Rockkhound, as he is better known, has never shied away from treading the path less trodden. After some years working as a flight attendant and travelling the world, he decided to pursue his dream of becoming a photographer – a career that would enable him to continue exploring while following his passion. While he worked in the airline industry, his luggage consisted of two cameras and four lenses, ready to shoot any subject in any destination. He was always prepared because, Rockkhound says, exploring can be done anywhere, if you have the right perspective – from distant lands to the most familiar of towns.
Rockkhound has made his name through the stills he’s shot around the world, but home is where his heart is. Bangkok, with its inimitable vibrancy and endless bustle, is where he has carved his niche and he’s now built up more than 100,000 followers on Instagram. His adrenaline-filled urban lifestyle comes across noticeably in his work but when it comes to capturing nature, things change. “I don’t try to perfect those shots as a human,” he says. “I’ve learned to perfect only what can be perfected and to understand what’s uncontrollable. Humans could build thousands of skyscrapers but nature is still the best creator.”
From the city into the wilderness
Armed with this appreciation of the nuances of photography beyond urban settings, he was set the challenge of capturing the soul of the first Cross Utility Vehicle from Zuffenhausen – the Taycan Cross Turismo.
With a range capable of tackling expeditions, 800-volt technology for less time spent charging and more time travelling, and enough space to accommodate everything one might need for such a journey, the Cross Turismo is fully electric, versatile, robust – and ready for adventure.
First, Rockkhound needed a location that would allow the CUV to flex its muscles – and Thailand delivered. Known as the Land of Smiles, it is a place that has captured the hearts of many road-trippers, not least Stefan Bogner, of Curves Magazin, who recently waxed lyrical about the sublime quality of the country’s driving routes. To the south, there is the idyllic strip of land between the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea; to the north, the smoothest asphalt with perfectly cambered bends and an almost absurd flow. For Rockkhound, there was a clear favourite: Pran Buri, on Thailand’s south-western coast. Adventure was on the menu, and with the district boasting everything from rocky mountains to lush forests and sandy beaches, the stage was set for the Taycan Cross Turismo to do its thing.
In its natural habitat
In many ways, parallels can be drawn between the Porsche ethos and Rockkhound’s beliefs. "Sometimes you can look at an iconic picture, and you know who the photographer is simply by looking at it,” explains Rockkhound. “I define a 'beautiful photograph' as one that tells stories and that is full of emotion."
If the Taycan Cross Turismo was a photograph, Rockkhound believes he would be able to tell who captured it and the tale behind it. The flat front bonnet, muscular wings and the rearward sloping roofline: even at first glance, the design bears the DNA of the iconic 911. In addition, the flat headlights with vertical air intakes clearly mark it as a member of the Taycan family. And yet, Porsche’s second all-electric sports car is markedly different from its sibling.
While the Taycan is in its natural habitat in the city and on windy roads, the Taycan Cross Turismo finds a second home in the wilderness, with a spirit of adventure found in every detail. Going off the beaten track means being prepared with the right gear, and on this front the Cross Turismo delivers. With nearly 1,200 litres of luggage space, optionally bolstered by a Tequipment roof box, it can accommodate equipment for the most demanding of journeys – something which Rockkhound sees the appeal in: “If I’m going on a trip my equipment is the priority. I travel to shoot.”
With an adventure-ready and high-tech chassis that maximises aerodynamic efficiency, the Taycan Cross Turismo glides into the wild of Pran Buri, taking centre stage like a wild blue flower among the trees in Rockkhound’s viewfinder. His exclusive photo-journal captures its spirit in ways that few others have so far.
Paying homage to heritage, while daring to be different
“See what makes great work great. Break down the elements of the work that you like. Find out how you can achieve it, then do it in your own style.” Rockkhound’s words ring true once again. The Taycan Cross Turismo follows a trail that only select models have traversed in Porsche’s storied history. Beyond the capabilities of more obvious examples like the Cayenne and Macan, memories are also evoked of the iconic 911 Carrera 3.2 4x4 (953) and the 959. Dominating unforgiving desert terrains and cross-continental rallies with unprecedented ferocity, their legacies live on.
In a similar vein, the Taycan Cross Turismo’s adaptive air suspension is height-adjustable for leaving everyday paths behind, and there is even a gravel mode for particularly unkind surfaces. The optional Off-Road Design Package provides a literal boost with 30 millimetres of ground clearance, elevating it in more ways than one.
Encapsulating the futurism of the Taycan, timelessness of the 911 and ruggedness of the Cayenne – qualities that are outstanding alone, never mind in one unprecedented package – the Taycan Cross Turismo is in many ways evolutionary and yet it is proudly revolutionary. Commander of the forest, captain of adventure, the Taycan Cross Turismo unleashes unlimited possibilities – and a passion for adventure. A rugged soul, electrified.
