Michael Mauer
Total 911|Issue 249
Porsche's chief of design talks to Total 911 about the impact and legacy of his time at Weissach
Michael Mauer

Michael Mauer is celebrating 20 years as head of design at Porsche. The company has changed dramatically in that time, with the Panamera, Macan and all-electric Taycan joining its line-up of sports cars, while the workforce has swelled since Porsche’s buyout by VW. The 911 has also evolved, both in the diversification of its model range as well as its design.

As head of Style Porsche, Herr Mauer has had to lead the design office through all of this. Reflecting on his two-decade milestone at Weissach, Mauer invited Total 911 to Stuttgart to chat through his Porsche career and offer some insight into what might be to come for our beloved Elfer…

Total 911: Michael, we’re chatting here at the Porsche Brand Store ‘Driven by Dreams’ in Stuttgart. What did you dream of as a child? Was it to have a fantastic career at Porsche?

Michael Mauer: No, I didn’t have that dream when I was young. I grew up in the middle of the Black Forest in a little village. It was surrounded by nature so after school you were out in it – skiing, hiking. My father loved cars and I loved when he used to drive fast, which was still possible in the good old days. Therefore, I’ve always had a love for cars. Honestly, I wasn’t even aware that there was a profession where you could design and develop cars.

What changed to make you think you wanted to design vehicles?

My dad was worried about my future. I was thinking about becoming a ski instructor, but my father knew I loved cars and, in school, I was good at art. My father had a good friend who mentioned there was a profession of transportation designer. Off the back of that, I did an internship at Mercedes. That was the moment I was hooked. Just learning to sketch and draw cars… it was fascinating to me. As a young person, in Mercedes, and already seeing these cars that I wanted to drive one day, that was the day I knew I wanted to do this for life.

Denne historien er fra Issue 249-utgaven av Total 911.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra Issue 249-utgaven av Total 911.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA TOTAL 911Se alt
The end of the road
Total 911

The end of the road

Before we bid you farewell in search of new horizons, some of the key individuals who've contributed to this magazine over the years share some final thoughts...

time-read
10+ mins  |
Issue 249
Porsche Moment
Total 911

Porsche Moment

Total 911 recounts the story behind a famous picture from Porsche's past...

time-read
2 mins  |
Issue 249
IMPROVING ON THE BEST
Total 911

IMPROVING ON THE BEST

The restomod industry has boomed over the past 10 years, with many following the same template. Tuthill's 993 RSK, though, is different, and could well be our favourite concept. Total 911 brings you the inside line on its creation...

time-read
6 mins  |
Issue 249
CLEAN MACHINE
Total 911

CLEAN MACHINE

Want to keep your 911 looking its very best? Then follow the expert advice from leading detailing brand Autoglym

time-read
8 mins  |
Issue 249
Michael Mauer
Total 911

Michael Mauer

Porsche's chief of design talks to Total 911 about the impact and legacy of his time at Weissach

time-read
9 mins  |
Issue 249
OUR GREATEST Roads
Total 911

OUR GREATEST Roads

We've driven some special routes across 249 issues of Total 911 magazine now it's time to share a countdown of our top 10 favourites, and why...

time-read
7 mins  |
Issue 249
50 FAST YEARS
Total 911

50 FAST YEARS

As the Turbo celebrates its 50th birthday, Total 911 takes the newest addition on a cross-country road trip. Is this the best everyday super sports car?

time-read
8 mins  |
Issue 249
THE GREATEST PORSCHE 911s OF ALL TIME
Total 911

THE GREATEST PORSCHE 911s OF ALL TIME

We've driven them all, so here's our definitive list of the very best Porsche 911s... ever!

time-read
10+ mins  |
Issue 249
Spotted
Total 911

Spotted

Total 911 assesses the rare and unusual Neunelfers currently for sale from around the world

time-read
2 mins  |
Issue 248
Living the Legend
Total 911

Living the Legend

Our contributing enthusiasts from around the world share their real-life experiences with their Porsche 911s

time-read
10+ mins  |
Issue 248