SHANGHAI and BEIJING, Oct. 29, 2013 / PRNewswire/ -- At first glance, they are three digits - and nothing more than a logo. And yet, the three digits of "911" represent a legendary sports car concept that has stood the test of time. For 50 years, the Porsche 911 has been the world's iconic sports car and this esteemed history was celebrated in style with a prestigious gala event at the Forbidden City in Beijing, within the walls of the world-famous Taimiao.

Since the very first Porsche 911 was unveiled at the Frankfurt Auto Show in 1963, the Porsche 911 has captured the imagination of the motoring world: an unparalleled sports car that is equally at home on the road, or on the racetrack. Every model of the 911 is available in Porsche Centres around China today, with many stories to tell of heroic race victories, of a design that has become iconic, of countless childhood dreams, and of a timeless idea. These tales are all represented by the motto: "Tradition Future. Since 1963."

To celebrate the centrepiece of the Porsche brand on its 50th Birthday, special guests from across the Porsche world were in attendance. Hosting the evening was the Chief Executive Officer of Porsche China, Mr. Deesch Papke. During his words to the audience, he reflected on the deep connection that many drivers feel with the Porsche 911, "I can still remember the first time I heard a 911, and the first time I drove one: these are memories that run deeper than simply driving a performance car - because when you drive a 911, you are driving a piece of motoring folklore: you are seated in a piece of history, as well as a symbol of the future."

To further elaborate on this historic sports car, a special guest from Stuttgart in Germany, Mr Achim Stejskal, Head of the Porsche Museum, was present. Many of the most famous 911 models now reside at this iconic location and the historic impact of this incredible sports car was most evident when he noted that, "More than 820,000 units of the 911 have been produced at our factory in Zuffenhausen since 1963. No other sports car in the world has ever been so well-received by automobile enthusiasts."

On arrival at Taimiao, guests were greeted by a display of an exclusive new Porsche 911 model, released especially for this occasion: The new Porsche 911 50th Anniversary Edition. Boasting the famed six-cylinder Boxer engine located in the rear, like all the ancestors before it, this new special edition uses a seven-speed PDK transmission and displacement of 3,800 cm3 to unleash 294 kW (400 bhp), acceleration to 100 km/h in only 4.3 seconds and a maximum speed of 298 km/h. However, spine-tingling performance is only the start of the features that offer homage to the heritage of the 911.

The exterior of the Porsche 911 50th Anniversary Edition is noticeably 44 millimetres wider at the back than the 911 Carrera S, allowing greater road holding especially at high speeds and when cornering fast. Moving to the interior, high-quality materials have always been the hallmark of the 911 and this new special edition is no exception: a classic interior package blends leather and aluminium to a stylish effect that only Porsche can achieve. The seats are an undoubted highlight, using an iconic material and pattern from the first 911 models: the so-called "Pepita" - a two-tone woven textile with a small diamond pattern that is unmistakably Porsche. Celebrating the birth date of the 911, the production run of the 911 50th Anniversary Edition will be strictly limited to 1,963 vehicles - the likes of which will never be seen again.

Moving inside, guests were treated to a stunning array of the seven generations of the four-course dinner, culminating in a spectacular performance which transformed the ancient halls of Taimiao into each of the seven generations of the Porsche 911. Sharing the occasion with these customers were the five General Managers of each of the Porsche Centres in Beijing, including; Mr. Gary Shone from Porsche Centre Beijing Chang'an, Mr. Xiaolei Gong from Porsche Centre Beijing Yizhuang, Mr. Alex Guo from Porsche Centre Beijing Haidian, Mr. Victor Zhang from Porsche Centre Beijing Goldenport, and Mr. Francis Xiao from the newly opened Porsche Centre Beijing Shijingshan.

As the night drew to a close, the acclaimed Chinese performer, Sun Nan, provided a memorable performance for guests and closed by singing "Happy Birthday" to the Porsche 911. Joining him on stage, were Mr. Deesch Papke and the five Porsche Centre General Managers - seven special guests to celebrate seven generations of the Porsche 911 - each person taking a turn to cut the birthday cake that marked the occasion.

With its carefree, youthful behaviour, the Porsche 911 has been touching the nerve, stirring up fantasy and creating enthusiasm for seven generations. Since 1963, the Porsche 911 has been offering 50 years of sports car thrills to driving enthusiasts around the world. Seated under a cool autumn evening sky and within the breathtaking age-old grounds of the Forbidden City where thousands of years of Chinese stories have been told, Porsche was honoured to join customers to reflect on the short but eventful lifetime of the world’s most famous sports car.

About Porsche China

Founded by Ferdinand Porsche in Stuttgart, Germany in 1931, and further developed to a sports car manufacturer by Ferry Porsche in 1948, Porsche has been known as one of the most prestigious automobile brands in the world for decades. Under the guiding credo of "Porsche Intelligent Performance," Porsche pioneers to provide a new generation of sports cars that prove performance and efficiency can be perfectly combined.

Since 2001, Porsche China has been importing the full range of iconic Porsche sports cars that are imbued with the sporting spirit of the marque: the legendary 911 series, the renowned Boxster and Cayman mid-engine sports cars, the superb Cayenne premium SUV, and the exceptional four-door Panamera Gran Turismo. Porsche China currently operates 57 Porsche Centres in Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau, ensuring that Porsche customers across the country receive the hallmark personalised care that differentiates Porsche around the world.

In 2013, Porsche continues to enhance its success on the 2012 sales record of 31,205 deliveries across Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau. Globally, Porsche also celebrates the 50th anniversary this year of its classic sports car icon, the 911 series.

For more information or enquiries, please visit us at www.porsche.cn.

SOURCE:?Porsche China