Porsche Gets A New Design Chief After 21 Years As The Legend Leaves
A significant era is coming to an end at Porsche with the announcement that the company is changing its design leadership for the first time in over two decades. Michael Mauer has decided to step down from his role as the head of design after shaping the visual identity of the brand since 2004. The German sports car manufacturer confirmed that Tobias Sühlmann will take over the prestigious position starting on February 1. This transition marks a major shift for the automaker as it navigates a future filled with electrification and evolving market demands. Mauer leaves behind a legacy that has fundamentally transformed the modern lineup of Porsche vehicles.
Michael Mauer is widely considered one of the most influential figures in the history of the company. During his twenty-one years at the helm, he oversaw the development of iconic models that expanded the brand beyond its traditional sports car roots. His leadership gave birth to the first four-door Porsche sedan in the form of the Panamera and the wildly successful Macan compact SUV. He was also responsible for the modern 911 generations including the 997, 991, and the current 992 series. Perhaps most notably, Mauer successfully translated the brand’s design DNA into the electric age with the creation of the Taycan and the 918 Spyder hypercar.
The incoming chief designer Tobias Sühlmann brings an impressive portfolio to his new office in Weissach. He joins Porsche after serving as the chief design officer at McLaren Automotive where he oversaw the creation of their latest supercars. His resume includes significant stints at other high-end luxury manufacturers such as Aston Martin and Bugatti. Sühlmann also played a key role at Bentley where he was heavily involved in the design of the exclusive Batur coupe. His diverse experience across multiple top-tier automotive brands suggests that he is well-equipped to guide Porsche into its next chapter.
Mauer expressed that the timing was right for a change in perspective given the strategic realignment currently happening within the company. He noted that timeless design requires a balance of stability and new impulses to remain relevant. To ensure a smooth handover of responsibilities, Mauer will continue to support Sühlmann in an advisory capacity during the initial transition period. This collaborative approach aims to maintain the design continuity that Porsche customers and enthusiasts have come to expect over the decades.
This change is historically significant because the head of design position at Porsche is rarely vacated. Sühlmann becomes only the fifth person to lead the design department in the entire history of the brand. He follows in the footsteps of legends like Ferdinand Alexander Porsche and his immediate predecessor Michael Mauer. The automotive world will be watching closely to see how the new leadership interprets the classic Stuttgart aesthetic for future electric models.
We would love to hear which Michael Mauer design is your favorite and what you expect from the new leadership in the comments.
