By Porsche, the renowned German automaker, is making waves at Rennsport Reunion 7, a gathering of Porsche enthusiasts and racing aficionados on the Monterey Peninsula. While the event primarily celebrates Porsche’s rich racing heritage, the company is also seizing the opportunity to showcase its commitment to fulfilling customers’ unique automotive dreams through the Porsche Sonderwunsch program. Translated as “special request” in German, Sonderwunsch is not a novel concept for Porsche; it has been in operation since 1978. This program enables customers, especially those with a penchant for Porsche’s iconic 911 models, to customize their vehicles extensively, even beyond the myriad options available straight from the factory.
What sets Sonderwunsch apart is its capacity to turn customers’ grand visions into automotive reality. Imagine, for instance, requesting a Porsche Panamera with a convertible top. This level of individuality grants customers access to an in-house team at Porsche, including a customer concierge, dedicated designer, and engineer. Some customers even travel to Porsche’s headquarters in Zuffenhausen, Germany, for in-person consultations, enabling them to see, touch, and feel materials and gain a comprehensive understanding of their bespoke vehicle. Customers typically fall into two categories: those with well-defined ideas that require refinement by Porsche’s project team and those with a broad vision yet to be fully realized. For ambitious requests like the Panamera cabriolet, Porsche’s engineers meticulously design the roof mechanism to ensure safety, functionality, and aesthetic appeal, all in line with the customer’s vision.
There are no secret qualifications for ordering a one-off Porsche, aside from the need for substantial financial resources. However, patience is essential, as the Sonderwunsch team is currently working on nine concurrent projects, with the capacity to accept about three new commissions annually. Porsche aims to increase this capacity to approximately ten projects a year to alleviate the current eight-year waitlist. This period represents the time it takes to initiate the dream project, with the actual build often spanning several years. The cost of a custom Porsche largely hinges on the customer’s vision, with complexity and detail significantly influencing the final price. A basic estimate to embark on a bespoke project is around $100,000, in addition to the cost of the base vehicle.
Notably, Sonderwunsch customization isn’t limited to new cars; existing Porsche owners can also bring in their vehicles for updates, ranging from quality-of-life improvements to full restomod efforts. This option provides a unique opportunity to reconfigure and rejuvenate cherished Porsche classics. Alexander Fabig, Porsche Vice President of Individualization and Classic, exudes passion for his work, which revolves around transforming customers’ automotive dreams into tangible realities. The program underscores Porsche’s commitment to extreme customization, ensuring that every Porsche owner can create a vehicle that’s truly one of a kind. Whether you’re building a new Porsche or revitalizing an existing one, the Sonderwunsch program offers a remarkable opportunity to turn automotive dreams into personalized driving experiences.
