Porsche Experience Centre Toronto set to open in June

The centre, which is not actually located in Toronto, features a two-kilometre driver development handling circuit.

Porsche Experience Centre Toronto building exterior and track — *The Porsche Experience Centre Toronto is located in Pickering, Ont. – Porsche AG photo*

Porsche is just a couple of months away from opening its first driver handling development track in Canada.

Porsche Experience Centre Toronto is set to open in June. It’s not actually located in Toronto; it’s located in neighbouring Pickering, Ont.

“The upcoming opening of the Porsche Experience Centre Toronto marks an important milestone for the brand here,” said Trevor Arthur, president and CEO, Porsche Cars Canada, Ltd., in a news release “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 some 65 local jobs.”

What is the experience centre?

The facility is a place where Porsche drivers can get a first-hand lesson in how to push the performance of their cars, something not generally possible or recommended on local roadways.

The centre features a two-kilometre driver development handling circuit, which features elements inspired by iconic racetracks, including Laguna Seca’s corkscrew, the Nürburgring’s Carousel and the Porsche Curves of Le Mans.

Besides the handling circuit, there’s also a dynamics area, low-friction handling circuit and a low-friction drift circle.

These instructor-led driving modules are intended to demonstrate the engineering and capabilities of Porsche’s sports cars.

Porsche Experience Centre Toronto building interior — *The inside of the facility has a cafe, shop, lab and more. – Porsche AG photo*

Canadian materials

Porsche said Canadian touches appear around the building.

Quebec wood lamellas were used for the exterior walls and a Porsche-commissioned local art sculpture at the entrance.

The building also features several sustainable elements, such as geothermal heating and cooling, as well as photovoltaic roof panels to produce about 20 per cent of the building’s overall electricity consumption.

Inside, there’s the Carrera Café and the Porsche Lifestyle Shop. The shop contains apparel, accessories, model cars and lifestyle products.

There’s also a lab with driving simulators, which allows guests to take the wheel of a virtual Porsche and compete on racetracks from around the world.

There are currently 10 such Porsche centres around the world, with more planned.