Porsche passion
Patrick Roberts’s voice changes tone when he talks about his Porsche 911. His Seal Grey Metallic Type-996 Carrera 4S is, he says proudly, in completely original condition. The photos prove it. Cared for meticulously, it’s a sports car lover’s dream. But ask him about its technical details and factory specifications and he does something unexpected. He jumps straight to the car’s human effects, not its mechanical prowess.
“I'm always attracted to anything that has performance,” he says, speaking from his Melbourne studio. “Anything that has theatre, heritage and innovation just draws me in.”
It’s not that Patrick isn’t ‘into’ cars. Quite the opposite; a life-long car enthusiast, the famed Australian musician owned a Who’s Who of athletic German cars before acquiring his 911 ‘C4S’ in 2020. For the record, he recites his car’s technical CV with encyclopaedic accuracy, but it’s what his 911 does that grips him.
That grip began early in his life, and he thanks his childhood memories for the special 911 that currently occupies his garage.
“I've been attracted to the shape of a 911 since I was a little boy. My toy cars ingrained in me that the 911 encompasses everything a sports car is supposed to be. Before buying my car I was told that driving a 911 is an experience unlike any other, and my Carrera 4S confirmed it."
Then there’s the styling,
“I’ve always loved the 911’s shape. My car has that beautiful wide body. Its understated design and magnetic appeal never age.”
Patrick and his 911 are regulars on outer-Melbourne’s many ‘driving’ roads, with the Black Spur high on his favourites list. But if he could drive his C4S anywhere in the world, there’s one chart-topper.
“Germany’s Black Forest High Road and the Nürburgring Nordschleife would be spectacular,” he says. “But above all I’d love to drive the Stelvio Pass.”
“I’ve always loved the 911’s shape." Patrick Roberts
Patrick knows, however, that Germany’s famous ‘ring and autobahn network would prove tempting, so instead of pushing his Carrera 4S to its limits, he would reserve his all-time favourite Porsche for these slightly faster trips.
“That’s where the 911 S/T would come in. All the power, torque and razor-sharp handling you’d ever need. And a manual gearbox, of course.”
Porsche and music
Any sports car lover will tell you the Porsche 911 still wears the same three unmistakable signatures it wore when it was unveiled almost 62 years ago. Eight generations on, its rear-engine layout and Flyline silhouette have transcended all ideas of commercial branding and crystalised into cultural importance. But beyond the car’s structural and visual iconography is an audible autograph not found in any other modern car, which Patrick says is the 911’s most powerful hook.
“The Porsche six-cylinder boxer engine has its own sonic signature” he says. “Its visceral sound evokes different emotions in people in the same way music and songs can take people to places. Start that engine when it’s cold and it immediately raises the hair on your neck. Just like a musical instrument it can instantly change how you feel.
“And also like a musical instrument it’s all about vibration, pitch and intonation. But the nature of music’s impact is that it’s personal, and that’s part of the Porsche 911 magic.”
It’s also part of the magic of the violin, the instrument Patrick began playing at age five. Since then, he has transformed its place in the music world. The ARIA Award-winning artist has been credited with breaking the mould of classical music with his emotional and evocative performance style, and his own sonic signature can be found in eight studio albums and in collaborations with artists such as Sting, Julian Lennon, Tommy Emmanuel, The Carpenters, Air Supply and others.
“The Porsche six-cylinder boxer engine has its own sonic signature." Patrick Roberts
“I have a deep, rich overtone in my violin EQ,” he says, showing his Guarneri del Gesù, a legendary violin made in 1730 by Giuseppe Guarneri ‘del Gesù. On loan from London and valued at AUD $13 million, it’s rarer than a famed Stradivarius, with only around 500 made and just 300 believed to remain. Like his 911 it’s entirely original, right down to its scroll. It’s the only one of its kind in Australia.
“The violin is known for its deep, warm and rich projection. Unlike the more ‘silvery’ sounds of a Stradivarius, the Guarneri del Gesù is famed for its deeper tone.”
Its sound evokes the deepest of feelings in audiences, bringing to life the famed saying that ‘where words fail, music speaks’ while adding an extra sprinkle of magic during Patrick’s live performances.
“Performance means expression of oneself through their art,” he says, a quote that could easily have come from Ferdinand Porsche. “The stage is a very religious place for me. I tend to perform from the heart. In a way I almost make the violin talk to the audience, which means I’m having a conversation with them.
“Music and performing are always about emotions and the audience connects with these feelings. It’s a very special attachment.”
The new Porsche 911 Carrera GTS
Patrick recently experienced a different attachment when he sampled the new 911 Carrera GTS.
“It’s a revelation. I became obsessed with it. I didn’t want to get out of it.
“I’ve spent a lot of time in 992-generation 911 models and they’re all state of the art. But the T-Hybrid system in this new 911 is remarkable. The electric turbocharger spools immediately and the car accelerates instantly, even in third, fourth and fifth gear. There’s no sudden ‘slab of turbo’; the performance gives you the kind of smile you get on a rollercoaster.”
“It’s a revelation." Patrick Roberts on the new Porsche 911 Carrera GTS
And the best bit?
“It has the Taycan’s party trick of incredible acceleration but it comes with Porche’s sonic signature.”
Time spent driving through Victoria’s scenic Yarra Valley confirmed the latest 911 has handling that matches its thrust, and a visual style that turns heads everywhere.
“The Cartagena Yellow Metallic changes colour at different times of the day, and looks almost green at night. But my order would specify Crayon.”
New colours and bigger thrills aside, Patrick says the new 911 Carrera GTS retains its most important element.
“The 911 has always maintained its bloodline,” he explains. “Its DNA has always been about performance and innovation with a deep respect for its heritage. The result is even more precision and performance when you’re behind the wheel. This new 911 is so refined but it’s still an adventure with plenty of theatre.”
Info
Images: Simon Anderson (@simonandersonphoto)
Video: MB Video & Simon Anderson (@mbvideo_)
Patrick dressed by: Barabas (@Barabasmen)
Patrick Roberts: @patrickrobertsofficial
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