If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to drive a high-end Porsche sports car on a race course, the German manufacturer is about to give people a chance to do so for the first time in Canada.
Based in Pickering, Ontario, and a short drive north of Highway 401, Porsche Experience Centre Toronto will be open to the public on June 18. Porsche had a sneak preview event earlier this week to give the media a chance to experience what it’s like to drive a Porsche on various courses with a certified instructor.
It began with an introduction to braking and throttling in various driving modes around a low-friction handling circuit with pylons, followed by steering around a low-friction drift circuit that has built-in sprinklers to simulate what it’s like to spin sideways and still maintain control. It concluded on a two-kilometre track that includes turns and embankments that resemble elements of Laguna Seca’s corkscrew, Nürburgring’s Carousel and the Porsche Curves from Le Mans.
The building has a view to the tracks and has a main floor that includes: a room with five virtual Porsches to race individually or against someone else on tracks from around the world; a lifestyle shop with a selection of apparel, accessories, model cars and other products; a Carrera café that has artisanal coffee and various culinary creations; and display cars. There is also an upper level to incorporate meeting rooms to accommodate groups.
This is Porsche’s 10th experience centre and third in North America. Canadian touches appear on or around the building with Quebec wood lamellas adorning the exterior walls and a Porsche-commissioned local art sculpture erected at the site entrance.
The overall project has been designed with an eye toward sustainability. The main building is equipped with geothermal heating and cooling. Additionally, photovoltaic roof panels will provide renewable energy for approximately 20 per cent of the building’s overall electricity consumption. The Centre is the first of its kind to feature an urban concept with a conscious effort to provide flexible space options.
Patrick Saint-Pierre, Manager Public Relations for Porsche Cars Canada, told Canadian auto dealer the project has been several years in the making. “We’ve had incredible success with some other Porsche Experience programs in Canada, so we thought why not bring the Porsche Experience Centre concept to Toronto.”
Trevor Arthur, President and CEO of Porsche Cars Canada, said in a media release the upcoming opening of the Porsche Experience Centre Toronto marks an important milestone for the brand here.
“We are delighted to be able to share the excitement with our fans by providing them with an ability to experience this exceptional facility, which will be the first for a carmaker in Canada and will create 65 local jobs,” said Arthur.
The cost of booking a 90-minute experience begins at $850 and increases depending on the model. A demo lap with an instructor costs $140. Group experiences can be customized to the number of participants.
Anyone who bought a Porsche in Canada as of January 1, 2025, will get an invitation for a complimentary 90-minute experience with a model equivalent.
Customers of Porsches sold in Canada have the option of taking delivery of their cars at the centre. This added-cost benefit and its specifics will be made available later this year. The centre will be open year-round from Wednesday to Sunday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
For more information visit https://porscheexperience.ca. The booking portal to reserve sessions starts June 1.
