Quote Of The Day: If Quotes Could Kill Edition
People have tried to be kind, saying that it’s challenging and that it’s unusual. But the simple fact of the matter is this: it’s as ugly as an inside-out monkey. It’s dreadful. Part Austin Maxi, it looks like someone with no talent at all was trying to describe what they wanted to a blind person, over the phone.
I tried one on a recent trip to Romania and I thought it was a very good car. But that’s like saying Ann Widdecombe has a heart of gold. It’s possibly true but it’s completely irrelevant. You still wouldn’t.
After two pages of digression and British pop culture references, Jeremy Clarkson finally decides to tell us what he really thinks of the Porsche Panamera. By digressing into British pop culture references. Which begs the question: who comes out of this looking worse? Or, to paraphrase Winston Churchill, tomorrow the Panamera will still be a fairly desirable car. Whether Clarkson will be able to offer anything resembling a credible or readable opinion in his next Times review is still very much an open question.
More by Edward Niedermeyer
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I agree with Clarkson that the Panamera is awkward. I drove one recently, however, and was very impressed with the driving experience and particularly with the quality of the interior. The nav system in particular resists the German urge to make something complicated even more so. A large car which holds four people in comfort is a nearly impossible packaging job, even if Mercedes and VW have done well with their similar four-door coupe designs. As for me, I've sufficiently compromised with a 3-series which will hold four adults for short periods and remains small enough to be maneuverable and reasonably spritely in day-to-day driving. It is not a Cayman, and is further compromised by the bangle set-back of BMW "design", but was good enough that I put down my cash to drive one. I suspect that there is a market for those who want a four-seat non-truck mate to their 911, Boxster or Cayman, so the Panamera should fill this small niche. And if Porsche can make money on it in small enough batches, god love 'em for offering an alternative to the dreadful S-class and boring 7-series. Personally, if I wanted a car in this segment, I'd buy the LS460, which has no sporting pretensions whatsoever and can be had for 2/3 of the price. I don't need a car nearly the size of a Lincoln Town Car which pretends it's a sports sedan...
I really like Clarksons reviews, pretty worthless as a car review but a very entertaining read most of the time and occasionally they make me laugh. So judging them as somewhat car related columns instead of reviews i think they are great.
I like it, but that's the third martini talking, come to think of it, Hillary is kinda hot. BD
I agree that Clarkson is an entertainer. I read the Times article and I enjoyed the wacky humour (though I'd prefer no involvement of alcohol). I've seen a fairly large number of Top Gear shows - again, their wacky humour is great. I actually like the looks of this car. It's also quite different, unique. I also agree that when a company starts trying to please everyone (such as Porsche with SUVs and sedans), it may betray its purpose and alienate its fans. Is this car practical? Absolutely not. From a common-sense perspective its existence is nuts. That also goes for many other vehicles from other manufacturers. In a way the owners of Panamera will broadcast to the world they have more money than intelligence.