Sights and sounds at Das Treffen 9
30 Dec 2024|304 views
"How quickly can you all get here? They need the car at the display."
As we quickly wolf down our boat noodles (we may have picked one spice level too high), a Porsche-fuelled day lay ahead of us.
And I'm holding on to the keys of a Taycan Cross Turismo, right now parked just outside our hotel and not where it's supposed to be: At one of Porsche Thailand's displays at Das Treffen.
We're in Bangkok for Das Treffen, this year marking the ninth edition of this gathering of Porsche cars and owners. And it's a huge affair.
It's clear that the Porsche community is thriving, especially in Thailand but evidently across the region as well. With Porsche owner clubs from Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam in attendance (many of whom drove their own cars to Bangkok), the undeniable passion of these owners is palpable.
And of course, the cars. So many of them (627 to be exact), and so much variety too.
Here are some eye-catching highlights from Bangkok:
1. 911 Carrera RS 2.7
The theme of this year's event was "Limited Edition", and rather fittingly the co-star in the circle of limited edition cars was a Carrera RS 2.7 (with an fitting 1973 number plate, though I am unclear about the intricacies of Thai number plates, vanity or otherwise).
Developed first as a homologation special, then eventually a road-approved vehicle, this car is the original template for which all subsequent go-faster 911s followed. More performance, less weight, better aero, even the 'RS' name, modern high-performance 911s can trace all their roots back to this model.
And my god if it doesn't still look stunning.
2. 911
The OG. The 911. Or well, actually the 901 but because of a preexisting patent by Peugeot it had to be renamed to 911. And so the iconic nameplate was born.
Okay I'm not going to claim to be able to identify the exact year or specification, but my best guess is '64 or '65 based on the pre-Fuchs wheels (Original? Aftermarket? Resto-mod? Who knows?)
Another seemingly period-correct detail? The car's tax label sticker still indicates the brand as 'Volkswagen' (or at least that's what I think it is I can't read Thai).
Also spotted: An original 911T with its owners and two little kids in jumpsuits. Because family car.
3. 356 Speedster
Though if you really want to go back to the brand's earliest roots, then the 356 it is - the closest relative to the VW Beetle. A few were present at Das Treffen, but this Speedster caught my eye in particular. There is no roof, but there is a Rudolph nose at the front.
4. RUFs and RWBs
Modified Porsches were also out in force. RUF and RWB are two of the bigger names in the Porsche tuning scene, and quite a few were to be found at Da Treffen. RWBs in particular occupy an interesting space for Porsche die-hards - sensational yet polarising and sometimes controversial. The RUF approach is more subtle, but no less spectacular.
Not spotted: Any Singer 911s. Sad.
5. 911 Dakar
There were a sea of 911s both older and new (I find the 964 particularly delightful to look at). But if I had to pick one from the modern lineup, it would be the 911 Dakar - arguably the least conventional 911 of them all.
Yes, I am certainly biased having driven the heck out of one in the Sahara Dessert, but the 911 Dakar just has a particular charm and specialness to it - a rally-inspired 911 designed to go off-road. Only 2,500 were made, and there were four of them (that I saw) at Das Treffen.
6. 918 Spyder
The 918 Spyder is a fundamentally impressive car, one of the holy trinity of hybrid hypercars. I've been lucky enough to have been a passenger on one wiggling its way around a damp Sepang Circuit.
But really, the only thing I truly care for is its Martini Racing livery. Martini and Porsche have a long history, with particular prominence in the 70s when Martini Porsches won Le Mans multiple times. Such advertising (particular of the tobacco and alcohol sort) have faded into the annals of history, which adds further lustre to such liveries these days.
7. Taycan Cross Turismo
There were lots of older cars, and I'm a sucker for more classic models. But newer Porsches were in attendance too, including a SUV section with Cayennes and Macans on display.
My personal pick of the newest models? This one - the Taycan Cross Turismo.
In this electric age, the Taycan Cross Turismo stands out for its cool appeal, blending dynamic agility with everyday practicality (well, enough of it). In fact, we drove this very car to the event - a sweet drive whether cruising along at highway speeds or caught up in expected Bangkok traffic.
Detractors may think that Das Treffen is just a bunch of rich people coming together with their fancy Porsches. And there is probably some truth to that - as evidenced by the numerous rare (and definitely expensive) Porsches in attendance.
But the atmosphere at Das Treffen is relaxed, not some snooty owners-only affair. The event is open to public and free to enter, and any Porsche owner is free to drive their car to the event. So whether it's a rare 1 of 57 993 GT2, an under-appreciated 944 Turbo, or even a more 'run-of-the-mill' Macan or Boxster, everyone Porsche owner is appreciated equally.
And that's perhaps the precise appeal of Das Treffen: It's simply a celebration of passion for the brand, and a celebration that invites anyone and everyone to join in.
"How quickly can you all get here? They need the car at the display."
As we quickly wolf down our boat noodles (we may have picked one spice level too high), a Porsche-fuelled day lay ahead of us.
And I'm holding on to the keys of a Taycan Cross Turismo, right now parked just outside our hotel and not where it's supposed to be: At one of Porsche Thailand's displays at Das Treffen.
We're in Bangkok for Das Treffen, this year marking the ninth edition of this gathering of Porsche cars and owners. And it's a huge affair.
It's clear that the Porsche community is thriving, especially in Thailand but evidently across the region as well. With Porsche owner clubs from Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam in attendance (many of whom drove their own cars to Bangkok), the undeniable passion of these owners is palpable.
And of course, the cars. So many of them (627 to be exact), and so much variety too.
Here are some eye-catching highlights from Bangkok:
1. 911 Carrera RS 2.7
The theme of this year's event was "Limited Edition", and rather fittingly the co-star in the circle of limited edition cars was a Carrera RS 2.7 (with an fitting 1973 number plate, though I am unclear about the intricacies of Thai number plates, vanity or otherwise).
Developed first as a homologation special, then eventually a road-approved vehicle, this car is the original template for which all subsequent go-faster 911s followed. More performance, less weight, better aero, even the 'RS' name, modern high-performance 911s can trace all their roots back to this model.
And my god if it doesn't still look stunning.
2. 911
The OG. The 911. Or well, actually the 901 but because of a preexisting patent by Peugeot it had to be renamed to 911. And so the iconic nameplate was born.
Okay I'm not going to claim to be able to identify the exact year or specification, but my best guess is '64 or '65 based on the pre-Fuchs wheels (Original? Aftermarket? Resto-mod? Who knows?)
Another seemingly period-correct detail? The car's tax label sticker still indicates the brand as 'Volkswagen' (or at least that's what I think it is I can't read Thai).
Also spotted: An original 911T with its owners and two little kids in jumpsuits. Because family car.
3. 356 Speedster
Though if you really want to go back to the brand's earliest roots, then the 356 it is - the closest relative to the VW Beetle. A few were present at Das Treffen, but this Speedster caught my eye in particular. There is no roof, but there is a Rudolph nose at the front.
4. RUFs and RWBs
Modified Porsches were also out in force. RUF and RWB are two of the bigger names in the Porsche tuning scene, and quite a few were to be found at Da Treffen. RWBs in particular occupy an interesting space for Porsche die-hards - sensational yet polarising and sometimes controversial. The RUF approach is more subtle, but no less spectacular.
Not spotted: Any Singer 911s. Sad.
5. 911 Dakar
There were a sea of 911s both older and new (I find the 964 particularly delightful to look at). But if I had to pick one from the modern lineup, it would be the 911 Dakar - arguably the least conventional 911 of them all.
Yes, I am certainly biased having driven the heck out of one in the Sahara Dessert, but the 911 Dakar just has a particular charm and specialness to it - a rally-inspired 911 designed to go off-road. Only 2,500 were made, and there were four of them (that I saw) at Das Treffen.
6. 918 Spyder
The 918 Spyder is a fundamentally impressive car, one of the holy trinity of hybrid hypercars. I've been lucky enough to have been a passenger on one wiggling its way around a damp Sepang Circuit.
But really, the only thing I truly care for is its Martini Racing livery. Martini and Porsche have a long history, with particular prominence in the 70s when Martini Porsches won Le Mans multiple times. Such advertising (particular of the tobacco and alcohol sort) have faded into the annals of history, which adds further lustre to such liveries these days.
7. Taycan Cross Turismo
There were lots of older cars, and I'm a sucker for more classic models. But newer Porsches were in attendance too, including a SUV section with Cayennes and Macans on display.
My personal pick of the newest models? This one - the Taycan Cross Turismo.
In this electric age, the Taycan Cross Turismo stands out for its cool appeal, blending dynamic agility with everyday practicality (well, enough of it). In fact, we drove this very car to the event - a sweet drive whether cruising along at highway speeds or caught up in expected Bangkok traffic.
Detractors may think that Das Treffen is just a bunch of rich people coming together with their fancy Porsches. And there is probably some truth to that - as evidenced by the numerous rare (and definitely expensive) Porsches in attendance.
But the atmosphere at Das Treffen is relaxed, not some snooty owners-only affair. The event is open to public and free to enter, and any Porsche owner is free to drive their car to the event. So whether it's a rare 1 of 57 993 GT2, an under-appreciated 944 Turbo, or even a more 'run-of-the-mill' Macan or Boxster, everyone Porsche owner is appreciated equally.
And that's perhaps the precise appeal of Das Treffen: It's simply a celebration of passion for the brand, and a celebration that invites anyone and everyone to join in.
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