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\u201cIt\u2019s the good ol\u2019 days right now for Porsche enthusiasts,\u201d says Joe Lawrence from the Detroit auto show floor, reflecting on Porsche\u2019s record 51,756 in US sales in 201<\/p>\n
5. \u201cThe Macan significantly expanded the model range and yet it was an amazing year for the sports car because we had the GT3 RS and the GT4 and the Boxster Spyder. And to top it off, we won LeMans.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lawrence should know. He\u2019s living the enthusiast\u2019s dream.<\/p>\n
He grew up in his father\u2019s Gemini Blue 1973 Porsche 911T. Car magazines were his bible. He drives his own kids to hockey games in a Porsche 911, and … oh yeah, he\u2019s chief operating officer for Porsche North America.<\/p>\n
Lawrence, 47, knows what all we Porsche fanatics should know: That the brand\u2019s explosive sales growth (from 15,000 units just a decade ago) is being fueled by SUVs with the resulting revenue tsunami getting plowed back into what made the brand famous: racing. It\u2019s a neat loop, but it also comes with a more complicated customer demographic as well as more exposure to green government regulations that are forcing automakers \u2013 even Porsche \u2013 to downsize engines. This year the Boxster and Cayman will add \u2013 hold on to your seat \u2013 four-bangers to their engine lineup.<\/p>\n
Can Porsche maintain its momentum? I sat down with the Texas native in Cobo to talk turbos, geeks and California.<\/p>\n
Q.\u00a0How long have you had the car disease?<\/p>\n
A.\u00a0Oh, my god. From an early age. I had every issue of every U.S. car magazine \u2013 plus I was a British car mag enthusiast. I had boxes in my basement. My wife finally said: \u201cWhen are you getting rid of all this?\u201d I was really a German enthusiast \u2013 Porsches, BMWs, Mercedes. To prove my car geekdom: In my wallet in high school \u2013 instead of a girlfriend \u2013 I had a picture of a diamond-blue Porsche 944 Turbo.<\/p>\n
Q.\u00a0What do you drive now?<\/p>\n
A.\u00a0I\u2019ve got a beautiful 2016 GTS 911. Stick shift. Ducktail. And what I have rediscovered living in Atlanta (\u00a0Porsche\u2019s U.S .headquarters<\/i>) is driving for fun again because there are amazing, twisty roads.<\/p>\n
Q.\u00a0Now that the base 911 is turbocharged, what distinguishes the new Turbo\/Turbo S shown at the Detroit show?<\/p>\n