By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
The Auto Magazine
  • Home
  • Auto Shows
    Auto ShowsShow More
    BMW and Alvaro Barrington celebrate hydrogen mobility at Art Basel in Basel 2025
    June 18, 2025
    MHB DEALER EXPO 2025 – A Premier Automotive Networking Experience
    June 17, 2025
    Entries Open for The Cape 1000 – South Africa’s Most Beautiful Drive Returns for 2026
    June 10, 2025
    Ulterio Motiv Toyota Land Cruiser 6×6 and 6×4 to invade Land Cruiser Festival
    June 3, 2025
    Maserati enthrals at FuoriConcorso with GT2 Stradale and MCXtrema
    May 14, 2025
  • Bikes
    BikesShow More
    Desmo450 MX: Production of the first Ducati Motocross bike begins
    May 28, 2025
    25YM Honda NC750X
    May 13, 2025
    BMW Motorrad presents the new BMW R 1300 RS
    May 2, 2025
    BMW Motorrad presents the new BMW R 1300 RT
    April 30, 2025
    Honda NC750X Named Winner in 2025 Red Dot Design Award
    April 10, 2025
  • News
    NewsShow More
    Porsche 963 cars raise 600,000 euros in Le Mans towards Racing for Charity
    June 20, 2025
    50 Years of BMW Art Cars and the BMW 3 Series at the BMW Museum
    June 20, 2025
    Ford Performance Returns to Pikes Peak with Electric Super Mustang Mach-E Demonstrator
    June 20, 2025
    Winners of ISUZU AI Innovation Challenge 2024 announced
    June 18, 2025
    Kia Tasman Blazes New Trail 
    June 18, 2025
  • Concepts
    ConceptsShow More
    TOYOTA GAZOO Racing unveils liquid hydrogen-fueled “GR LH2 Racing Concept” at Le Mans
    June 11, 2025
    FIAT unveils the manifesto Grande Panda 4×4
    May 20, 2025
    Renault 4 Savane 4×4 Concept makes its global debut at Roland-Garros 2025
    May 16, 2025
    Hyundai Motor and Plus Unveil Concept for Autonomous Hydrogen Freight Ecosystem at ACT Expo 202
    May 2, 2025
    Hyundai Motor Unveils the new IONIQ 6 and IONIQ 6 N Line
    April 5, 2025
  • Interviews
    InterviewsShow More
    24-hour race at Le Mans, the Nürburgring and Spa – triple marathon for Mercedes-AMG Motorsport
    June 10, 2025
    Kosmas “Dudie” Mamaloukos – The Formidable Racing Talent
    May 15, 2025
    Hi-Range Safari City
    Hi-Range Safari City – The Premier outfitter for 4×4 customization
    May 15, 2025
    BEHIND THE SCENES: ARCHIE RUTHERFORD ON WHAT IT TAKES TO BRING THE W2RC TO SOUTH AFRICA
    May 9, 2025
    Europe and China’s automotive future in a shifting global order
    May 5, 2025
  • EVs
    EVsShow More
    Polestar 3 OTA update introduces new Abbey Road Studios Mode exclusively for Bowers & Wilkins audio system
    June 18, 2025
    No Compromise Ford Ranger PHEV Brings Electric Power to Europe’s Best-Selling Pickup
    June 18, 2025
    Scania launches MCS rapid charging solution at EVS38
    June 18, 2025
    Ford Begins Capri and Explorer Battery Pack Assembly in Cologne
    June 17, 2025
    Special Envoy Launches XPress – SA’s First Full EV Courier Fleet
    June 11, 2025
  • Motosport
    MotosportShow More
    Commanding performance by Škoda at Rally Poland
    June 20, 2025
    Nissan Formula E Team ready for Jakarta return as Season 11 enters closing stages
    June 20, 2025
    Martin Prokop Becomes First Privateer for Ford Raptor T1+
    June 18, 2025
    The 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans in Numbers
    June 18, 2025
    Samantha Tan makes her debut in the MINI John Cooper Works at the Nürburgring
    June 18, 2025
  • Trucks & Buses
    Trucks & BusesShow More
    Scania launches MCS rapid charging solution at EVS38
    June 18, 2025
    Daimler Truck and Volvo Group launch Coretura
    June 17, 2025
    Volvo Trucks launches upgraded Volvo Dynamic Steering system to increase road safety
    June 17, 2025
    MAN starts series production of electric trucks
    June 17, 2025
    UD Trucks Southern Africa celebrates dealers breaking barriers at 2025 awards ceremony
    June 11, 2025
  • Reviews
    ReviewsShow More
    THE NEW HAVAL H6 SUV IS HERE, AND IT’S BUILT FOR BIG MOMENTS!
    June 18, 2025
    THE NEW PEUGEOT E-208 GTi MORE PLEASURE. MORE GTi THAN EVER!
    June 17, 2025
    New BMW XM options: maximum exclusivity and breathtaking performance.
    June 12, 2025
    The Audi Q5 e-hybrid: all-rounder with great electric range
    June 11, 2025
    Lotus introduces 2026 Emira V6 SE and Emira Turbo
    June 6, 2025
  • Tech
    TechShow More
    New Kia App provides European drivers with a unified digital experience
    June 17, 2025
    Abbey Road Studios Mode makes global debut in Volvo EX90
    June 17, 2025
    Audi develops the picking process of the future
    June 2, 2025
    Volvo EX90 LiDAR and smartphone cameras: What you need to know
    June 2, 2025
    VNC Automotive Partners with P3 to Enhance the SPARQ OS Platform
    May 29, 2025
Hot News
Commanding performance by Škoda at Rally Poland
Porsche 963 cars raise 600,000 euros in Le Mans towards Racing for Charity
Nissan Formula E Team ready for Jakarta return as Season 11 enters closing stages
50 Years of BMW Art Cars and the BMW 3 Series at the BMW Museum
Ford Performance Returns to Pikes Peak with Electric Super Mustang Mach-E Demonstrator
Latest News

The Audi TT turns 25

Latest News

Renault Group and Verkor sign partnership for low-carbon batteries

Electric VehiclesReviews

THE NEW FORD MUSTANG MACH-E RALLY REVEALED

Latest News

Hyundai Motor Launches Future Mobility School Program in ASEAN Countries

Font ResizerAa
The Auto MagazineThe Auto Magazine
  • Home
  • Auto Shows
  • Bikes
  • News
  • Concepts
  • Interviews
  • EVs
  • Motosport
  • Trucks & Buses
  • Reviews
  • Tech
Search
  • Home
  • Auto Shows
  • Bikes
  • News
  • Concepts
  • Interviews
  • EVs
  • Motosport
  • Trucks & Buses
  • Reviews
  • Tech
Follow US
Crafted by Intellegere Media. © 2024 The Auto Magazine. All rights reserved.
Latest News

High-tech-meets craftsmanship: how the limited-edition models of the Porsche 911 are created

Itumeleng Garebatshabe
Last updated: November 27, 2024 12:15
By Itumeleng Garebatshabe
1.1k Views
12 Min Read
Share
12 Min Read
SHARE
  • The production of the limited-edition 911 models Turbo 50 Years, S/T and Dakar showcases the highest levels of exclusivity and personalisation
  • A combination of high-tech and craftsmanship for the utmost in exclusivity, quality and performance
  • Carbon fibre, Exclusive and Sonderwunsch Manufaktur

They are the Turbo 50 Years, the Dakar and the S/T, and they are current limited-edition models of the Porsche 911. These exclusive models of the sports car icon combine outstanding design, special drive and chassis components as well as individual equipment details to create a unique driving experience. Special production processes and steps apply for the production of the limited-edition 911 models at the Zuffenhausen site. The construction of the limited-edition 911 models combines the highest levels of exclusivity and manufacturing precision with the art of personalisation.

In addition to a highly automated body shop and a regular assembly line, Porsche also employs up to three Manufaktur stages: the Exclusive Manufaktur, the Sonderwunsch department and the carbon fibre Manufaktur. Another special feature is the in-house saddlery, where the employees – who are largely self-taught – apply the model-specific leather, Race-Tex and textile covers. Limited-edition models with two-tone paintwork, such as the 911 Dakar, are painted by hand in the Manufaktur tradition. One characteristic of 911 construction in Zuffenhausen is that all variants and derivatives are produced on a single production line – from the Carrera to the limited-edition models and the racing cars for the worldwide Porsche Carrera Cups.

- Advertisement -
Ad image

“Exclusive 911 models such as an S/T or Dakar represent the pinnacle of the available variants of our sports car icon. On the one hand, they continue the Manufaktur tradition of historic sports cars such as the 356. On the other, they also symbolise the dreams of our customers, dreams that we fulfil here as Porsche Production,” says Albrecht Reimold, Member of the Executive Board, Production and Logistics at Porsche AG.
“In the production process of the 911 models, the Zuffenhausen plant combines the strengths of automated production with the advantages of an automobile Manufaktur in a unique way,” explains Vice President Plant Zuffenhausen Jens Brücker. “The limited-edition 911 models are a really special opportunity to showcase our automotive craftsmanship. The different Manufaktur stages in the plant mean that we can make the exclusive 911 models truly unique.”

In the case of the limited-edition 911 models, the manual assembly steps in particular make the difference: production in the Exclusive Manufaktur takes us from the application of special leather and fabric covers in the interior to refinement by means of various trims and decorative elements in the exterior, and even individually personalised design elements. In the Sonderwunsch Manufaktur, even the most unusual wishes become reality – right up to the production of one-of-a-kind items.

The limited-edition model production process using the 911 Turbo 50 Years as an example
As with the regular versions of the sports car icon, the production of the limited-edition 911 Turbo 50 Years also begins in the highly automated body shop. The body-in-white is assembled there with the help of around 300 robots. The subsequent vehicle assembly stages are also similar to the standard process, i.e.: drive and chassis components as well as electronic and electrical parts are installed on the same assembly line.

One example of where the process may differ is when the car reaches the saddlery. There, tartan fabric covers and leather features – similar to those in the original 1974 Turbo –applied to specific interior parts. After the ‘marriage’, which is where the powertrain and body are joined together on the main assembly line, Zuffenhausen’s exclusive two-door cars go through the final assembly steps until they reach their final inspection in the testing and finish centre.

The future owners of limited-edition 911 models are particularly keen to personalise their cars. This takes place after the actual production process in one of the sports car manufacturer’s two finishing departments: the Exclusive Manufaktur and the Sonderwunsch Manufaktur.

Rounding off unique automobiles – The Exclusive Manufaktur
The refinement of Porsche models in the Exclusive Manufaktur is mainly carried out by applying elaborate craftsmanship. Customers can choose from around 1,000 options. For example, there are decor variants or different packages, such as the Heritage Design Package for the 911 S/T or the Rally Design Package for the 911 Dakar.

With various colour, material and equipment variants for the exterior and interior, there are countless possibilities to refine one’s Porsche. These also include exterior decorative elements for bonnets, doors and side panels or additional leather, Race-Tex and fabric features for the interior – for example, for the centre console or the air conditioning vents.

The employees apply individual details manually, such as the number decals on the doors or various leather trims on the dashboard at the transition to the doors. Conspicuous details such as ground projection spotlights in the doors with labels such as the ‘Icons of Cool’ logo of the Heritage Design Strategy also give the coveted 911 models an even more individual touch. On average, a personalised 911 spends up to six days in the Exclusive Manufaktur.

A truly unique sportscar – A limited-edition 911 from the Sonderwunsch Manufaktur
A future owner who wants to turn their already rare limited-edition 911 into a one-of-a-kind model can use the sports car manufacturer’s Sonderwunsch programme. There are also many options in terms of colours and materials in what is referred to as Factory Commissioning. However, the focus is even more on the construction of one-of-a-kind cars. There are hardly any limits to the creativity and imagination of customers and designers – as long as they meet the high Porsche quality standards and applicable regulatory requirements.

The 911 Dakar designed for an Italian customer is a prime example of a limited-edition model that was further personalised and refined in the Sonderwunsch Manufaktur. The unique character of this special Dakar is reflected in its three-tone finish: the colours Signal Yellow and Gentian Blue Metallic are reminiscent of the Rally Design Package, which calls to mind the winning car at the Paris-Dakar Rally. The design line, which, on this collector’s item, is also painted, separates the two colour blocks. The line is painted Lampedusa Blue. During the preparations for the painting process, the owner applied the tape himself.

The spokes of the light-alloy wheels are also painted in Signal Yellow, while Lampedusa Blue is used for the rim flange. The paintwork was done completely by hand. The LED matrix design headlights are personalised by a Lampedusa Blue accent ring. The stainless steel protective elements on the front, rear and sills are Black. The yellow theme is repeated in the interior as a contrast colour to Black – appearing in the contrast seams and on the trim strips of the dashboard, centre console and door panel trim. The lettering ‘911 Dakar’ is embroidered with Speed Yellow thread into the headrests of the Sport Seats Plus. The aluminium selector lever for the eight-speed Porsche dual clutch transmission (PDK) is enhanced by a Speed Yellow leather inlay.

Dreams are made of carbon – The carbon fibre Manufaktur for purist 911 variants
Limited-edition models with a special focus on lightweight construction go through an additional production step during car assembly in the main plant: the carbon fibre Manufaktur. Almost all add-on parts for purist 911 variants, such as the S/T or GT models, are assembled manually away from the regular assembly line. To facilitate this, the painted body-in-white is clamped onto special assembly carriages on which all add-on parts made of carbon are then mounted – for example, the doors, the bonnet and the wings of the special-edition 911 that weighs in at just 1,380 kilograms. Each carbon component is clamped into special screw frames and is adjusted manually during the assembly process to ensure accurate fits and clearances. Once all parts of the outer skin have been assembled, the now complete body returns to the regular assembly line.

Setting us apart from other OEMs: the Porsche saddlery
In contrast to many other automotive OEMs, Porsche has its own saddlery at the Zuffenhausen plant. Here, almost all interior surfaces made of leather, Race-Tex or fabric are cut, sewn and applied. Cutting is done using an automatic waterjet cutter. In the sewing area, the covers are sewn and prepared for the subsequent lining process. In order to guarantee its high quality standards, Porsche is one of the few manufacturers to rely on its own training course to provide car interior designers.

Adds a little colour: two-tone manually finished paintwork for the 911 Dakar
The paintwork of the 911 Dakar models with Rallye Design package differs from the regular painting process and has a special unique selling point: if future owners of a 911 Dakar choose the Rally Design Package, they will receive the two-tone paintwork in White/Gentian Blue Metallic with decorative stripes in gold/red. After applying the White undercoat, the employees apply the blue contrast paint manually to the car’s body. Manual painting takes approximately seven-and-a-half hours. The undercoat is sanded by hand, masked, then the paint is applied by hand in Gentian Blue Metallic. For this manual painting process, new work processes and areas were established in advance of production, including a so-called multi-line for the manual paint application. Finally, the finishing touches are added in the Exclusive Manufaktur, where the employees apply the decorative films for the characteristic red and gold dividing strips by hand.

TAGGED:Porsche 911Turbo 50 Years

Sign Up For Daily Newsletter

Stay Updated! Get the latest breaking news delivered straight to your inbox.

By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Share This Article
Facebook Whatsapp Whatsapp LinkedIn VKontakte Telegram Email Copy Link Print
Share
ByItumeleng Garebatshabe
Editor
Follow:
Itumeleng is the Managing Editor of The Auto Magazine. He is a tech and car enthusiast

Follow US

FacebookLike
XFollow
InstagramFollow
YoutubeSubscribe
TiktokFollow
TelegramFollow
Google NewsFollow
LinkedInFollow
- Advertisement -
Ad imageAd image

You Might Also Like

Latest News

Volkswagen Group doubles all-electric deliveries in Europe

By Itumeleng Garebatshabe
April 10, 2025
Latest News

Porsche posts stable sales in 2023: strong growth for the 911 and Taycan

By Itumeleng Garebatshabe
January 12, 2024

The Auto Magazine

  • Advertise
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookie Policy
  • Bikes
  • Electric Vehicles
  • Trucks & Buses
  • Auto Shows
  • Latest News
  • Motosport

Made by Intellegere Media. All rights reserved. 2023

Don't not sell my personal information
Join Us!
Subscribe to our newsletter and never miss our latest news, podcasts etc.

Zero spam, Unsubscribe at any time.
adbanner