Europe's Pocket Rocket: Porsche

Zooming through the highways of Europe like a rocket,to design premium sports cars and technical projects
the Porsche has been an icon in the car industrybased on the philosophies of Ferry Porsche's father.
primarily known for its high speed capabilities and topPorsche offers arguably the most comprehensive
notch reliability. Porsche also serves as a statusdevelopment service that extends from detail solutions
symbol for its owners as only those in the upperto complete cars
echelon of society will likely have the biggest chanceThe 911
to own such a prestigious car.Despite years of success achieved by the Porsche
Porsche has a colorful and meaningful in its over 100356, Ferry Porsche believed that his company had to
years of existence. The first Porsche wascome up with a new model that would carry the firm
commissioned by the provincial government Karnten,to new heights in the automotive sector. The
Austria on June 8 1948. The first Porsche out ofperformance of the Porsche 356 was outstanding
production was the 356, which was developed bygiven various upgrades such as creating a 2.0 litre
Professor Ferdinand "Ferry" Porsche. Ferry Porscheengine but its developers knew that it had its limitations.
started the company in 1947 having a goal ofThe Porsche 911 was the brainchild of Ferdinand
producing a sports car that he himself will like. The carAlexander Porsche, Ferry's son and grandchild of
would be based on the Volkswagen Beetle that wasFerdinand. The Porsche 911 was originally called the
engineered by his father, Professor Ferdinand Porsche.901. The 911 was fitted with an all-new six-cylinder
A total of 52 units of the Porsche 356 model rolled outengine that had strong potential. The model can
in the original Gmund plant. As of 1950, a new plant inaccelerate over 210 km/h or 130 mph and featured a
Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen was producing the nextunique safety steering system.
batches of Porsche cars. A total of 78,000 driversThe system was placed above the floor panel that
owned a 356 by 1965 when the company decided toallowed more room for luggage because the steering
end production of the model. Porsche introduced newtransmission only occupied a small space in the vehicle.
models afterwards and these were alsoThe design of the 911 enabled engineers to easily
well-accepted by buyers all over the world because ofcreate left hand and right hand models and the
their reliable and progressive technology and beautifulsteering column can easily fold to protect the driver
design.from head-on collisions.
Porsche also started its successful foray in toA water cooled six-cylinder version of the Porsche 911
motorsport with the use of the 356. The first 356 withwas introduced in 1997 thereby signaling the end of the
the chassis number 356.001 triumphed in its first classstrong 34-year run of the original 911. The new
victory in the Innsbury City Race. Porsche is amongPorsche 911 featured a more powerful engine, better
those with the highest number of overall wins andperformance and reliability and improved fuel
championships. Porsche has won the Formula 1efficiency. The all-new 911 easily passed the strictest
championship three times and has 15 victories in the 24standards of the European automotive market, as
Hours Le Mans.emissions were reduced to a minimum. The model also
The company's Research and Development Centre inproduced ultra-low floor noise and continues to
Weissach, Stuttgart is a very important part of theperform well in the market.
automotive industry. The Weisasch Centre continues