Porsche's Ace in the Hole for Continued Growth

For Porsche, which aims for its 10th consecutive year of sales growth in Japan after extending its record to nine years through 2018, the trump cards are the new "911" and the EV sports sedan "Taycan," scheduled for release in early September. The Taycan is set to be launched in early September.

At the new 911 press conference, Porsche Japan President Toshiyuki Shichijyo stated that Porsche is progressively installing rapid charging stations for use at Porsche Centers and public facilities nationwide in preparation for the Taycan's debut.

Furthermore, Porsche plans to open its first Porsche Experience Center in Japan in Kisarazu in 2021, joining existing centers in six global locations such as Los Angeles, Sylt in Germany, Le Mans in France, and Shanghai. These facilities, equipped with circuits, low-friction courses, and off-road courses, will offer broader opportunities for enjoying sports driving.

In a departure from exhibiting at the Tokyo Motor Show, Porsche also announced "scopes Tokyo," a standalone exhibition for the millennial generation—defined globally by Porsche as the next generation of customers—to be held in Shibuya, Tokyo, in November under the theme "Resonance with Imagination." This marks the third such event worldwide, following those in Berlin and Amsterdam.

Page 2.A Design Fusing Tradition and Modernity

A Design Fusing Tradition and Modernity

In an era demanding strong visions and actions for the future, how has the new 911, proclaimed a "Timeless Machine," evolved? First, performance draws attention. The newly adopted 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged flat-six engine boasts an increase of 30 hp and 30 Nm of torque over the previous model, achieving a maximum output of 450 hp at 6,500 rpm and a maximum torque of 530 Nm between 2,300 and 5,000 rpm.

The body, with its widened tread now common to both 4WD and 2WD models, weighs 12 kg less than its predecessor at 240 kg due to increased use of aluminum, while achieving a 5 percent improvement in both bending and torsional rigidity. Consequently, the Nürburgring Nordschleife lap time has been reduced by 5 seconds to 7 minutes and 20 seconds compared to the previous generation.

At the unveiling event, Shuichi Yamashita, a Japanese designer at Porsche AG, provided an explanation of the design elements.

The most distinctive exterior feature of the new 911 is the full-width, single-bar LED rear taillight. Additionally, the high-mounted stop lamp, a vertical aerodynamic element along the engine cover slits, is also striking.

Moving to the front, the matrix LED headlights, featuring 84 individual LEDs and forming the characteristic four-point signature seen in recent Porsches since the "919 Hybrid," stand out. The cover lenses are slightly more upright than those on recent models from the 996 generation onwards, designed to emphasize the length of the fender line. Furthermore, the bonnet features two concave creases running down its center, a detail that underscores the "911-ness."

The interior also masterfully blends evolution with a return to its roots. Unlike the conventional design with a vertically emphasized center console screen due to integrated infotainment, the new interior features a horizontal line motif inspired by the 1970s 911, and an overhang-style dashboard reminiscent of the 901 generation. The instrument cluster, however, has been fully digitized, with only the central rev counter remaining analog.

Advanced driver-assistance systems include collision mitigation braking, adaptive cruise control (ACC) operable from 0 km/h, and lane keeping assist (LKA). A new "Wet Mode" has also been introduced, which automatically detects wet road surfaces and maximizes stability by adjusting drive power and chassis settings.

The vehicle prices are as follows: the 911 Carrera S Coupe is ¥16.66 million, the Carrera S Cabriolet is ¥18.91 million, the 911 Carrera 4S Coupe is ¥17.72 million, and the Carrera 4S Cabriolet is ¥19.97 million. How the new 911 will be received in the Japanese market is certainly worth watching.