The hotly anticipated Porsche Experience Centre Toronto (PEC) — the first of its kind in Canada — is just a few months away after years of construction and delays.
Porsche Cars Canada, Ltd. announced on Wednesday that the new attraction under construction just outside Toronto will open in June as part of Pickering’s 20-acre Durham Live entertainment complex, boasting a race track, simulators, a cafe, and a gift shop dedicated to the German sports car manufacturer.
The facility’s imminent opening comes roughly three and a half years after the project was first announced in late 2021, and is undoubtedly welcome news for the motoring community following construction delays and a missed 2024 opening.
The PEC in Durham will mark the tenth such attraction worldwide and the third in North America after locations in Atlanta and Los Angeles.
“The upcoming opening of the Porsche Experience Centre Toronto marks an important milestone for the brand here,” said Trevor Arthur, President & CEO of Porsche Cars Canada, Ltd.
“We are delighted to be able to share the excitement with our fans by providing them with an ability to experience this exceptional facility, which will be the first for a carmaker in Canada and will create some 65 local jobs.”
Visitors to the new attraction will be able to take part in the ‘Porsche Driving Experience’ with trained instructors on a two-kilometre handling circuit incorporating elements inspired by iconic racetrack sections like Laguna Seca’s corkscrew, Nürburgring’s Carousel, and the Porsche Curves from Le Mans.
However, it won’t be cheap to experience the real thrills of a racetrack. Porsche will be offering demo laps starting from $140 for a single go around the circuit, along with 90-minute experiences partnered with a Porsche instructor priced starting at $850. A booking portal will soon be available for sessions beginning in June.
For those not quite ready for the adrenaline rush of the circuit, the PEC will offer five state-of-the-art simulators where they can get behind the wheel of virtual Porsches and race on tracks around the world.
Visitors will also be able to refuel at the Carrera Café, or experience the Porsche Lifestyle Shop to grab some merch.
The building itself was designed with sustainability in mind, incorporating domestically-sourced materials like Quebec wood lamellas, and utilizing both a geothermal heating and cooling system and photovoltaic roof panels.
