Porsche highlights at IAA motor show: iconic debuts since 1950

Explore Porsche milestones at IAA motor show, from the 356 to the Mission E, showcasing innovation, iconic debuts and the future of electric mobility.

Since 1950, the International Motor Show (IAA) has been the stage where Porsche brings history and innovation together. At the Berlin show that year, the brand presented the Porsche 356, its first model built in Zuffenhausen. It defined Porsche’s DNA with light construction, everyday usability, and a sporty spirit.

Thirteen years later, the spotlight was on the Porsche 901, soon renamed the 911. It became an enduring symbol of engineering and design. In 1965, the 911 Targa made its debut as the world’s first “safety cabriolet” with a distinctive roll bar, responding to stricter US safety regulations and becoming a design icon.

The IAA often hosted bold experiments. In 1973, Porsche unveiled the 911 RSR Turbo, a racing prototype that pioneered turbocharging for the 911 and led to the road-going 911 Turbo. By 1981, the company surprised visitors with an all-wheel-drive 911 Turbo Cabriolet concept and launched the 944, a transaxle model that attracted a new generation of customers.

In 1985, the spotlight shifted to the Porsche 959. With twin turbos, all-wheel drive and advanced electronic systems, it became a technological benchmark. Displayed as a spectacular cutaway, the 959 demonstrated the depth of Porsche engineering.

The year 1997 marked a bold break with tradition: the 911 (996) abandoned air cooling in favor of efficiency and modern standards. In 2005, the Cayman S made its world premiere as a mid-engine coupe that quickly established itself as an independent line alongside the Boxster.

2013 brought the 918 Spyder, a hybrid supercar with more than 880 PS. It set record times on the Nürburgring while proving that performance and sustainability could coexist. Alongside, the 991-generation 911 Turbo debuted with active aerodynamics and all-wheel drive. In 2015, Porsche captured headlines again with the Mission E concept — a vision of electric mobility with 800-volt technology and over 600 PS, later realized in the Taycan.

Sales figures underline the impact of these debuts: the 356 sold more than 76,000 units, the 944 between 163,000 and 173,000, and all 918 units of the 918 Spyder were delivered within a year. In 2017, Porsche celebrated the one-millionth 911, a car first unveiled at the IAA in 1963.

While Geneva and US auto shows have played their roles, the IAA has remained Porsche’s home stage, where many premieres shaped the company’s long-term direction. The exhibition has consistently provided a platform for innovation and for models that would define the brand’s legacy.

In 2025, Porsche will once again return to Munich. The company has confirmed the world premiere of a new 911 flagship along with technical innovations. German media also report plans to show an 11 kW inductive charging system for the upcoming Cayenne Electric. With a festival-like atmosphere promised in the city center, IAA Mobility 2025 is set to continue the tradition of milestone debuts that define Porsche’s path forward.