One of the most apparent themes was the creative challenge to make a car as innovatively and environmentally friendly as possible. Porsche, famous for its extravagant sports cars, mastered this challenge meticulously with the creation of the Mission R concept car. This brand new innovation combines modern technology with sustainable materials, such as natural fiber-reinforced plastics. The Mission R concept car sets a new standard for timeless luxury in juxtaposition with environmental awareness and a passion for racing in the market.
Images Courtesy of Porsche
Apart from their new innovations, Porsche also announced a brand new collaboration with Arthur Kar “L’art de l’automobile”, the car curator and seller, who once started as a mechanic and is now trading cars to artists like Virgil Abloh and Kanye West. His creativity is fuelled by a multitude of things, but mainly the link between basketball, hip-hop culture, and his ever-growing devotion to cars, fashion, and culture never fails to inspire him. Together with Porsche, he collaborated on the special occasion of the Porsche 968’s 30th anniversary and the outcome will be revealed during Paris fashion week.
Photography by Dylan Don
To celebrate the first ever “Spezi & Car” rally, the Bavarian-based brand BTSN designed a Taycan which was taken on a spin alongside 35+ other unique Porsche cars in a scenic Bavarian landscape.
Photography By Dylan Don
Like Arthur Kar, BSTN feels drawn to 90’s basketball and the depths of hip hop culture, which is certainly referenced in their designs. Not only do those two prove that fashion and cars are closer together than one may think, but also racing driver Laura Marie Geissler proves everyone who thinks otherwise, wrong. Besides racing the Nordschleife, or getting her helicopter’s license, the 22-year-old is also a fashion model. SLEEK met up with the racing driver to discuss all things cars, female empowerment, and stereotypes on social media.
To start this interview swiftly, can you tell us about your biggest thrill in your racing career?
My first accident on the Nordschleife (The Nordschleife is the oldest part of the Nürburgring racetrack in the Eifel region, opened in 1927) in brutal rain in a classic car. I can remember every single detail to this day: I let the clutch come too fast when downshifting. The car then spun up and I flew off the track into the run-off zone, which consisted of grass. Coming onto the grass in wet conditions feels like accelerating even though you’re fully on the brakes. Time just stood still, you’re just a passenger. That was my biggest thrill – I’ll never forget this feeling.
How did you become one of the most famous racer in Germany and how do you see this popularity?
Long-windedness. Not a day of doubting what you do. No matter how hard the conditions may seem. Every day I get up and look forward to testing my limit anew. I find a new awesome facet in my sport every day and get a little bit better every day. There is no stop for me anymore – just full throttle straight ahead. I know exactly where I’m going. I think the focus brings the success. The popularity it has created gives me super much inspiration and different points of view. I love being able to sweep people along and get them excited about something.
I want to use my upswing to inspire as many people as possible to burn for something and to cross borders.
Photography by Max Bublak
The media treatment of you is often under the terms of women empowerment or femininity, an image you seem to support via your instagram account for example. How do you see it ? (I mean : are you proud to have become a female icon in this sport or are you tired of always being referred to as a woman?)
I am an athlete. I like people (men as well as women) who stand up for their passion and show attitude. My ambition is to get better every day and to win – I think that answers everything.
Whether on instagram or in the media, you seem to thumb your nose at stereotypes and propose your own definition of femininity. What is your position on this? Do you feel involved in a de facto feminist commitment?
The question is rather who determines what is female and what is not. I go my own way and do every day what makes me happy without regard to whether that corresponds to the social image of my gender. I don’t think I have to make myself strong for women – we are strong.
How do you imagine the future path of your of racing? What are your ambitions?
My goals are very clearly defined. I know where my focus lies and where I’m headed. It’s going to be exciting and I’m going to shake up the motorsport scene in whatever way I can.
Any specific highlights at this years IAA?
The Mission R from Porsche. The concept study shows what the racing of the future could look like. More than 1,000 electric horsepower presents a racing driver with completely new challenges. I’m really keen to drive this rocket at some point and I’m curious to see how I can push my limits further with it.