Porsche celebrates Romania’s famous Transfăgărășan road, which turned 50 this year, and the new 911.
In a spectacular setting, marked by the iconic hairpin turns of the Transfăgărășan, Porsche celebrated the 50th anniversary of this legendary road, offering the public a first look at its newest model – the 911 Carrera 4 GTS.
The Transfăgărășan, often called “the most beautiful road in the world,” is an ultimate test for driving enthusiasts and their cars. With its challenging hairpin turns and dreamlike landscapes, the route perfectly blends adrenaline with respect for nature. Porsche transformed this emblematic location into a platform to demonstrate the performance of the new 911 Carrera 4 GTS, a model that combines raw power with state-of-the-art technology.
After telling you at the beginning of the year about the unique experience of being mobility partners for the “Dakar Ice Challenge,” where the couple Mihai and Carmen Zaman faced the winter challenges on the ice circuits of Levi, Finland, now, at the end of summer, we embarked on a new, equally spectacular chapter: the Transfăgărășan Getaway.
This journey was not only a tribute to one of the most famous roads in the world but also an opportunity to celebrate safety and responsibility behind the wheel, values that Porsche promotes with every adventure. Alongside the Zaman couple, we rediscovered what it means to combine technological performance with respect for the road, the landscape, and the road community.
The all-wheel drive, impeccable handling, and advanced safety systems made every turn of the Transfăgărășan a demonstration of technological excellence. At the same time, the event was an invitation to all drivers: to explore spectacular roads, but always with responsibility.
During the event, Porsche emphasized the importance of adopting a correct and safe driving style. On the Transfăgărășan, as on any other road, every driver must obey traffic rules, be attentive to road conditions, and know their own limits and those of their car. Every turn can become a memorable experience, but only if approached with responsibility. And while in past episodes we talked about risk management, in this article, I want to talk about the correct driving position.
A correct seat position is essential not only for comfort but also for ensuring safe and effective control of the vehicle. The interaction between the body and the seat forms a vital link between the driver and the car, allowing the driver to “feel the car” and respond effectively in any driving situation. Understanding how to adjust the seat correctly can significantly improve the driving experience and safety.
First, adjusting the seat height is crucial. There should be a gap of at least four fingers between the top of your head and the vehicle’s ceiling. This ensures clear visibility, which is essential for both comfort and safety. A higher seat position allows you to see the road more clearly and make quick decisions while driving.
The next step is to adjust the seat length to ensure your left foot comfortably presses the clutch pedal when fully depressed, or, in an automatic transmission vehicle, your left foot rests on the footrest. Additionally, your knee should be slightly bent, ensuring you are in a relaxed and comfortable position. This adjustment is important not only for comfort but also for safety. It helps avoid unnecessary strain on your legs and ensures you can apply the brake with greater force, which could be essential in emergency situations.
The seatback should be adjusted to an angle as upright as possible, so that your back is straight. This position provides better support for the upper body, especially during braking or sharp turns. A more upright backrest ensures more stability and more effective support against lateral forces, allowing you to maintain control of the vehicle during quick maneuvers.
The steering wheel should be adjusted after the backrest. Both the backrest and the steering wheel must be set to create a comfortable and functional driving position. The height of the steering wheel should be adjusted so that the dashboard is visible, and its forward and backward position should be set so that when you place your hands on the wheel at the 9 and 3 o’clock position, your arms are slightly bent and your shoulders remain in contact with the seatback. This allows you to react quickly to maneuvers and helps prevent injuries in case of sudden movements.
The headrest plays an essential role in preventing neck and head injuries. To maximize its effectiveness, make sure the top of your head is level with the top of the headrest. There should be enough space between your head and the headrest to allow free movement, but it must be positioned high enough to protect your neck in case of sudden stops or collisions.
It is also important to ensure that the seatbelt is correctly adjusted. The belt should not be loose, as this can lead to serious injuries in an accident. Make sure the belt is snug to keep you secured in the seat, reducing the risk of injury during sudden maneuvers or collisions.
Finally, the side mirrors must be adjusted to provide a clear view of your surroundings. The optimal setting for the side mirrors is for one-third of the vehicle to be visible, with the other two-thirds showing the background. This positioning gives you a wider view of the traffic and the road behind you, helping to avoid accidents and improving overall awareness while driving.
We want to promote the fact that regardless of the vehicle we drive, the most important aspect remains safety. Whether you’re behind the wheel of a 911 Carrera 4 GTS on the Transfăgărășan or in any other context, respect for traffic rules and for other road users is fundamental.
Thus, Porsche not only celebrated the beauty of driving but also promoted, during this event, the essential values that make every journey a remarkable and safe experience.
This article highlights not only Porsche’s performance but also a message of responsibility that all drivers should follow.