Porsche R&D Boss Wolfgang Hatz Resigns Amid Dieselgate Investigation
Porsche’s head of research and development has resigned as a result of the ongoing dieselgate investigation.
Wolfgang Hatz has left his position as member of the Porsche executive board with responsibility for research and development, replaced by Michael Steiner, effective immediately. Hatz was originally suspended last September, following Volkswagen’s announcement that it has been cheating on diesel emissions tests. He also served as the head of engine and powertrain development for the Volkswagen Group prior to becoming head of R&D for Porsche.
Hatz is allegedly at the center of the dieselgate investigation, although no direct link has been made to him, Porsche said in a statement. The German automaker claims his resignation was voluntary.
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As Porsche’s R&D boss since 2011, he helped guide the development for the Porsche 918 Spyder, the company’s Le Mans race program and the development of the Mission E concept that will result in a production car. His career includes stints at Audi, BMW, Opel and Fiat and Hatz is widely considered the father of BMW’s S14 engine that was used in the E30 M3.
His replacement, Steiner, has been with Porsche since 2002 and has helped lead Porsche Panamera development and was most recently in charge of complete vehicle engineering.
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Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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