The Porsche Tiger, also known as the VK4501(P) or Tiger(P), was an unsuccessful heavy tank prototype produced by Porsche in Germany during 1942.
On the 21st May 1942 Henschel and Porsche at a meeting in Germany were asked to submit designs for a 45 ton heavy tank capable of mounting the high velocity 88mm KwK L/56 gun which was derived from the German 88mm flak gun. Both the Henschel and Porsche tanks were to be fitted with the same turret supplied by Krupp. The Porsche company worked on updating the VK3001P medium tank, Porsche's medium tank prototype, and adapted parts used on it for the new tank.
The new Porsche tank, designated the VK4501(P) was to be powered by twin air cooled gasoline Porsche Type 101/1 engines which were mounted to the rear of the tank. The twin engines would then drive two generators, one on either side of the tank, which would then power two motors which would drive the tracks. But the engine along with its drive system were very prone to break down and needed almost constant maintenance to keep the tank running. This and the tank being less maneuverable than its competitor was the reason why Henschel's prototype, the Tiger I, was adopted for production instead.
Porsche AG had already manufactured about one hundred chassis of the unsuccessful Porsche Tiger that were no longer required. It was therefore decided that the Porsche chassis were to be used as the basis of a new heavy tank destroyer (the Elefant), mounting Krupp's newly developed 88 mm Pak 43/2 anti-tank gun.
