A chance to experience Porsche cars on a racetrack. How could we say no to that?
Story: Joshua Varghese
Photography: Sanjay Raikar and Porsche India
As automotive journalists we drive all manner of automobiles and rarely share the same opinions but a love and respect for Porsche 911s seems to unite us all. The 911s may be their claim to fame but they are only one part of this Stuttgart-based manufacturer’s versatile line-up that now includes electric cars and sport utility vehicles (SUV) as well.
The Buddh International Circuit was the venue for the Porsche World Road Show, an event conducted by Porsche in all their major markets. Experienced Porsche driver instructors and a selection of cars travel from one country to another to conduct this event which gives customers an opportunity to properly experience the German marque’s line-up in the most appropriate environments and with the highest levels of safety.
Our time behind the wheel began with dialling in a couple of laps using their fleet of internal combustion engine (ICE) sports cars. Yours truly started with the Carrera, then moved to the Carrera 4 GTS, and then worked my way up to the 718 Cayman GT4 RS and it was an unforgettable experience. The richness of feedback at the steering wheel, the cars’ agility in changing direction, and the highly-spirited acceleration are a few of the reasons why these cars have grown on us over the years. The addiction boils down to the way these cars communicate with the driver and the way they make them feel special. Feeling very pleased with myself, I went for a taxi lap in the GT3 RS and, as I watched the instructor send it sideways through the long flowing corners with almost no effort, it became apparent to me that he was holding back when leading us on the track earlier in the day.
After such a thrilling experience, the heavier Taycans and electric Macans felt faster but less theatrical, but so far as electric vehicles (EV) go, Porsche offer among the best handling out there. That was followed by a proper test of acceleration in the Taycan Turbo GT with Weissach Package. After haunching down on the main straight when we engaged launch control, it shot off to 100 km/h in 2.2 seconds, rearranging all our internal organs in the process. We went from a standstill to 100 km/h and back to a standstill in less than five seconds—nothing really prepares one for such an experience. Although we are no strangers to launching quick cars, the feeling of weightlessness after the initial launch was something we experienced for the first time.
Having set a fairly high benchmark for performance, Porsche gave us a deeper insight into their handling prowess by letting us loose on a tight circuit in a 718 Cayman Spyder RS. Convertibles are typically considered to be slower in terms of handling as compared to their coupé counterparts but that was difficult to believe when seated behind the wheel of the Spyder. The sharpness of its steering complemented the strong power delivery, making it a thoroughly fun car to drive fast.
With the track stuff done, it was time to get dirty and the Cayenne is the best Porsche for that assignment. On a curated course with dips, inclines, and ditches, the Cayenne proved itself a worthy SUV that can take on more than shopping mall ramps. Hiding behind the gentle lines and flowing bodywork is a capable SUV that can handle the rough stuff without flinching.
The Porsche World Road Show is a must for current and prospective Porsche customers because it allows them to experience the full potential of these cars in a safe and controlled environment.
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