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The Porsche Experience Center Review

I take a tour of the Porsche Experience Center in Atlanta, Georgia, and help Larry Kosilla of AMMO NYC pick up his new car.

porsche-taycan-cross-turismo
Larry Kosilla

If cars have a soul, then taking delivery of one is a milestone event. While getting one at the dealership is nice, making an actual event of it, like I did with my G80 M3, provides memories that will last a lifetime. So when Larry Kosilla of AMMO NYC ordered a new 2022 Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo, he decided to take delivery of it at the Porsche Experience Center in Atlanta. I tag along. How is the experience? Fun…

What did Larry get?

A 2022 Taycan Cross Turismo, the first one to be delivered in the United States. In the coming weeks, I’ll review the car, but know this. Even in non-turbo form (that’s crazy to write, it’s electric), the Taycan is the fastest car I’ve ever driven.

Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo
A review will be coming soon!
Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo
It’s an absolutely gorgeous car.
Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo
Turbo-esque wheels.

Is it like BMW’s Delivery Experience?

Very much so, but with a few extras. There’s a driving simulator (think of a really good Gran Turismo) where you sit in an actual race car cockpit. Lunch is on Porsche at the excellent restaurant. Then on to drive time in a car similar to the one being delivered to you (no Cross Turismos at the school yet, so Larry took a regular Taycan). Finally, you move to the delivery bay, where an expert goes over your car with you in detail.

Porsche Experience Center
The simulator. You can choose from many car options, and race against your companions.

There are a few extra special touches, like the wall you sign. Every delivery customer signs a special canvas that will be preserved at the end of the year. The car is covered in a black cloth that’s pulled back for the big reveal. Overall, both German brands provide a special experience because let’s face it, these cars are not cheap.

Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo
The delivery bay was large, and the car was under cover.
Porsche Experience Center
Each delivery customer gets to sign the canvas. At the end of the year, it’s preserved and hung on the wall.

What’s the Porsche Experience Center like?

It’s a newer facility, with a museum, restaurant, garages, track and show room attached to it. You could practically walk to the Atlanta airport, which is both good and bad, as the roar of jet engines gets tiresome after awhile.

It’s a more involved experience than BMW’s, in that the museum is right in the basement. Some pretty unique cars live there as you’d expect.

Porsche Experience Center
One of my favorite Porsches ever.
Porsche Experience Center
The exhibit on display was “The Colors of Porsche”
Porsche Experience Center
I had shot a similar one last year, love the color. Check out the giant soft box too!
Porsche Experience Center
918 in purple. Yes please.

What was visible but not accessible was the restoration garage. Porsche will take any car 10 years or older, and restore it to it’s original specifications. From paint and bodywork, to engine work, right down to the bolts. The only limitation is your wallet. Imagine BMW restoring your 2008 E92 M3.

Porsche Experience Center
The restoration garage.

They also have a “showroom” with all the different options available to you as a new build. Porsches are highly customizable so it’s not all-encompassing, but seeing the entire rainbow displayed on small painted shells is in itself a cool display. With BMW’s own Individual program ramping up, I hope they do something like this in the future.

Porsche Experience Center
A small sample of the colors they offer.
Porsche Experience Center
Carpet that can match any color detail.
Porsche Experience Center
Leather swatches.

What’s the track like?

Again, similar in layout to BMW’s track in South Carolina, but broken up a bit more for specific exercises. Here, there are two polished concrete drift circles, of course some cone setups for obstacle avoidance, and a unique kick plate. You drive over a plate which moves, or “kicks” out a wheel, causing you to lose control. Think of a rug getting pulled out from under your feet.

The Cayman provides the best overall driving experience. The 911 is an amazing car in and of itself, but its original design flaw remains; an engine at the rear. That means you don’t really want to lift in a turn, but that’s basic Porsche 911 for anyone that’s driven one on a track.

Porsche Experience Center
Larry on track.

Is it worth it to go?

If you’re a Porsche fan, absolutely. And if you’re ordering your car, consider picking it up here for a special day. Larry was thrilled with everything.

I maintain that going to one of these schools is the most important upgrade you can make to your car, especially with the power modern cars are coming with from the factory. Can you handle your car stock at the limit? If not, then skip the tune and exhaust and book a class.

Porsche Experience Center Mega Gallery

What's the Porsche Experience Center
Hope to be back one day!
Larry Kosilla
Happiness.
What's the Porsche Experience Center
The problem with 911s is that they all look the same.
What's the Porsche Experience Center
What's the Porsche Experience Center
Touch screen of history.
What's the Porsche Experience Center
From the side, this looks like an abstract piece of art.
What's the Porsche Experience Center
From right below, it forms a 918.
What's the Porsche Experience Center What's the Porsche Experience Center What's the Porsche Experience Center
What's the Porsche Experience Center
The School has a variety of cars for use. There’s an off-road course similar to what BMW offers.
What's the Porsche Experience Center
Yum…
What's the Porsche Experience Center What's the Porsche Experience Center
What's the Porsche Experience Center
Loved this history display. It’s every car Porsche has made, both production and racing.
What's the Porsche Experience Center
There’s a reflex test, like what F1 drivers use.
What's the Porsche Experience Center

Special thanks to AMMO NYC for bringing me down, and Rui at Greenwich Porsche for organizing everything on site.

Also thanks to the Porsche Experience Center for being so accommodating.

Commissions may be received for product links on this site, so help out if you can. I only write about products I use and believe in.

I use Nikon camera bodies and lenses, a Westcott Ice Light 2, Manfrotto tripod, B + W filters and an iMac Pro to make the art you see here.

Email me at mike@machineswithsouls.com with any questions.

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