Story: William Ha Photography: Porsche Cars Canada
Canada’s first Porsche Experience Centre (PEC) and third in North America (the other two are in Atlanta and Los Angeles) will finally open their doors in late June.
Located in Pickering, Ontario, it is a 45-minute drive northeast of downtown Toronto and 45 minutes east of Pearson International Airport.
The Facility – Driving Experiences
The address is apropos: 356 Porsche Drive (the Porsche 356 was the brand’s first production sports car), and the facility’s highlight is its two-kilometre driver development handling circuit, which features twists and turns inspired by the world’s most iconic and challenging racetracks. There is also a low-friction drift circle, a low-friction handling circuit, and a paved dynamics course to further discover the vehicles’ capabilities.
For the best experience, we recommend buying a package of four instructor-led driving modules that will teach you new driving skills, allow you to fully appreciate the engineering, technologies and capabilities of every Porsche, and better-understand why sports cars are so fun and desirable.
The driving modules are available year-round; demo laps start from $140, while 90-minute instructor-led driving experiences start at $850.
You can now book a driving session online.
If guests do not want to drive on the track, they can try out one of five advanced racecar driving simulators where they can compete on virtual racetracks from around the world.
The Facility – Off the Track
Along with offering driving experiences, incorporating sustainability and “Canadian-ness” to the facility were also priorities. The main building features Quebec wood lamellas on the exterior walls and a Porsche-commissioned local art sculpture at the entrance. There is an intricate geothermal heating and cooling system, along with high-tech roof panels that provide renewable energy for nearly 20% of building’s overall electrical needs.
On the main level, visitors can enjoy artisanal coffee and unique culinary creations at Carrera Café, and browse a Porsche apparel shop to purchase branded clothing and paraphernalia. The upper and lower floors include meeting rooms to accommodate larger groups.
Driving Fans, Enthusiasts and Owners Unite
Anyone can visit the PEC; you don’t have to be a car enthusiast to come, but we guarantee that driving the vehicles will raise your pulse.
A bonus for Porsche owners: With the guidance of a Porsche-certified driving coach, those who took delivery of a new Porsche vehicle this year will receive a complimentary 90-minute session to experience a model equivalent to their purchased vehicle on the racetrack. This is a nice perk that will help owners appreciate their vehicle even more.
Shoppers who are considering buying a new Porsche can purchase the driving packages to get seat time in a model they are interested in. Not only will you get to drive the vehicle spiritedly the way it was engineered to be driven, but you can enjoy and assess a specific model pressure-free before visiting a dealership.
