News & Events

Trio share high-octane PWRS experience

THE BORNEO BULLETIN, 28 MARCH 2018

The Porsche World Roadshow (PWRS) is the ultimate platform for Porsche enthusiasts and potential buyers to experience the full range of high-performance vehicles from the luxury marque on the racetrack.

Held annually at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia, the exciting driving event is designed to give automotive enthusiasts the opportunity to pilot and put to the test several Porsche vehicles, including the iconic 911 models, the new mid-engine 718 Boxster and Cayman, the luxury four-door Panamera Sedan, as well as the high-performance SUVs – the Macan and Cayenne.

For the second year running, QAF Eurokars (Porsche Centre Brunei) sent a number of its customers and Porsche enthusiasts to experience the PWRS under the guidance of professional Porsche-certified instructors.

During the one-day programme, participants got to enjoy a first-class service experience, and take part in high-speed braking and slalom tests, as well as vehicle handling and off-road sessions.

Sharing their experience of the event with the media yesterday were three Bruneians, Ahmad Aqil bin Haji Ahmad, Chan Hiok Thong and Pengiran Md Amir bin Pengiran Haji Md Salleh.

The trio, all driving on a racetrack for the first time, noted that the programme was “exhilarating” as it really “tested your driving skills”, and is “suited for those wanting to spend an extended amount of time driving new Porsche models”.

For Ahmad Aqil, who owns a 718 Boxster, a particularly memorable experience was the braking test where he got to accelerate up to 100 km/h in under than three seconds, and immediately take it to a complete stop.

“The feeling of the g-forces which pushed us deep into the bucket seats was incredible, but what’s more stunning is that the Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB) didn’t even make so much as a squeak after all the abuse,” he enthused.

Each participant had the chance to pilot a minimum of 10 different Porsche models.

“There are slight differences on how each of the cars react and handle, or enter and exit a corner,” said Pengiran Md Amir.

“However, with the assistance of advanced technologies available on board, we all felt like we were handling the cars like F1 drivers on the racetrack. My personal favourite was the 911 Turbo S due to its power, comfort and stability around corners.”

The trio also had the privilege of being among the few to experience Porsche’s new mid-engine roadsters – the 718 Boxster and 718 Boxster S – on a racetrack for the first time, the highlight of the event.

The new 718 Boxster models are now equipped with new four-cylinder, turbocharged horizontally opposed engines, which improve performance and considerably reduce fuel consumption.

For Chan, every participant walked away from the PWRS with a better understanding and appreciation of Porsche’s precision engineering technologies, improved their driving skills and learnt new techniques in everyday driving.

“Most carmakers would focus on the luxury and comfort aspects of their vehicles and sacrifice on performance and speed in this sort of vehicle range. Porsche takes it to another level by making their (other less sports car-oriented vehicles, ie the Macan or Cayenne) able to keep up, for instance, with the 718 Boxster GTS on the racetrack and taking high-speed corners precisely, accurately and steadily,” he added.

3/28/2018