Improving on something as divine as a Porsche 911 is no easy task, but it’s not as if there aren’t all kinds of companies willing to try. 2017 marks the 30th anniversary for Techart, which in the world of tuners roughly equates to elder status. And you should respect your elders.
Headquartered in Leonberg, Germany, Techart actually started out in Fellbach manufacturing premium interiors for several vehicle brands. At the same time, the company turned a particular eye to Porsche by releasing its first body kit in 1987 for the Porsche 928. A year later came the move to Leonberg and the next step into the Porsche realm, this time in the form of an aero kit for the freshly-launched 964-model 911.
The operation expanded through the 1990s and became all-encompassing with divisions for design and performance, the latter of which debuted in 1995 with the CT3 program on the 911 Carrera, which utilised a supercharger to make 462 horsepower. Techart really gained notoriety in 1999 when the company became involved in the Porsche GTP Racing Series. In 2000 Techart scored an overall victory with its 911 GT3 at Hockenheim, proving to enthusiasts that the company’s aggressive aerodynamic kits and power packages had legitimate performance roots.
Meanwhile, Techart kept producing killer Porsches for the street. In 2007 the company sent a tweaked 911 around the Nurburgring in 7minutes 39 seconds, then a couple years later got a Cayenne Turbo to 200 miles per hour on Porsche’s Nardo high speed test track.
Thankfully, Techart shows no signs of relinquishing its status as an elder tuner. The company currently offers a range of products for a wide range of Porsche models past and present, though the 911 remains a primary focus. Our latest crush from Techart is the GTstreet R Cabriolet – a roofless 991-series with 711 horsepower, sinister body lines, and a top speed well over 200 mph.
We don’t always understand tuners and their definitions of 'improvement'. But as we look back through 30 years of Techart (and we encourage you to do the same in the image gallery below), we are very happy this company has stood the test of time.
Source: Techart
Gallery: Techart 30th anniversary photos
30th anniversary of TECHART - a look back.
Since 1987, TECHART is known for a unrivaled range of individualization options at highest
quality standards. For increased emotionality and pure passion. For any Porsche model.
After the formation of TECHART by Thomas Behringer and Matthias Krauss, TECHART manufactured premium interiors for multiple vehicle brands. TECHART quickly complemented the renown saddlery
by a design-, an aerodynamic construction-, a modelbuilding-, a bodywork- and a engine building department.
At the same time, TECHART concentrated on the extensive refinement of Porsche cars. The number
of employees increased steadily and TECHART became internationally known. Today, TECHART is popular for its design excellence, high technology development and OE manufacturer quality.
With a sales network in more than 30 countries, TECHART is the international premium individualization brand for Porsche models. At the TECHART Headquarter in Leonberg, more than 75 highly skilled employees are concerned with the development, the manufacturing and the distribution of the attractive TECHART refinement programs. TECHART’s product range consists of proprietary developments and designs, offering refinement options for any Porsche model and every section of the vehicle: aerodynamic improvement and exterior styling, technical optimizations such as engine powerkits, exhaust systems, wheels, suspensions or assistance systems, as well as bespoke interior personalization, manufactured by TECHART’s inhouse saddlery and carbon fiber manufactory.
From 1987 to 2017 - milestones.
| 1987 | TECHART Automobildesign GmbH was founded by Thomas Behringer and Matthias Krauss in Fellbach (Germany). | |
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| Presentation of the first TECHART Aerokit for the Porsche 928. | |
| 1988 | Relocation of the facilities to Leonberg, Ditzinger Straße. | |
| 1989 | World Premiere of the TECHART Turbolook for the Porsche 911 (964) at the Automobile Show Stuttgart. | |
| 1991 | TECHART presents for the first time at the Frankfurt International Motor Show (IAA). | |
| 1992 | TECHART moves to the newly built headquarter at Roentgenstraße, Leonberg. | |
| 1994 | TECHART is for the first time at the International Geneva Motor Show. | |
| 1995 | World Premiere of the TECHART CT3 program for the Porsche 911 Carrera (993) with supercharger conversion and 462 hp. | |
| 1997 | World Premiere of the TECHART program for the Porsche 911 (996) and the Porsche Boxster (986). | |
| 1999 | Start of the TECHART involvement in the Porsche GTP Racing Series with a TECHART Team and racing truck. | |
| 2000 | Overall victory of the TECHART modified Porsche 911 GT3 (996) with Bernd Mayländer at the sport auto Tuner Grand Prix at Hockenheimring. Laptime: 1:11.47 min. | |
| 2001 | TECHART launches the first GTstreet program for the Porsche 996 Turbo. 620 hp, rear wheel drive and the functional aerokit, lay the foundation for the following GTstreet generations. | |
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| The TECHART GTstreet based on the Porsche 996 Turbo finishes the Nordschleife at sport auto "Supertest" in 7.43 Min - 13 seconds faster than a series Porsche 911 Turbo (996). | |
| 2003 | Overall victory of the TECHART GTstreet S based on the Porsche 911 Turbo (996) with Frank Schmickler at the sport auto Tuner Grand Prix at Hockenheimring. Laptime: 1:09.007 min. | |
| 2004 | World Premiere of the TECHART Magnum program for the Porsche Cayenne. | |
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| The TECHART GTsteet S reaches a top track speed of 360,90 km/h at the Nardo Highspeed Track. | |
| 2005 | The Fastest Police Car in the World: TECHART refines the Porsche 911 Carrera S for TUNE IT! SAFE! | |
| 2006 | The TECHART GT Sport based on the Porsche Cayman S reaches a top track speed of 303.0 km/h at the Nardo Highspeed Track. | |
| 2007 | The TECHART GTstreet based on the Porsche 911 Turbo (997) finishes the Nordschleife at sport auto "Supertest" in 7.39 Min - 13 seconds faster than a series Porsche 911 Turbo (997). | |
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| Presentation of the TECHART Magnum with the exclusive DeSede interior at the Geneva Motor Show. | |
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| The TECHART GTstreet based on the Porsche 911 Turbo (997) reaches a top track speed of 358.2 km/h at the Nardo Highspeed Track. | |
| 2008 | Overall victory of the TECHART GTstreet RS based on the Porsche 911 GT2 (997) with Jörg Hardt at the sport auto Tuner Grand Prix at Hockenheimring. Laptime: 1:06.881 min. | |
| 2009 | The TECHART GTstreet RS based on the Porsche 911 GT2 (997) improves the current Auto Bild Sportscars lap record at the Sachsenring by an unprecedented 4.47 sec. Laptime: 1:31.94 min. | |
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| With a top track speed of 321.2 km/h, the TECHART SUV based on the Porsche Cayenne Turbo achieves the Fullsize-SUV high speed record at the Nardo Highspeed Track. | |
| 2010 | World Premiere of the TECHART GrandGT program for the Porsche Panamera models. | |
| 2011 | Opening of TECHART USA in Irvine, California. | |
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| Presentation of the TECHART GTstreet RS 1 of 1 at the Frankfurt International Motor Show (IAA). | |
| 2013 | The TECHART SUV based on the Porsche Cayenne Turbo improves the current Auto Bild Sportscars record for „SUVs at the Sachsenring“ and for „SUVs 0-100 km/h“. Results: 0-100 km/h: 4.2 s Sachsenring Laptime: 1:42.51 min. | |
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| World Premiere of the weight-optimized TECHART Formula IV alloy wheel at the Frankfurt International Motor Show (IAA). | |
| 2014 | The TECHART GrandGT based on the Porsche Panamera Turbo achieves the title "Fastest Panamera on Sachsenring" during a test from Auto Bild Sportscars. Laptime: 1:37.16 min. | |
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| Start of the TECHART inhouse carbon fiber manufactory at Leonberg. | |
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| World Premiere of the TECHART program for the Porsche Macan models. | |
| 2015 | The TECHART Turbo based on the Porsche 911 Turbo S (991) beats the GTstreet RS Sachsenring record from 2009 and finishes the lap 0.78 seconds - less than a heartbeat - behind the Porsche 918 Spyder with Weissach-Package. Laptime: 1:31.12 min. | |
| 2016 | TECHART presents the new GTstreet R program based on the Porsche 911 Turbo S (991) and sets new standards, again. |