Wheels of Lisbon
Antoine
series 2
How did your passion for cars begin?
My grandfather was a car enthusiast, so from my earliest days, I was around some very special cars, primarily English cars. As if that wasn't enough, my grandmother’s favorite memory game was to have me recall every car brand and model. So, every time we were driving, she would randomly point out a car and ask me all about it. That’s how it all started. I became really passionate about cars because I was fortunate enough to live during an era when car makers could truly be bold and create iconic cars like the Carrera GT, the F50, the Enzo, and many more. I've always been attracted to both design and mechanics, and that’s how the passion grew from there.
Can you tell us more about this car and this particular model?
What people don’t really know is that I have a very specific buying process. I’m not like most conventional car collectors who need to know everything about a car before considering purchasing it. I actually enjoy discovering them once they’re in my garage. This particular model was bought at an online auction—I was mostly just having fun with the auction, and at some point, I realized I had actually won it. It’s a 2008 Porsche Cayenne V6. It’s definitely not the best engine Porsche has built, but it’s fun enough to get around. It's almost stock, except for the bigger off-road tires, which really change the car's look. And of course, there’s the tribute to the golden era of Le Mans racing with the Rothmans livery.
How did the car end up in Lisbon?
I moved to Lisbon, and I just couldn’t leave the car behind. :)
Why is this your perfect daily driver, and as a film director, do you often use it in your productions in Portugal?
It’s the perfect daily driver because it handles the rough roads you can find in Lisbon, and really, in many places. To be honest, it’s also one of my daughter’s favorite cars. From a professional standpoint, it’s incredibly useful for getting to pretty much anywhere, which is important for my work. I focus a lot on locations, and I believe the car adds character to my films at the end of the day.
Do you think your love for cars influences your film directing style?
Definitely! But I also feed my mind with many different passions and subjects. What I enjoy about cars is how they can be compared to a wide range of topics. The way I work a story with the philosophy of transport and movement is something I love most, and it’s directly inspired by cars.
How would you describe your taste in cars?
Hmm, it’s hard to describe because it’s pretty eclectic. I enjoy driving a small Toyota Yaris just as much as a 964 on the track. I’d say I don’t follow a particular set of “taste rules,” but rather, I listen to what a car makes me feel.
Can you tell us what cars/motorcycles you have in your garage?
Currently, I have:
Porsche Cayenne Rothmans tribute, Porsche 997.2 GT3 RS, Porsche 981 GT4 Clubsport, Audi RS6, Mazda 2, Honda Forza 125
Porsche Cayenne Rothmans tribute, Porsche 997.2 GT3 RS, Porsche 981 GT4 Clubsport, Audi RS6, Mazda 2, Honda Forza 125
Do you have a favorite drive or route in Portugal?
I haven’t explored much yet, but for now, the N379-1 is definitely my favorite.
