Porsche has only had four people in the position of Head of Design. Over the last 20 years, that person has been Michael Mauer, and he has overseen the development of some amazing designs, and a few misses. His tenure is coming to an end in February, though, and the company will welcome its fifth Head of Design, Tobias Sühlmann, and the start of a new era for Porsche.
Michael Mauer has been running Porsche’s design department during one of the most interesting times in the car’s history. He took over in 2004. For perspective, Porsche had only just introduced its first four-door vehicle, the Cayenne, and the 911 and Boxster were transitioning back to more round headlights. Porsche notes that one of the first big projects under Mauer’s leadership was the company’s second four-door, the original Panamera. We wouldn’t exactly call it a classic Porsche design, though.
The good news, is that Mauer’s design team has had some real hits since then. He shepherded the Carrera GT’s successor, the 918 Spyder, to production, one of the company’s few supercars not based on the 911, and unique in its use of hybrid powertrain technology. The Taycan, the company’s first electric car, also came under his direction, even more successfully blending 911 cues with four doors than any previous Panamera. Speaking of the Panamera, he even helped improve the looks of the homely hatchback with subsequent generations.
Will Porsche ever bring this car to market?
Truly, Porsche’s electric era has been defined by Mauer’s design team. The electric Macan launched a few years ago, and the electric Cayenne appeared just a couple of months ago. Porsche’s first traditional sports car to go electric, the 718, will also be a Mauer-era car, whenever it’s finally revealed. We don’t think we’d herald the SUVs as especially beautiful, but considering the Taycan’s lovely low shape, we would expect the 718 to turn out better.
As for why Mauer is deciding to step down now, he stated the following in a Porsche press release:
“Timeless design needs both: durability and new impulses. In view of Porsche’s strategic realignment, now is a good time to bring new perspectives to the design as well. It was a great pleasure and honor for me to be able to help shape and develop Porsche’s design philosophy over such a long period of time.”
It also shows us Bentley’s new design language, which will be used on future products.
For potentially the next two decades, or more, Tobias Sühlmann will have the reigns of Porsche’s design department. He apparently has been in the car design business from about the time that Mauer took over at Porsche. His first gig was at Volkswagen in 2005, but much of the last 20 years have been spent with much higher-end manufacturers. He has been at Bugatti, Aston Martin, McLaren, and Bentley. He was Chief Design Officer at McLaren at one point, and he had a major hand in the design of the Bentley Batur, the limited-production coupe made to commemorate the end of the W12.
Porsche’s making drastic changes to its product strategy for the next 5 years, and the good news is combustion is here to stay!
Just as Mauer took over at an interesting time, Sühlmann should have just as many unique opportunities. He’ll be continuing Porsche’s electric range over the years, as well as figuring out a handful of remaining combustion cars. He may even oversee an electric 911 if he stays long enough.
We want to hear from you! Share your opinions in the thread below and remember to keep it respectful.
Your comment has not been saved
This thread is open for discussion.
Be the first to post your thoughts.

source