OpenRoad Driver Volume 12 Issue 1 | Page 106

104 » OpenRoad Driver High Beams Porsche Grand Opening – Soul Porsche Centre Langley The Grand Opening launch of Porsche Centre Langley set out to celebrate the very soul of Porsche. It succeeded spectacularly in capturing the hearts and souls of guests as well. The celebration transported the over 500 guests back in time as they entered through an ultra-luxe breezeway of vintage Porsche collector cars, including the 1970 Porsche 911 and the 1979 Porsche 930 Turbo. A modern-day 911 GT3 and the Carrera reflected their motorsport heritage next to thrilling racing videos and a display of Porsche trophies. Horsepower was on full display in every sense. Two black stallions – inspired by the Porsche crest – preceded the speeches alongside a sporty beast of the metal variety. The $1.3-million Porsche 918 Spyder upstaged the live stallions, boasting an engine that races at a staggering 887 hp. Special remarks were provided by Christian Chia, President, OpenRoad Auto Group; Alexander Pollich, President & CEO, Porsche Cars Canada; The Honourable Ted Schaffer, Mayor, City of Langley; and Aly Jiwani, General Manager, Porsche Centre Langley. Chia noted that the 20-car showroom made OpenRoad’s new Porsche centre in Langley one of the largest in North America. Guests savoured craft cocktails, German wheat beer by Erdinger and custom canapés designed by Executive Chef Alex Chen, whose culinary achievements at Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar and Beverly Hills Hotel were on masterful display. Juno Award-winning artist, Lights, was electric as she capped the evening with a high-energy synthpop set, leading perfectly with her smash debut hit, “Drive My Soul.” Photos by Nima Zadrafi »