The chance to roll around town in a Porsche Cayman one day and a Boxster the next is just a dream for most. But even though a new subscription program to be piloted by the German automaker is certainly still intended for the well-heeled, it would chop a few zeroes off the cost of such a lavish lifestyle, at least in the short term.
Porsche has dubbed the service Porsche Passport. Working through a smartphone app, it offers members on-demand access to a number of Porsche sports cars and SUVs through two subscription models, both of which involve a US$500 registration fee.
"Launch" is the cheaper of the two, and allows for access to eight models, including the 718 Boxster, Cayman S, Macan S and Cayenne for US$2,000 a month. "Accelerate" is the steeper option and gives subscribers access to 22 models, including the Porsche 911 Carrera S, Panamera 4S sports sedan and Cayenne S E-Hybrid at $3,000 a month.
Porsche Passport calls to mind other app-based subscription services aimed at those wanting to drive luxury vehicles without having to worry about insurance, taxes, registration and, of course, the huge initial outlay. Cadillac launched its Book service earlier in the year in New York, while Audi On Demand is available in San Francisco.
For its part, Porsche will be carrying out pilot of its Passport service in Atlanta. Applications are made through the smartphone app and, if the background and credit checks come back all clear, members can start requesting vehicles in metro Atlanta starting next month. Depending on how that goes, Porsche will consider expanding the service to other markets.
Source: Porsche