"Racing is life. Everything else is just waiting" with this famous quote from Steve McQueen, I plan my visit to the Porsche Museum with crisp air in an October so warm I can’t remember in Stuttgart before.
The museum’s building looks like a suspended box, in arrogant defiance of the laws of gravity and three 911 launched into space from the middle of the museum square.
Early 2009, the breathtaking building opened its doors for the first time and in 2023 Achim Stejskal, head of Porsche Heritage and Museum, welcomed the five millionth visitor to the Porsche Museum.
The Museum
The interior is a continuous elastic ancient\future: black\white squared lines and planes that intersect continuously, gently taking the visitor from the origins of the engine to the future. Beams of lights envelop the cars, as if there was a need to project them into a starry sky that does not belong to the known galaxy.
The Porsche Museum has been displaying the history and fascination of the brand in a modern and vibrant way since 2009. The past and future of the Porsche idea come together at the heart of the brand’s headquarters in Zuffenhausen. The Porsche Museum keeps tradition alive by reflecting the values of the company in the present and transporting them into the future.
Why Stuttgart? Villa Porsche was born here and soon became a design center driven by Mr Porsche.
911 from hell to heaven
The 911 Porsche soul came from Ferdinand & Ferry passion for automotive. Everything started from nazi totalitarian regime decision to build the People Car, in german language Volks Wagen of which design, project and manufacturing assigned to one of the most talented german engineer: Ferdinand Porsche.
At the end of world war II in 1948, his son Ferry “tuned” the Volkswagen beetle in a sporty version with its round head lumps, 2 doors, coupe tail and rear air cooled flat 4 engine: first Porsche model the 356 and less than 20 years later appears from heaven the 911 with streamlined design and upgraded six cylinders engine.
The attractions
The driving simulator captures me, but I wreck my Porsche in a few seconds due to lack of control in corners.
Move a little further, where augmented reality stations will immerse you in a workshop, to complete your Porsche. When the view is full, move on to another sense: three stations will allow you to listen to the sounds of the top models, from the start engine to acceleration. Close your eyes, open the throttle and you’re on the track (some visitors even push with their feet or simulate to close the door as the sound it seems so real).
Guide
Upon request, a free electronic multimedia guide is available to explore the exhibition individually. The multimedia guide contains audio material, further information on individual vehicles and much more.
It is available in English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Chinese, Japanese and Russian.
Museum plus in addition to 911 models:
- the train stop in front of the museum
- the Kids explorer tour
- the nail polish on sale in the shop with 5 different pantones
More than 80 vehicles will take you from the early years all the way to the present days of Porsche’s history.
In addition to 356, 911 and 917, the exhibits include some of the outstanding technical achievements of Professor Ferdinand Porsche from the early 20th century.
It is a strongly held belief in the Porsche Heritage and Museum department, that two visits to the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen should not be the same. This means that the exhibition is continually being updated and made more interactive.
A mention for the 365C Cabriolet Polizei, which will make you regret 2 things:
- don’t be a German
- don’t be a policeman.
Barrier-free
The Porsche Museum has barrier-free access. Several elevators take you to all exhibition floors with guided tours for people with visual and hearing impairment as well as guided tours in every language.
The exhibits are easily accessible for wheelchair users and are at eye level.
Guide
At the entrance you will receive a free electronic multimedia guide to explore exhibition individually. The multimedia guide contains audio material, further information on individual vehicles and much more.
It is available in English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Chinese, Japanese and Russian with a children's version for younger visitors.
In addition, specially trained guides are available to answer every questions in the exhibition.
Source information:
Edited by Olivia