Porsche is splurging 150 million euros on its research and development centre in Weissach, near Stuttgart, Germany. There'll be a new wind tunnel, a state-of-the-art design centre and what the company calls 'an innovative electronics integration centre'.
Porsche says the technology implemented in the new wind tunnel will meet future requirements for vehicle development, which are increasingly focusing on energy efficiency. Or, as Wolfgang Dürheimer, Board Member for Research and Development at Porsche AG puts it: "The new facility will help us to maintain the top position of Porsche in the fields of aerodynamics and design, and to further extend our lead. Outstanding design with optimal aerodynamic efficiency has always been a classic Porsche stronghold."
As well as being used for Porsche's own vehicles, the new wind tunnel will be used to help support external projects. Alongside it, a new studio will offer more space for the Porsche designers and - somewhat intriguingly - today's announcement adds that: "Due to extended tasks, this increased capacity is urgently required at Weissach for sports car development."
Around 100 engineers will be recruited in the first stage of the new investment. They will be deployed, says Porsche, in the further development and optimisation of alternative drive concepts, or cooperate in new vehicle projects such as the 918 Spyder super sports car.