PEC Tokyo: Starting Out in the Boxster GTS 4.0

The other day, I visited the Porsche Experience Center Tokyo (PEC Tokyo), and today I want to share my impressions of the “two-car comparison” program I experienced there.

The program I joined was the 90-minute “Mid vs Rear,” which thoroughly explores the differences between mid-engine and rear-engine Porsches.

The first car I got to drive was the Boxster GTS 4.0. I had expected to drive a base Boxster or Cayman, so just being able to drive the GTS 4.0 got me really excited.

With this Boxster GTS 4.0, I drove on the Low Friction Handling Track — a polished concrete surface circuit designed to induce oversteer and understeer at low speeds to train vehicle control.

The instructor said,

“Mid-engine cars tend to be a bit more slippery, but since this is a GTS 4.0, the handling should be relatively stable.”

Indeed, when taking corners at a bit higher speed, I felt the rear end slip slightly. However, the car quickly corrected itself and handled very stably—far more stable than you’d expect on such a slick surface.

A scene from a previous Porsche Track Experience

Next, I experienced full acceleration followed by full braking in the Dynamic Area — a vast paved open space where you can try special programs like slalom, full braking, and launch control on dry pavement.

The exercise was to floor the accelerator, exceed 100 km/h, then brake hard to stop the car within a line of red cones beside the track.

Opportunities to floor the accelerator in a Porsche on public roads are rare, so this was a precious experience.

At the instructor’s signal, I pressed the accelerator hard. My body was pressed into the seat.

It was incredibly fast…!!!

The car quickly reached 100 km/h, and at the instructor’s command, I slammed on the brakes. My left foot braced hard while my right calf almost cramped from pressing the brake pedal so forcefully.

I heard the tires screeching as they gripped the asphalt, and the car came to a perfect stop.

There was still plenty of space left before the red cones.

Porsche brakes are said to be the best in the world, and having experienced them many times at Porsche Driving Schools, I can confirm they are truly amazing.

A scene from a previous Porsche Track Experience

In case of an emergency, the key is not to try to avoid with handling but to trust the car and brake hard. This experience reinforced that important lesson.

Next, the instructor said, “Since we’re here, let’s try launch control.”

Launch control is an automatic system that gets a car moving from a standstill as quickly as possible. It’s rarely used on public roads, and I had never tried it before. When I attended a Porsche Driving School in Shirahama, others experienced full acceleration from a launch start (available on cars with the Sport Chrono package), but I couldn’t try it because I was driving a manual Boxster.

A scene from a previous Porsche Track Experience

The instructor explained:

“First, switch to Sport Plus mode. Then, press the brake pedal all the way down with your left foot. Next, press the accelerator all the way down with your right foot. When the launch control indicator lights up, you can take off.”

It was almost a rocket start that felt a little scary, but despite some wheel spin, the acceleration was incredible and the launch control experience was over in no time. After that, I drove various parts of the course with ups and downs, feeling completely safe and having fun.

Feeling the Power of the Porsche 911

After returning to the start, I drove the same course in a base-grade 911 — and was amazed right from the start.

It was incredibly stable and completely fearless to drive. The Boxster GTS 4.0 was already very stable and easy to handle, but the 911 was on another level—even though it was rear-wheel drive, not all-wheel drive.

Most of all, the stability was astonishing, allowing even someone like me, who lacks confidence in driving skills, to drive smoothly and confidently. I could accelerate more and more.

There’s a corner called the Carousel that reminded me of the Nürburgring, and even there, I could accelerate and feel the G-forces while climbing steadily. The 911 felt safe and comfortable even at higher speeds than the Boxster.

The full acceleration and full braking felt different too.

The Boxster GTS 4.0, being naturally aspirated, felt like it built speed gradually, but the 911 (992 model) was instantly fast—the moment I pressed the accelerator, I felt a strong push from behind. I also tried launch control, which had almost no wheel spin and blasted off like a rocket the moment I released the accelerator.

I don’t know much about car mechanics or detailed handling, but I’m sure that for amateurs like me, the 911 is the car you can trust to drive fast and safely.

The instructor also said,

“For those who love driving, the 992 911 might feel a bit tame. Many prefer the Boxster or Cayman because they offer more fun in controlling the car yourself.”

Anyway, the 90 minutes flew by, and next time I’d love to try a program where I can spend the full 90 minutes with just one car. I’d also like to experience off-road driving in a Cayenne. I hope I can visit again next year.