It’s a driver’s paradise. Tasmania’s sinuous topography is the perfect canvas for this smorgasbord of bends, something the Porsche Brand Ambassador and former World Endurance Champion relishes.
Webber knows this part of world intimately. For more than 10 years, Tasmania was home to the driving ace’s former multi-day outdoor adventure race, the Mark Webber Challenge. This gruelling competition, which saw entrants tackle Tasmania’s rugged terrain, raised more than 2 million Australian dollars for charity and attracted athletes from around the world. The event symbolised Webber’s trademark ‘Aussie grit’, a nickname that encapsulates his intense drive, endurance and personal strength. It’s this potent combination that underpinned his successful motor racing career, which includes winning the FIA World Endurance Championship in 2015, as well as nine Formula One Grand Prix race wins.
“I very much enjoy driving it,” he says with a knowing smile. “It shares some similarities with Monte Carlo and even the Macau racetrack with its very tight hairpins. It’s got a European feel, but it’s in Australia.” The all-electric Taycan 4 Cross Turismo scales it without raising a sweat. Its 350 kW (Taycan 4 Cross Turismo: Electric power consumption* combined (WLTP) 24.8 – 21.4 kWh/100 km, CO₂ emissions* combined (WLTP) 0 g/km, Electric range* combined (WLTP) 416 – 490 km, Electric range* in town (WLTP) 518 – 600 km) of overboost power and availability of up to 500 Nm of torque means it eats the ascent like it was flat, making the steep climb seem effortless.
“I was involved in the early development of the Taycan some years ago,” he says, speaking with noticeable pride. “It was fascinating to see Porsche Engineering’s no-compromise approach, and to see all the principles and practices from the best sportscar manufacturer in the world being applied to this special car.”
He is quick to emphasize ‘sportscar’ when he makes this point.
And then there is the flexibility it offers, including its available driving range of up to 456 kilometres according to WLTP from a single battery charge.
“I love the Taycan Cross Turismo because I’m more of an outdoors guy. It’s got a lot of storage capacity in the rear and you can load it up. And the extra ground clearance lets you go into places that are more challenging for other cars."
“It’s great for Tasmania’s roads and for getting to the adventure spots this special wilderness offers. And driving in a place like this reminds you why we need to protect our environment for future generations. Porsche’s pioneering spirit means it continues to look at how it can be a leader and this includes delivering sustainable technologies, such as with EV powertrains and liquid eFuels with the potential to reduce CO2 emissions.”
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