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First let me say that I do not have any special sources or claim to have any insider information. I'm just a regular Porsche customer.
That said, I just returned from Germany where I visited Leipzig (drove GT3.2 and Sport Tourismo on test track), toured Leipzig factory, met with Porsche Exclusive Manufactur in Zuffenhausen, had a private Museum tour and attended the Night of Champions Gala in Weissach for Porsche Works racing drivers and those who won a Porsche Cup championship anywhere in the world. I had lunches and dinners every day with different Porsche Executives. I used every chance I had to ask employees about new models, production numbers, color and option popularity by region, etc. Some answers were simply estimates by employees who may not know the exact numbers. Some answers may be old news. Some of this may be wrong. I don't spend much time reading these threads to know what is known or unknown but wanted to share with the community what I heard.
-Leipzig makes 650 cars per day comprised of Panamera, Cayenne and Macan with new Cayenne model production already started in Osnabrück.
-By contrast, Zuffenhausen only makes 240 cars per day, comprised of 911, Boxsters and Caymans. I was told up to 10% of production can be GT cars but another employee said typical production is 15-20 GT cars per day. When factoring in holidays, this gives a good estimate of total annual GT car production capacity. No one could tell me the ratio between GT3.2, GT2RS and GT3RS.2 for 2018.
-They typically paint 2 PTS GT cars per day.
-Was told by a Porsche executive that with previously special GT cars like GT3 and GT3RS that demand was estimated to be 2-2.5X production capability. They estimate demand on the GT2RS to be 5X production capacity which is astounding given the price point. This person attributed part of this imbalance to the "heated economy" insinuating that Porsche does not believe the general demand will last forever. To me this explains why they don't just add factories and increase production. In the event of a downturn they would have too much production capacity.
-I shared the frustration that many US dealers are charging crazy ADMs for special cars and he said it was frustrating for Porsche too but they cannot control pricing with US dealer laws. I was told pricing controls are different in other world markets.
-Most GT2RS EU deliveries will happen before ROW because of EU engine emissions compliance laws but not necessarily all deliveries. My US allocation is July for 2019 model year.
-Porsche is considering a special GT2RS EU delivery program for a small number of customers. It may involve track time at Leipzig. I of course expressed interest.
-Porsche Exclusive had about 10-12 cars they were customizing while I was there. Not sure how long the average car stays in the installation bay. Most looked like they were getting interior work. Nearly all of them were PTS.
-There will not be a "new GT4" or Cayman RS type variant for the street. However I was told that Porsche is working on a new GT4 race car for 2019 to be more competitive with the new BMW M4 GT4, AMG GT4 and Audi R8 GT4. Porsche feels those cars are legally compliant but on some level violate the spirit of the GT4 class (race gearboxes, etc). I was told it will use a "new platform" for homologation. I was also told there will be both a "Clubsport" and "GT4" version as in the past.
-A lot of talk about Mission E and how important electric vehicles will be for Porsche's future.
-GT3RS.2 was likely but my source said he could not confirm it.
-Porsche is increasing budget and car count for GT racing (4 entries at LeMans) while withdrawing from prototype racing altogether to focus on Formula E in 2019.
-I have 5000 miles on my GT3RS, over 10,000 miles in the GT4 MR race car and 60 hours in 991 Cup car. My impression of the GT3.2 was that it had a similar performance level but felt more refined than the GT3RS.1 which feels more raw and closer to the Cup car to me. The Sport Tourismo felt immediately heavy on the track back to back from the GT3 but very smooth and fast in a straight line. I love the new PCM screen. The center rear seat is very small due to the console so Cayenne is still better for 5 adults. Sport Tourismo would be great for 2 Adults, 3 kids. There is not that much additional cargo with ST but I love how the wagon looks.
Did not see any Gemini or Maritime cars while I was there but probably 30 PTS cars in the parking lot ready for delivery. They asked me not to take photos of them.
First let me say that I do not have any special sources
or claim to have any insider information. I'm just a regular
Porsche customer...I have 5000 miles on my GT3RS,
over 10,000 miles in the GT4 MR race car and 60 hours
in 991 Cup car.
Well, let's say you are not the typical 'regular' Porsche
customer & you had special access to Porsche executives
& facilities during your visit. But there is nothing wrong
with that! It was earned due to your involvement in Porsche
motor sports. We appreciate your very interesting report &
insights! I particularly love the leather color on these LWB
seats on this particular .2 991 gt3!
12-12-2017, 08:06 PM
GT2RS learnings from recent Stuttgart trip
