RENT a new Porsche from the factory and experience your dream ride – that’s the offer from Porsche Cars Australia which this week launched a pilot of its premium, short-term car rental service.

Porsche Drive Rental, which has opened online bookings, is promoted as being ideal for people who want casual access to a Porsche sports car.

It also aligns with changing customer preferences and the trend towards user choices that are digital, flexible and individual; including making vehicles available for shorter periods of time.

Porsche Cars Australia (PCA) managing director and CEO, Daniel Schmollinger said: “Porsche Drive Rental is the latest example of us introducing innovative products to the Australian market.”

“This pilot program in Melbourne will give us tremendous insights into how we evolve this offering in Australia in future years.”

The program’s Australian launch will offer access to several exclusive, latest-model Porsche sports cars, including the 911 Carrera 4S, 718 Boxster S, and all-electric Taycan 4S.

The program isn’t cheap and requires renters to be at least aged 27 and have held a driver’s licence for at least five years.

Daily prices start at $718 for a Cayman, then accelerate to $911 for the two 911 models and $899 a day for the Taycan.

Bookings are open and collection is made at Porsche Centre Melbourne courtesy of a dedicated Porsche Drive Rental valet.

PCA said that program customers can schedule their preferred Porsche model online by visiting porsche.com.au/drive.

“Once they set up their customer profile, they can choose their rental period and their preferred Porsche model,” the company said.

“Then it’s just a matter of collecting and returning their car on the scheduled dates.”

Program customers can rent their selected car for a day, weekend or week.

Porsche Drive Rental is a popular option in the company’s growing list of mobility services available in various markets.

GoAutoNews Premium has been told that statistics on how long people rent the cars, the distance travelled and preference for models are collected by Porsche but as each market differs, it is not possible to translate that to the Australian market.

Porsche’s premium car rental service started in Germany in 2014 and is available in 60 locations in Europe, North America and Japan. Most locations offering the rental program are factory-owned dealerships, as in the case of the trial in Melbourne.

The Australian booking system is designed and built by Porsche and adapted to the local market.

Results of the six-month Australian trial will decide on the program’s extension to other locations.

By Neil Dowling