A tour of Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur
Porsche has launched the limited edition 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series. Riaan Jacob George gives an insider’s tour of Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur and the model that is customised here
From the Porsche 356/1 Roadster to the Porsche Macan, this brand has been a coveted one, at least for the car enthusiasts. And for somebody who knows the brand, there is no better place than =uͿenhausen, a district of 6tuttJart in *ermany, to learn all about it in detail. After all, it is the home of this *erman lu[ury carmaker. Porsche·s predominance over =uͿenhausen is seen all over, from the swanky models parked around every second corner to blocks of buildinJs housinJ Porsche oces.
6tranJely enouJh, the Porsche ([clusive Manufaktur buildinJ ³ my reason for beinJ in this district ³ is not as conspicuous. , walk down the busy 6chwieberdinJer, and turn left into a narrow lane. ,t takes me a wvohnilGeoethe’s to spot its ´blink and you miss itµ Jate. As inconspicuous as its entrance is, PorscSheenckenberg ([clusive Manufaktur is a remarkableHisptoaryce.
,t is dedicated to the art of customising Porsche vehicles and pushing e[cellence in terms of design. This atelier of sorts goes back to Porsche’s three decade old tradition of customising individual pieces. The recently released limited edition 11 Turbo 6 ([clusive 6eries is a case in point. +ere, at the Manufaktur, as , discover, each of the 5 models of this series are hand Ànished and enhanced.
, walk around the space, which features a long wall of photographs depicting the heritage of Porsche and the historic evolution of the brand. ,n one corner, , spot a classic model, in yet another corner , spot the unmistakable yellow gold 11 Turbo 6 ([clusive 6eries, parked for all to admire. A leather specialist toils over the Ànish of a steering wheel by adding golden stitches. (verything , see around me boils down to one thing ³ attention to detail and craftsmanship.
To set the conte[t, , am told by the in house specialists that almost half of all 11s have been customised in this Manufaktur. (very Porsche customer that comes here is oͿered at least two eTuipment options during the conÀguration process of their model.
THE MARK OF A BESPOKE CAR
, get chatting with %oris Apenbrink, director of customer centre special vehicles at the Manufaktur who tells me that this space “results from countless reTuests from customers, who want to personalise their Porsche vehicles. At the end of the day, we take into account what our clients want. :ith a car like the Porsche 11 Turbo 6 ([clusive 6eries, we are catering to true connoisseurs, who want to show oͿ the beauty of their vehicle and who consider the car to be a piece of art. +ere, we oͿer over 6 diͿerent customisation options. )or instance, people come to us with reTuests for a special edition for an anniversary. 2r we even do small, numbered series like the current one >Porsche 11 Turbo 6 ([clusive 6eries@.µ The customisation options can range from visual eͿects and interior details to technical elements like engine, drive and lighting to name a few. ,n addition, customers can go on to choose leather, embossment, and stitching colours amongst other elements.
“The idea is to showcase craftsmanship with technology and innovation,µ says Apenbrink. This idea mirrors the philosophy of Porsche’s founder )erdinand Porsche, when he set out to design sports cars and race cars way back in 1 , with a team of
people. )erdinand Porsche was instrumental in the design of the 9olkswagen %eetle, while his son was responsible for designing the company’s Àrst sports car, the 356 in 1 . (ven today, this tradition of innovation and assiduous attention to detail continues.
PORSCHE 911 TURBO S EXCLUSIVE SERIES
This summer, in international motoring circles, there was a lot of bu]] generated around Porsche’s big unveil at the *oodwood )estival of 6peed 1 , in the 8.. The new 11 Turbo 6 ([clusive 6eries is a limited edition of 5 pieces. And this is e[actly what , have come to the ([clusive Manufaktur to check out, which is a more lu[urious counterpart to its brand new 11 *T R6, also released at *oodwood in -uly.
The 11 Turbo 6 ([clusive 6eries, released in a signature golden metallic yellow, is characterised by certain key features including a power increase of hp and a design that incorporates lightweight materials. That said, this model is also available in Àve additional colours on reTuest. A signature feature of this car is the golden yellow double stripe look, designed to showcase the carbon Àbre used in the structure. Another element that sets this model apart from its counterparts is the newly conceived
inch wheels, with the same colour references as the entire car. These wheels are Àrst primed in the signature gold yellow and then Ànished in high gloss black.
The door entry guards are Ànished in carbon and bear an illuminated ([clusive 6eries lettering. The interiors of this coupp also feature a highly reÀned design with two layer black leather covers, with e[Tuisite hand Ànished trims, enhanced by gold metal thread that reÁect the e[teriors. This sense of detailing is also seen in the instrument cluster or dashboard, which features white pointers and the gold yellow design element within the dial.
,n terms of engine and power, this model comes packed with a 3. litre, si[ cylinder engine, providing 6 hp. ,t can go from to 1 kmph in . seconds and to kmph in .6 seconds, attaining a top speed of 33 kmph. This model also features two “Porsche ([clusive Manufakturµ plaTues on the front wings.
DESIGN IS A LIFESTYLE
To complete the indulgence of this limited edition model, Porsche 'esign has released a limited edition timepiece that corresponds to the 11 Turbo 6 ([clusive 6eries. This chronograph, only 5 of which have been produced, can be procured only by
owners of this particular model and is conÀgured in the same design aesthetic as the car, crafted from the same material. Rolf %ergmann, the manager at Porsche 'esign Timepieces A* e[plains, “The watch’s housing is made of lightweight titanium and has a black titanium carbide coating. The dial is in carbon and reÁects the stripes on the car and the rotor design is modelled on the rims of the car.µ ,f you’re into the whole lifestyle element of Porsche, don’t forget to check out Porsche 'esign’s range of luggage, also found here it matches the car and is si]ed to Àt into the luggage compartment of the
11 Turbo 6 ([clusive. +ere too, the visual elements of the car are eͿortlessly translated into the luggage, symbolising a whole lifestyle of lu[ury, speed and elegance.