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New Delhi: Porsche is reshuffling one of the most influential seats inside the company. Design, often called the soul of a sports car brand, is getting a new face. From February 1, 2026, Tobias Sühlmann will take charge as Porsche’s new Head of Design, succeeding Michael Mauer, who has shaped the brand’s visual identity for more than two decades.
For car lovers, this change hits close to home. The curves of the 911, the stance of the Cayenne, and the look of the Taycan all carry Mauer’s fingerprints. Now, a designer with deep roots in supercar culture is stepping in, bringing experience from McLaren, Aston Martin, Bentley, Bugatti, and Volkswagen.
Sühlmann is 46 years old and most recently served as Chief Design Officer at McLaren since September 2023. Porsche confirmed that he will officially begin his new role on February 1, 2026.
Inside Porsche, the appointment is being described as a generational change. Michael Mauer, now 63, joined Porsche in 2004 and became only the fourth Head of Design in the company’s history. His predecessors include Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, Anatol Lapine, and Harm Lagaay.
Mauer is not leaving immediately. He will continue to support Sühlmann during a transition phase, helping hand over responsibilities and long-term projects.
Mauer’s tenure covers some of Porsche’s most important modern cars. Early in his Porsche years, he worked on:
Later, he guided the evolution of:
His belief that a Porsche must appeal to all the senses became a guiding idea for the brand. It showed in interiors, proportions, and even small details like headlight shape and dashboard layout.
Sühlmann studied automotive design at the University of Applied Sciences in Pforzheim, the same school as Mauer. His career path reads like a tour of elite car brands:
At McLaren, he oversaw final design development and launch phases for models like the 750S and Artura Spider. He also led advanced design work for future hybrid and electric supercars.
Porsche is entering a complex phase. Combustion engines, plug-in hybrids, and full electric models will exist side by side for years. Design has to tie all of them together.
Sühlmann’s background in supercars hints at sharper surfaces, cleaner lines, and strong proportions.
