Porsche’s invitation to drive the Taycan Turbo S at the Porsche Experience Center Los Angeles was both a thrilling and educational adventure I highly recommend. I had been to the Porsche Experience Center Los Angeles before, but this visit was different. I would be testing my skills on the driver development track in a Taycan Turbo S.
Taycan Turbo S
The Taycan Turbo S is a phenomenal car. I don’t say this as a car buff, but someone who thoroughly enjoyed the driving experience. The sheer power, maneuverability, speed, and break time reaction blew my mind. I have driven fast cars before, including several 911s, but the Taycan Turbo S is in a league of its own.
Not to get too technical, but the Taycan Turbo S is an electric all-wheel-drive sedan. Even though the Taycan Turbo S weighs over 5,000 pounds, it handles like a Porsche should, gripping every corner. The firm suspension even allows the Taycan to maintain stability on uneven roads. In some respects (and don’t shoot the messenger), the Taycan Turbo S drives better than the 911.
The Porsche Experience Center Location
The Porsche Experience Center Los Angeles is in Carson, which is part of the South Bay. For those not familiar with the South Bay, the Porsche Experience Center is about 12.6 miles south of the Los Angeles International Airport. Perfect for visiting on your way into or out of town!
A Look Inside Porsche Experience Center Lobby
After getting your temperature checked, guests enter the lobby, which looks out onto the track. It also doubles as a showroom. Lining the walls are classic Porsches as well as cars used in former races.
In addition, there are windows that allow guests to peek inside the Porsche Motorsports North America team’s workspace where they are building the perfect race car.
Porsche Driving Experience
Preparing for the Porsche Driver Experience
Since my husband drove the track a couple of years ago and I had been to the Porsche Experience Center twice before (but never on the track), I had a glimpse into the Porsche driving experience. To fully prepare, you might want to watch my YouTube videos to see what the track will be like. I also spent time on the Porsche Experience Center website to understand the available driver experiences. I was excited and, if I am honest, a little nervous. I knew the experience would be educational and fun, but the sheer rush of adrenaline and overall exhilaration caught me off guard (in the best possible way).
- Pro Tip: Wear sturdy, comfortable shoes. Ladies, leave your heels at home.
Meeting My Coach
As part of the Porsche driving experience in Los Angeles, a coach is assigned to every driver. My coach, Andrew, was terrific. He was patient and gave excellent instructions. While the COVID-19 restrictions are in place, Andrew drove in the lead car (black Taycan), and I followed him in the white Taycan Turbro S instead of us being in the same car. He radio gave me tips and pointers via radio throughout my journey to help me improve my driving skills.
Driver Development Track
The driver development track is on 53-acres. The design of the track helps drivers refine their driving skills. Plus, you can test out some of the best Porsche cars on the market. The driver development track is comprised of several different modules, each curated to teach drivers different skills. But most importantly, remember, the experience is FUN!
1.3 Mile Handling Circuit
I was lucky enough to drive several different modules, including the 1.3-mile handling circuit. The handling circuit module was created to simulate challenging country roads. Here, you learn the correct driving lines, handle a series of curves on varied terrain, and when to and when not to brake. You can see me driving the circuit in this video.
Low Friction Circle
One of the hardest parts of the course, for me, was the low friction circle. The low friction circle consists of highly polished concrete on a wet surface. The circle (300 feet in diameter) creates an ideal environment to provoke, correct, and hold oversteer at all speeds.
Watch below and see what happens when you oversteer on a slippery wet surface.
Dynamics Pad
The dynamics pad was a fun obstacle course designed to simulate maneuvers you may encounter on the road. Here, I was able to test the agility of the Taycan Turbo S and see what it had to offer. The Taycan Turbo S easily handled weaving in and out of cones, tight corners, the acceleration section, and the hard stop breaking area. It is a heart-pounding experience that I repeated several times to test my driving and handling skills.
My favorite part was learning how to use launch control. Yes, there is actually a feature called launch control. Launch control is an option on the Taycan Turbo S and several other Porches. However, you should only use launch control in a safe and controlled environment.
Launch Control
Generally, launch control is engaged when you put one foot on the brake and one foot on the gas. You wait for the dashboard to convert to launch control mode, and when you are ready, and it’s safe, you take your foot off the brake and keep your foot glued to the accelerator.
I have never driven a car so fast (at least until the next module – see video below). Launch control is a major adrenaline rush! Unlike anything I have ever experienced. The best way I can describe it is to think of your favorite roller coaster, but you create the track and decide how far you want to push your limit. It’s the best roller coaster of my life! In addition to experiencing G-force, your stomach feels like it literally drops out, and your heart is pounding out of your chest. With that said and after I caught my breath, I could not wait to try it again on the acceleration straight!
Acceleration Straight and Karussell Curve
The acceleration straight provides a safe and controlled environment to test your car’s acceleration ability with launch control. At the end of the nearly ¾ mile straightaway, there is a replica of the Karussell (Carousel) Curve, the famous banked curve on the Nurburgring racetrack. In the racing world, the Karussell Curve (which is about ¾ of a circle) is infamous for its tricky entrance, extremely tight curve, and terrain change. A driver needs to hug the inside of the banked curve. Even on the actual Nürburgring racecourse, drivers have been known to underestimate the Karussell Curve crashing into the outside barriers.
My Experience in the Taycan Turbo S
I was ready to give it a go. With launch control, my car, the Taycan Turbo S, would do 0-60 in 2.6 seconds! The Taycan Turbo S, with its 750 horsepower, was ready to catapult me to the end of the straightaway and into the Karussell Curve.
After a quick safety check, it was time. I pressed the break with my left foot and the accelerator with my right foot. After getting the signal from my coach, in one quick movement, I released the brake. As you can see in this video, I went flying down the track. I think I let out a few choice words as I nearly scared the ever-living daylights out of myself. Launch control is no joke.
But, my ride wasn’t over yet. I had to focus (and slow down) because the Karussell Curve was up next. Following my coach’s instructions, I dropped into the perfectly banked curve, keeping my eye on the inner circle. With my foot on the accelerator, I popped out of the curve with what was probably the biggest adrenaline rush I have ever had (and I went hang gliding in Brazil, where I literally had to run off a cliff).
The acceleration straight with the Karussell Curve had me grinning from ear to ear and eager to do it again. In total, I took this part of the track three times! I kept going back for more! While I learned many new skills on the track, hands down, my favorite part was this module. The ability to try launch control is reason enough to visit the Porsche Experience Center Los Angeles.
Kick Plate
The kick plate is a hydraulic plate designed to induce loss of rear-wheel traction, forcing the car into a skid or spin. The kick plate randomly spins your car to the left or the right. The point of this exercise is to learn to “catch” the slide and bring the car under control.
However, it is a little scary driving into a situation where your car is purposely triggered to spin. During my second attempt, my car slid all over the track. As you can see in my kick plate video, it is in the center of a field, so there was nothing nearby for me to hit.
Low Friction Handling Circuit
The polished concrete track combined with tight curves tests a driver’s ability to handle slick road conditions. As I drove through the low friction handling circuit, I understood the car’s balance and truly appreciated its ability to maintain stability through tight slick curves.
The Porsche Experience Center Los Angeles Complex
Simulator Lab
For those not ready to hit the driver development track just yet, don’t worry. Porsche has an experience for you too. Head over to the Simulator Lab, where you can hone your driving skills and race your friends on a world-famous racetrack. Without leaving your seat, you can race the circuit in Daytona or try your hand at the Nurburg Grand Prix. You can even practice driving the Porsche Experience Center Los Angeles track in the Simulator Lab.
The Simulator Lab offers over 15 different race car options to choose from, including several 911 models. It’s open to drivers of all ages (at a certain height). So, even if the driver development track isn’t calling your name just yet, you can experience the thrill of driving a race car while at the same time developing your driving skills.
Restaurants at the Porsche Experience Center Los Angeles
Restaurant 917
Although currently closed due to COVID-19 restrictions, Restaurant 917 is a terrific spot for lunch or dinner. You might be wondering why the numbers 917 are relevant. The Porsche 917 racecar is legendary. It was the first Porsche race car to win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in both 1970 and 1971.
Over the years, I have enjoyed both lunch and dinner at Restaurant 917. The upscale food from Matt Lee, a classically trained chef, is delicious. Restaurant 917 is a terrific place to satiate your appetite after an afternoon on the track.
If you are not hungry and just stopping by, you can also grab a drink at the bar and watch the cars on the track through the floor to ceiling windows.
- Pro Tip: Before you make your lunch reservation at Restaurant 917, call ahead and find out when the cars will be on track. Since cars do not run all day, you want to make sure your lunch overlaps a driving session. It's highly entertaining to watch.
- Pro Tip: Ask for a table near the window for the best view.
Speedster Café
If you need a quick bite to eat, you can also head over to the Speedster Café and enjoy a sandwich or a glass of wine on the patio, steps from the pit lane.
Shop for Porsche Gear
After your driver experience, you will likely become a Porsche fan for life. You can shop for a souvenir from the Porsche Shop.
Have Some Fun at the Porsche Experience Center
If you are in the Los Angeles area and looking for a unique and memorable activity, don’t miss the Porsche Experience Center. Take the opportunity to drive a Porsche (there are several different models to choose from) and experience the driver development track for yourself. I am so glad I did! Thanks, Porsche, for a fantastic experience!!!
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This is an awesome post, what an incredible experience!? I’d absolutely love to do something like this!
Thank you! It was a blast!
What a fabulous experience you had! This is a must-do for anyone who loves cars.
I agree! But even if you’re not into cars, this is still a must-do experience!
Holly Shi…………….t! Wow! I felt like I was in the car with you! You have an awesome way of describing the experience! It sounds both terrifying and super exciting at the same time! I never would have even considered it before, but the way you describe it, I cant wait to try it. Wish me luck!!!!
Terrific and good luck!!! It’s so much fun!