Poise, power and performance are three things we want from both our cars and bodies. Matt Blackwell puts in a punishing workout before taking some Porsches for a play
While fitness and fast cars may initially seem worlds apart, if you look a little closer, there is in fact a link. Just like sports cars, our bodies are finely tuned machines that have engines and from time to time, they need to be serviced.
And so it was that I found myself in the Engine Room once more, relentlessly beating two battle ropes into the ground amid shouts of encouragement, while my arms and shoulders screamed in agony and my heart rate neared maximum.
Once we had been given a short but explosive insight into what the engines in our bodies could achieve through functional training courtesy of Steven Wileman, chief operating officer of Horizon Fitness, it was time to venture to Porsche Centre Oman to see what our mechanical counterparts were capable of.
Over the course of the next six hours, they certainly did not disappoint.
Arriving at Porsche, we were greeted by a colourful array of vehicles, including a Boxster GTS, Cayman GTS, 911 Targa 4S, Panamera 4S, Macan S and a Cayenne S. Along with three Porsche staff, the nine participants in the test drive event split into pairs and each took to a car. Our route: Muscat to Sifah, but not as you would imagine.
When undertaking a drive of many kilometres, logically, you would opt for the shortest and quickest route. But this particular trip was not so much about the destination – although the Sifawy Boutique Hotel made for an excellent lunch stop – it was all about the journey and getting as much as possible from these incredible machines.
Consequently, we chose an old, long and winding route through the mountains towards Amerat before cutting up to Hamriya and down to Yiti, continuing on to Sifah, all the while carefully avoiding the modern, multi-lane roads.
First up was the Boxster, Porsche’s modest mid-engined roadster given racy GTS treatment and the result is quite stunning. I’m by no means a dedicated petrolhead, but with the top down, this red beauty blew me away. Entering Sports Plus mode allowed for full use of the car’s 330 horsepower and the sports exhaust issued a throaty snarl along with some seriously satisfying pops and bangs when you lift off the throttle. All in all, it was a fantastic introduction to Porsche, given that this was my first experience driving one.
When we pulled over for a car change, it was time for a blast in the bright yellow Cayman GTS. With sleek curves and vivid paintwork that contrasted beautifully with the black 20-inch alloy wheels, this was a car that had attracted my attention from the offset and I was itching to get behind the wheel.
Driving roads that snaked through the mountains, we slotted the Cayman into manual and used the paddles behind the steering wheel to better control gear changes. Despite generous lashings of throttle, the Cayman stuck to the road like glue, even on tight twists and turns, delivering a performance that was at once both exhilarating and impressive.
The iconic 911 Targa 4S was a different beast altogether and by far the best in show. My co-driver Steven took to the wheel when mountains rose high and close to either side of the road, allowing for the amplification of the engine growl in stereo.
However, I would have to wait until after lunch to have my turn in the driving seat. We wolfed our food down as the boy racer in all of us was itching to get back into the cars.
Back on the road, I took my place in the 911 Targa and when I put my foot down, the acceleration was genuinely frightening – in the best way possible. We kept the Targa in automatic, utilising Porsche’s signature Doppelkupplung transmission to put down the 400 horsepower with extreme precision. Steven had likened the change from first to second gear to the recoil from a shotgun and once the road opened up enough for me to put the pedal to the metal, I immediately knew why. However, the 911 Targa holds on to gears in Sports Plus mode for so long that we rarely escaped third. Still, this was more than enough to get the adrenaline flowing and a great way to explore the natural scenery that Oman has to offer.
The Panamera was the only car in which I put my foot down and found it lacking, as the lead Macan, Boxster, Cayman and 911 accelerated off into the distance. I’ve always had slight reservations about the styling of this four-door Porsche and after having driven one, I can say that it offers a palpable sense of refinement. There is no doubt that it has a great deal of power, but it’s not as raw and exciting as the Boxster, Cayman or 911 Targa. It’s almost like the older brother, looking down and shaking his head at his raucous younger siblings.
Stopping briefly for a driver change, I entered the Macan S. Bridging the gap between its sports car cousins and the larger Cayenne, this crossover is as comfortable off-road as it is doing the school run. However, I have to echo the question raised by Steven: is any car with a 4×4 button a true Porsche? I’ll let you decide.
As we drove back towards Muscat, we passed along the Muttrah Corniche, becoming minor social media stars in the process. Admittedly, the sight of seven Porsches driving in noisy convoy must have been quite a sight and bystanders and fellow road users hurried to get their smartphones out to record videos and bag a few snaps.
Arriving back at Porsche, there was no time to try the Cayenne S, but with five fantastic vehicles tested and a morning workout thrown in for good measure, who could complain?
Fancy a test drive?
For more information about the Engine Room, call +968 2439 0427, +968 2439 0428 or go to horizonoman.com
To find out more about the Porsche range, visit the dealership off Sultan Qaboos Street in Ghubra, call +968 2449 2544 or go to porscheoman.com
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