She had been driving a Porsche 911 for 18 years with her husband... it was she who insisted on buying a Ferrari: «at 70, it might be too late» - ItalPassion

For almost two decades, their automotive life revolved around a single model: the Porsche 911. A conscious, almost philosophical choice for this internationally renowned Japanese couple of architects. But after 18 years of loyalty to the German sports car, they decided to change everything. Radically. Their new road companion? A Ferrari. And not just any woman. A story told by Engine.

The versatile Porsche 911 and the call of Italy

Kenichi Yokobori and Tomoko Komata are no ordinary motorists. Renowned architects, their work is regularly acclaimed internationally, notably in the UK where some of their projects have won awards.

For 18 years, they made a simple choice: to own just one car. A Porsche 911. Versatile, high-performance, for everyday use, it represented for them the perfect balance between pleasure and rationality. They used it for everything. Everyday journeys as well as more distant escapades. A unique car, capable of meeting every need, in the purest German tradition. But over time, something just didn't add up.

The couple have never hidden their attachment to Italy. Both worked in the Tokyo office of the famous Italian architect Aldo Rossi, and their style is still inspired by him today: elegant, expressive, almost theatrical. A world far removed from German austerity.

For while the Porsche 911 satisfied them dynamically, its rigorous, functional black interior was at odds with their artistic sensibilities. This was particularly true of Tomoko Komata, who specializes in interior design. She felt a lack. The need for a more sensory, more emotional experience on a daily basis. «We've reached a certain age. At 70, driving a Ferrari might be too difficult. We thought it was the right time to give it a try,» she confides.

The big jump: a Ferrari California T

The click was immediate. Out with the Porsche 911. The couple set out in search of a Ferrari that could still be used on a daily basis. Three models were considered: California, Portofino and Roma. But the lead times for a new Roma were too long. In the end, they decided on a Ferrari California T of 2017.

A model that's far from insignificant. With its twin-turbocharged 3.9-liter V8 developing over 500 horsepower, the California T remains a true sports car. But it also stands out for its versatility, retractable roof and 2+2 architecture, which make it more accessible for everyday use.

What seduced Kenichi Yokobori? The lines. According to him, Ferrari has achieved a tour de force: to give a front-engined car the appearance of a mid-engined model, thanks to subtle work on proportions. But for Tomoko Komata, it's the interior that has changed everything.

The car becomes a source of inspiration

The California T they find is far from ordinary. Its configuration is unique: a subtly grayed pale blue exterior, combined with a black roof, and above all a two-tone beige and sky-blue interior. A refined, almost couture universe.

The all-leather dashboard, the stitching, the details... all contribute to creating an ambience rarely found in automobiles. «This type of finish doesn't improve performance. But in my profession, this vision is essential. Living with a Ferrari on a daily basis is a precious experience for an architect,» she explains. So much so, in fact, that it influences her daily life. She even admits to buying more blue clothes to match her car.

A new way of experiencing the automobile

One year after the arrival of the Ferrari, the change is profound. Without necessarily increasing the number of long-distance journeys, the couple have already covered more than 10,000 km. But above all, their vision of the automobile has evolved. Where the Porsche embodied a single, rational solution, the Ferrari has opened the door to a more emotional approach. As a result, they have now added a Maserati Grecale SUV to their garage.

During the week, it's all about SUV versatility. At weekends, they enjoy the Ferrari, often driving with the top down, even at moderate speeds, simply to enjoy the city lights. They have even begun to explore a world that was totally foreign to them: that of the racetrack. A visit to Fuji Speedway, followed by a GT race, was a real wake-up call. Now they're planning to take it to the next level.

Leaving Porsche after 18 years, Kenichi Yokobori and Tomoko Komata didn't just change cars. They changed their philosophy. German rationality gave way to Italian emotion. And, above all, to a form of urgency: to live certain experiences while there's still time.