Porsche claims the new hybrid system in the 2015 Cayenne that enables driving performance of zero to 62 mph in 5.4 seconds and a top speed of 151 mph.
Porsche has bought a climatic wind tunnel in the German District of Esslingen from Modine Europe GmbH. The wind tunnel is designed for testing cooling, climate control, safety and emissions systems. This adds to Porsche’s research and development facilities in the Stuttgart area.
No purchase price was given by either company as part of the sale agreement.
In July of this year, Porsche opened an acoustic wind tunnel at its development center in Weissach, along with a design studio with concept car construction abilities and an electronic integration center.
Modine Europe in 2004 built the wind tunnel in Filderstadt-Bonlanden, which is near Weissach. Porsche claims it still has up-to-date equipment and is suitable for both sports cars and the increasing variety of sport utility vehicles and sedans that Porsche is now selling in record numbers. (Milestones – 500,000 Porsche Cayenne Made in Leipzig) Porsche will keep on two wind tunnel experts who have been working at the facility to date.
Porsche had already been making regular use of the wind tunnel over the past few years. The facility will continue to be made available for development projects to other vehicle manufacturers and component suppliers via the Porsche Engineering Group subsidiary
The sports car manufacturer has acquired the CWT as part of an investment package designed to increase the activities of Porsche as it grows. The company has previously invested €150 million in a new building complex in Weissach which was officially commissioned in July – the company’s largest investment at that location to date.
Over the coming years Porsche will be investing well over a € 1 billion in construction projects in Germany in order to secure their current successful growth trajectory. Among other things, this includes €95 million for a new engine testing facility at the Weissach site and the expansion of the Leipzig plant for the planned full production of the Panamera, which will require an investment of around €500 million.
A new training center, engine plant, office and supply buildings as well as a new bodywork production facility are under construction in Zuffenhausen at a total cost in excess of €600 million. A further €25 million will be invested at the multi-brand production site in Osnabrück for the future assembly of Porsche Cayenne subsystems. (Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid to Debut in Paris)
