PORSCHE APPRENTICES ONCE BUILT THE ULTIMATE CAMERA CAR — A 718 BOXSTER S TURNED TRACK WEAPON FOR FILMMAKERS!
When most apprentices get handed a project brief, it’s usually something straightforward - maybe a mock-up or a workshop exercise. But at Porsche Leipzig, nine young trainees were given the keys to something far cooler: the chance to build the perfect camera car. The base? A Porsche 718 Boxster S. The result? A low-slung, matte-black, precision-engineered filming machine that’s as capable through corners as it is behind a lens. This project actually came to life back in 2017, but it’s only recently been brought out of the shadows. Built for life on the track at the Porsche Experience Centre in Leipzig, this unique Boxster has become the unsung hero of Porsche’s in-house photo and video production. Filming at high speed demands a lot - not just from the crew, but from the car carrying them. The old camera ‘buggy’, based on an earlier Boxster, had finally met its match when modern Porsches started leaving it in the dust. So, a new idea sparked: turn a 718 Boxster S into a purpose-built camera car that could keep up with the best of them. Under the guidance of training supervisor Carsten Pohle, nine apprentices got stuck into the task. The soft-top came off, a reinforced roll bar went in, and the car’s iconic lines were reimagined in matte black - not for style points, though it looks incredible, but to cut down reflections when filming. Every modification had a purpose. To give camera operators freedom to shoot from any angle, the team fitted steel tube mounts to the front, rear, and sides, with the roll bar doubling as a high mount point for elevated camera shots. It’s modular, functional, and designed with proper track use in mind.
You can’t have a great camera car without thinking about safety. Both the front and rear luggage compartments were padded and equipped with harness systems to secure equipment and crew. There’s even a standing platform between the seats and rear trunk area for operators to capture dynamic, over-the-shoulder or chase footage - complete with PPE harness mounts for safety. Inside, the electrical system got an upgrade too. Integrated wiring allows for a direct camera-to-laptop link, while an inverter provides power for monitors, chargers, and data transfer gear. Everything a filmmaker needs to work on the move - or in this case, while flat-out through a corner. What started as a student exercise evolved into a full-fledged tool used for professional shoots. The Boxster camera car has seen regular action at Porsche’s Leipzig test track and beyond. It’s been used in productions by Motor Presse Stuttgart, helped film none other than Walter Röhrl, and most recently captured stunning visuals at the Tutto Bene Hillclimb near Lake Maggiore. This wasn’t just a learning project; it became a showcase of Porsche’s DNA: precision, passion, and performance. The fact that a group of apprentices built something that’s now filming icons of the brand says everything you need to know about the culture inside Porsche Leipzig. It’s the kind of project that proves engineering and creativity go hand-in-hand - and if you’ve ever dreamed of chasing a GT3 RS through a mountain pass with a camera in hand, this might just be your dream Boxster. This is one skunkworks car that we’d happily bite someone in the face for…
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