A year and a half ago I was asked by Robin Groenendijk of 64 Porsche Lifestyleblog to take pictures for an article about the Porsche Macan Turbo. This resulted in a fascinating sidetrip into automotive photography, somewhat outside both the core business and the comfort zone of 3Develop. A few weeks ago Robin asked me again, this time to make photos for a driving test with the 992 Targa 4 GTS. Even more than the Macan, this is a real Porsche as you imagine it. Including a super-low entry that requires acrobatics to get in at all.
Autumn colours
Last time I photographed the vehicle against the industrial background of Europoort and the wide landscapes around the Maasvlakte. This time I thought it would be a good idea to try something completely different. It was late October, the fall colors were approaching their peak. A forest would perhaps form a nice contrast with the graceful lines and shiny surfaces of a chalk white Porsche. So we set course for the province of Brabant, the location of the closest forests from some size in the vicinity of Rotterdam.
Hiking trails
However, it turned out not to be so easy to find a good spot for a shoot. It’s mainly cycling and walking paths that run through the woods near Oosterhout and Breda. Rightly so, I think as a hiker, but what a shame, I think as a part-time Porsche photographer. After three rounds around Mastbos forest, however, we found a nice parking lot, covered with autumn leaves, that met the requirements.
Budget
The Macan Turbo from the previous shoot, Robin explained to me, is actually not the most spectacular model made by Porsche. The company has to make money and the market for real sports cars is too small. So they also make cars for enthusiasts with a more modest budget. Although those prices are still such that the Macan Turbo is not really an option for a self-employed person in the creative sector. Well, as long as I don’t have a driver’s license, I can’t do much with a car anyway.
Unlike the Macan, the Porsche 992 Targa 4 GTS is one of the top models. And you pay more than two hundred thousand euros for it. There seem to be people who can afford that, and often as a second or third car, for that.
Turismo
The abbreviation GTS, I learned, stands for Gran Turismo Sport. So it is a race car with a little bit more comfort that you can use not only on the track but also on public roads.
Remarkably, the manufacturer has left out a number of things from this expensive car that a cheaper vehicle does have. The sound insulation for example; as a result, you not only experience the engine sound better, but you also hear every twig and grain of sand that touches the body. All for the sporty feeling.
Sustainability
But Mr Blok, how can you reconcile such a fossil photo shoot with your carnival smash hit about the climate or your planet B fact check? Well, I can only say that Porsche is taking steps in the field of sustainability, as they certainly should. For example, I read in Robin’s article that the steering wheel is made of recycled polyester fibres, which results in a CO2 reduction of 80%. For the steering wheel that is, not for the entire car, but every little bit helps.
Electric
Furthermore, Porsche is also manufacturing electric models by now. I’m very curious about the look and feel of those. So Robin, if you’re going to take a driving test with one of those, just give me a call!
Expert
I like to leave further discussion about the 992 Targa 4 GTS to the experts, so I refer to Robin’s article, which can be found below (in Dutch)
