Porsche Adds LA Road Experience

Porsche AG has opened a driving Experience Center in southern California.

Located adjacent to the congested 405 highway in Carson, Calif.—about 20 minutes south of Los Angeles—the 53-acre complex is comprised of eight driving circuits covering 4.1 miles. Prices start at $385 for 1.5 hours of instruction in a Porsche 718 Boxster, and go up based on time and the number of vehicles tested.

In addition to a track with an acceleration straightway, there are specially designed areas for handling, low-friction, off-road, “kick plate” and what’s described as an ice hill.

The $60 million facility also contains Porsche Motorsport North America, the only factory-authorized sales, service and parts provider for purpose-built race cars such as the 911 GT3 Cup, 911 GT3 R and Cayman GT4 Clubsport. Other amenities include a business center and the upscale Restaurant 917 (named after the company’s iconic race car).

California accounts for nearly 25% of Porsche’s U.S. sales. The company opened a similar facility last year at its U.S. headquarters in Atlanta. It also has Experience Centers in England, France and Germany.