Is there a list of Porsche Engineering projects?
 

I just bought a 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee which is one of the last years to have the bulletproof AMC/Jeep straight six and old-fashioned solid axles. This is the last generation of luxury SUV to feature solid axles, which are important to true off-roaders.

To help tame the nature of a solid axle vehicle on the road, supposedly Porsche engineering stiffened the chassis and worked on the steering. I read this in Wikipedia, and like most things I read there, am suspicious that it's true. Is there a list floating around of vehicles that Porsche has done engineering consulting on?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeep_Grand_Cherokee#WJ_.281999.E2.80.932004.29

Thanks,

Jay,

I've seen some of the projects identified, either in books or articles. I can't point you to a comprehensive list anywhere, though.

A lot of the work has been done under confidentiality agreements and likely will remain undercover for a good long while. I have a copy of a book on Porsche's Engineering and Design Services that they produced years ago. It's 84 pages in length and I suppose it served as a sort of brochure that they gave to prospective clients. Most of the work shown is what Porsche did for themselves. There are a few pages that show projects for others, dating back to the 1930s. They take pains to explain that all they have shown is work for which publication rights have been granted.

I'd imagine some of their clients wouldn't care to admit they needed outside expertise.

JR

The engine the Harley Davidson V-Rod is a good example.

Let's try to compile a list here...name the ones you know about.

1. Harley Davidson V-Rod (engine)
2. 1984 Lada Samara (yep!)
3. 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee (?)
.....

'80's sunglasses. Way cool.

Watches and Bikes

The sunglasses, watches and bikes you are likely thinking of were created by Porsche Design, which isn't related to Porsche AG. The stuff they now sell at dealers also probably has nothing to do with Porsche AG. Like the other manufacturers that sell "lifestyle accessories" they just buy branded items from other manufacturers.

JR

Yeah...I was thinking of projects from Porsche Engineering, not Porsche Design. Sorry for the confusion.

Just to clarify, that is incorrect. In late 2003, PAG acquired a majority/controlling interest in Porsche Design Group, which brought together the previously separate and independent, entities of Butzi's Porsche Design, Design by F.A. Porsche and Porsche Selection, as well as the studios in Zell am See.

They've all been one happy family for some time now.




Tim

Tim,

That's interesting. I hadn't heard about that. It sort of begs the question then, why are the current offerings from the dealers limited to the poor quality no-name watches and other goods? It's not like the PD stores around the globe have exactly set the world on fire, so exclusivity doesn't seem to transfer to the bottoms line.

You'd think they'd want to market their own products. Of course, I'd expect that most in the Porsche/Piech clan have plenty of money by now.

JR

Dealers are independent and can sell whatever they want from what I understand. They make more money selling cheap junk with a Porsche logo on it (for high prices) than they would selling real Porsche Design accessories at a slim markup.

I used to be a dealer and, yes we could sell what we wanted, up to a point. Selling something with a brand name that wasn't obtained through the manufacturers channels was a big no-no.

There actually used to be a larger markup in brand-name watches than any accessories we ever sold. I am not up to date on the business anymore and tings may have changed.

Who knows?

JR