Official

Porsche announces second Experience Center to open in Southern California

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The artist's rendering above is an early look at Porsche's planned West Coast Experience Center. Announced at the LA Auto Show, the facility will be opening in Southern California in the near future. The 51-acre facility is designed to be a "center of excellence for vehicle and human performance education, from track experiences and driver training to car culture events," says Porsche.

What that means is that the Experience Center (the second Porsche has planned for North America after announcing another location in Atlanta) will include a paved racing circuit, an off-road testing area, a low-friction skidpad and other areas for dining and meetings (the automaker will also offer the facility to car clubs, corporate clients, and other special groups). In addition, the facility will host the Porsche Human Performance Center, with a sport science laboratory to maximize personal fitness, wellness, and athletic performance.

Located in Los Angeles near the intersection of two major freeways (the 405 and 110), groundbreaking is expected in spring 2012. For more details, check out the official release after the jump.
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Porsche to Build West Coast Experience Center

New Southern California facility will be a center of excellence for vehicle and human
performance education, from track experiences and driver training to car culture events

LOS ANGELES – November 16, 2011 – Porsche Cars North America (PCNA) today
announced it will build a second new Porsche Experience Center in North America, in
Carson, California. The purpose-built 51-acre facility and road handling course will be one of
only five such sites in the world, including the original Porsche Experience Center at the
legendary Silverstone Circuit in Great Britain and Centers in Leipzig, Germany and Shanghai,
China. In May, Porsche announced North America's first Porsche Experience Center, to be
built as part of the company's new U.S. headquarters complex in Atlanta, Georgia.

The new West Coast location will be situated near the intersection of two major Los Angeles
area traffic arteries, the 405 and 110 Freeways, and is just minutes from Los Angeles
International Airport (LAX). Southern California is one of the largest Porsche markets in the
United States. Groundbreaking is anticipated for spring 2012.

"Helping enthusiasts feel and connect with their vehicle's full potential through intelligent
engineering has always been a part of the Porsche philosophy," said Detlev von Platen,
President and CEO of Porsche Cars North America. "Now, we are excited to turn dreams
into reality for all driving enthusiasts by creating a safe, exhilarating environment for
experiencing the pleasure of being in the driver's seat."

Given the Porsche Experience Center's extensive lineup of facilities and programs, finding
the perfect mix of education and enjoyment won't be difficult, no matter the individual's skill
or interest level. The centerpiece of the complex will be a world-class test track and
handling course, including areas where special surfaces replicate rain, ice, and snow
conditions. These training sections include the Ice Hill, where a steep slope, computer controlled water jets, and a low-friction surface will challenge even the most experienced
drivers and help them improve their real-world skills. A special off-road area will combine 45-
degree declines and ascents – ideal terrain for unleashing a Porsche Cayenne.

Driving enthusiasts can sign up for sessions with highly trained Porsche driving consultants,
while new drivers can enroll in programs that teach technique for navigating today's
challenging roadways. The Porsche Driving Experience isn't just for adults – special
programs for kids will ensure that even young enthusiasts get an early start in the art of
automobile appreciation. Facilities, including track access, dining and conference spaces,
will also be open to car clubs, corporate clients, and other special groups.

In addition to vehicle-based activities, the Porsche Experience Center will also offer
programs focused on maximizing personal fitness, wellness, and athletic performance
through its Porsche Human Performance Center. This unique facility will feature a leading
sports science laboratory and training programs, incorporating the latest techniques used in
preparing Porsche race car drivers. Whether an individual's competition vehicle of choice has
four wheels or two – or consists of one's own legs – the Porsche Human Performance
Center offers customized experiences ranging from heat acclimation training and hydration
strategies to individual wellness assessments.

Millions of residents and visitors will have easy access to the Porsche Experience Center: at
LAX alone, over 59 million travelers passed through the airport in 2010. Another 15 million
consumers reside within a 50-mile radius from the facility, and even more are based within a
few hours travel time by car, including Orange and San Diego counties, California and major
markets to the North.

"Our mission is to help everyone who loves automobiles and car culture to experience the
pure joy, the art, and the science of driving," said James Taylor, general manager, Porsche
Experience Center. "Whether you want to experience the latest Porsche models like the new
seventh-generation Porsche 911, upgrade your personal performance as a racer or athlete,
or host a car club event or a product launch, we look forward to working with customers to
create a memorable program."

The Porsche Experience Center will not just be for those who drive the track. The facility is
designed for the whole family, offering a Porsche Café and gift shop along with plenty of
trackside viewing areas. Additional fine dining facilities will be available for business
meetings and events.

The Carson, California Porsche Experience Center will be designed by several of the world's
leading architectural partners. Atlanta-based design firm Cooper Carry has been charged
with creating the buildings' eco-friendly footprints and structures, while two of the leading
test track architects and engineers in the world, Giffels/IBI and Tilke Engineering, are
designing the driving facilities.

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