Great Britain. Starting this week, visitors to London will have the opportunity to gain special insight to the world of Porsche, when the iconic Stuttgart marque hosts a distinctive Porsche Life pop up experience in the windows of the world-famous Harrods store on the Brompton Road in Knightsbridge.
Running from 12 April – 16 May, the Porsche Life pop-up showcases current and future road car innovations, in what is the 70th year of the marque. It also celebrates the latest Porsche Design products from the exclusive lifestyle brand – including the new PORSCHE DESIGN HUAWEI Mate RS, a unique and breathtaking high-performance luxury smartphone.
Like the iconic sports cars from Germany, the timepieces and electronic products created by Porsche Design are renowned for their sophisticated yet functional design, innovative technologies and outstanding quality. The Harrods location gives visitors the chance to explore the world of Porsche Design as well as the world of Porsche sports cars under one roof.
Porsche ‘Mission E Augmented Reality’ app
A centrepiece of the Harrods display is a large, third scale model of the Mission E, representing a sneak preview of the forthcoming Porsche battery electric sports car. An augmented reality application enables visitors to bring it fully to life, offering a virtual experience today of the Porsche technology of tomorrow. As part of a collaboration with Google, Porsche has developed the AR app which allows the user to digitally discover the technical secrets of the car.
Visitors are invited to download an app via a QR code displayed in store, and configure their personal Mission E – including preferred colours. The concept can be virtually placed in a room, and the AR provides animations that simulate the vehicle’s aerodynamics. X-ray views bring the drivetrain and battery technologies to life, by glimpsing through the lightweight body. It is even possible – via the app – to embark on a test drive using AR in the interactive driving mode.
On sale by the end of the decade – the Porsche Mission E
The Mission E concept car celebrated its premiere at the Frankfurt International Motor Show (IAA) in September 2015, and was given the green-light for production shortly after. The four-door sports car will offer a system power output of over 600 hp (440 kW). The Mission E, which will be on sale by the end of the decade, will thus achieve acceleration of 0 to 62 mph in under 3.5 seconds and offer a range of more than 500 kilometres. The lithium-ion batteries stored within the floor are charged via a specially-developed 800 Volt charger, which can reintroduce 80 per cent of the range after just 15 minutes. In addition, the vehicle can optionally be ‘refuelled’ wirelessly by induction via a coil set into the garage floor.
Fully living up to the expression of ‘E-Performance’, the Mission E remains true to the Porsche philosophy of offering customers the most sporting and technically sophisticated model in the market segment. As is the Porsche tradition, it will also combine outstanding driving performance with trendsetting everyday usability.
“We are delighted to share our pride in the forthcoming Porsche Mission E here at Harrods in London this spring, using the latest digital technology to bring this remarkable concept to life,” said Alexander Pollich, Managing Director, Porsche Cars GB. “It is a great opportunity for visitors to enjoy a sneak preview of our exciting future, admire our current road cars in a cool setting, and gain insight to highlights from history in our 70th anniversary year.”
Joining the display is the new 718 Cayman GTS. The fourth generation of the renowned mid-engined, two-seater sports coupé maintains its focus on driving enjoyment, and combines purposeful design and athletic chassis tuning with a powerful flat-four cylinder, turbocharged ‘boxer’ engine delivering 365 hp. Since its debut in 2005, the Porsche Cayman has earned a particular reputation as a driver’s car among owners and fans alike, and the latest GTS continues to set the benchmark for driving performance in its class.
The Porsche Macan, the sports car in the compact SUV segment, shares the spotlight in the Harrods line-up. The Macan features a range of engines from a 252 hp, turbocharged, four cylinder up to a twin-turbocharged, 440 hp V6 Turbo Performance Package model, and sets new standards in terms of dynamic ability, both on the road and over uneven terrain.
Created and managed by Porsche Cars GB, the Harrods pop-up will be hosted for the duration by colleagues from Porsche Centre Mayfair and Porsche Centre West London.
In addition to being renowned for its cosmopolitan visitors, Knightsbridge in London is also rated as one of the top destinations for enthusiasts to spot the world’s newest and most exotic sports cars.
“Harrods’ iconic exhibition windows are one of the most sought after and visited retail display areas in the world, and we’re thrilled to showcase the latest Porsche models, as well as an exclusive selection of Porsche Design products, to our discerning, international clientele,” commented Guy Cheston, Media Sales Director.
PORSCHE DESIGN HUAWEI Mate RS
Lined up alongside the sports cars is the new PORSCHE DESIGN HUAWEI Mate RS, a unique and breath-taking high-performance luxury smartphone, which combines the signature design language of Porsche Design and the breakthrough technology and craftsmanship of Huawei.
With a commitment to unique, functional design, the phone has a 6” 2K curved OLED screen, a minimalist feel and a stylish 8-edged 3D curved glass body in black. This choice of colour enables a seamless switch from glass to frame, and reflects the Porsche Design commitment to purism and simple sophistication. High performance is also indicated in the naming of the smartphone; in Porsche vocabulary, the term ‘RS’ stands for outstanding racing performance.
The PORSCHE DESIGN HUAWEI Mate RS is distinguished by the following highlights:
• the world’s first dual fingerprint scanner with an in-screen fingerprint sensor for enhanced convenience
• the combination of Leica triple camera with 40 mega-pixel RGB sensor technology and photography powered by Master AI. Combined with a hybrid 5 x zoom, the world’s first AI image stabilisation on a smartphone camera ensures the best shots can be captured with exceptional clarity in almost any situation
• the first Huawei handset to allow quick wireless charging; also equipped with superfast charging (58% in 30 mins) and 4000 mAh battery capacity
• an intelligent smartphone, the powerful AI (artificial intelligence) processor automatically tailors the performance of the phone according to usage, constantly learning and anticipating the user’s needs
• 256 GB of internal storage capacity
• Dual SLS (super linear system) speakers with DOLBY ATMOS delivers the best surround sound and entertainment on the go
• splash, water and dust resistant (water proof in one metre of water for 30 minutes)
Each PORSCHE DESIGN HUAWEI Mate RS will be delivered in an exclusively designed leather case. The smartphone is available to buy from the Porsche Design pop-up at Harrods as of 13 April, as well as from the Porsche Design Store on Brompton Road, priced from £1,375.00
