2015 Porsche 906 Concept

The design process: from the first drawing to the drivable prototype

The design process starts with a sketch. This is visualised in the next step as a 3D model. As soon as an idea is to be developed further, small models are produced in a scale of 1:3, then followed by hard models in the scale 1:1. “The virtual world is the first step, but you especially have to experience the unusual models in reality in order to understand whether a car has small, large or surprising proportions,” says Michael Mauer, Vice President Style Porsche. In contrast to the development of a production model where several models are always developed with different styling formats, the vision projects, on the other hand, concentrate on a single vision model which serves as a protagonist for the central idea. You can find more visual details of the 2015 Porsche 906 Concept gallery by scrolling up.

Even if the design team develops the automobiles of the future in its free design projects, the brand history of Porsche is always still present as a source of inspiration. So it was that the Porsche 906 served as the model for the proportions and body design for this vision of a super sports car. This is shown, for example, by the red contrasting bonnet of its front end and by the layout of its headlights, which immediately bring to mind the legendary old racing car and its unforgettable outing in the 1966 Targa Florio. At the same time, the study plays with the possibilities of creating a stylistic association between light sources and air intakes.

“The design process for such visions is very free,” explains Michael Mauer. “It is not necessary to keep to pre-defined product identity characteristics. For example, the headlights were positioned in an air intake as a futuristic light source. When we were later developing an identity for our electric models, we took another look at these designs. The radical idea of simply integrating a light source in an opening instead of a glass cover seemed appropriate for us. We are now approaching this ideal.”

You can find more visual details of the 2015 Porsche 906 Concept gallery by scrolling up.

2015 Porsche 906 Concept Front View 3/4

Another innovative idea was realising the body of the Porsche 906 Living Legend as two parts inserted in each other – with the gap between the elements as a ventilation duct for powerful engine mounted amidships. This is a key design feature for Michael Mauer. “Modern hypercars are greatly dependent on their aerodynamics and openings resulting from the enormous ventilation requirements.” At the rear, two steeply projecting vertical fins with red light strips ensure a dramatic look from the back too.

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