Porsche Experience Centre - Review
Discussion
I have just been to my first trip to the Porsche Experience Centre to drive the new 991. What a day!
I had received it free and I mentioned it here before:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
I arrived with my wife (who was on video and photography duties) and we could see the previous group out on the track. I hadn't driven a 911 for years and I had never driven such a powerful car in anger on a track so it's safe to say I was pretty excited!
So, the car... I started with a manual Carrera S on the Handling Circuit. I was told to leave it in third gear all the way round and that provided enough go from the slowest corner (about 30mph) to the quickest straight (75 mph). It supposed to simulate a B-Road and it gave me a chance to learn about trail-braking and looking 'through' a corner. I hadn't been on a track for a few years but the 991 is so easy to drive fast. The grip is phenominal even before the stability system kicks in (which only did once). It had standard brakes which did the business and the acceleration was nice.
The second car I was in had the PDK gearbox and now it was kicking down out of the corners so the acceleration was VERY nice and I was going much faster on the straights! Again, the stability system didn't kick in and car just gripped and went. I didn't use the paddles and even in auto mode the changes were when you'd want them and there were satisfying blips of the throttle on the way down. The PDK initially felt as it if it took a lot of control away from me but I after a few laps you get used to it and I think I would definitely have it for the instant kickdowns and the blips under braking! I imagine it would only get better once you get used to the paddles.
As with the other parts of the experience, there was a wet downhill slalom section where you go through with the stability on then off to get you used to what the on-board computers do. There was also a 'kick-plate' which knocks the car sideways when you pass over it and then you have to control the resulting skid. Again, this is done with the stability on and then they turn it off to build your skill level.
The instructor I had was friendly and gave some useful tips as I was going round but they generally let you get on and learn the car. I felt as if I'd only scratched the surface of a Porsche experience and I would love to do one of their more advanced days.
For anyone thinking of going, it is well worth a trip and they throw in a nice lunch!
I had received it free and I mentioned it here before:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
I arrived with my wife (who was on video and photography duties) and we could see the previous group out on the track. I hadn't driven a 911 for years and I had never driven such a powerful car in anger on a track so it's safe to say I was pretty excited!
So, the car... I started with a manual Carrera S on the Handling Circuit. I was told to leave it in third gear all the way round and that provided enough go from the slowest corner (about 30mph) to the quickest straight (75 mph). It supposed to simulate a B-Road and it gave me a chance to learn about trail-braking and looking 'through' a corner. I hadn't been on a track for a few years but the 991 is so easy to drive fast. The grip is phenominal even before the stability system kicks in (which only did once). It had standard brakes which did the business and the acceleration was nice.
The second car I was in had the PDK gearbox and now it was kicking down out of the corners so the acceleration was VERY nice and I was going much faster on the straights! Again, the stability system didn't kick in and car just gripped and went. I didn't use the paddles and even in auto mode the changes were when you'd want them and there were satisfying blips of the throttle on the way down. The PDK initially felt as it if it took a lot of control away from me but I after a few laps you get used to it and I think I would definitely have it for the instant kickdowns and the blips under braking! I imagine it would only get better once you get used to the paddles.
As with the other parts of the experience, there was a wet downhill slalom section where you go through with the stability on then off to get you used to what the on-board computers do. There was also a 'kick-plate' which knocks the car sideways when you pass over it and then you have to control the resulting skid. Again, this is done with the stability on and then they turn it off to build your skill level.
The instructor I had was friendly and gave some useful tips as I was going round but they generally let you get on and learn the car. I felt as if I'd only scratched the surface of a Porsche experience and I would love to do one of their more advanced days.
For anyone thinking of going, it is well worth a trip and they throw in a nice lunch!
drpep said:
PDK is so popular, and I can see why, but nothing beats a perfectly executed sequence of heel 'n toe downshifts approaching a bend.
Apparently >90% of 991s sold are PDK cars.
Maybe us manual lovers are a dying breed!
Yep, the guy said 95% of cars are ordered with PDK. And I agree about having the satisfaction of heel and toeing but I find myself appreciating the assistance.Apparently >90% of 991s sold are PDK cars.
Maybe us manual lovers are a dying breed!
I was thinking on the way back, however, there will soon be a generation of drivers who only know double-clutches and perfect gear changes. They will enjoy the technology without knowing what we had to do before all this arrived.
But I guess that is progress. Most people don't appreciate cars used to have carburetors which could flood and needed a manual choke to function properly.
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