How It Works-Amazing Vehicles

Design chief Michael

Mauer discusses

the design process

at Porsche

How long does it take

to design a car?

Mauer: It varies from project to project, and there are

lots of factors to consider: is it a completely new car w ith

new technology integrated into it, or is it a revision of a

current model?

Is the design process rewarding?

Mauer: Ever yone who designs a car feels great

responsibility, as it is the fi rst par t of a new vehicle that

people see, and helps form that fi rst impression. In the

case of the 911, we know we are dealing with something

ver y special as the car has such a great histor y. There’s a

great desire to design the perfect package each time, to

optimise. It’s not uncommon for designers to argue over

one kilogram of weight here, or mounting something

one centimetre lower there.

How important is the engineering

side of new cars?

Mauer: Very important, particularly as there’s an

environmental aspect to be very cautious of today. This

is undoubtedly the future so the challenge at Porsche is

to build cars that are not only env ironmentally friendly,

but also do not lose their performance edge.

How crucial is branding?

Mauer: Very. With Porsche, whatever we do with the

911, you have to consider how it will affect the rest of the

products in terms of technology and design. Iconic cars

such as the 911 must have signature elements to it, but it

must also evolve to stay interesting and keep up with

competitors. However, you shouldn’t change for the

sake of changing; you should change for the sake of

getting better.

Designing the

future

Vehicle-to-vehicle

communication

This clever wireless technology could soon help

reduce traffi c accidents and help combat congestion

1

2

3

5

1

The scene

Both vehicles

in question are

travelling toward

an intersection,

completely

unaware that

another vehicle is

also approaching.

3

Vehicle

communication

With this innovative new

technology, each car emits

a signal, which is picked

up by the other vehicle,

ensuring both cars’

drivers are aware of each

other’s presence.

5

Action

If one

vehicle gets

too close to

another, the

brakes are

automatically

applied by

the system.

In our contemporary age of ever-increasing

interaction with digital technologies, the car

industr y is leading the way with clever

connectivity features to enhance our

entertainment and even safety in a vehicle.

Until recently, connectivity features in a car

meant being able to link up your smartphone’s

phone book to your on-board communication

system v ia a Bluetooth connection, which then

enabled you to make hands-free calls while on

the move, but little else.

However, technological innovations now

mean connectivity takes care of far more than

that. Contemporar y car connectiv it y enables

you to continue to perform multiple daily tasks,

usually performed by your smartphone, simply

repackaging it into a safer and more user-

friendly experience befi tting the env ironment

in a car. For example, now texts, tweets and

Facebook messages received by your

smartphone can be read aloud to the driver

through the vehicle’s automated voice system,

and even streaming your favourite playlists

through your car’s speakers is the norm while

actively monitoring traffi c behav iour or

checking the weather. Not all apps are purely

for entertainment purposes either: further

iterations of the connectivity technology

mean you can even start your car remotely

• perhaps allowing the car to warm up before
  you leave the house on frost y mornings – and
  track your vehicle v ia smartphone apps (ideal
  for parents who lend their car to their teenage
  children), while driver-based apps can

monitor your heartbeat and stress levels while

you’re at the wheel.

This all contributes to a revolutionar y new

environment where the driver can have access

to a wealth of live information while being able

to constantly communicate with others and

even indulge in music and podcasts w ithout

hav ing to take their eyes off the road.

Connectivity features

4

2

Hazard

perception

As the stop sign has

been knocked down, a

human may not realise

they are required to

stop at the junction, and

so an accident could

possibly happen.

4

Notifi cation

If another vehicle

is notifi ed as a

signifi cant potential

ha zard, the driver is

aler ted v ia an

automated message,

making them aware

of the danger.

DID YOU KNOW? Some insurers in the UK now offer reduced premiums on cars with predictive emergency braking