Apex Predators

We were invited to the Porsche Track Experience at the Buddh International Circuit (BIC) to experience first-hand Porsche's legendary sports cars capabilities on track as well as their larger, heavier, and more powerful step-siblings

- Jim Gorde

THE PORSCHE TRACK EXPERIENCE WAS back at the BIC and, as always, there was a delectable array of offerings of all sorts of flavours to suit all palates. And I haven't even gotten to the cars yet! From the new Macan GTS and Panamera Turbo S to the all electric Taycan and its polar opposite sibling, the hardcore nat-asp petrol-powered 911 GT3 RS, there was everything. Everything from the two-speed automatic and new eight-speed PDK and the six speed manual were available to drive. Here is how the day went.

Handling (992 C2S Cabriolet, 991.11 GT3 RS)

What good is a car if it doesn't go exactly where you want it to go and do exactly what you want it to do? The handling course-a vacant parking lot with cones set up to mark out a slalom, straight, evasion, braking, and stopping zone-was the scene of the first activity, with me and my grey-band batchmates making our way away from the paddock and towards the area behind the hospitality area. This would be the first of two activities behind there. The handling course had us in the 992 911 Carrera S Cabriolet-roof up in the intense sun-and the car I'd actually flown in to drive, the 911 GT3 RS, in delicious 991.II guise. Driving older generation cars just after the new one's come out gives me an intense feeling of joy as I get to sample the previous and, potentially, the next one down the line.

Red pill first. Setting off in the Guards Red Carrera S with optional Sports Exhaust/Chrono/Seats, I eased in in the first of my three attempts. It felt good. I'd driven the previous model of this thing back home and, somehow, the 992 feels more substantial, more GT-like than ever. It's brilliant. Sharp but also very comfortable with more than a touch of luxurious appointments.