Porsche appoints Tobias Sühlmann as new head of design

Tobias Sühlmann will begin his role as head of design at Porsche from 1 February 2026. 

Sühlmann replaces Michael Mauer, who has served the company for 22 years, joining in 2004 as the fourth head of design in Porsche’s history.

Mauer’s design philosophy – “A Porsche must appeal to all the senses” – inspired the creation of the Panamera, Porsche’s first sports sedan. He also brought the design of the 911 into the modern era, revised the Cayenne and led Porsche’s transition into the electric age. 

Chairman of the executive board of Porsche AG, Dr. Michael Leiters, said: “I have known Michael Mauer for many years and appreciate him as an excellent professional and extraordinary personality. His work has shaped the style of the Porsche brand and will remain visible in the future. We thank him for his outstanding work and wish him all the best for the future." 

His successor, Sühlmann, has an extensive automotive design background. He began his career at Volkswagen in 2005, working his way up from exterior designer to team leader of exterior design before moving to Bugatti in 2017 as head of exterior design creative development.

He then joined Aston Martin in 2018 as chief exterior designer for two years before spending a year at McLaren in 2020 as chief designer of special projects. Sühlmann then moved to Bentley in 2021 as head of exterior design and was promoted to director of design in 2023, where he played a large role in the design of the Batur.

Since September 2023, he has been working as chief design officer at McLaren, based in Woking.

Mauer will continue to support Sühlmann in this transitional period. 

CDN has contacted Sühlmann for comment.