Porsche to Pump $200 Million into its R&D Center
Porsche said Tuesday that it will extensively upgrade its research and development (R&D) center in Weissach. The sports car manufacturer is investing approximately $200 million in an advanced wind tunnel, a state-of-the-art design center and an electronics integration center.
The technology implemented in the new wind tunnel will also meet future requirements on vehicle development, which is increasingly focusing on energy efficiency.
[ Also Read: Porsche Promises Fuel Economy with Cayenne SUV ]“The new system will help us to maintain Porsche’s top position in the fields of aerodynamics and design and to further extend our lead. Outstanding design with optimal aerodynamic efficiency have always been classic Porsche strongholds,” says Wolfgang Durheimer, Porsche AG Board of Management Member for Research and Development.
[ Also Read: Electric Cars to Pick Up Speed with New Tie-up ]As the system will not only be used for Porsche’s internal developments, but will also be extensively available for Porsche customer development, it offers direct access from the adjacent design studio, and separate entrances for the discrete completion of customer development projects.
Above all, a new studio will offer more space for the Porsche designers, who are involved from the very earliest concept phase of each vehicle development process.
Due to extended tasks, increased capacities are urgently required in the Weissach center of competence for sports car construction, the company says.
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Sub-areas which were previously scattered throughout several buildings at Porsche’s Weissach site can be bundled in the future electronics integration center.
“This spatial proximity is a major advantage,” said Durheimer. “The close interaction of our suppliers’ various electrical system/electronics experts and colleagues from related specialist fields during development will contribute significantly to the success of our work, particularly in the case of electronics, which now play a role in virtually every vehicle component.”
Besides investing in systems and buildings, Porsche is also increasing its staffing levels. Around 100 engineers are to be recruited in the first stage.
