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

By PH Staff / Wednesday, 28 January 2026 / Loading comments

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.