Porsche Creates Digital Tartan-Covered 930 Turbo to Accompany New Merch

Celebrating 50 Years of an Icon

This year marks a significant milestone for Porsche’s legendary 911 Turbo, celebrating its 50th anniversary. Alongside this, Porsche is reviving a distinctive feature of the model’s heritage—its tartan fabric upholstery. To honor this, the automaker launched a lifestyle collection that draws inspiration from its past while showcasing a unique, tartan-wrapped concept of the 911 Turbo.

A Digital Tribute

While the striking, fully tartan-covered Porsche showcased on social media was not a physical car, it served as a powerful reminder of the model’s rich history. The digital rendering, shared on Porsche’s Instagram, was a promotional hook for the new collection of clothing and accessories. Porsche's use of tartan, a fabric with traditional Scottish roots, on its car interiors dates back to the 1970s.

The Origins of Porsche's Tartan

The idea of using tartan in Porsche interiors came from Anatole Lapine, Porsche’s chief designer at the time, who often wore tartan trousers. While Lapine is widely known for designing Porsche’s front-engine models like the 928, 924, and 944, his influence also extended to the iconic 911 G-Series. 

Finding the Right Material

The challenge of adapting a clothing fabric for use in car interiors was significant. Porsche’s stylist, Dorothea Müller-Goodwyn, found a German supplier that created a material that was durable enough to meet all the requirements for automotive use, such as lightfastness and resistance to wear.

A Tartan Legacy

Porsche introduced tartan upholstery in its cars in 1973, debuting in the 911 RSR Turbo concept. The following year, the 911 Turbo production model offered three tartan-patterned interior options: Black Watch, McLaughlin, and Mackenzie, each with its own distinct color palette. 

A Thoughtful Gift

One particularly notable car from this era was the 911 Turbo No.1, gifted to Louise Piëch for her 70th birthday. This car’s unique silver and brick-red leather combination, accented with McLaughlin tartan, later inspired the design of limited-edition Porsche Design sunglasses.

A Modern Take on a Classic Design

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 911 Turbo, Porsche Design launched a collection of clothing and accessories featuring modern reinterpretations of the classic tartan patterns. Among the items are a €490 Heritage Weekender bag and a €32 Collector’s Cup, along with various T-shirts and jackets that blend the iconic tartan with contemporary design elements. The collection aims to appeal to both long-time fans of the 911 Turbo and a new generation of Porsche enthusiasts.

The Tartan Returns to the 911 Turbo

In keeping with the celebration, Porsche introduced the 911 Turbo 50 Years anniversary special last month in Monterey. Limited to 1,974 units, this model showcases the tartan upholstery once again, a nod to its storied past. With a starting price of $261,100, the limited-edition vehicle ensures that the 911 Turbo’s legacy, including its iconic tartan interior, will continue to be celebrated for years to come.

>>Join the conversation about the 911 Turbo's Tartan design right here at Rennlist.com.

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