A new Porsche from Leipzig

By Sven Heitkamp

At the end of October, the Porsche Plant in Leipzig has developed into an international hotspot for business trips. The luxury car manufacturer invited around 200 journalists from 30 countries around the world to Saxony to present two updated models: The new third-generation Panamera and an all-electric Macan - both successful models from Leipzig that have been selling hundreds of thousands of units worldwide for years. Around 550 vehicles roll off the production line at the factory every day, and they are now set to change their appearance: This Friday, the Panamera celebrated its world premiere in Shanghai, and the new all-electric Macan is also due to be launched by the end of the year.

However, the Panamera is not available as a purely electric model, but only as a combustion engine and with an e-hybrid drive. The sporty luxury saloon will be available in four different hybrid variants, a new active chassis system and a dual-clutch transmission, according to the Group. The batteries should last for 90 kilometers instead of the previous 50 kilometers. Also new: more electronics and a larger screen in the cockpit as well as more oomph under the hood thanks to more powerful engines. According to Porsche, the Turbo E-Hybrid will accelerate to 100 km/h in 3.2 seconds and reach speeds of up to 315 kilometers per hour. The Panamera has also been given a new front end with larger air intakes and new LED headlights, a new wheel design and a modified rear window. "With the exception of the doors, we have redesigned every sheet metal part," says Panamera series manager Thomas Friemuth. Before its premiere, the four-door model underwent thousands and thousands of kilometers of various stress tests on four continents. The new Panamera costs at least 108,000 euros, the Turbo E-Hybrid even 192,000 euros. Deliveries in Europe will start in March, according to reports.

The four-seater sports saloon is one of the bestsellers for the Stuttgart-based premium manufacturer: since the start of production in 2009, more than 385,000 cars have rolled off the production line in Leipzig, most of them for customers in the USA, China and Germany. The revision of the model for the third generation is also changing the plant in Leipzig. Not only have the trades in production been expanded. An axle assembly facility with 24 production lines has also been built on around 15,000 square meters at the site. This should make the production of the Panamera and Macan even more flexible and efficient. In the future, Porsche wants - like its big neighbor BMW - gasoline, hybrid and all-electric vehicles - on one production line.

From the start in 2002 until 2009, the Porsche plant was initially purely a final assembly line for the Cayenne, after which mixed production of various models began on one line. In 2015 and 2016, the plant was expanded for 500 million euros for the complete production of the Panamera, including a body shop and a quality center. Construction of the second Panamera generation began in 2016. And the next expansion is already in preparation: initial construction work has already begun on the plant site for the production of a new high-class and fully electric SUV model in the "luxury segment". Production is expected to start in 2026.

The Porsche plant in Leipzig, which employs around 4,400 people, was recently named Factory of the Year 2023 by management consultants Kearney and two magazines. Almost 100 factories worldwide competed for the title. "The Porsche plant in Leipzig is undergoing a particularly stringent transformation towards a smart factory with a clear vision," said the jury's assessment. Porsche Board Member for Production Albrecht Reimold also emphasized that the Leipzig site is characterized by its special team spirit and contributes significantly to Porsche's success with the Panamera and the Macan.

During the Advent season, the factory also offers guided tours for families with children, including a visit from Santa Claus. Adults pay 15 euros, children 7.50 euros. Registration under: porsche-leipzig.com/Christmas-tour