and diverse experience in the field of electromobility. The Boxster E project underscored Porsche Engineering’s ability to drive innovation and establish itself as a leader in emerging technologies. By developing a research vehicle that represented a significant milestone for Porsche Engineering and the growing field of electromobility, Porsche Engineering solidified its position as a trusted technology partner and innovation hub for cutting-edge advancements. The purely electric powertrain has two electric motors with up to 180 kW of output and a high-voltage battery for 240 kW. That makes for typical sports car-type performance. The central battery management system secures the system and can handle rapid charges taking less than 30 minutes. These are all the fruits of Porsche Engineering's wealth of electromobility experience.

2012: Porsche acquires Nardò Technical Center

In 2012, Porsche acquired the Nardò Technical Center (NTC) in Apulia, a premier proving ground spanning 700 hectares and featuring a 6.2-kilometer handling course, the iconic 12.6-kilometer circular track, and other cutting-edge testing infrastructure.

Since the acquisition, Porsche Engineering has transformed the NTC into a hub for high-performance and connected vehicle development through extensive modernization. The addition of a 5G network and a software division in Lecce, a city renowned for its educational and talent resources, further highlights its role as an innovation hub.

Today, the Nardò Technical Center represents a pivotal milestone and a unique asset for Porsche Engineering. It facilitates the integrated development and validation of advanced automotive technologies, reinforcing the company’s position as a leading technology partner in the industry.

2014: Founding of Porsche Engineering in China

Porsche Engineering has been committed to addressing the unique development needs of the Chinese market for more than 30 years. With the founding of the subsidiary in Shanghai, Porsche Engineering expanded on its years of engagement in China.

This milestone not only reinforced its commitment to the Chinese market but also allowed Porsche Engineering to even better meet the ever-expanding localization needs for the Chinese market, particularly in terms of highly automated driving, connectivity, infotainment, and assistance systems. Since then, the location in China has flourished, growing to include two sites—Shanghai and Beijing—and numerous employees. This development highlights Porsche Engineering’s ability to adapt and thrive in key markets, reinforcing its role as a trusted innovation partner for local and global clients.

2014: Return to the endurance classic Le Mans

After 16 overall victories followed by 16 years away from the race, Porsche returned to Le Mans, the most renowned endurance race in the world, with the innovative 919 Hybrid. Porsche Engineering played a pivotal role in this comeback, leveraging its extensive expertise in battery technology to develop the hybrid battery for the LMP1 prototype, from the mechanical structure to complete system control and testing.

This achievement underscored Porsche Engineering’s position as a key innovation and technology partner in motorsport. By contributing to the success of one of the most important races in motorsport history, Porsche Engineering reinforced its reputation for excellence and leadership in cutting-edge engineering solutions, particularly in the field of battery technology.

2016: Porsche Engineering drives digitalization forward with subsidiary in Romania

In 2016, Porsche Engineering expanded its global presence and digitalization expertise by establishing a subsidiary in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. Located in a prominent university city, Porsche Engineering Romania SRL underscores the growing significance of software development in the automotive industry. The establishment of the Romanian subsidiary marked an important step in Porsche Engineering’s global expansion, creating a vital competence center for software and AI development. The success of this location led to further growth with an additional site in Timișoara, enhancing Porsche Engineering’s digital capabilities and reinforcing its leadership in innovative automotive technologies.

2023: Porsche and world record holder Sebastian Steudtner present jointly developed surfboard

In collaboration with world record-holding big-wave surfer Sebastian Steudtner, Porsche Engineering applied automotive development techniques to optimize the "Caçador RS" surfboard. This project showcased Porsche Engineering’s ability to successfully apply its expertise beyond the automotive sector. By contributing advanced engineering solutions to a niche field like Big Wave surfing, Porsche Engineering demonstrated its versatility and innovation, highlighting its capacity to deliver cutting-edge technology across diverse industries. Designed for speeds exceeding 80 km/h, the board incorporates hydrodynamic and aerodynamic innovations, including patented Aero Edges to minimize air resistance, enabling potential speeds of up to 100 km/h. Future plans include integrating drone technology for precise wave height measurements, pushing the boundaries of Big Wave surfing.

2023: Porsche Engineering establishes US presence

Porsche Engineering expands its global network with a new presence in the U.S. The newly formed Porsche Engineering Services North America, Inc., based near Los Angeles, focuses on developing market-specific vehicle features and digital services like connectivity and infotainment. This strategic move enhances their ability to meet future demand by combining local market insights with their extensive expertise in vehicle functions and software development.