Did you know that Porsche has a special division called Sonderwunsch? In German, Sonderwunsch translates to “special wish” or “special request,” which perfectly describes the program. This division allows ultra-rich customers to design and customize their dream exclusive Porsche’s in the Sonderwunsch program.
Alexander Fabig, the VP of individualization and classic at Sonderwunsch revealed some interesting facts during the recent Rennsport Reunion.
For instance, the waiting list for one-off creations is currently eight years long. Additionally, if you bring Porsche an old car, they can paint it with any new Paint-To-Sample (PTS) color you desire, and even provide an official new monroney with the new color and upholstery.
Sonderwunsch is currently working on nine one-off projects simultaneously, but the high demand has prompted Porsche to consider increasing output to 15 cars per year. However, the complexity and custom work involved in creating cars like the 911 Classic Club Coupe explain why the process takes so long.
Ordering a one-off car through Sonderwunsch is a costly endeavor. Customers effectively hire a team from Porsche consisting of designers, engineers, and product leads. The minimum cost for the one-year design phase is $100,000. The price can escalate even further depending on additional work requested. For instance, developing a new paint with fancy effects would cost $200,000, while requesting a special interior upholstery would add another $50,000. In essence, you must be prepared to write a blank check to bring your Sonderwunsch to life.
Once the design phase is complete, there’s a waiting period up to two years before delivery. Every vehicle receives the same factory warranty as any other Porsche they produce. Thorough testing is required to ensure the customer’s requests meet Porsche standards. If a customer request does not comply with durability testing, Porsche informs them the respective modifications won’t be covered by warranty.
Porsche adhere to regulations, therefore it won’t manufacture design elements that copy other OEM designs or create builds that exceed legal limits.
Porsche maintains constant communication with customers throughout the customization process. Some customers prefer regular meetings, while others prefer minimal involvement. Porsche is accommodating to both levels of engagement.
Notably, the Sonderwunsch program is not limited to new cars. There is a 2-3-year waitlist to get a used car into the Porsche Classic division of the program. Popular entries include the Carrera GT, which offers expanded customization options beyond its limited appearance choices when it was initially released.
It’s not just the iconic 911 or Carrera GT that are getting attention from Sonderwunsch. There is increasing demand for customization on four-door cars and even the electric Taycan. These cars fall under the Sonderwunsch Porsche Exclusive category, which allows customization of paint colors, stitching, upholstery colors, and other non-fundamental changes.
There is also some great news for us petrol heads regarding the special cars. Fabig assured us that none of Sonderwunsch’s customers are secretive to the point of keeping their cars hidden. Detailed photos and press releases about all one-off builds will be made available for the public to see.
Looking for that one of a kind Porsche and have time to wait, contact the exclusive Porsche’s Sonderwunsch program here