Porsche 911, Cayenne and more at BIC: Straight outta stuttgart

In our industry, there are a few select events that journos like me are willing to negotiate, barter and even fight to attend. This is one of them, and luckily for me, there wasn’t much resistance from my colleagues. Why wouldn’t anyone want to spend a day driving Porsches at a track? Not that I was complaining.

The Porsche World Road Show 2025 worked its way around the globe to India – specifically the Buddh International Circuit in Noida. Media and prospective customers got a chance to experience almost the entire model range under the watchful guidance of instructors from Porsche AG.

Instructors ensured we stayed on our toes.

The day began with us being split into groups and assigned an instructor after the briefing sessions. The instructors then gave us a rundown of all the activities lined up and how to best approach them. I started off by driving Porsche’s EVs out on track for some hot laps. It’s incredible how capable these big, heavy 4-door EVs are on track. The Macan Turbo Electric shrinks around you, and the grip it has around the bends feels like it’s challenging the laws of physics. The Taycan Turbo, meanwhile, feels even more at home on the track, with its explosive straight-line speed and sports car-rivalling dynamics.

Mid-engined, compact and agile Spyder RS aced the slalom course.

Since it was a World Road Show, I also got a chance to sample some models that aren’t offered in India. And boy, were they special! First up was the 718 Spyder RS – essentially a Cayman GT4 RS without the roof and with the same 500hp, 4.0-litre flat-6 engine as the 911 GT3. Being a mid-engined sports car, the 718 is renowned for its handling and balance. And what better way to experience that than around a slalom course?

This 4-door sedan is quicker than an F1 car.

Alongside it was the insane Taycan Turbo GT in the full 4-door, 2-seat Weissach pack spec. For the uninitiated, this EV puts out 1,000hp, accelerates from 0-100kph faster than a Formula 1 car and currently holds the record for the fastest electric vehicle around the Nürburgring Nordschleife. Like with the Spyder RS, I didn’t get a chance to drive the Taycan Turbo GT around the track; instead, Porsche had arranged for us to feel the violent G-forces this car is capable of by doing a simple 0-100-0kph run.

No, this isn’t me. Only the instructors were allowed some sideways action.

Now, having driven the Taycan Turbo Swhich itself is ridiculously quick, I thought I had an idea of what to expect, but I was so, so wrong! With my left foot buried on the brake and right foot on the accelerator, it engaged launch control and lurched forward slightly, like an angry dog being held back by a leash. The next second, I lifted my left foot, and everything after just happened so fast, you and I can’t even comprehend it. “Brake! Brake!” shouted the instructor, as I was already edging towards the end line. It’s almost impossible to put that sensation into words; I expect it’s how astronauts feel taking off in a rocket. What was equally impressive is that it did not skip a beat all day despite being continuously hammered up and down by enthusiastic journalists.

T-Hybrid and GT3 RS were my highlights.

Next up was the main event, the one everyone had come for – to hoon around the BIC in three different flavours of the 911. Starting from the bottom, the base 992.2-gen 911 Carrera feels like the pure essence of a sports car – incredible balance, great traction and overall a sweet handling package; it’s hard to believe this is the entry point. Turning things up a few notches was the brand-new Carrera 4 GTS T-Hybrid, which was next. If this is a sign of future hybrids, count me in! Naturally, Porsche has used the hybrid system to extract more performance and not more fuel efficiency. On the track, it feels as fast as the full-blown 911 Turbo S, and I was surprised as to how quickly it would catch up to the GT3 RS I was tailing. The drive out of corners was phenomenal, and its soundtrack just amplified the entire experience. I can’t wait to drive one of these on the road.

On track, tailing a GT3 RS and GT4 RS in a GTS T-Hybrid. What a view!

And then, it was the turn of the epitome of road-based track cars – the 911 GT3 RS, currently in the 992.1 guise, wings and all, dripping with wind-cheating elements, lightweight carbon-fibre panels and even DRS tech. Needless to say, this was the best part of the day. Driving out of the pit lane, with everything set in track mode, I was awestruck by the response of the motorsport-inspired flat-6. Acceleration was immediate, and the car felt relentless as it howled its way to the 9,000rpm redline. I then tugged the satisfying paddle to upshift, and off we went again. Around the tight middle section on track, none of the others could keep up, as predicted. Just the sheer amount of downforce and grip it generated was mind-bending. Two breathless laps later, I was completely spent, and I am already looking forward to the next time I’d get to experience the RS.

Despite being sporty and luxurious, the Cayenne proved capable off-road too.

Rounding off the experience was a lap around a specially curated off-road course for the Cayenne to demonstrate its off-tarmac prowess. The Cayenne has made a name for itself as one of the best-handling luxury SUVs; I can testify to that, having recently driven the V8-powered Cayenne GTS around a racetrack. But it is adept at dealing with the rough stuff too, casually taking the side slope, articulation and the steep hill descent obstacles in its stride.

As I reflect back, it was probably one of the best ‘working’ days I’ve had in a while. It is so rare that you even get to witness these special cars in person, let alone drive them on an F1-grade racetrack. The World Road Show, then, is a great demonstration of the brand and one that I’m sure will go on to create many more Porsche fans and, eventually, owners too. I know I want one.

Also see:

Toyota Innova Hycross: 3 reasons to buy and 2 not to

Blasting down the Mumbai-Nagpur expressway’s Igatpuri Tunnel in a Mercedes AMG S 63

Hyundai Creta Electric: 3 reasons to buy and 2 not to