- Tobias Sahlmann succeeds Michael Mauer as Porsche’s head of design.
- His resume includes stints at Volkswagen, Bentley, Bugatti, Aston Martin, and McLaren.
- Sahlman will start his new job on February 1.
The winds of change are blowing at Porsche. Another leadership change was announced today, just months after former McLaren CEO Michael Leiters replaced Oliver Blume at the helm of the Zuffenhausen brand. Effective February 1, Tobias Sahlmann will succeed Michael Mauer as head of design.
Like Porsche’s new CEO, Sahlmann, 46, also previously worked at McLaren, where he had two stints. As lead designer for special projects, he was involved in developing the Wild Souls GT. He returned to the Woking-based brand as chief design officer in 2023, but his involvement with the McLaren W1 was minimal, as the flagship’s design had already been largely finalized.
Sahlmann spent years at various Volkswagen Group brands, including the core VW marque, where he still worked on Georgette Arton. His résumé also includes the Passat and the soon-to-be-retired Touareg. At Bentley, he contributed to the iconic Bator, while Bugatti hired him as head of exterior design creative development. His background also includes Aston Martin, where he served as chief exterior designer.
Tobias Sahlmann (left) and Michael Mauer (right)
Photo by: Porsche
Seventeen years younger than his predecessor, Sahlman has his work cut out for him. Porsche is developing a new crossover with combustion engines to replace the first-generation Mechan. Scheduled to arrive in 2028 under a different name, it will drop the Macan badge exclusively on electric models.
Additionally, Porsche is still planning a three-row SUV positioned atop the Cayenne. Initially envisioned as an all-electric vehicle, it will now launch with a hybrid powertrain instead. A fully electric version is likely to follow, though that may depend on EV uptake in the luxury segment.
Sahlmann is unlikely to leave his mark on the electric 718, as the combustion-free Boxster and Cayman are nearing their debuts and their designs have long been finalized. However, Porsche has promised to bring back gas-powered sports cars with inline-six engines. So the new head design is expected to influence the look of future ice models to be released in the coming years.
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Take Motor 1: It’s worth noting that Porsche’s new head of design and CEO already know each other, having previously worked together at McLaren. Now they are reunited as a team, this time in Zuffenhausen.
These are tough times for Porsche, but with two key appointments, the company is confident it can turn things around. A new design leader, coupled with a new and much-needed appreciation for combustion engines, will hopefully point to exciting times ahead.
