The 356 “No.1” Roadster was the first Porsche vehicle registered for road use in 1948. Seven decades on and the Stuttgart-based manufacturer has become renowned for producing high performance, emotional sport cars. Porsche Centre Kuwait, Behbehani Motors Company, commemorated the 70th anniversary by inviting customers, enthusiasts and brand representatives to a special event held at The Four Seasons Hotel Kuwait at Burj Alshaya.
Forming part of the first Sportscar Together Day global calendar of celebrations, Porsche Centre Kuwait’s event featured a showcase of Porsche’s most iconic model, the 911. Presented to the public for the first time in 1963 and now with more than one million models produced, the two-door rear engine model is the centerpiece of the brand’s evolution.
Courtesy of Porsche
A highlight of the event was the unveiling of a unique model, the 911 Carrera S, Porsche Club Kuwait Special Edition. With a winning Porsche Car Configurator design by Ahmad Al Hadhoud (Porsche Club Kuwait member), the vehicle which features a range of Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur options, was put into production and displayed in public for the first time during the celebration.
The Porsche journey commenced with a dream that has continued to fascinate generations. Porsche’s iconic 911 model is among a range of vehicles that intensify the passion for sports cars, innovation and individualization.
Porsche 911 − the consistently cutting-edge classic
The Porsche 911 has enjoyed a unique history: for over 50 years, it has been not only a sports car but a way of life. There are over 20 models now available, combining individuality, sportiness and comfort in typical Porsche style.
The 911 has won the hearts of sports car fans from the very beginning. Following the celebrated world premiere at the 1963 IAA trade fair in Frankfurt, the first models were received by customers one year later. Porsche quickly expanded the range, presenting the 911 Targa in late 1966. A milestone in the history of the model was the unveiling of the first 911 Turbo in 1974, boasting a three-litre engine, 260 horsepower and an eye-catching rear spoiler.
Year after year and generation after generation, Porsche has continued to develop the 911. Body variants such as the convertible and speedster were added to the portfolio, as were upgrades including all-wheel drive and the lightweight chassis. The iconic 911 continues to fascinate sports car aficionados at annual motor shows in Kuwait and all-year long.
Third Generation Porsche Cayenne. Courtesy of Porsche
Porsche Cayenne – the first four-door model
The Cayenne is the Porsche sports car for family and off-road use. As the brand’s first SUV, it is both a bestseller and a pioneer for new technologies. In 2002, the first models to hit the market were the eightcylinder Cayenne S and Cayenne Turbo, combining superior engine power with sophisticated chassis technology such as air suspension and a variable damping system, wide-ranging off-road capability and comfort.
The six-cylinder Cayenne variant followed in 2003, the Cayenne Turbo S arrived with the model update in 2006 and the characteristically sporty Cayenne GTS was unveiled in 2007.
The Cayenne also offers a platform for the introduction of new drive concepts, with the Cayenne Diesel debuting in 2009 as the brand’s first car featuring a compression-ignition engine. When Porsche launched the second generation of the Cayenne in 2010, this was accompanied by the introduction of parallel hybrid technology.
The Cayenne S Hybrid used the electric motor not only for increased efficiency and environmental friendliness, but above all to raise performance. This generated fresh impetus in the field of hybrid development. The Cayenne S E-Hybrid was subsequently released in 2014, featuring a battery that can also be charged from a socket.
The third generation of Porsche Cayenne arrived to Kuwait earlier this year, representing a full-scale redevelopment of the Cayenne. Powerful turbo engines, a new eight-gear Tiptronic S gearbox, new chassis systems, and an innovative display and operating concept featuring comprehensive connectivity provide a significant boost in the coverage of both sporty and comfort-related aspects. Boasting an enhanced appearance, this SUV is also the first to be provided with mixed tires and rear-axle steering.
Porsche Macan (Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur). Courtesy of Porsche
Porsche Macan – the compact sports SUV
With the Macan, Porsche has transferred the successful concept of the sporty SUV to the compact segment. Featuring powerful drives and a sophisticated chassis, the fifth Porsche series delivers the best driving dynamics in its class.
The Macan assumed pole position in its segment from the very beginning. Both the top model Macan Turbo, featuring a 3.6-litre engine and 294 kilowatts (400 horsepower), and the Macan S, with a three-litre engine and 250 kilowatts (340 horsepower), defined a new performance class eclipsing all other competitors.
The Macan is the first Porsche series in which all variants are equipped with the sporty double-clutch Porsche 718 Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid Sport Turismo gearbox as standard. The double-clutch gearbox comes into its own during off-road driving, making it possible to change gears without interrupting the tractive force – on steep uphill and downhill gradients alike.
The Macan has always been a hero vehicle to Kuwait’s enthusiast combining efficiency, comfort and stellar driving dynamics of a sports car that is more practical for everyday use and adventure.
At the start of 2016, a new basic model was launched on the compact SUV market – the first Macan with a four-cylinder engine. The turbocharged two-litre engine delivers 185 kilowatts (252 horsepower), enabling outstanding driving performance for this class.
The Macan races to 100 kilometres per hour in 6.7 seconds, with the new compact SUV achieving a top speed of 229 kilometres per hour.
Porsche 718. Courtesy of Porsche
Porsche 718 – the mid-engine sports car
The concept of the successful sports cars from the 1950s has been brought back to life in the Boxster & Cayman to carry the 718 legend forward.
The Porsche Boxster was first introduced at the 1993 Detroit Motor Show. Three years later, the Boxster (986 generation) was launched recalling the design of the legendary 550 Spyder racing car. The Boxster realized its potential and became a major success, with the second generation of the Boxster and Boxster S being debuted in 2004. Porsche developed the roadster into a coupé, which closed the gap in the range between the Boxster and 911 Carrera when it hit the market in November 2005 as the Cayman S.
In 2015, Porsche began launching a new series of the Boxster mid-engine sports car models to feature turbocharging. It is available in two versions, boasting 300 hp and 350 hp respectively. The following year saw the release of the entirely redeveloped mid-engined 718 Cayman and 718 Cayman S coupés, which were showcased by Porsche Centre Kuwait to Porsche customers and enthusiasts at an exclusive event held at Dar Hamad. In 2017, the GTS variants took over top spot from the roadster and coupé with their uprated engines delivering an additional 365 hp.
Porsche Panamera (G2). Courtesy of Porsche
The Porsche Panamera –Courage changes everything
A few years ago, everything to do with the saloon suddenly changed. Large, cumbersome and thickly padded instantly seemed outmoded qualities. On the road, something happened – something rather fast and dynamic: a sports car came along. A sports car with four seats, an unmistakable silhouette and performance figures normally associated only with a Porsche, and the result was the introduction of the Porsche Panamera.
Soon after, the same courage created a new generation of the Panamera that is completely reimagined by the Porsche engineers. The new generation was launched in Kuwait in January 2017 and revolutionized the Panamera concept boasting increased performance, comfort, connectivity, innovation and efficiency.
Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid Sport Turismo. Courtesy of Porsche
Porsche E-Performance – An electrifying performance
Porsche engineers constantly explore new and innovative drive concepts to increase the vehicle’s performance and power. The Porsche E-Performance comes as no surprise to take the future of e-mobility to the next level.
Porsche E-Performance was first tested on the 919 Hybrid, the most technologically sophisticated race car. And the result? A three times overall winner at Le Mans. Porsche never stopped there and went after creating the future of the sports car. The optimum combination of combustion engine and electric motor is what Porsche E-Performance feels like.
Today, Porsche is proud to be bringing a new reality to the roads with the Porsche E-Hybrid models. The recently introduced Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid Sport Turismo, which made its debut in Kuwait at the Sportscar Together Day celebration, is an incredible proof of what E-Performance can achieve as it produces a combined output of 680 hp, of which 136 hp is derived from its electric motor.
Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur – The dream factory
Each and every Porsche vehicle is unique to its owner and this exclusivity can be attainable through the offerings of Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur.
The customization of production vehicles is the core competence of Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur and relies on the interaction between craftsmanship, finesse and passion for detail. With a wide range of visual and technical customization options in the areas of external and internal finishes, lighting, wheels, engine and drive, Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur offers an extremely broad palette of options with which to turn a special production vehicle into an individual and highly personal customer vehicle.
Porsche Centre Kuwait takes pride in being the first Exclusive Manufaktur Partner in the region and has provided numerous customers with the exceptional experience of reflecting their personality and character onto their Porsche vehicle of their dreams.
For more on Porsche Centre Kuwait, Behbehani Motors Company, call 1870 870 or visit www.porschekuwait.com. For the latest updates on social media, follow Porsche Centre Kuwait on Instagram @PorscheCentreKuwait and Facebook: PorscheCentreKuwait.
Featured image is of the 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series (Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur). Courtesy of Porsche.
