Porsche is one of the world’s most recognisable and beloved car brands.
The German automaker is known for producing some of the most iconic and high-performance vehicles ever. However, there are many exciting facts about Porsche that you might not know. In this blog post, we’ll explore ten fascinating Porsche facts that will surely surprise you.
In this blog post, we’ll look at 10 interesting facts you might not know about Porsche.
- The Porsche name
- The first Porsche
- The iconic 911
- The Porsche badge
- Airbus A300
- Porsche Originally Manufactured Tractors
- The Porsche 917
- The Porsche Cayenne
- The Dutch Police used to drive the Porsche 356
- The Porsche Museum
1. The Porsche name
The Porsche name originates from the family name of the brand’s founder, Ferdinand Porsche.
Ferdinand was an Austrian-German engineer who founded the Porsche company in 1931. Porsche is a family name of French origin, meaning “forge worker.”
2. The first Porsche
The first car to bear the Porsche name was the Porsche 64, designed in 1939.
Porsche built the car for a long-distance race from Berlin to Rome, but the race was cancelled due to the outbreak of World War II.
As a result, they only produced three Porsche 64s, and they are considered among the rarest and most valuable Porsches.
3. The iconic 911
The Porsche 911 is one of the most iconic and recognisable sports cars ever made. The car was first introduced in 1963 and has been in production ever since.
The 911 has undergone many changes and updates over the years, but it remains one of the most beloved sports cars in the world.
The Porsche 911 is one of the most recognised names in motoring, but it was almost named the Porsche 901. This is due to Peugeot protesting because it had exclusive rights to car names formed by three numbers with a zero in the middle. Meaning Porsche had to go with 911 rather than the initially intended 901.
4. The Porsche badge
The Porsche badge, which features a prancing horse, is often mistaken for the Ferrari badge. However, the Porsche badge features a combination of symbols from the coat of arms of Stuttgart, where the company is based.
The prancing horse symbolises the city’s history as a centre for horse breeding.
Chief designer Ferry Porsche outlined the crest whilst brainstorming logo ideas on the back of a napkin.
5. Airbus A300
Porsche was involved with designing the cockpit for the Airbus A300 in the early 1980s.
You can find out more here.
6. Porsche Originally Manufactured Tractors
They manufactured more than 125,000 in the 50s and 60s.
7. The Porsche 917
The Porsche 917 is one of the most legendary race cars in history. The car won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1970 and 1971, setting several speed records.
The 917 was powered by a flat-12 engine that produced up to 600 horsepower.
8. The Porsche Cayenne
The Porsche Cayenne was the brand’s first SUV, which Porsche introduced in 2002.
Porsche enthusiasts initially met the car with scepticism, but it became one of the brand’s most successful models.
The Cayenne has been updated and redesigned several times over the years, and it remains a popular choice for luxury SUV buyers.
9. The Dutch Police used to drive the Porsche 356
In the early 1960s, many Dutch motorways had no speed limits, so accidents were often fatal, so they adopted a system of Porsche patrol cars to follow and stop drivers travelling at dangerous speeds.
10. The Porsche Museum
The Porsche Museum, located in Stuttgart, Germany, is a must-see destination for any Porsche enthusiast. The museum features an extensive collection of Porsche vehicles, ranging from the earliest prototypes to the latest models.
In addition to the cars, the museum also features interactive exhibits that showcase the history and technology of the Porsche brand.
If you have enjoyed our 10 facts about Porsche, then check out our other similar posts:
- 10 Facts About Aston Martin
- 10 Facts About Ferrari
- 10 Facts About Lamborghini
- 10 Facts About Mercedes-Benz
Find out about our Porsche Finance →