History of Porsche
Porsche and its history – a brief guide.
Key points in the history and development of popular car manufacturer Porsche.
Porsche was the brainchild of Austro Hungarian engineer Ferdinand Porsche. Already responsible for the creation of the iconic Volkswagen Beetle, the car specialist used a selection of its design features to build the first ever Porsche in the 1930s, following a stint as a chief engineer at rival motor manufacturing firm Mercedes-Benz.
This pioneering model, called the Porsche 64, was shortly followed by the production of the Porsche 356, which had the honour of becoming the earliest model to be successfully sold by the young enterprise. The transmission and suspension mechanisms were identical to those present in the Volkswagen and the same rear mounted internal engine could be found under the bonnet. This was because the collective elements of the Beetle were easier to secure and adapt than other car parts, which were in short supply during the post-war period.
It was at this point that the firm began to gather speed in terms of its identity and ambitions. When five of its hand-made Porsche 356s were sold to a Swiss distributor, the company generated a positive brand image amongst its fellow automotive producers. A month after this pivotal moment, the model won its premiere speed race, which led to the creation and launch of the speedster version in 1954 and the later production of the 365B model.
In 1963 a six cylinder engined car that could reach a horse power of 130 was built and named the 911.
The Porsche family still control the company today and make state-of-the-art sports cars in a high volume with a focus on usability and durability.The crucial decisions made in the early days of the firm’s progression meant that Porsche became synonymous with races, motor competitions and speed.
Over 30 sports models have been manufactured since the firm’s inception but consumer models such as the Boxter, Panamera, Cayman, and Cayenne SUV have become increasingly popular with the general public, marking the permanent stamp that Porsche has made on the current automotive market and beyond.
Upcoming model, the Porsche 918 Spyder hybrid, is due for release in 2013 and will boast three electric motors and a petrol V8 engine. Energy conscious drivers will be able to drive the car in an electric mode with the help of a Lithium-ion battery – prices and exact specifications should be available by the beginning of next year.
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