In this next video recently released by local Belgian television station VTM, recovery expert Steven Steps of Depannagedienst Steps shows us how easy it is to break into an expensive car.
Frankly, we've always known that premium cars are not really more secure than their cheaper counterparts, but this next video is a real eye-opener. Using specialized tools, Steven manages to open a Porsche Panamera GTS in just 10 seconds. Clearly, the guy knows what he's doing, but even if an inexperienced thief takes 1 minute, that's still not enough time to react.
The tool he uses seems to be one of these, an "inside track pick set for the latest VAG models". It costs 150 euros and can open the door of every VW Group car (and Porsche) made after 1996…. apparently
This could very well have been a Range Rover or a Cadillac Escalade, since both are very popular with car thieves. But the fact that it's a Porsche reminds us of similar incident that hurt the company's reputation.
A few years back, there was a scandal concerning the headlights of the Cayenne and Panamera, which Amsterdam marijuana cultivators were stealing to grow their plants under. After that, we reported about Russian scammers that took Cayenne headlights, hid them and used ransom notes to extort money from the owners.
The same video also shows another technique to open the door of the car. Steven utilizes a so-called Slim Jim and inserts it between the door frame and window, then puts it where the lock is located. One quick yank and all the Panamera owner's personal belongings are no more. The good news is that he can't actually drive the car.
Premium cars like the 100,000 euro Porsche are increasingly falling victim to cyber hacking, as their electronic fail-safes have proven insufficient in recent years.
The tool he uses seems to be one of these, an "inside track pick set for the latest VAG models". It costs 150 euros and can open the door of every VW Group car (and Porsche) made after 1996…. apparently
This could very well have been a Range Rover or a Cadillac Escalade, since both are very popular with car thieves. But the fact that it's a Porsche reminds us of similar incident that hurt the company's reputation.
A few years back, there was a scandal concerning the headlights of the Cayenne and Panamera, which Amsterdam marijuana cultivators were stealing to grow their plants under. After that, we reported about Russian scammers that took Cayenne headlights, hid them and used ransom notes to extort money from the owners.
The same video also shows another technique to open the door of the car. Steven utilizes a so-called Slim Jim and inserts it between the door frame and window, then puts it where the lock is located. One quick yank and all the Panamera owner's personal belongings are no more. The good news is that he can't actually drive the car.
Premium cars like the 100,000 euro Porsche are increasingly falling victim to cyber hacking, as their electronic fail-safes have proven insufficient in recent years.