Porsche announced today they’re upgrading their research and development center in Weissach by investing 150 million euros, which will result in a new high-tech wind tunnel, design centre and electronics integration centre. They also released this picture of the clay model of the 918 Spyder, so one can think those upgrades were necessary for producing such a high-end car!

Porsche hopes with the new design studios and equipments and all the extra space they’re giving to the designers, result in more creative projects. They also confirm that the increased capacities were urgently required in the Weissach centre of competence for sports car construction. As you know Porsche will introduce a couple of all-new cars over the next few years, including some hybrid models.

“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 Dürheimer, Porsche AG Board of Management Member for Research and Development. 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.

Sub-areas which were previously scattered throughout several buildings at Porsche’s Weissach site can be bundled in the future electronics integration centre. Dürheimer: “This spatial proximity is a major advantage. 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 alone.

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