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“Soul, Electrified”: Porsche lives up to its motto with heavywight NEV models at the 2nd China International Import ExpoTo be a technological pioneer in the electric era
Shanghai/Stuttgart. With the theme of “New Era, Shared Future,” The 2nd China International Import Expo is being held at the National Convention and Exhibition Centre (Shanghai) between 5-10 November. The Volkswagen Group – of which Porsche is a part –is one of the major auto exhibitors at the expo. The Group is showcasing its vision for and practice of sustainable mobility with an electrified lineup of NEV car models, enhanced R&D capabilities and its smart mobility ecosystem initiatives. The Porsche booth features a suite of innovative new models, including the first fully-electric sports car, the Taycan; three-time Le Mans winner, the 919 Hybrid; and the urban hybrid pioneer, the Cayenne E-Hybrid, that all tie in with the brand’s motto, “Soul, Electrified”. Porsche is presenting its pioneering technologies in its century-long journey of electrification, its brand concept of “from the race track to the road”, and its new era of purely electric sports cars.
“We are honored to once again participate in the China International Import Expo, which is the only national-level expo with the theme of import in the world,” said Dr. -Ing. Jens Puttfarcken, President and CEO of Porsche China. “As an import automobile company, we welcome and support the Chinese government's proactive measures to further open up the market. We hope to fully showcase Porsche's brand heritage, products and services with the strong influence of this expo. We look forward to more exchanges of ideas at the expo and believe it will have a very positive impact on the Chinese economy as well as on Chinese private consumption.”
Century-long experience of electricity makes the cutting edge of Porsche E-Performance: the new Taycan
The history of Porsche is also an evolutionary history of automotive electrification technology. In 1900, the founder of Porsche, Dr. Ferdinand Porsche, invented the very first electric car, driven by electric motors in the hubs of the front wheels. Even today, the trams, trolley buses and electric bikes around us still follow this driving concept. Later on, Dr. Porsche also designed the world’s first functional hybrid car with the first serial hybrid drive, a predecessor of today’s hybrid cars.
With Dr. Porsche’s forward-looking drive concept, Porsche has launched a number of popular hybrid models of the Cayenne and Panamera since 2010, becoming the first manufacturer in the premium segment to offer hybrid systems in three different model lines, and establishing its unmistakable E-performace concept. On the Porsche stage at the expo there is a Cayenne E-Hybrid, which was launched late last year in China. Presenting the performance-oriented hybrid strategy of Porsche, the Cayenne E-Hybrid achieves stronger performance with maximum efficiency, and is a typical example of the seven plug-in hybrid vehicles that Porsche currently offers in China.
“From the race track to the road” is a philosophy embedded deep in Porsche’s DNA. Porsche has long utilised motorsport as a testing ground to hone its technologies and experience. With the 919 Hybrid racecar – showcasd on the stage – Porsche returned to the top class of the World Endurance Championship (WEC) and thus to the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2014. Between 2015 and 2017, Porsche achieved three consecutive Le Mans victories with the 919 Hybrid. It boasts a system power of around 662 kW (900 HP), and is the fastest test laboratory and the most innovative race car that Porsche has built to date. Its pioneering 800-volt technology is also at work in the new Taycan.
The most eye-catching model at the Porsche stage is the new Taycan, which celebrated its world premiere early September simultaneously on three continents: in North America, Europe and Asia. The first all-electric sports car, the Taycan, marks the beginning of a new era for Porsche as the company expands its product range in the field of e-mobility. The four-door sports saloon is a unique package offering typical Porsche performance, connectivity and comprehensive everyday usability. At the same time, highly advanced production methods and the production features of the Taycan are setting new standards in the fields of sustainability and digitalisation. During the coming Guangzhou Auto Show, the Taycan will be showcased to the public for the first time.
On the stage at the expo there is a remarkable 2.7-metre-tall Porsche High Power Charger. By the middle of next year, 80% of Porsche Centres will be equipped with this high power charging infrastructure. In China, based on current GB standard, maximum 200 kW charging power can be supported with 800 V. Under ideal conditions, the charging time required to take the battery from five to 80 percent SoC (state of charge) is about half an hour.
In order to provide Taycan customers with maximized convenience and accessibility of charging services, Porsche is developing exclusive parking and charging network in the downtown areas of Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Chengdu, and gradually expanding city coverage to establish over 100 stations by end of 2020, including both high power DC charging and fast DC charging services. Porsche will start offering valet charging services in the four major cities and enlarging city coverage along the expansion of exclusive charging network development. In addition, Porsche will integrate over 100,000 nationwide 3rd party charging stations. Customers who successfully purchase a Taycan will be provided with one set of free home charging hardware as well as basic installation services.
New era of electricity, entering the Formula E
With the new Taycan, Porsche is opening a new chapter in the company’s history. The manufacturer is systematically expanding the product range in the field of e-mobility. The Taycan Cross Turismo, the first derivative of the Taycan family, will be launched by the end of next year. What’s more, the new generation of the Macan will also feature electric drive, making it the second purely battery-powered model series from Porsche. By 2025, half of all sales from the Porsche product range will be from electrically or partially electrically driven plug-in hybrid models.
On 22-23 November, Porsche’s first purely electric racecar, the 99X Electric, will contest its maiden race in the ABB FIA Formula E Championship in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia. After more than 30 years, Porsche returns to single-seater racing, marking a new chaper of Porsche motorsports history.
The 99X Electric racecar represents the innovative spirit of Porsche. Although all teams need to use the same chassis under the rules of Formula E, Porsche is characterized by skilled drivers and an innovative engineering team. Porsche engineers have developed a power train, cooling systems, and rear axle suspension specifically for Formula E.
To be rooted in the furture with the Chinese market
"Porsche is committed to becoming a technological pioneer in the electrification era, ” said Dr. -Ing. Jens Puttfarcken. "We now want to drive emission-free into the future. ” As the world's largest NEV market, the demand of Chinese customers and the market trends will impose a profound influence on Porsche's electrification strategy. “Porsche Digital China, established in April this year, and Porsche Engineering (Shanghai), are focused on the local needs of Chinese customers. Our goal is to provide tailor-made digital solutions for the Chinese market,” Dr. -Ing. Jens Puttfarcken added.
Since entering the Chinese market in 2001, Porsche's sales in China have been increasing year by year, which benefit a lot from China's reform and opening up strategy and its vigorous economic development. China has been the world’s largest single market of Porsche since 2015. Under the favorable policies of import tariffs and VAT adjustments, the price of Porsche products has been further optimized, helping Chinese customers build more personalized sports cars and enhance their experience. What’s more, in the context of China’s “the Belt and Road” initiative, Porsche has used the China-EU line trains to transport sports cars from Germany to Chongqing since April this year. The transportation time has been shortened by up to 3 weeks, making customers in western China directly benefit from this “New Silk Road”.
In addition to introducing Porsche's outstanding models to Chinese customers, Porsche China is also committed to creating a fascinating brand experience. Through platforms such as the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia and the Porsche Experience Centre Shanghai, etc, Porsche promotes motorsports and car culture by allowing customers to further explore the pleasure of driving and increasing the understanding of cars and car culture. During the period of the 2nd China International Import Expo, the Finale of the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia 2019 season will be held simultaneously at the Shanghai International Circuit. In the future, Porsche China will continue its dedication to the Chinese market to pass on the pure joy and passion of Porsche, and to support the development of China's automobile market and culture in the long run.
11/5/2019
Further information and pictures for journalists and media representatives can be found on the Porsche press database at http://presse.porsche.de/.