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10 Cars Engineered By Porsche But Sold By Other Companies

Vukasin Herbez June 7, 2025

Throughout automotive history, Porsche has quietly lent its engineering prowess to a wide array of vehicles sold under different badges. These collaborations, often shrouded in secrecy, resulted in cars that combined another manufacturer’s styling and brand identity with Porsche’s celebrated chassis dynamics, powertrain expertise, and meticulous attention to detail.

From rugged off-road workhorses to high-performance hot hatches, this list highlights ten notable vehicles engineered by Porsche but marketed by other companies. Each model bears Porsche’s hallmark precision while wearing a different crest. Read on to discover the fascinating blend of collaboration and engineering excellence that blurred the lines between automakers.

1. DKW Munga (1956-1968)

Short for “Mehrzweck-Universal-Geländefahrzeug,” the DKW Munga emerged in 1956 as West Germany’s answer to a versatile military and civilian 4×4. Auto Union entrusted Porsche with designing its underlying structure, leading to a lightweight tubular steel frame and torsion-bar front suspension that delivered impressive off-road capability for its era.

Olympus Digital Camera — Photo Credit: Wiki

Powered by a 900 cc two-stroke, three-cylinder engine producing about 34 hp, the roughly 1,000 kg (2,205 lb) Munga could tackle muddy trails and steep inclines, reaching around 82 km/h (51 mph). Over its twelve-year production run, more than 46,000 units served the Bundeswehr, police forces, and farmers, demonstrating Porsche’s early mastery of rugged terrain dynamics.

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2. Cisitalia 360 F/8 (1947-1949)

Porsche Typ 360 Cisitalia 47 11 Scaled — Photo Credit: Stuttcars

In the late 1940s, Italian marque Cisitalia commissioned Porsche to create a cutting-edge Grand Prix contender. The result, the Cisitalia 360 F/8, featured a revolutionary mid-mounted 1.5 liter supercharged flat-12 engine producing nearly 320 hp—astounding output for 1948. Porsche’s engineers designed its lightweight spaceframe chassis, double A-arm independent front suspension, and swing-axle independent rear setup.

A custom five-speed transaxle managed the potent engine’s torque. Although only three prototypes were completed due to financial constraints, the 360 F/8 stunned observers by achieving an estimated 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in roughly 3.5 seconds. Its advanced engineering foreshadowed Porsche’s later mid-engine successes, despite the car never racing competitively.

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3. Mercedes-Benz 500E (1991-1994)

1992 Mercedes Benz 500e Front Three Quarter 05 — Photo Credit: Mercedes

When Mercedes-Benz sought a stealthy high-performance sedan in the early 1990s, it turned to Porsche for clandestine engineering assistance. Based on the W124 E-Class, Porsche widened the fenders, reworked suspension geometry, and hand-assembled each 5.0 liter M119 V8 engine to produce 322 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque.

1992 Mercedes Benz 500e Front Three Quarter 02 — Photo Credit: Automobile

Coupled to a five-speed transmission, the nearly 1,900 kg (4,190 lb) 500E sprinted to 100 km/h (0-62 mph) in just 5.5 seconds—startling performance for a luxury car of its size. From 1991 to 1994, roughly 10,500 units emerged from this unique collaboration, earning the 500E sleeper status among enthusiasts worldwid

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4. Audi RS2 Avant (1994-1995)

In 1994, Audi challenged convention with the RS2 Avant, a collaboration that tapped Porsche’s engineering prowess. Starting with the B4-series 80 Avant, Porsche reinforced body panels, added wider 964 Turbo-inspired fenders, and calibrated Bilstein suspension upgrades. Under the hood, a 2.2 liter twin-turbo inline-five engine, tuned by Porsche, produced 311 hp and 302 lb-ft of torque.

This five-door wagon could sprint to 100 km/h (0-62 mph) in just 4.8 seconds—performance that rivaled many supercars of its day. Subtle RS2 badging, Recaro seats, and Porsche-developed brakes completed the package. With fewer than 3,000 built, the RS2 Avant remains a legend among sleeper wagons.

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5. Volkswagen T3 Caravelle with Porsche 3.2 L Flat-Six (1983-1991)

A189e81189ff27757a1a56fa0105cd12 — Photo Credit: Pinterest

Among the most surprising Porsche collaborations is the late 1980s Volkswagen T3 Caravelle (and Syncro) fitted with Porsche’s 3.2 liter flat-six from the 911 SC. Porsche’s engineers adapted the engine and tuned suspension components to suit the heavier van chassis.

Jka5qm7dsb383dznxf2f — Photo Credit: Pinterest

With around 231 hp and 192 lb-ft of torque, the roughly 1,600 kg (3,527 lb) van could accelerate to 100 km/h (0-62 mph) in about 8.5 seconds—astonishing for a boxy people-mover. Fewer than 2,000 examples were produced, making these “Porsche Vans” cult collectibles prized for surprising performance wrapped in utilitarian form.

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6. Lada Samara Turbo (1988-1993)

1989 Lada Samara 1.5l Hatchback (6438609303) — Photo Credit: Wiki

In the late 1980s, Lada sought a rally-capable hatchback to elevate its image, commissioning Porsche to reengineer the VAZ-2108 Samara. Porsche engineers replaced the stock engine with a 1.3 liter turbocharged DOHC four-cylinder, producing 145 hp at 6,500 rpm—a dramatic boost over the standard 67 hp. They reinforced the chassis, upgraded suspension, and recalibrated the K-Jetronic fuel-injection system.

Lada Samara 2108 1100 1991 (10969247196) — Photo Credit: Wiki

The resulting Lada Samara Turbo could sprint to 100 km/h (0-62 mph) in approximately 8.9 seconds, showcasing surprisingly nimble handling. With around 5,000 built primarily for export markets, this Porsche-tuned Soviet hatchback remains a rare and intriguing piece of automotive history.

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7. Renault Clio V6 Sport (2001-2005)

In the early 2000s, Renault Sport transformed the humble Clio into a mid-engine marvel with deep Porsche assistance. Porsche engineers reconfigured the Clio’s platform to accommodate a rear‐mounted 3.0 liter V6 engine, producing 255 hp and driving the rear wheels through a six-speed transaxle.

Renault Clio V6 94 — Photo Credit: Pinterest

To make room, the chassis widened by 100 mm, and bespoke Brembo brakes and MacPherson-strut suspension were installed. Weighing about 1,410 kg (3,108 lb), the Clio V6 Sport launched to 100 km/h (0-62 mph) in just 5.9 seconds. Only 1,500 units rolled out, each garnering acclaim for its visceral engine-bay roar and unorthodox design.

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8. Volkswagen 914 (1969-1976)

Developed jointly by Volkswagen and Porsche, the 914 was sold mostly as a VW (and as the Porsche 914/6 when fitted with the flat-six). Porsche handled chassis engineering, including the ingenious “cassette” subframe that carried both suspension components and the mid-mounted engine’s transaxle.

14802704 1971 Porsche 914 Std 3 — Photo Credit: Pinterest

Early 914/4 models used VW’s 1.7 liter flat-four, while the rarer 914/6 housed Porsche’s 2.0 liter flat-six, delivering 110 hp. The result was near-ideal 50/50 weight distribution and nimble handling—essentially a Porsche driving experience in an affordable package. Over 118,000 units were produced, and the 914 has since achieved cult status among enthusiasts.

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9. Subaru Legacy B4 (1991-1994)

Subaru Legacy Wagon 08 28 2009 — Photo Credit: Wiki

In the early 1990s, Subaru collaborated with Porsche to refine the Legacy into an unexpected performance sedan. Porsche engineers tuned the turbocharged EJ20 flat-four engine and optimized the four-wheel multilink suspension geometry for improved agility and stability. The 1994 Legacy B4 benefitted from enhanced chassis stiffness, sharper handling, and power output around 236 hp—courtesy of Porsche’s engine-management input.

Subaru Legacy 871027.jpg — Photo Credit: Wiki

Though overshadowed by the later Impreza WRX, the Legacy B4 laid groundwork for Subaru’s rally prowess, offering a balanced ride, precise steering, and robust braking. This quiet partnership showcased Porsche’s ability to elevate a mainstream sedan into a driver’s car without fanfare.

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10. Opel Zafira OPC Prototype (1999-2002)

Opel Zafira Opc A Compactvan 1 — Photo Credit: Opel

During development of the first-generation Zafira OPC, Opel enlisted Porsche for prototype-stage engineering insights. Porsche specialists assessed the Zafira’s MacPherson-strut front suspension and twist-beam rear setup, advising on stiffer anti-roll bars, revised damper valving, and reinforced subframes for sportier handling.

Zafira Opel Johannesburg Car Shows — Photo Credit: Opel

They also provided early calibration for the 2.0 liter turbocharged C18XE engine, refining boost response and fueling curves for a sharper torque band. Although Opel finalized production OPC tuning in Rüsselsheim, Porsche’s early contributions shaped the MPV’s unexpected agility and stability. The resulting Zafira OPC delivered surprising fun from a family-oriented vehicle, thanks to Porsche’s stealthy suspension know-how.

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