As a sim-racing enthusiast (which is putting it mildly), I’ve always wondered what it would be like to get behind the wheel of a real-life high-performance vehicle. The realist in me always knew that it would always be a dream, but today I got to live out that dream with the help of the wonderful folks at the Porsche Experience Centre Toronto, which is now open in Pickering, Ontario.
Opening in June of 2025, the Porsche Experience Centre Toronto really does have something for every kind of motoring enthusiast. I, along with several other media colleagues, were invited to take part in a day of learning, driving, instruction, and more at the brand-new facility.
The day started off with a driver briefing, advising us what would happen throughout the day, which driving instructor we would be paired with for the driving portion of the day, some basic driving fundamentals like oversteer, and more.
After the driver briefing, I met the amazing instructor who would be in the car with me the whole time, and we headed out to the car. Today I had the fortunate privilege to drive the brand-new Porsche 911 GTS-T, and I quickly learned that one of the most important things when driving a high-performance machine is the correct driving position. My instructor spent a few minutes explaining how I should be seated in the chair and why it’s important.
“Opening in June of 2025, the Porsche Experience Centre Toronto really does have something for every kind of motoring enthusiast.”
The Porsche Experience Centre Toronto has four different track experiences: The handling circuit: a 1.5 km track that features corners inspired by some of the most famous corners in motorsport; a low-friction drift circle: a smaller circular pad that is used to focus on wet and snowy conditions and how the car reacts in those conditions; a dynamics pad: this is a large open space that can be used for almost any purpose (today it hosted a slalom course and hairpin turns to get a feel for how the car handles); and lastly, the low-friction handling circuit: this is a polished asphalt surface that we used to learn how to correct understeer and oversteer in icy conditions.
My absolute favourite moments on the tracks were putting my foot to the floor and feeling the responsiveness and immediacy all 532hp that the car had to offer, and how quickly the car gets up to speed, and the dynamics pad. I thoroughly enjoyed doing the slalom course first and last because coming back to it at the end really showed exactly how much I had learned during the entire 90-minute driving session. My instructor had a similar reaction as well, as he had said the difference was night and day (for the better).
A short break for lunch in the Porsche Experience Centre’s incredible boardroom, and then we paid a visit to the sim-lab they have on site. Modelled using Assetto Corsa as a base, we were able to utilize a full motion rig to take different Porsche vehicles around tracks like Red Bull Ring, Silverstone, Spa, etc.
“Even if you aren’t driving, the Porsche Experience Centre Toronto offers quite the social occasion as well.”
Following the sim-lab, I took a walk around the facility and came across the customization room. This is a room where prospective Porsche buyers can come in and see all of the different paint colours, trims, leather and fabric options, etc. If you do buy a Porsche vehicle from a Porsche location, you can actually take delivery of that vehicle at the Porsche Experience Centre Toronto, and they will provide you with the same 90-minute instruction and driving experience in a vehicle that is as close to your new one as they can get.
Even if you aren’t driving, the Porsche Experience Centre Toronto offers quite the social occasion as well. On the main floor of the facility is a lovely patio and café where you can come in, have a coffee or other type of hot drink, watch the cars going around the track, explore the Porsche Lifestyle shop and enjoy the atmosphere. The facility is also available for corporate events, which I am definitely putting a bug in my day-job boss’s ear for.
Overall, I had an amazing time at the Porsche Experience Centre Toronto. The staff are amazing, very knowledgeable in their craft, and welcoming. They offer some amazing experiences in all manner of Porsche vehicles, so there really is a driving experience for everyone.
