Wednesday 28th January

McLaren designer tasked with new Porsche era

Michael Mauer, the man responsible for the 918 Spyder, finally runs out of road - Tobias Sühlmann replaces him

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Appointing a new Head of Design almost always signals a changing of the guard for any carmaker - but for Porsche, talk of a ‘generational change’ is no understatement. Michael Mauer, the previous incumbent, had been responsible for Porsche’s styling for more than two decades. So long in fact that the manufacturer calls out the launch of the Panamera as one of the defining moments in his career. 

"A Porsche must appeal to all the senses – that is Michael Mauer's leitmotif. The Panamera is one of many convincing examples,” remarked Porsche boss, Michael Leiters. “[He] shaped an era at Porsche. Together with his team, he has carefully brought the iconic design of the 911 into the modern era and at the same time unmistakably transferred the Porsche design DNA to new model series.”

It is likely no coincidence that his replacement, like Leiters, heralds most recently from McLaren. Tobias Sühlmann kicked off his career at Volkswagen, though it was stints at Bugatti, Aston Martin and Bentley (not to mention an earlier, brief period at Woking) that marked him out as the right man to assume the duties of Chief Design Officer at McLaren, where he was tasked with overall responsibility for bringing the W1 to life. 

Sühlmann is among many high-level departures at McLaren in the wake of its merger with Forseven, though his broader experience makes him an ideal fit at Porsche, where he will again be required to embrace a lineup comprised partly of high-profile SUVs. "Tobias Sühlmann can build on a unique design philosophy,” remarked Leiters. “With his experience in the design of sports and super sports cars, he will further sharpen Porsche's profile. His broad knowledge will help him to design a large number of different vehicles in the high-end sector."

Of course, as ever with long design tenures, the influence of Mauer will be felt for a good while yet, especially with several crucial EVs - the 718 replacement key among them - yet to be unveiled. Nevertheless, Porsche is going through a period of intensely public readjustment, meaning there will be much for Sühlmann to oversee when he takes over the reins next week. 

Speaking of his departure, Michael Mauer, said: "Timeless design needs both: durability and new impulses. In view of Porsche's strategic realignment, now is a good time to bring new perspectives to the design as well. It was a great pleasure and honour for me to be able to help shape and develop Porsche's design philosophy over such a long period of time." Replacing the man who can point to the 918 Spyder on his list of accomplishments will be no mean feat.

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• Porsche 918 Spyder | PH Review
• Porsche announces drastic EV volte-face

[Quickmoose]

Definitely a loss imo.
The creator of the 918, 981/991 stuff, that's classy evolutionary quality, aesthetically speaking.
Moving the Panamera and SUVs along at the same time is a cross to bear but he didn't make them worse so, that's something I guess.
Taycan les successful and I'm not enjoying it's reflection in the "look" of Porsche since then...

Keen to see what the new guy can do, having a daring back catalogue won't travel too far in a company heavily reliant on familiar cues, but head of Aston and Bentley senior at McLaren.... he's got the goods no doubt.

[andy43]

Mclaren and Porsche have designers?
Gosh, I thought it was photocopiers that both of them have been using for the past ten years.

[Night Owl]

andy43 said:

Mclaren and Porsche have designers?
Gosh, I thought it was photocopiers that both of them have been using for the past ten years.

I can't stand most of the stuff that has come of Porsche over the past 10-15 years. So clinical looking, devoid of emotion or any joy whatsoever (aesthetically). That said, living in Germany, I know exactly the types of people that tend to buy them here, and they fit into the surroundings perfectly.

[Still Mulling]

andy43 said:

Mclaren and Porsche have designers?
Gosh, I thought it was photocopiers that both of them have been using for the past ten years.

Ah, the gentle irony of this photocopier observation being rolled out once more.

[Freakuk]

Is this a knee jerk reaction to a huge down turn in sales and that their rationale is that the current cars aren't visibly attractive thus not selling.

Or are they looking at future vehicles and really upping the design - I can see this for 911, Cayman/Boxster platforms - the sportscars, but McLaren haven't ventured into the SUV market, no idea if the new guy has ever designed an SUV or a 4 seater saloon.

Interesting times.

[Quickmoose]

It is a depressing state of affairs but one which jas been apparent for decades now.
Porsche used to have a 924 shape, a 928 shape and a 911 shape
Now they have a rear engine'd 911 and mid engine'd 911, a 4/5 door 911 and a 911 SUV medium and large
Aston have a Small Vantage a medium Vantage and an SUV Vantage
Lambo have a small wedge a big wedge and an SUV wedge
McLaren have a small and medium
Ferrari, whilst aesthetically a bit lost/confused, do at least have curvy cars and blocky cars.
and/but actually Lotus have a gorgeous sports car and then...some other stuff...that thankfully tread their own path
Design wise, it's all a bit of a mess imo.... when the truly lovely get lost as they get contorted to fit a different sector, or the very language you're trying to contort is already divisive.

I mean how lovely is a 911 GT3 touring in isolation
An Aston DB12
A McLaren 570GT

they just get lost and confused amongst the rest of the range(s) stretching and pulling and squashing that aesthetic...

[bloomen]

Am impressed a Mclaren designer can get another job in the car industry.

If I were Porsche I'd shake things up and form a design committee made up of Tajik goat herders, Japanese cross dressers, Madagascan knitting fans and Aboriginal parkour practitioners.

[Snaaakeey]

Hmmm.

Is anyone really lusting after the W1 aesthetic? P1 it is not.

[leef44]

Quickmoose said:

It is a depressing state of affairs but one which jas been apparent for decades now.
Porsche used to have a 924 shape, a 928 shape and a 911 shape
Now they have a rear engine'd 911 and mid engine'd 911, a 4/5 door 911 and a 911 SUV medium and large
Aston have a Small Vantage a medium Vantage and an SUV Vantage
Lambo have a small wedge a big wedge and an SUV wedge
McLaren have a small and medium
Ferrari, whilst aesthetically a bit lost/confused, do at least have curvy cars and blocky cars.
and/but actually Lotus have a gorgeous sports car and then...some other stuff...that thankfully tread their own path
Design wise, it's all a bit of a mess imo.... when the truly lovely get lost as they get contorted to fit a different sector, or the very language you're trying to contort is already divisive.

I mean how lovely is a 911 GT3 touring in isolation
An Aston DB12
A McLaren 570GT

they just get lost and confused amongst the rest of the range(s) stretching and pulling and squashing that aesthetic...

It is indeed a sad state of affairs but can't really blame the designer. This is corporate marketing brand image. They want to make them all look the same as their designer brand name.

[MDL111]

these pics are a nice reminder how good the 918 still looks (in a normal / not shouty colour).

[ManyMotors]

I trust Leiters' judgement. I also note Porsche needs some new design direction even if it might continue some aspects of the 911. Porsche fans might be offended.

[andy43]

Still Mulling said:

andy43 said:

Mclaren and Porsche have designers?
Gosh, I thought it was photocopiers that both of them have been using for the past ten years.

Ah, the gentle irony of this photocopier observation being rolled out once more.

Almost like I copied it

They should look at Hyundai or Toyota for fresh ideas.

[nismo48]

bloomen said:

Am impressed a Mclaren designer can get another job in the car industry.

If I were Porsche I'd shake things up and form a design committee made up of Tajik goat herders, Japanese cross dressers, Madagascan knitting fans and Aboriginal parkour practitioners.

[andy43]

nismo48 said:

bloomen said:

Am impressed a Mclaren designer can get another job in the car industry.

If I were Porsche I'd shake things up and form a design committee made up of Tajik goat herders, Japanese cross dressers, Madagascan knitting fans and Aboriginal parkour practitioners.

Jag's already tried that I think.

[CharverDeeksWorth]

Night Owl said:

andy43 said:

Mclaren and Porsche have designers?
Gosh, I thought it was photocopiers that both of them have been using for the past ten years.

I can't stand most of the stuff that has come of Porsche over the past 10-15 years. So clinical looking, devoid of emotion or any joy whatsoever (aesthetically). That said, living in Germany, I know exactly the types of people that tend to buy them here, and they fit into the surroundings perfectly.

Interesting comment. What kind of people buy them in Germany? I could guess but I’m genuinely interested to know firsthand.

[andy43]

CharverDeeksWorth said:

Night Owl said:

andy43 said:

Mclaren and Porsche have designers?
Gosh, I thought it was photocopiers that both of them have been using for the past ten years.

I can't stand most of the stuff that has come of Porsche over the past 10-15 years. So clinical looking, devoid of emotion or any joy whatsoever (aesthetically). That said, living in Germany, I know exactly the types of people that tend to buy them here, and they fit into the surroundings perfectly.

Interesting comment. What kind of people buy them in Germany? I could guess but I m genuinely interested to know firsthand.

911 in Germany seems to be at the level of high end everyday driver - I was in Dusseldorf a couple of weeks ago and saw several newish 911s just parked up between ‘normal’ cars at the side of the road.
Same as London would be I suppose, not that I’ve been near London for decades.
Also saw a 964 pootling about.. so small and delicate looking, it looked fantastic.

[Jon_S_Rally]

Snaaakeey said:

Hmmm.

Is anyone really lusting after the W1 aesthetic? P1 it is not.

I thought the same. If the W1 is what got him the job at Porsche, I'd be concerned. It's not a bad looking car as such, but deeply underwhelming after the P1.

[skidskid]

andy43 said:

CharverDeeksWorth said:

Night Owl said:

andy43 said:

Mclaren and Porsche have designers?
Gosh, I thought it was photocopiers that both of them have been using for the past ten years.

I can't stand most of the stuff that has come of Porsche over the past 10-15 years. So clinical looking, devoid of emotion or any joy whatsoever (aesthetically). That said, living in Germany, I know exactly the types of people that tend to buy them here, and they fit into the surroundings perfectly.

Interesting comment. What kind of people buy them in Germany? I could guess but I m genuinely interested to know firsthand.

911 in Germany seems to be at the level of high end everyday driver - I was in Dusseldorf a couple of weeks ago and saw several newish 911s just parked up between normal cars at the side of the road.
Same as London would be I suppose, not that I ve been near London for decades.
Also saw a 964 pootling about.. so small and delicate looking, it looked fantastic.

But thats the point isnt it? Porsches are the highest level of every day "normal" cars, sitting above BMW/Audi and below Bentley and Ferrari etc. You drive one and you dont look a berk, you arent worried about leaving it places and using it. After living abroad you see that the UK is the outlier and not the rest of Europe. Allocations arent hard to get here, people drive the cars all the time and dealers arent playing games.

[CanAm]

Jon_S_Rally said:

Snaaakeey said:

Hmmm.

Is anyone really lusting after the W1 aesthetic? P1 it is not.

I thought the same. If the W1 is what got him the job at Porsche, I'd be concerned. It's not a bad looking car as such, but deeply underwhelming after the P1.

I've been a McLaren fan since 1964 and it's a sad day when I admit to not knowing what a W1 looks like.

[smilo996]

there seems to be a group of talented German automotive people who circulate around German makers, move abroad to other Euro makers and then back home.
"always signals a changing of the guard for any carmaker - but for Porsche, talk of a ‘generational change’ is no understatement"
so this means the first good looking 911 is on the cards, after Singer beat them to it?