20 YEARS OF DRIVING FUN WITH RETROFIT ACCESSORIES
Stuttgart, 27.03.2015.- Porsche drivers rarely buy off the rack. Almost every model leaves its production site as a one-off – or is subsequently converted into one. This is in fact why Porsche Tequipment exists: for more than 20 years, the sports car producer has been supplying a multifaceted range of accessories for retrospective customisation under this name. One function of the range is to expand the product benefits by, for example, providing made-to-measure model-specific transport systems or the series of child car seats. Another is to increase the pleasure of ownership and driving fun: from sport exhaust systems and optical customisation options, such as black headlights, to complete wheel sets in an individual design.
The idea of further refining Porsche sports cars even after delivery and enhancing their everyday utility through appropriate accessories came about in 1972, in the Porsche Parts Service. At this time, the range was mainly restricted to wheel hub covers and floor mats. However, expansion of the product range quickly gathered pace because the ideas for additional accessories were numerous, and the Parts Services specialists began to develop prototypes of their product proposals independently. This, for example, was how the first wind deflector for Porsche convertibles came about. In collaboration with a supplier, it was then brought to production maturity before being offered for 944 and 968 models a short while later. The wind deflector retrofit option soon became part of the regular factory-installed equipment range of subsequent convertible generations.
The steadily increasing demand for Porsche Original accessories resulted in the Parts Service Division being transferred to the sales organisation in the mid-1990s. In 1995 a new contemporary name was coined for the business unit: Porsche Tequipment – short for “Technical Equipment”. The target at the time was the same as it is now: three months after the launch of a new model at the latest, a suitable range of Porsche Tequipment must be available. In addition to the range of practical transport solutions for skis and bicycles, demand also covers retrospective visual customisation of the exterior. However, before aerodynamic components such as rear spoilers can be included in the range, they have to undergo an extensive programme of testing in the Weissach Development Centre. In the wind tunnel and on the test circuit, they have to prove that they not only look dynamic but also increase driving stability.
Wheel sets designed by Porsche are also one of the core products of Porsche Tequipment and are among the best sellers in the accessories range. In 1997, Porsche Tequipment unveiled its first-ever own wheel design: the 17-inch Dyno wheel for the Boxster of the first generation (986). The wheel, which was sold exclusively for retrofitting, was produced in close cooperation with the Porsche design studio in Weissach. This cooperation arrangement laid the foundation stone for many joint development projects. One such project also involved the 19-inch Sport Classic wheel, which was supplied through Porsche Tequipment for retrofitting as part of the limited series of the same name – the 911 Sport Classic. This design is so successful that it has been available in four different paint finishes for various series and supplied ex works since 2014.
Over the course of the years, the entire range has grown continuously from just under 150 products at the beginning to approximately 400 items. Today, the Tequipment product range also encompasses motorsports accessories such as the Porsche lap trigger, which – in combination with the Track Precision app for the Porsche GT sports cars – enables especially precise recording of lap times. Also extending the range of Porsche Tequipment in 2014 were two suitcase ranges by the Porsche design studio in Zell am See. Both the limited 918 Spyder luggage set and the Panamera Exclusive Series luggage set are precisely adapted to the available space in each of the respective vehicles and show what a major role design and function play for Porsche Tequipment.
To mark the 20th anniversary, Porsche centres are once again featuring the Porsche Tequipment product highlights of the current and older series in various promotional activities. Included among these highlights are not only the Sport Design package for the first Cayenne generation, the sport exhaust system for the Porsche 911 Carrera of the 997 model range but also the current universal accessory options such as child car seats and care products. In addition, Porsche Tequipment is launching a new shop-in-shop concept during the anniversary year of 2015 which aims to present the comprehensive range of accessories to customers directly at the vehicle.
Text and photograph by: Porsche
