53-year-old Gerrit Braun and his twin brother, Frederik, founded Miniatur Wunderland in Germany’s Hamburg Speicherstadt district 20 years ago. It’s an exhibition space which measures more than 10,000 square metres in size and visited by around 1.4 million visitors a year.
If you have the time to count them, there are 9,250 cars, 269,000 figures, 15,715 metres of track, 1,040 trains with more than 10,000 carriages, 4,340 buildings and 130,000 trees. You’ll find cities, villages, mountain panoramas, an airport, artificial northern lights, and even a fair. It took over 300 employees who spent around one million hours to create this miniature world.
The scale of the models is 1:87 and many of them are Porsche sportscars, including the 99X Electric which was added recently. But unlike other miniature worlds, there will be cars that not just move but also race – just like the real thing, only smaller.
Project started in 2015
The motorsport project has been ongoing since 2015 and it’s their biggest challenge to date. It encompasses the redesigned south of France, which will officially open in the first half of 2022, and features the legendary Monaco Grand Prix course.
“We’ll alternate between Formula One and Formula E races,” said Braun. “Everything true to the original, with parade lap, safety car, starting grid – and then action!”. For visitors to have the perfect view of all the racing action, the Miniatur Wunderland team first had to shrink Monaco. Like everything else, the principality on the French Riviera was reproduced at a scale of 1:87. The racing cars are just 6 cm long and their top speed of 85 cm per second would translate to nearly 270 km/h in the real world. This is as realistic as it gets – but that’s also what makes the whole undertaking so difficult.
One of the sections of the Monaco circuit.
A scenario never built before
A small-scale scenario this realistic has never been built before. Everything had to be created from scratch. The software responsible for controlling 20 racing cars was developed on their own computer. The system responds to the driving manoeuvres of the other racers within 50 milliseconds, so each race is different. With real battles for position, passing manoeuvres, and occasionally even a crash. “Of course, we want to avoid that, if at all possible, because then the Safety Car has to come out and a couple of people are kept busy for some time,” Braun said.
While the race simulations are already running in the computer, Braun still has to teach the cars to accelerate at just the right moment. “The software always wants to maintain the lead, but sometimes you just need to slow down during a race. Programming all that is a complicated process,” he explained.
The small electric cars are powered by magnetic fields. The 21-metre course through miniature Monaco is made up of 24 special circuit boards with a total of 1,400 magnetic field sectors, each of which is controlled separately and generates its own magnetic field.
3D-printed racing cars
While the software still needs some work, the racing cars are ready to race. They were created using the model building experts’ 3D printer and sheets of plastic just 0.03 mm thick. 3D data comes from companies like Porsche Motorsport which provided data for the 99X Electric used in Formula E.
The chassis are painted over multiple times and faithfully reproduced down to the smallest sponsor stickers to reflect their full-size counterparts. The underbody conceals a Halbach array, a diamond-shaped panel that serves as the counterpart to the magnetic fields along the course.
If everything goes according to plan, the miniature car races will be the Hamburg team’s next global milestone in the field of model building. “The crowning achievement of all our efforts,” said Braun. “Even more complex than the airport with its airplanes taking off and landing, which was commissioned in 2011.”
Time cannot be shrunk
The fact that the masterminds of miniaturization have been working on the ambitious idea of a real racecourse for 6 years demonstrates their passion as well as the sophistication of the project. But Braun reveals one unsolvable problem with miniaturization: “We may be able to shrink down objects, but we can’t shrink down time.”
The Porsche World Road Show is a unique event that takes place the world over.
It is held at circuits that allow a driver to fully exploit a Porsche’s potential.
And when it comes to the Cayenne, rather than on-circuit driving, the now iconic SUV is driven on dirt tracks to show off its off-roading capabilities.
The PWRS in short, was recently held at the Sepang International Circuit.
And the entire circuit was booked, because half-track driving in a Porsche is borderline nonsense.
The cars were pretty amazing too – we got to spend time behind the wheel of the Cayenne, Macan GTS, Macan Turbo, Taycan Turbo and the Taycan Turbo S.
The star of the show though was the new 992 Porsche GT3. A car so brilliant that it deserved an article of its own, which you can read here.
Our day started in the Taycan Turbo S – a car deemed as the hardest accelerating electric car ever built.
It does the 0-100km/h in just 2.8 seconds, and reaches a top speed of 260km/h.
The electric motors that power the car are also some of, if not the best in the industry.
The motors give the car 622hp and 1050Nm of torque.
But with the overboost function selected, the car puts out a staggering 750hp!
Of course, such amazing capabilities doesn’t come cheap – the Taycan Turbo S costs an eye watering RM1.15 million!
Then we hopped into the Taycan Turbo.
I do wish we would have done it the other way around though.
Because after the brutality of the Turbo S – the Taycan felt subdued. Like a hungover horse being asked to gallop.
But despite that, it too puts out some unworldly numbers.
It too offers 622hp but torque stands lower at 850Nm.
However, unlike the Turbo S, the Turbo puts out 670hp when you select the overboost function.
The Turbo though is slightly more affordable than the Turbo S, with prices starting from a little over RM963,000.
This was the first time I got to drive both Taycans.
There was a similar drive event held at SIC when Porsche introduced the Taycan to the Malaysian market earlier this year.
But back then, we had passed our seat to legendary Malaysian rally driver Karamjit Singh to get his thoughts on a car the world was raving about.
You can watch that video below.
As a first timer behind the wheel of the Taycan, it was the acceleration that really blew me away, especially in the Turbo S.
Handling too was sharp but that is to be expected of a Porsche.
But you really do feel the weight of the car because the Taycan weighs over two tons.
You feel this going into corners, but then the acceleration more than makes up for it.
The brakes too felt spongy, but that is a typical character of electric and hybrid cars as the brake pedal also regenerates the batteries.
So you don’t really feel the initial bite of the brakes, and if you get caught out by it, you could end up with an expensive repair bill.
But once you learn to trust the brakes though, you realise that behind all that sponginess is the same iconic Porsche anchors that the German marque is so well known for.
We later jumped into the Cayenne for a spot of off-roading.
The off-road section was a purpose built course on the outskirt of the SIC.
The course was initially designed for dirt bikes.
But it was also a perfect place to display the Cayenne’s off-roading abilities.
In just about 300-500 metres, we found out that the Cayenne could hold its own in gravel, some loose mud, and some very uneven surfaces.
This involved some dabbing on the massive touch screen at the centre to raise the ride height of the Cayenne.
And some further dabbing was needed to tell the Cayenne that you were about to take it off-road.
And then you drive.
The off-road section is where the Cayenne truly put on a show as it sent power to wheels that were planted on the ground.
And sent zero power to wheels that were hanging in the air.
Intelligent is an understatement.
But I wasn’t too surprised here, because the Cayenne has already been proven to be a very capable off-roader plenty of times before.
If you didn’t already know, a couple of years ago, a few rally teams had contested the Cayenne in the gruesome Trans-Siberian rally that takes place in Russia, Siberia and Mongolia every spring.
It is a hardcore 4,400km rally where only road-legal cars with a few modifications are allowed.
The Porsche Cayenne won that race three years in a row.
There’s even a special edition Cayenne to commemorate that feat.
So there really is no better testament to the Cayenne’s off-roading capabilities than that.
But the Cayenne is unlikely to be used in such a manner, but just in case you needed to drive your Cayenne to the end of the world, know that you could.
After spending time with the Cayenne, we jumped into the Macan – a baby-SUV named after a Tiger.
This is another SUV that does not need any introduction, but it was a refreshment of sorts to show what it is really capable of doing when the road opens up.
First the Macan GTS.
I love Porsche’s GTS models because it’s a nod to what cars were like in the past.
Fun beasts that make you miss the old times when men drank their whisky (or whiskey if you’re so inclined) without worrying about it being fake, and chased girls without their antics being posted on social media.
There was a time when the GTS models were pure naturally-aspirated models.
But times have changed and the Macan GTS is now a twin-turbo’d V6 model with a 2.9-litre engine putting out 437hp and 550Nm of torque.
It’s still capable of some brutal numbers though with the 0-100km/h sprint seen off in a little over four seconds with a top speed rated at 272km/h.
These are numbers that were once associated with the top of the line Macan Turbo.
Of course, we were not given a chance to fully exploit its potential.
Just enough to tell you that acceleration was fantastic, and that it makes some encouraging sounds along the way, and that for an SUV that weighs a little under two tons, it actually handles quite well.
I was quite surprised by the brakes though because they lacked that initial bite.
Porsche didn’t give us the spec sheet of all the cars we drove but I suspect the Macan GTS had regular brakes fitted rather than the optional Porsche Surface Coated Brakes or the Ceramic Brakes. Both optional of course.
The Macan Turbo though was a whole different ball game, and that’s the car we got to drive next.
The Macan Turbo is the big dog of the Macan line-up. The Macan you want to have.
It offers the same performance figures as the Macan GTS, and that’s because the updated Turbo model is yet to be introduced.
Despite that, the driving experience between the two is vastly different.
Both cars have twin-turbo engines.
But the engine note in the Turbo is deeper while the GTS has a screaming engine note that mimics a naturally-aspirated engine.
It almost sounds like the sound has been artificially induced and piped into the cabin through the speakers, similar to what Porsche has done with the Taycan.
Artificially induced sounds are not new to the industry, but it is a bit of a let down because there’s nothing better than a raw engine note. Not what a car maker thinks an engine should sound like.
But it is what it is.
And that is quickly overlooked as you put your foot down and the car lurches forward before your brain even registers what is going on.
Jumping from the GTS into the Turbo, we really didn’t think the difference will be all that big. But it is truly vast.
Perhaps it is the way that power is delivered, or how the sound is generated. But the performance in the Macan Turbo is how a Porsche should ideally perform.
Brakes too are much more confidence inspiring in the Turbo model we drove.
We found ourselves braking later and turning in deeper into a corner. A true performance machine the Macan Turbo definitely was.
And that is no surprise considering the Turbo is the flagship model of the Macan line up.
Our experience at the Porsche World Road Show at SIC ended with the Macans.
And though it was similar to the one we attended in 2018/2019, it was still perfectly laid out for us to experience Porsches at their finest.
And if there is one thing we can say about modern Porsches, it is that they are a complete paradox.
On one side you have a race car for the road with the GT3.
And on another side you have a tree-hugging electric supercar in the Taycan Turbo S.
Then you have the ultra-capable go anywhere Cayenne.
And the Macans are the cute in betweens if you don’t want something too big but with fun performance.
If there is one car maker that is completely future-proof to whatever may come in the next 10 years, it would be Porsche.
And there are rumours that Porsche may make an entry into the wonderful world of Formula 1.
Either as an engine supplier or as a works team remains to be seen.
Whatever comes, it is an awesome time to be a Porsche owner.
As one of the leading car racing simulators, the ‘Gran Turismo’ game series by Polyphony Digital has an exciting range of sportscars, some actual models from the real world and some concept cars that only exist in the digital world. Obviously, as a leading sportscar maker, Porsche would be represented and it has been since 2017, with the Taycan Turbo S being the most recent model.
For the launch of the game’s seventh edition, Porsche has, for the first time, developed a car purely for the virtual world. The Vision Gran Turismo is the brand’s first concept study created specifically for use in a computer game. It will be available exclusively in Gran Turismo 7, which will be released in March 2022 for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5.
Freed from constraints of mass production
Freed from the constraints of developing models for normal volume production, Porsche’s designers were able to put their own ideas for a Gran Turismo concept car into practice. “A vehicle designed purely for the virtual world opens up exciting possibilities for us that are otherwise heavily regimented in a regular design process for a production car,” said Michael Mauer, Vice-President Style Porsche.
“Projects such as the Porsche Vision Gran Turismo are particularly valuable for us in the creative process. Further developing our clearly defined Porsche Design DNA and exchanging with designers from other industries is an important part of our work,” he explained.
Future-oriented versions
The Vision Gran Turismo features future-oriented versions of familiar Porsche design elements. The concept sportscar shows the brand’s typical proportions with an especially sporty height-to-width ratio, an extremely low-set bonnet and very pronounced wings. The lights in the purist front and the integrated air intakes create a visual link to the design language of the Taycan. The rear is adorned with a markedly narrow light strip – a further development of the light signature that is familiar from the 911 and Taycan models.
The clear emphasis of the brand identity continues in the interior, with the curved hologram display, tailored to the driver, which appears to float above the steering wheel. The realistic surface appearances in the interior also plays a major role.
“We spent a long time considering the right material design consisting of carbon and titanium. The aim was to reduce weight while increasing performance,” said Markus Auerbach, Head of Interior Design at Porsche. “In addition, sustainable aspects also play a role in forward-looking projects. For example, we only used entirely vegan materials in the concept car.”
Expanding gaming activities
“The appeal of a Porsche comes from its purist design,” says Kazunori Yamauchi, President, Polyphony Digital. “And in terms of engineering expertise, both we and Porsche follow the same perfectionist philosophy. We share the same passion for racing and are looking to the future of the car.” In addition to purely design-related themes, there are also new functions that contribute to a strong sportscar feeling, with players experiencing haptic feedback via the controller, which mimics the feel of the steering wheel. This fast and direct feedback is reminiscent of a real racing car.
Expanding its gaming activities also has strategic significance for Porsche. “We can engage young and digital target groups in the place where their automotive dreams are born: the world of gaming,” says Robert Ader, Vice-President Marketing at Porsche AG. “The partnership with Polyphony Digital and ‘Gran Turismo’ is a perfect fit for Porsche, because motorsport – whether real or virtual – is part of our DNA.”
At one point the company is winning races with some of the greatest race cars of our generation with full fledged internal combustion engines.
And at another point, the company is building the most efficient and fun to drive electric cars the world has seen.
It almost seems like the company is caught in a conundrum of sorts. But it is definitely a future proof approach to the current problems faced by manufacturers.
Porsche has not lost sight of its roots either, as this writer found out during the recent Porsche World Road Show that took place at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) recently.
Part of the event included a single lap around SIC with the GT3.
But of course there was a lead car. Porsche Malaysia doesn’t trust local motoring journos to go out on their own after some local publications couldn’t return the Porsches given to them in the same way they received it. Putting it lightly there.
I don’t blame their distrust. I was just happy to get to drive the GT3. One lap or not. Lead car or not.
The Porsche GT3 is the road going race car you want but without the extremities of the GT3RS or the manic attitude of the GT2.
It doesn’t have the roll cage of the RS, or the bullish attitude.
But it still has the eagerness, that front end whose only responsibility is to steer and as such feels like a living, breathing extension of your arms.
This time though, in 992 guise, the GT3 feels like it knows what you are about to do even before you know it yourself.
Perhaps this is telepathic character that has been engineered into the car from decades of racing.
And since the GT3 is essentially a race car for the road that actively participates in various race series around the world, you can think of the 992 GT3 as a moving, roaring archive with the collective knowledge of racing drivers from all around the world.
And the result is one of the greatest driving experience you will ever have.
It is the summary of an engineering marvel of an engine, perfect handling and tyres that will stick to a wall when hot.
But in the 992 GT3, you can add advanced aerodynamics to the mix because it features strategically placed vents and a new, massive rear wing that sucks and pushes the car down in corners.
What this ultimately results in is a car that goes anywhere your nose points without a moment of hesitation.
This wild handling is also assisted by the fact that the GT3 now comes with double-wishbone suspension at the front, or as the Americans put it, a control-arm front suspension.
This suspension is not new technology, the GT3 Cup car has been using it for yonks!
But it is now available in a road going 911 for the first time in 58 years.
The engineers will tell you that the benefits of a double-wishbone suspension is that the entire surface of the tyre is now in contact with the road. Rather than only parts of it reaching the surface.
So when the entire tyre is being used to steer the car, you get super quick reaction time to the tiniest steering input. Making the front end feel like it were on rails.
Then comes the engine.
Based on the same engine that powers the 911 GT3R, 911 Cup and the 911 RSR, the flat-six engine is race proven, a proper race champion that has been slightly modified for road legality.
The 4.0-litre naturally-aspirated engine puts out 502hp and 470Nm of torque.
It enables the GT3 to accelerate to 100km/h in just 3.4 seconds. And it tops out at an amazing 320km/h.
It offers a sound that can only be described as hypnotic, and Porsche made no effort to dampen the sound save for some carpeting that makes the interior a little more comfortable for day to day use.
The race-based engine offers race based technology such as six individual throttle valves per cylinder. The result of this is an engine that responds to every flex of your toe.
The engine is mated to a seven-speed twin-clutch gearbox (a six-speed manual is also available).
Shifts are of course mili-second quick. Porsche’s PDK gearbox has been around since 2008 and has been continuously refined over the years for speed, accuracy and durability.
The interior is of course the same as every 992 generation 911.
What I truly like about the new generation 911 is the instrument cluster.
While marque’s like Ferrari have digitised the entire meter panel, Porsche has stayed true to its roots; the rpm dial is still analogue and still sits prominently at the centre of the meter panel.
I appreciate that, and while I understand the advent of digitisation, I am grateful to Porsche for keeping the analogue rpm dial.
GT3’s have always offered an amazing driving experience with an race-derived engine and handling that mimics a race car.
The new 992 GT3 is no different, yet takes it a notch further.
While it is available with the usual massive rear wing and aero wings around the car. The new GT3 is also available in something called the Touring Pack.
The Touring Pack will appeal to the gentleman racers who prefer their GT3 without the functional but potentially an eye sore of a rear wing.
Those who want to leave their racer boy image behind but can’t seem to shake off their love for an engaging drive.
In its place is an electronically adjustable rear wing that neatly tucks back in place and sits flush with the body work when not in use.
While the world embraces new technology with electric cars and some that can even drive themselves. The Porsche GT3 is proof that some things should never change, because no matter how advanced technology becomes, none can replace the driving experience a GT3 offers.
The GT3 is now available in Malaysia with prices starting from RM1.78 million.
Sime Darby Auto Performance (SDAP), the importer, distributor and custodian of the Porsche brand in Malaysia, today introduced the all-new Porsche GT3.
The GT3 can trace its roots back to back 1999 when Porsche needed a road going version of its race car for homologation purposes – and thus the GT3 was born.
Back then the GT3 offered the purest unadulterated driving experience a road car could offer. It was the closest a road driver could get to driving a race car.
Nothing has changed today as the GT3 is still hailed as the ultimate bridge between road and track.
Over seven editions later, the all-new GT3 offers one of the most advanced technologies available in a road legal race car.
It is lighter, faster and smarter and this results in a car that laps the legendary Nurburgring Nordschleife a full 17-seconds faster than its predecessor.
In Malaysia, the all-new GT3 made its debut at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC).
At the heart of the GT3 lays a naturally-aspirated 4.0-litre, six-cylinder engine that features individual throttle bodies for each of its six-cylinders.
This is unusual for a road car, but quite normal for a race car. And that is because the engine of the all-new GT3 is actually based on the race based 911 GT3R.
As such the new GT3 is puts out an astonishing 507hp and 470Nm of torque. This takes the GT3 to 100km/h in just 3.4 seconds and onto a top speed of 320km/h. Making the engine one of the most powerful naturally-aspirated engines ever produced.
As for the transmission, owners can choose between a 7-speed PDK dual-clutch gearbox, or a 6-speed manual GT sports gearbox that is about 20kg lighter than the auto box.
The all-new GT3 seems to have perfected a seemingly perfect package.
It not only offers a race-derived engine, but also offers race-derived handling.
For example, the front suspension of the GT3 consist of a double-wishbone layout taken from the Le Mans-winning 911 RSR race car.
Then there is the new swan-neck rear wing mounting and diffuser than are also from the 911 RSR. This allows for 50% more downforce without increasing drag.
The all-new GT3 also features a manually-adjustable rear wing and diffuser elements that can be set to increase downforce by up to 150% for maximum cornering speed.
The best thing about the all-new GT3 is that it is available with a Touring Package at no additional cost.
The Touring Package rids the car of such dramatics as the swan-neck rear wing, and offers the same exterior paint work all over.
Porsche (and SDAP) says the new Touring Package “is perfectly suited to sports car connoisseurs with a passion for understatement and classic driving pleasure”.
And so it may ride the GT3 of that massive carbon-fibre rear wing, but in place of the fixed wing, the 911 GT3 gets an automatically extending rear spoiler which offers the necessary downforce at high speeds.
As for the interior, the GT3 benefits from a a design that is in-line with the current 992 generation but GT3-specific instrument cluster that features a central rev counter that goes up to 10,000rpm, and is flanked by two high-resolution 7-inch displays featuring a new track screen.
As with all other 992 generation 911 models, the all-new GT3 also gets a centred high-resolution 10.9-inch touchscreen display with the latest Porsche Communication Management system with only navigation and Porsche Connect Plus.
This also supports the Porsche Track Precision App that helps drivers maximise their track sessions and improve lap times by providing detailed driving data, including live displays and video analysis.
The all-new Porsche GT3 is now available at all Porsche centres nationwide with prices starting from a cool RM1,766,244 with SST exemption.
You’re probably heard of the BMW Art Cars, a series of classic models which were turned into works of art by renowned artists. They have been displayed all over the world (including Malaysia) since the first one was created in 1975.
Perhaps less well known is the fact that there are also art cars which are from another German brand – Porsche. Over the years, innovative artists have made Porsche models their ‘canvas’ and also made them works of art. Following the recent release of the 968 L’ART, here are some of the best examples of Porsche art cars, from Taycans to a 356 to a colourful array of 911 models.
968 L’ART by Arthur Kar
Embodying the connection between vehicles and fashion, this outstanding redesigned car – the brainchild of L’Art de L’Automobile’s founder Arthur Kar – transports a retro look to the modern era. Unveiled at Paris Fashion Week this year alongside a matching capsule collection, attendees saw the worlds of fashion, art and cars collide to mark the 30th anniversary of the 968. The 968 L’ART comes alive in Green Pearl, with the added mystique of appearing to be three other hues, depending on which angle you view it from. TAG Heuer created a matching chronograph to accompany this one-off car, while the roof was removed and Recaro seats were added, incorporating graphic leather in the centre panel that matches the exterior colour. A custom-designed audio system by BOSE was also installed and the headlights were elevated with chrome.
996 Swan by Chris Labrooy
Porsche offered Scottish digital artist Chris Labrooy the opportunity to transport one of his digital artworks into the real world for the first time. The result is the 996 Swan, which was designed for the anniversary ‘20 years of Porsche in China’. The 911 Type 996 was the first car sold in China two decades ago. The choice of ‘swan’ is because, in China, the swan stands for happiness.
911 Carrera by Nelson Makamo
Famed South African artist Nelson Makamo always knew he would own a Porsche, but what he didn’t expect was the manner in how it happened. Having fantasised since childhood about what it would feel like to hold the keys to one, it was an unexpected meeting with a modern-day example during a residency in Western Cape that reignited his Porsche dream and he would eventually own a Jet Black Metallic 911 Carrera. The painter ordered his first ever Porsche with the view to putting his mark on his most unusual canvas yet. Makamo’s Porsche art car saw him hand-paint a number of elements, from the rear bumper to the seat mouldings, door panel inserts and side mirror covers. Look closely enough and you’ll find three letters – ‘Mma’ – in the left door panel insert, which mean ‘mother’ in his native tongue. For Makamo, the art car in its entirety is a reflection of his success, the important people he’s met along the way and his hope that his work will spark the imagination of children all over the continent of Africa.
Taycan Art Car by Richard Phillips
This is the kind of artwork that makes watching paint dry a legitimately fun pastime, thanks to American artist Richard Phillips. His vision has applied an artful second skin for the all-electric sportscar which bloomed to life in Zurich. There, it was created live at a pop-up restaurant in December 2020. To create the final masterpiece, Phillips applied his 2010 painting, Queen of the Night, onto the body of a Porsche Taycan 4S, with the lush piece spreading its leafy and floral arrangement from the front bonnet to the rear. Earlier this year it was auctioned off for charity, with all proceeds being donated to a non-profit organisation which supports artists hit hard by the pandemic.
Taycan with Artwork by Dale Chihuly
Another electrifying artwork also sparked to life in 2021. The horticultural oasis of Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay not only plays host to a diverse collection of over 1.5 million plants but became the temporary home for this floral Taycan. With Porsche as the official automotive partner for American glass artist Dale Chihuly’s ‘Glass in Bloom’ exhibition, audiences were exposed to the idea of sportscars beyond the simple need for speed. Wrapped in an unmissable livery from Chihuly’s Persians series – comprising ultra-bright flowers in a diverse palette – the car was more than a match for its foliage-laced surroundings. Sitting pretty on a pedestal, set against the futuristic backdrop of the SG50 Lattice – it provided a harmonious reflection of the future-forward DNA of the sustainable Taycan, all amid an organic green oasis.
Taycan Artcar by SUMO!
On the occasion of the opening of the Porsche Centre Roost, Porsche of Losch Luxembourg decided to create a unique artwork on the theme of ‘Future’ in collaboration with the renowned Luxembourg artist SUMO!. In close cooperation with the Porsche Centre team, the car was first completely disassembled. Then the individual parts were transported to an unknown location where SUMO! could begin its work over the next 5 months. The interior, the inside of the doors, the rims and the keys of the car were also painted.
Janis Joplin’s 356 C
Rock legend Janis Joplin sung ‘my friends all drive Porsches’, and she actually owned a number herself. She bought this car in 1968 in Dolphin Grey using it as an everyday car that fans would soon come to recognise as one of her closest companions. Describing the 1964 356 SC as having a colourful paint job is somewhat of an understatement. Janis paid her roadie, David Richards, $500 to portray ‘The History of the Universe’ on the car in almost every hue possible. It was a history that included images of her band, Big Brother and the Holding Company, Californian landscapes, the eye of God, Capricorn, skulls, mushrooms and much more. It became so synonymous with its owner that fans would leave notes to her under the windscreen wipers. When it was stolen in 1969, the thief tried to hide his crime by spray painting over the giveaway mural, only to be caught by police.
Tragically, Joplin died in 1970, just 2 years after purchasing the car. Her beloved Porsche eventually found its way into the hands of her siblings, with her brother restoring it to its original Dolphin Grey condition, as it had deteriorated. Then, in the 1990s, it was decided to return it to psychedelic glory, with her family commissioning artists Jana Mitchell and Amber Owen to replicate the original mural. After doing the rounds at museums for decades, it was finally put up for auction to support charities in their sister’s name. The price? An astonishing $1.76 million – breaking all records for the sale of any Porsche 356 at public auction.
911 RSR Le Mans by Richard Phillips
This 911 RSR is more than just a work of art. It also became the first Porsche art car to win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, when it took victory in the GTE Am class in 2019. Its existence is the result of a firm friendship between the artist, Richard Phillips, and the Porsche factory driver, Jorg Bergmeister – a relationship that had already resulted in Phillips designing a helmet for Bergmeister in 2013. It proved to be a stepping stone, 6 years later, to designing this Porsche art car, when the artist used some of his existing work to project an intricate 2D livery onto the car. The oversized details and bold contrasting colours meant there was no need to have a grandstand view to take in the full design – spectators could more than follow it from afar.
911 Fat Car NFT by Erwin Wurm
Austrian sculpture and painter Erwin Wurm is known for his larger-than-life artworks – his collection of Fat Sculptures has spanned the subject areas of houses and cars for 2 decades. On the 20th anniversary of his iconic Fat Car, in 2021, Wurm’s quirkiness came to the fore once more to breathe life into – literally his first NFT, entitled ‘Breathe in, breathe out’. The video showcases his interpretation of what it would look like if a 911 inhaled in and breathed out. Already well-known for his eccentric depictions of day-to-day life, and with a signature nudge and a wink as he takes a sideways look at consumer society, the disfigured style on show here is an example of Wurm’s inimitable style.
Henry Ford may have forced the colour black on all his Model T customers but even he knew that there was a need to offer different bodystyles to suit different tastes and purposes. The auto industry has continued to provide customers with a wide variety of shapes and sizes for cars, with designs evolving over different periods.
So it’s not surprising that Porsche’s all-electric Taycan family is growing with additional bodystyles. The original model was joined earlier by the Taycan Cross Turismo, and now comes a third body variant in the form of the Taycan GTS Sport Turismo.
“The Taycan model range has grown steadily since its world premiere in 2019. Three body variants with up to 5 engine options offer something for everyone,” said Kevin Giek, Vice-President Model Line Taycan. “I am particularly pleased that we now also have a Taycan with the legendary GTS moniker. It is positioned above the Taycan 4S and below the Taycan Turbo derivatives, so it represents a real sweet spot in the range.”
The new Taycan GTS and Taycan Cross Turismo (right).
The newcomer has a similar front end as the Taycan, but the rear half of the body and the silhouette with rearward-sloping roof line are similar to the Taycan Cross Turismo. There are numerous black or dark details on the exterior, such as the front apron, the bases of the exterior mirrors, black alloy wheels, and the side window trims – as is traditional on a GTS. However, the Taycan Sport Turismo does not have off-road design elements.
The electric powertrain generates up to 440 kW (598 ps) which goes to all four wheels. With Launch Control, this can send car from 0 to 100 km/h in a claimed 3.7 seconds, and reach a top speed of 250 km/h. A fully charged 93.4 kWh battery pack is said to be able to provide a range of up to 625 kms in town, with a combined range of up to 504 kms. It is the first Taycan to break the 500-km mark, thanks to a new more efficient drive strategy. The richer sound pattern of the modified Porsche Electric Sport Sound also underscores the character of the new model.
The adaptive air suspension, including Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), is specifically adapted to the GTS, to the benefit of the lateral dynamics. A sportier set-up is available for the optional rear-axle steering.
The new variant is aimed at those who want a similar level of everyday practicality as offered by the Taycan Cross Turismo, but who also want the on-road performance of the Taycan sports saloon. The headroom in the rear is more than 45 mm greater than that in the Taycan, while the cargo capacity under the large tailgate is more than 1,200 litres.
Numerous Black Race-Tex features in the interior underscore the elegant, dynamic ambience, as does the standard brushed aluminium interior package with Black anodised finish.
The first deliveries start in early 2022, with Taycan GTS Sport Turismo prices starting from 132,786 euros in Germany.
Besides the new 718 Cayman GT4 RS, Porsche will also unveil another model at the coming LA Auto Show this weekend. It’s the track-only GT4 RS Clubsport which is for those who want to go racing with a Cayman. Not being street-legal has allowed the engineers to take development to the limit in extracting maximum performance.
The most significant change is the 4-litre 6-cylinder boxer engine, a high-revving powerplant which comes from the 911 GT3 Cup racing car. Installed in the GT4 RS Clubsport, it develops 500 ps – 75 ps more than the previous GT4 Clubsport model.
In addition to many upgraded details, the focus in developing the new 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport was on further improving overall performance. The standard 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (PDK) fitted to the car now uses all 7 forward gears, rather than 6, and all gears have shorter ratios than in the previous model.
Depending on the track and series-specific regulations, the new racing is said to be able to achieve lap times that are over 2% quicker than the previous model. The homologated vehicle is track-ready straight from the factory.
3 years of GT4 Clubsport experience
“We have incorporated our experience of the last 3 years of running the previous GT4 Clubsport as well as customer wishes into the development of the new car,“ said Michael Dreiser, Manager of Sales and Distribution at Porsche Motorsport. “Faster lap times combined with a further improvement in driveability offer our customers a competitive product for the upcoming racing seasons in GT4 class racing competitions around the world.“
Porsche began offering the Cayman GT4 Clubsport of the 981 generation in 2016, entering into this new customer racing format early with a competitive car. A total of 421 units were built prior to 2018. The next generation model, which was based on the 718 Cayman GT4, debuted in 2019. It was also an extremely success car, with around 500 units produced to date.
One of the reasons for the strong demand for these vehicles is due to the low running costs. The use of well-proven series production technology combined with racing-specific components significantly reduces the costs for customer teams.
Improved competitiveness
The latest 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport, priced at US$229,000 (about RM957,000) continues this tradition with better competitiveness. The more powerful engine is almost 18% more powerful than the 3.8 litre engine that was used in the previous model. Thanks to an optimized air intake, maximum power is achieved at 8,300 rpm – 800 rpm higher than before. The new engine, which can spin up to 9,000 rpm, develops 465 Nm at 6,000 rpm instead of the previous 425 Nm at 6,600 rpm. This gives the driver a much wider usable speed band, which makes driving the car much easier for pro-racers and amateur drivers alike.
The Porsche Stability Management System (PSM) is designed specifically for motorsports and includes a switch for traction control, ABS and an updated stability control system.
Modifications to the chassis have also improved the handling. The damper technology has been totally revised to achieve an optimized vehicle responsiveness and better body control. This has had a significant impact on the overall performance of the vehicle and handling. Upgrades include the use of 2-way adjustable shock absorbers with improved characteristics, in addition to adjustable sword-type anti-roll bars front and rear.
The height of the vehicle, along with wheel camber and toe are also adjustable. Furthermore, 3 different spring rates for front and rear axles are now available. Special NACA ducts in the bonnet are designed to direct the airflow more efficiently to the large racing braking system fitted with 380 mm steel brake discs.
Aerodynamics ensure precise handling
Aerodynamics plan an important role in having precise and controllable handling, and this aspect has been given a lot of attention. Front dive planes and an extended front spoiler lip increase downforce at the front axle, with the wheelarch vents in the wings (inspired by the 911 GT3 R) and air curtains specifically designed to calm the air turbulence around the front wheels. The fully enclosed underbody optimizes airflow to the diffuser at the rear of the car.
The previous 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport was the first ever production racing car to use body parts made of renewable natural-fibre composite material. In the case of the new GT4 RS Clubsport, even more extensive use of this material is made as a whole. In addition to the doors and the rear wing, the bonnet, the wings, the aerodynamic components at the front end and the steering wheel are now made of this material.
The use of this flax-based fibre as an alternative to carbonfibre composite material can now be tested in motorsports for its use in road cars. Porsche has been using motorsports as a test bed for technology, processes and materials potentially capable of being used in road cars for over 70 years now.
Race-ready from factory door
The GT4 RS Clubsport is equipped to enable the owner to go racing with minimum work done. It has a welded-in roll cage and fore and aft adjustable Recaro racing seat, along with 2023-compliant 6-point racing safety harnesses and safety nets as well as a fire extinguisher system. There is also a built-in air jack system with 3 jacks for quick wheel-changes. The new safety foam on the driver’s side meets the international requirements of the SRO racing series.
The FT3 safety fuel cell can take up to 115 litres of fuel, making it suitable for endurance racing. Additionally, Porsche offers two different exhaust systems, allowing the GT4 RS Clubsport to compete at tracks with stricter noise limits. The car is also prepared for the later addition of homologated headlights or openings in the bonnet for fast refueling to enable the car to be converted quickly for nighttime endurance racing.
In future, the Porsche you drive could have an invisible ‘twin’ in the digital world. No, it’s not something to do with science fiction and parallel worlds but a possibility being explored by researchers at the German sportscar company. With continuously improving performance of integrated sensors, networking and data processing capabilities, it may become possible to create a virtual copy of an existing object – like a car. This will allow data-driven analysis, monitoring and diagnostics without the challenges and constraints of real-world tests.
The digital twin of a vehicle comprises not only the operating data it collects but also any related data, such as information collected during planned maintenance work and unexpected repairs. Elements of this digital twin already exist in control unit memories and in the databases maintained at Porsche Centres.
Centralised intelligence system
The main advantage of digital twins is the fact that they can be networked and the data combined with a centralised intelligence system. Conclusions that benefit every single vehicle and therefore every individual customer can be drawn from data relevant to an entire field. For example, an algorithm can compare big data against sensor data from a specific vehicle’s powertrain and chassis to identify a customer’s driving style.
The algorithm can then recommend not only the optimal time for service work on the vehicle but also the required scope of that work. This data makes it possible to customise service intervals and allow servicing for specific components as needed, based on how the customer uses their vehicle.
For instance, with this approach, the hardworking suspension bushes of a sportscar that spends most of its time on a racetrack could be replaced at exactly the right time. By contrast, service work on the engine is more important for vehicles predominantly driven for long distances on motorways. Another even more important benefit of this approach is the fact that potential component wear and even faults can be identified before they have actually occurred, which is a significant advantage from a safety perspective.
For the past 3 years or so, software specialists at Porsche have been working on a digital twin concept that focuses on the chassis, known as a ‘chassis twin’. This project is now being managed by CARIAD, the standalone automotive software company within the Volkswagen Group. In addition to data from Porsche vehicles, the project now has access to data from all Volkswagen Group vehicles, which increases the data pool by a factor of 20.
High importance of the chassis
The reason for focusing on chassis components is clear. On a Porsche, the chassis is subjected to the highest loads, particularly when the vehicle is used on racing circuits. Sensor technology in the vehicle and the intelligent neural algorithms used for centralised analysis allow the load on the chassis to be detected within the vehicle and conveyed to the driver. This intelligent use of data makes the vehicle safer for its passengers because any specific faults are identified immediately, even before the driver or the workshop notices a problem signified by noise or vibration.
The digital chassis is already being used for its first practical testing scenario: monitoring the components in the air suspension of the Taycan EV. This project is primarily for collecting data about body acceleration in this initial stage. The data is evaluated and transferred via Porsche Connect to the central backend system.
This system continuously compares the data from each vehicle against the fleet data. The algorithm calculates thresholds based on this comparison and, if these are exceeded, the customer is notified via the onboard Porsche Communication Management (PCM) system that the chassis may need to be inspected at a Porsche Centre. While this approach ensures that wear does not go beyond specified limits, early repairs also help to prevent consequential damage.
Artificial intelligence with data privacy
Artificial intelligence within the vehicle and within the centralised intelligence system continuously improves contingency planning and the accuracy of the algorithms. Data privacy during the testing phase and after the model’s launch is the top priority so customers are prompted via the PCM to provide their consent to data being collected anonymously. Around half of all Taycan customers have agreed to take part in this pilot project, which has pleased Porsche.
The first version of the digital twin will be launched next year and only sensor data directly from mechatronic components will be evaluated. Other functionality will be added in the future, such as functions that allow wear on specific components to be calculated without the need for physical gauges to be used. For example, if multiple vehicles require adjustments to their wheel alignment or a track rod replacement and multiple sensors have already detected corresponding deviations, this information can indicate a pattern. If the same data is then identified on a further vehicle, the driver will accordingly be told to visit a Porsche Centre.
Early diagnostics in this format can prevent consequential damage which, in this example, would be worn tyres caused by track misalignment. The fault-finding process at the workshop will be faster, because the specific components responsible for a fault can be replaced, thereby reducing throughput times in the workshop and lowering costs for customers.
The digital twin offers other benefits for customers beyond operation of their vehicle. Digital vehicle records can be used to show the residual value of a vehicle, making the process of buying and selling used vehicles more transparent. In addition, manufacturers could consider offering an extended approved warranty based on seamless documentation of component status updates, and even a certificate with a price recommendation for selling on the vehicle.
Renee Brinkerhoff has taken part in rallies on 6 continents, driving her faithful 1956 Porsche 356 A on every type of terrain. It’s gruelling for anyone but even more so when driving a classic 65-year old sportscar. And soon, for an important cause, she will be driving her car through the harsh icy conditions of Antarctica.
After a delay of nearly 2 years, Brinkerhoff, who comes from the USA, is preparing for the final stage of her Project 356 World Rally Tour. This project is both an expedition and a humanitarian effort, and the challenge this December completes the ultimate endeavour by one woman, one car and one global mission to help end child trafficking.
Raising money for a humanitarian cause
Through Valkyries Gives, the philanthropic arm of her racing team, Brinkerhoff has raised close to half a million US dollars, with 100% of the proceeds benefitting victims of trafficking around the world. By its conclusion, Brinkerhoff will have driven close to 32,000 kms over all 7 continents, partaking in endurance rallies such as Peking-to-Paris, the East African Safari Classic Rally and La Carrera Panamericana. For the crossing of the final land mass at the ‘bottom’ of the planet, she will be driving almost 600 kms.
Renee Brinkerhoff and he daughter in the 2019 Historic East African Safari Rally with the Porsche 356.
“While we are extremely proud of completing each endurance rally we’ve entered, our true mission has been for our racing efforts to become a worldwide visual that supports our vocal pursuit to end child trafficking,” said Brinkerhoff. “We’ve had a goal to break barriers and set new records and we’re hopeful our Antarctic expedition will do just that.”
Drive expected to start on December 5
The 356 is already on the way to Chile by ship from its workshop in the UK and, upon arrival, will be air-shipped to the Union Glacier in Antarctica. Brinkerhoff and her team will rendezvous in Chile at the end of November and if the weather cooperates, the driving will begin on December 5, with a target of completion before the end of the year.
The journey was pushed from late 2020, and the more than 18 months of planning has also allowed the naturally-aspirated flat six 356 to undergo a complete re-engineering for the treacherous terrain. While the addition of skis and tracks has increased the overall mass of the 356 – an issue because a low weight is key to driving over the ice rather than sinking in – the mass per square inch, or footprint, has been reduced to less than 4% of the standard wheel displacement.
“The ski we’ve created must do 40 – 50% of the work, by compacting and prepping the snow for the track unit to follow over, with the underside blade guiding the direction. This ensures the tracks will not submarine under the light snow,” explained Kieron Bradley, Senior Chassis Design Engineer for the project and a practiced extreme explorer in his own right.
“Success for Renee and her car will come from the thoughtful balance of appropriate technology we’ve added, and the mass reduction implemented,” he added. For stabilisation, the 356 will use a single-arm suspension with coil-over shocks for both the tracks in the rear.
An extra thought that Bradley had to consider was that the skis and tracks must be easily removable so that spiked ice tyres can be refitted with no wheel alignment changes necessary. A pneumatic inflatable jack will be used to make the change.
Accompanied by veteran adventurer
Joining Brinkerhoff for the polar drive will be British explorer Jason de Carteret, who will act as navigator. De Carteret has led more than 50 expeditions, including to both the North and South Pole. Together with Bradley, he has claimed 2 world records for the fastest overland journey to the South Pole travelling in the Thomson Reuters Polar Vehicle (which they designed).
“As often has been the case when taking on new terrain in my 356, I have had no opportunity to test the car,” said Brinkerhoff. “The test will come when we are at Union Glacier and we are very hopeful the new design will prove itself well. As I have been told by Jason and Kieron, there is no terrain on earth like Antarctica and therefore no place where a true test can be taken.”
