Here was my to-do list one Thursday afternoon in Singapore last month:
Watch the regional unveiling of the much-anticipated new 992-generation Porsche 911 GT3 RS
Chase said brand-new 911 GT3 RS (driven by a German professional driver) around a purpose-built course from behind the wheel of a succession of drool-worthy (and insanely fast) cars—the new Porsche Cayman GT4 RS, a 911 Turbo S, a 911 Carrera GTS, and a pure-electric Taycan
Drive a Porsche Cayenne on a simulated off-road course that tilted this very expensive SUV to crazy angles
Experience my brain and eyeballs being pushed towards the back of my head with the incredible acceleration (and traction) of the fully electric Porsche Taycan
Race through a slalom course in a Porsche Boxster
Needless to say, it was an unforgettable afternoon.
And it was all thanks to my being part of the Singapore leg of the Porsche World Roadshow, which brings the full line of delectable Porsches from Germany to cities in various parts of the world to enable participants to experience different Porsche models in a variety of high-performance driving conditions in a safe and controlled environment. This year’s Porsche World Roadshow, which has visited over 45 countries in previous years, form part of the company’s 75th anniversary global celebrations.
The Porsche World Roadshow held last month in Singapore was not a track day per se; it was held at the sprawling outdoor areas of the Changi Exhibition Centre, just a few minutes’ drive away from Changi International Airport.
Organizers from Porsche AG created a purpose-built “track” using orange pylons. It may seem tight, especially if you’re used to track days on a real racing circuit, but the courses provided more than enough space to allow participants to experience the incredible acceleration, handling, and braking (and even off-roading capabilities) of the many Porsche models on hand.
A total of 26 Porsche models were present at the event. These included the 911, the 718 family (Boxster and Cayman), as well as the Taycan EV, Panamera, Macan, and Cayenne—all in their various derivatives and model variants. All told, you get to experience high-performance driving in virtually every conceivable configuration: rear-wheel drive, all-wheel drive, front-engine, mid-engine, rear-engine, naturally aspirated, turbocharged, pure electric, sports car, midsize sedan, large sedan, compact SUV, large SUV, fixed roof, and roadster. How’s that for variety?
The event was open to the public (only for drivers aged 24 to 69 years old with a minimum of two years’ driving experience). The slots were limited based on the number of event days and available cars. In Singapore, each participant paid S$688 (roughly Php28,000). Porsche owners got a discounted rate of S$488.
Track experiences aside, another highlight of PWRS Singapore 2023 was the aforementioned launch of the 992-generation 911 GT3 RS, the latest hardcore track-focused 911 that features a naturally aspirated 4.0-liter flat-6 engine that produces a stunning 525 horsepower at a true racecar-like 9,000 rpm. You simply have to hear one at redline to experience how awesome this automobile is.
We didn’t get to ride or drive it, but we did get to chase after it all day in the aforementioned 718 Cayman GT4 RS, 911 Turbo, 911 GTS, and Taycan. All, perhaps except the 911 GTS, were a match for the 911 GT3 RS’s wicked 3-second 0-100 km/h acceleration, but only the equally race-bred 718 Cayman GT4 RS could match it around the corners, at least in the makeshift course in Changi. On a real racetrack, the 911 GT3 RS will blow everything away. All told, the Porsche World Roadshow is a brilliant way to showcase the sensational performance of the fabulous cars from Stuttgart. You don’t just get to drive one and really wring out the car’s (and your own) potential, you get to drive the full line of Porsches in one day. The icing of the cake is that you don’t have to be a Porsche owner to experience it. I can only imagine if they hold one in Clark International Speedway. One can dream…