The Porsche mechanics tending to electric cars in icy Finland

Preparing a Taycan Cross Turismo electric car for driving on ice and snow

How expert mechanics get electric Porsche sports cars ready for action

21 August 2023

Aerial view of a Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo charging in snowy Finland

Working as a Porsche mechanic is exciting enough in normal circumstances, but it’s an entirely new challenge getting a Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo prepared for filming in the icy cold of a wintry Finnish snowscape

Prepping for an electric casting call

Outside the workshop at the Porsche Ice Experience in Finland, the temperature has just dipped below -30°C. Work needs to be done when preparing a Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo for driving in ice and snow. One car is connected to the charging pedestal, while another is slowly approaching the door of the workshop. For the mechanics on-site here, way up in the Arctic Circle, this is all par for the course. But things have been a bit different here lately – instead of the countless visitors from all over the world flocking to the location, there’s a film crew from Dubai stationed here in the freezing north. And while there may only be two Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo cars, they need the mechanics’ undivided attention.

A Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo drives into a workshop — When it’s -30°C outside, mechanics need to act quickly to get the cars in for a check

Both electric cars are uniquely finished in red and blue with eye-catching Drive2Extremes logos – the mark of an adrenaline-filled campaign being filmed for Porsche Middle East. With any potential spectators absent from the Porsche Ice Experience as filming takes place, the film crew works undisturbed as the Taycan Cross Turismo is driven across the icy terrain. At the wheel is Jukka Honkavuori, senior supervisor of the Porsche instructors here in Levi. Having been born and bred in northern Finalnd, Jukka is an expert in these conditions, but for the film he is being given specific instructions by director Nicholas Schrunk and ace drone pilot Johnny FPV. Both are pushing Jukka to the limit – and occasionally beyond it – in order to get the right shots. When it comes to getting the Taycan off the track and into the workshop however, it then becomes the mechanics’ time to shine.

A Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo on a lifting platform — Time for a little aftercare for the Taycan Cross Turismo

Shining amid the wintry glow

A few minor scratches have to be eliminated, but for the shoot, the two Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo cars must also have the perfect shine. Batteries must be fully charged so that the crew can film to lessen interruptions, and the front spoiler needs a little TLC from a few bumps it has suffered. And, after a few cinematic drifts, a large volume of ice and snow has naturally accumulated, which needs to be removed. But this work is no real challenge for the mechanics and their expertise. Readying the Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo for driving in ice and snow is all in a day’s work.

A mechanic works on the bumper of a Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo — Fronting up: the mechanics are primed to restore the cars to perfection after their icy drifts

This far north, the challenges are a little different. In a normal season, from January to March, up to a hundred visitors arrive at the Porsche Ice Experience site every week, so there’s a great deal to do. During this period, the mechanics are mostly cut off from everyday life in this remote part of Finland for several weeks at a time, meaning that they must largely be self-reliant. But with all their years of experience, the mechanics know exactly what they need for a season, so are well-prepared with all the tyres and spare parts in stock needed for keeping the cars in tip-top condition for visitors.

Studded car tyres stacked vertically in a lit room — A well-stocked supply of tyres – especially studded ones – are essential when you are in the wilds of Arctic Finland

Home is where the Porsche is

It’s pleasantly warm inside the workshop – you could even say its cosy. It’s a good job, too, because during the long, dark weeks, these few square metres become something of a home away from home for the Porsche mechanics. When the door briefly opens and a Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo – still caked in snow from the scene that’s just been shot – rolls in, a blast of Arctic air invades the room. But scarcely has the door closed again and everything returns to normal. A place of calm, warmth and plenty of industry from the mechanics at work here. If you were dropped into this scene, you would think it was just another local Porsche specialist. Instead, it’s a remote workshop many, many kilometres from anything resembling a decent-sized town, where it’s all about getting ready a Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo for driving in ice and snow.

Porsche workshop facilities amid a white, Finnish landscape, from above — Porsche Ice Experience’s workshop facilities are in a remote corner of northern Finland

One of the Porsche Taycan Cross Turismos rolls onto the lifting platform, melting ice slowly dripping from it. The front spoiler needs a little work done due to the weight of some solid snow and ice. On the laptop, a few electronic settings are checked – such things require particular special attention when it comes to an electric vehicle that in this particular instance is acting as a de facto film star.

Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo on a lifting platform — One final check for the star of the show – the Taycan Cross Turismo

“Can we have the Taycan back on set, please? We’re ready for the next scene!” crackles the voice of the film’s production manager over the two-way radio. “Sure! Ready to go!” replies one of the mechanics, who always seem to be ready, no matter what – including being 3,000km between them and their base back at Porsche HQ in Zuffenhausen, to make the film a success! Click here to watch the final video.

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