1,2,3! The floor is lava – don’t touch the floor or you’ll fall in!

Raise your hand if you remember jumping on couches, chairs, and boxes to avoid the dreaded lava. Ever the innovator, Netflix recreated a real-life version of this.  Contestants enter a room filled with obstacles and have to navigate themselves to the exit all while “molten” lava bubbles ominously underneath them.  This show is hilarious, and I highly recommend a viewing party – I guarantee all the slips and slides are worth it.

In between all the laughs however, I must provide a *warning*:  you may see something shocking, perhaps even repulsive.  In season 2, one of the obstacles is a Porsche!  Yes, a Porsche is submerged in lava and contestants jump on the car with lava soaked shoes.   In the show they call the car a ’56 Porsche.  The instant I saw it, I became overly curious and began wondering what Porsche model this could be. Take a look below.

Yes, these are the clearest images I could find

My hours of Googling lead me to a number of interesting finds and down quite a rabbit hole that shot me straight into the future.

My Google Journey Using Key Words: Floor is Lava Porsche

• I read up on volcanos and CO2 emissions: Did you know humans annually produce 60 times more CO2 than the total amount released by volcanos each year?
• This then lead me to an slew of articles on Porsche’s goal of becoming CO2 neutral by 2030
• Which then lead me to the GT4 ePerformance

In 2021, Porsche announced its plan to become CO2 neutral by 2030.  In order to advance this goal, Porsche has begun restructuring their factories and developing innovative technology for its cars, including designing battery-operated sports cars.

On June 26^th, Porsche publicly premiered the GT4 ePerformance at the Festival of Speed. Not only does the car perform at a high level (with a maximum output of 800 kW (1,073 hp)), but its entire development has been focused on reducing emissions as well.  Of course, it’s battery powered, but the use of natural fiber composite materials for its body (vs synthetic), and Michelin racing tires created with over 50 percent recycled materials, showcase Porsche’s heavy lean into sustainability.  All that said, the car looks and sounds amazing.  Take a look at the below video:

Though still a prototype, Porsche has created a clear path into the future.  What’s still not clear to me is what model of Porsche was submerged in lava!

My googling did lead me on quite the journey, and I hope this month’s Challenge leads to unexpected discoveries as well. From President Allen Fossbender’s recap of Porsche Parade to a new clothing launch from Joe Kunecki, there’s plenty to uncover.

I hope you enjoy this edition of Challenge,

Caroline