For over 20 years, Michael Mauer has been at the helm of Porsche's design. However, the 63-year-old is stepping down to make way for a new Head of Design at the celebrated manufacturer. That is Tobias Sühlmann, a 46-year-old designer who previously served as Chief Design Officer at McLaren since 2023. While Porsche’s legacy will be shaped by Sühlmann’s tenure, Michael Mauer’s impact and influence are lasting on the brand.’
Mauer’s time at Porsche started in 2004, and he was the fourth Head of Design for the brand, succeeding Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, Anatol Lapine, and Harm Lagaay. After studying automotive design at Pforzheim University of Applied Sciences and working for Mercedes-Benz, smart, and Saab, Mauer joined Porsche, and one of the first projects under his leadership was the Panamera. Still an important part of Porsche’s lineup today, the Panamera represented a unique challenge: translating its iconic design principles into a four-door model, going beyond sports cars for the first time since the Cayenne.
Mauer was also responsible for the revision of the Cayenne, and then the legendary 918 Spyder hypercar. After that, his work included modernizing 911 and bringing Porsche into the era of electrification. As Sühlmann takes over, Porsche looks forward to a new era of design, informed by his experience not only at McLaren but also at the same university as Mauer and in positions at Volkswagen, Bugatti, Aston Martin, and Bentley. However, Mauer’s 22 years of work resulted in milestone moments that Porsche and its design legacy won’t soon forget.
Image Source: Porsche
