In 1948, Ferdinand Porsche created the brand with 200 workers. Coming from humble beginnings, the company could only make 52 units of the Porsche 356, their first production vehicle. Automobiles were assembled in a small garage. In 1952, the brand released its bestselling model, the 550 Spyder. The company continued to grow from there and produced the 10,000th model by the 25th anniversary.
It seems right that Ferry Porsche was born while his dad was at a race. As he got older, he became a test driver at his father's company. He was known for designing the first Porsche, the 356. Ferry worked on the car while his dad spent 20 months in a prison as a war criminal. Ferry was also arrested but then quickly released. To keep the business afloat, he designed race cars and the first Porsche sports car. This is the evolution of Porsche in pictures.
15 Porsche 356: 1948
The Porsche 356 was a hybrid of innovative and tested elements, incorporating a new body design developed by Porsche's son Ferry. The very first 49 units were easy to differentiate because they had a two-piece windscreen divided by a bar. The 356 was a lightweight and nimble-handling car available in hardtop, coupe, and open configurations.
14 Porsche 911: 1963
The 911 was introduced at the Frankfurt Auto Show as the model 901. It was considered a triumph in design. This was the successor to the popular Porsche 356. It took some time for the performance car to be recognized. The sketches were drawn by Ferry's son Ferdinand Alexander Porsche.
13 Porsche 912: 1965
The Porsche 912 was a less-powerful version of the 911. It wasn't intended to replace the famous 911, but rather offer buyers who loved the 356 an option to buy a vehicle for the same price. The car featured a larger engine and advances in technology compared to the 356. Back in the '60s, Porsche produced 30,000 912s.
12 Porsche 914: 1970
In the 60s, Porsche and Volkswagen were in need of a new car. Both companies decided to produce a performance automobile. VW and Porsche developed their own versions of the 914. These cars were marketed as Porsches in the US and as Volkswagens in Europe. All models had a 2.0L engine rated at 108bhp.
11 Porsche 911 G-Series: 1973
Ten years after the introduction of the 911, and the car needed an update. The Porsche 911 G-Series was the result. From 1973 to 1989, 200.000 models were produced. The main design changes over the 911 included new front bumpers and safety features. The car got a 3.0L 260 hp engine.
10 Porsche 930 Turbo: 1976
In 1976, Porsche produced the first turbocharged 911. Even though it was marketed as the 911 in Europe, it was introduced as the 930 in North America. The car was visually unique with big wheels and tires, wide wheel arches, and a large whale-tail spoiler. A 3.0L engine delivered 260 hp.
9 Porsche 924: 1976
The Porsche 924 was a joint project of Porsche and Volkswagen. However, Porsche bought the design and built the 924 as an entry-level sports car and a replacement for the 914. However, the car was criticized for its mediocre performance. It featured a turbocharged Inline-4 engine that delivered 210 bhp.
8 Porsche 928: 1978
The Porsche 928 "was developed as a luxury Grand Tourer and many believed it would have a much wider appeal than the compact 911. The car, which was originally intended to replace the Porsche 911 line, featured the power and handling of a sports car with the refinement, comfort, and equipment of a luxury sedan."
7 Porsche 944: 1982
Because the 924 was so successful, the company decided not to change the design and use it as a basis to develop a replacement for the 924 and 928. Porsche introduced the new 2.5L inline-four engine to power the 944. The car offered unmatched handling and stopping power and was considered the most comfortable Porsche.
6 Porsche 968: 1991
The Porsche 968 was introduced in 1991 and produced from 1992 to 1995. It was the final evolution of the front-engine sports car that began with the 924. The power came from an updated version of the straight-four cylinder engine. In 1993, Porsche introduced a light-weight Club Sport version of the 968.
5 Porsche 986: 1996
The Porsche 986 featured a water-cooled 2.5L six-cylinder engine rated at 201 horsepower. Thanks to the changed layout with a low center of gravity, the car had the best handling in its class. The 986 shared many components with the new 911, including the front wings, bonnet, interior, headlights, and engine setup.
4 Porsche Cayenne: 2002
The Porsche Cayenne is a luxury crossover produced since 2002. It's the first V8-engined automobile delivered by the brand since 1995, when the 928 was discontinued. It's the first off-road vehicle since the Junior tractor of the 50s and the first Porsche with 4 doors. The engine has a then-innovative direct-injection technology.
3 Porsche Panamera: 2009
The Porsche Panamera upset many purists since it ran contrary to all Porsche's signature offering, especially two-door cars like the 911. The Panamera is a luxury heavy car with four doors and an engine mounted in the front. Still, its rear hatch and long hood bears resemblance to the 911.
2 Porsche Macan: 2013
The Porsche Macan is a five-door luxury SUV built in Leipzig. The range includes many versions, such as the Macan GTS and the Macan Turbo. The car shares a platform with the Audi Q5. The suspension configuration is a heavily modified version of the Audi's setup, but everything else is unique to Macan.
1 Porsche Taycan: 2019
The Porsche Taycan is an all-electric car unveiled as a concept at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show and then in production form at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show. It's the first Porsche's production electric car that's planned to spawn derivatives in a future lineup of all-electric models. Porsche has even developed an 800-volt charging system.