Daily Slideshow: 6 Times We Were Blown Away By Porsche's Attention to Detail

There's a reason for the left-hand ignition

Porsche's meticulous eye for detail is apparent in every facet of their design. Part of that is made clear simply by the way they're willing to veer away from the norm. Many owners of Porsches no doubt will have taken note of the left-hand placement of the key ignition in most (but not all) of their models. The given reason? This allows the driver to turn the key while using the gear shift. Of course, it stands to reason that quirks like this (as well as their slightly offset pedals) are there at least in part to create a feeling of exclusivity and uniqueness for Porsche cars.

Obsessively lightweight... Porsche Carrera T

The Porsche design philosophy is one of improvement over change. They're continually in the process of finding ways to improve upon models that seemed perfect the year before. That improvement-focused approach is what results in something like the Carrera T, the lightest 911 on the market, and a car that aimed to do one better than perfect. Porsche looked at every way they could streamline the 911 for weight purposes; a lofty goal considering the meticulous design of the original.

All told, how much weight did they save here? A full 44 pounds. Lightweight materials have been switched in wherever possible, right down to the use of fabric straps in lieu of regular door handles. Small differences in weight can mean a significant difference in track results. It's every bit as much a chance for Porsche to strut their engineering genius, though, and with such a small weight adjustment, you might as well skip breakfast and sweat out your pre-race water weight in the sauna while you're at it.

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They know when to let simplicity do the talking

While Porsche can take credit for the most elegantly nuanced engineering around, they have the good taste to know complexity's not always optimal. There's a point where an ultra-busy design aesthetic is clearly just compensating for a lack of vision. Simplicity, as it were, tends to be beautiful and timeless. Just take it from 911 designer Ferdinand Porsche himself: "If the form is right, you don't need all the embellishments and the chrome." 

Giving simplicity its proper due is part of why the 911 is arguably the most timeless car design of all time. The only other model that might compete for enduring style is the VW Beetle... and you'll never guess who also played a role in designing that one.

(Just for the record, that would be Ferdinand Porsche.)

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This mind-blowing flat-six dismantle video

A background in engineering certainly helps the appreciation, but you can be a layperson and still have a gist of Porsche's knack for detail. Getting an easily digestible tour through that engineering can be mind-blowing in and of itself. If you've got a few minutes to spare and won't mind your jaw dropping involuntarily, queue up this video and give it a watch. We promise you won't be disappointed.

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A fob made with love

While more of an Easter egg than anything, there aren't many companies that apply such focus to the fine print of their products. Case in point: the key fob for certain models is shaped to look like the car itself. One confirmed example is the fob for the Porsche Panamera, pictured here. As a bonus fob feature, modern Porsche fobs are designed to deactivate if they're not used in a week; this helps to conserve the battery. Porsche's meticulous approach is more than just engineering; it serves to encompass the customer's experience as a whole.

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Realizing customer dreams via Porsche Exclusive

Porsche's "Special Orders Department" has been around since the first Porsche models rolled off assembly in 1948. A full article no doubt could be devoted to the custom-designed gems of Porsche Exclusive, wherein the company would take specific requests, doing their best to cater to the customer demands. Some of these earlier customs would have then-groundbreaking features like windshield wipers. Unsurprisingly, some of these special edition Porsche models have become highly sought after vintage gems. Even if everyone might have their own vision for their perfect dream Porsche, there's something special about any car that goes one step beyond a masterpiece.

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