Frequently seen Weissach package

I routinely receive Porsche-related web news via Google Alerts.(Just check the titles and read only the ones that interest you.)Some time ago in May, I found this article in an automotive information media called autoblog.

→ Head of Development for Porsche's GT division does not rule out the possibility of introducing the Weissach Package to models other than the RS.

...Appearance. ...Weissach package. Weissach package, seen here and there.Weissach package, which is a GT2 or GT3 option that costs about 3 million yen, but many people have that option.I've been looking into this for a little while now. What on earth is this?

What is the Weissach Institute?

To begin with, the "Weissach" in this Weissach package meansThe name was taken from the "Weissach Institute", the heart of Porsche's research and development department.It is. Weissach is a city in southeastern Germany, about 40 minutes by car from Stuttgart. The relationship between Porsche's headquarters and the Weissach Research Institute is like that between Honda Motor Company and Honda Technical Research Institute in the case of the Japanese automaker Honda.(By the way, the place marked in red on the map is Weissach.)

The Weissach Institute was established in 1971. Here, theTechnical design and development, testing, and racing vehicle design, development, and manufacturing of Porsche vehiclesThe company is also involved in the development and design of new Porsche models as well as other companies' models. In addition to new Porsche models, the company also responds to development and design requests from other companies, and while fulfilling the role of one R&D department of an automobile manufacturer, it is characterized by its independent activities.

The Weissach research facility covers an area of 465,000 m².The area of Tokyo Dome is 46,755m², so it is almost 10 times the size of Tokyo Dome!It is. It has three test courses: a high-speed course with a circumference of 2.531 km, a winding course with a circumference of 2.879 km, and a dirt course where SUVs and rally cars are developed, etc. Almost all Porsche cars to be marketed are tested here.

Photos of new cars in the pre-launch stage are often posted in the automotive media, such as "rare photos of a test car," etc.Security at the Weissach Institute seems to be quite tight.I found this on a website.

We entered the main entrance and went to the front of the research center building. There was a signboard with an illustration of a peke on a camera. I decided that the "Peket on Camera" sign was a warning not to take pictures of the vehicle under development without permission, and I promptly took out my SLR camera and set the self-timer, thinking that it would be irrelevant to me, who had come here to make memories. I quickly took out my SLR camera and set the self-timer, thinking that it was none of my business since I had come here to make memories.
「○×△オイ□☆○×コラ△□☆テメー○×△□フザケンナ☆○×△□☆（ドイツ語）！」
And the angry voice of the security guard!
I once ran back home in a hurry, saying, "Wow, I'm sorry!
*Source: 911Days Porseki Newspaper Porsche Photo DE Shiritori "Byzach"

Oh no, I'm scared, I'm going to get killed...I'm not even allowed to go to the Weissach Institute and take pictures to make memories.

Expansion of the Weissach Institute

The Weissach Institute was established in 1971, but in 2011, construction began on a site expansion and a new ultra-modern studio and electronics integration center.What an investment, 150 million euros!Amazing... This investment is a new electronics integration center to be built inFor the future of Porsche, including enabling the continued development of EV and hybrid technologyBut it is also a sign of their commitment to Baden-Württemberg, an industrial area.

In fact, thanks to Porsche.Weissach had the highest tax revenue per capita in Germany in 2011!(I wonder if that's still the case)I wonder if this means that Porsche started to prepare for the development of the electric car Taikan (Mission E) at this time. Does this mean that Porsche has been preparing for the development of an electric car, the Taikan (Mission E), since then? We are looking forward to seeing the Taikan, which will make its full appearance in 2019.
*Source: Porsche expands its research and development center in Baisach.