Porsche 718 Boxster S Camera Car
New camera car finished in matte black
Porsche uses a special “camera car” based on the Porsche 718 Boxster S.
Filming on a circuit requires precise movement of the camera car, as well as the performance of the vehicle itself. Since the performance of the “buggy” (based on the old Boxster) that had been used until then could no longer keep up with the current model, the introduction of a new camera car was considered. This led to the development of a successor project based on the “718 Boxster S.”
The vehicle modifications were entrusted to a team of nine trainees under the supervision of Carsten Pohle, who supervises trainees at Porsche Leipzig.
The trainees then developed a new camera car concept that could withstand everyday use: a 718 Boxster S with its soft top removed and fitted with a sturdy roll cage. The entire vehicle, including the additional parts, was finished in matte black to minimize reflections during filming.
Steel tube mounts have been added to the front, rear, and sides to allow for flexible camera installation, and the roll cage itself also functions as a mount for shooting from high positions.
Prioritizing both safety and functionality
New platforms for filming have been installed in the front and rear luggage compartments and behind the seats, with priority being placed on ensuring the safety of the photographer in unstable environments.
Ensuring the safety of cameramen was a top priority for this modification, with the front and rear luggage compartments equipped with cushioning and harness systems, and a new platform between the front seats and rear trunk that allows for standing filming and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
Several technical improvements have also been made. Internal wiring allows the camera and laptop to be connected to the vehicle, and the laptop can be fixed to the passenger seat. A dedicated inverter is also installed, allowing it to power and charge filming equipment.
Since its completion, the 718 Boxster S camera car has been used regularly for filming at the Leipzig race track and has also frequently appeared in exterior shoots by Motor Presse Stuttgart magazine, including a photo shoot with Walter Röhrl.
Most recently, the car was used as a camera car at the Tutto Bene Hillclimb near Lake Maggiore in Italy, once again highlighting the versatility and practicality of the camera car that was developed as a result of this unique training project.
