Here is the story of our visit to Porsche’s Exclusive Manufaktur workshop. The extraordinary place where a Porsche, becomes “your” Porsche.
Words: Panos Seitanidis
Photos: Radu Chindris/Porsche
Our story begins in Athens, during a sunny Spring day. Journalists from all around Europe got a first taste of the impressive, brand new 911. But they also experimented in the configuration of the German model that can be described both as a beauty (due to its captivating looks) and as a beast (due to its powerful engines).
Some six months later, OnDeck was invited to Zuffenhausen, the birthplace of all 911s, for the unveiling of that special creation. But until then, we had an inside look on how it’s all done. You see, Porsche drivers do not buy off-the-peg. Even from the distant 1978, the company had a special requests department that started out by developing exclusive series production vehicles, mostly working in the area of engine and chassis tuning. Customization was still on its early days. But since then a lot have changed.
And from 2017, Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur is there to transform the various models into even more extraordinary vehicles. With passion, craftsmanship and attention to detail. As if the 700 different interior and exterior options via the Car Configurator were not enough.
But as you might expect, a Porsche owner usually wants his car to be unique in some way. That’s why around 40% of the 911s get an extra treatment from this special department. That includes aero kits, Sport design packages, Sports exhaust systems and enhanced front/tail lights, while for the interior, customers favor leather combined with decorative elements in high-quality materials such as wood, carbon and aluminum. The most commonly selected option is the embossed Porsche crest on the headrests – this feature is the first step into personalization for many customers. But from there, anything goes.
Well, almost anything as Fabian Haug, expert from Sales Operations Individualisation for Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur & Porsche Tequipment told us: «We sometimes have to deny requests that don’t comply with our safety, quality or high moral standards. For example, choices involving political incorrectness etc. But if it is just a matter of design and individualization of any kind, we are completely open to what the customers want».
But which is the strangest requests made through the years? He smiled before giving away spicy details: «One client had asked us to use cat fur in the interior of the car, which wasn’t possible from our side. On the other hand, one strange request we accepted, came from an Arabian customer. At that part of the world, they use falcons for hunting. So, he wanted to have a tailor-made stick in the trunk of the car, that would be always positioned in the center, regardless of the direction of the car. That, we developed».
If the prementioned requirements are met, there is no red line on how your Porsche will be individualized. You can spend half day in the very heart of the brand, in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen, where you will receive detailed personal consultations. Work together with experts with access to a special collection of material and colour samples, in order to make your Porsche like no other. And with no spending restrictions. Mr Haug, mentioned the example of a GT2 RS that received extra treatment worth of 250 thousand Euros! Doubtless, in such cases, sky is the limit!
But it’s not only about the transformation of the car, it’s about the whole, special experience that Porsche provides. A dream journey for every customer stepping into Exclusive Manufaktur. This involves the benefit of a rare tour at the production line of 911, where you can witness firsthand the birth of this iconic model. And be assured, this unprecedented access will confirm that everything regarding Porsche, is simply an ode to perfection!
Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur consults over 500 Porsche owners per year
Something extraordinary does not just happen somehow, somewhere. It happens at a very particular place. Hand-crafted. With experience. With passion.
Experts pass on their ideas and the personality of the buyers to the vehicle, in order to transform it into “their” Porsche
We proudly took the sheet of the special that was created based on the journalists’ configuration proposals
We had a special tour at the production line. More to come at skipperondeck.gr
