RE: Three Men In A Car: To Frankfurt By Panamera

[DeadMeat_UK]

r129sl said:

Thanks for a great story.
In answer to Meathead or whatever his name is, a Panamera whacks an ordinary German saloon (think 330d) in its total refinement and high speed poise and comfort. It is difficult to describe this unless you have experienced it. What will undoubtedly let the Porsche down is its range. Its tank capacity is a pathetic 80litres (approx 18 Imperial gallons) which is good enough only for 350miles. Really such cars need 130litre tanks for 500mile plus touring range.

In answer to A Letter and Some Numbers or whatever his name is...;)

Very interesting, I would have thought that they had refinement fairly well nailed down in the big cruisy BMWs - mebbe that's the edge I was looking for.

Thinking about it though I drove a 3 series BMW < 3 years old this weekend on a 2 hour trip and I found it just completely dead and uninvolving. On cornering, they seem to have tuned with a very sensitive nose to make it feel pointy. Very disappointing.

RE Cruising range, I find may bladder always necessitates a stop before my fuel tank does.

[RacingTeatray]

"22.8mpg over almost 1300 miles of exceedingly lead-footed driving and only using a tank and a half of fuel"

Really?? How huge is the fuel tank??

Edited by RacingTeatray on Friday 25th September 17:03

[Uhura_Fighter]

RacingTeatray said:

"22.8mpg over almost 1300 miles of exceedingly lead-footed driving and only using a tank and a half of fuel"

Really?? How huge is the fuel tank??

Edited by RacingTeatray on Friday 25th September 17:03

From the post above yours

r129sl said:

What will undoubtedly let the Porsche down is its range. Its tank capacity is a pathetic 80litres (approx 18 Imperial gallons) which is good enough only for 350miles. Really such cars need 130litre tanks for 500mile plus touring range.

Something doesn't add up?????

[Garlick]

I think Riggers was a little out with the fuel.

It had some in it when we started, which was topped up in the UK. We had a top up in France then again on the way back. When I dropped Riggers off it had a 110 mile range remaining.

Although we never ran it empty, I'd guess we used around 2.5 to 3 tanks in the end if not a touch more.

[Stuart]

Garlick is right. Oh, and it cost me €95 to fill near Verdun, and we weren't empty.

[Targarama]

I'm in Frankfurt right now and spent some time on the Porsche stand today looking at this car. Much nicer in the flesh, lovely interior (gosh, I'm saying that about pork?!), but still biiig and has a large bottom.

I'm here in the TVR (T350). We'll be leaving tomorrow AM for the stroll home. I am confident that I can beat 1. the top speed achieved during your drive (since I'll be coming back on a Saturday) 2. the MPG and 3. the number of people giving me the thumbs up en-route.

P.S. The Aston Rapide looked oh so lovely
P.P.S My favourite new model of the show was the Citroen DS3 (not that I would buy one)

[Dino D]

I have seen the Panamera in the flesh yesterday for the first time and I think it looks great. It is cr@p in the pics, especially the blue but I saw the same shade in the flesh (ok it was indoors on a floodlight stand with pretty ladies draped over it) but I thought it looked great, even in white.

Looked very long and low and unlike any other 4 door car I have seen.

[Stuart]

Targarama said:

P.S. The Aston Rapide looked oh so lovely
(not that I would buy one)

That it did, but did you have a look inside? Even worse, did you try and fold yourself into one of the back seats? I just couldn't live with that on a day to day basis whereas I think the Panamera has gone right up in my estimations after spending a few hours in the back seat.

[Lost soul]

Targarama said:

I'm in Frankfurt right now and spent some time on the Porsche stand today looking at this car. Much nicer in the flesh, lovely interior (gosh, I'm saying that about pork?!), but still biiig and has a large bottom.

I do like it but....... a Merc CLS is just sooooooo good looking compared to the Porker

[wakster]

Stuart said:

I think the Panamera has gone right up in my estimations after spending a few hours in the back seat.

snigger

[Targarama]

Stuart said:

Targarama said:

P.S. The Aston Rapide looked oh so lovely
(not that I would buy one)

That it did, but did you have a look inside? Even worse, did you try and fold yourself into one of the back seats? I just couldn't live with that on a day to day basis whereas I think the Panamera has gone right up in my estimations after spending a few hours in the back seat.

I didn't get a chance to try it for size but I could see it was a bit more 'sportscar' back there than the plush Porsche. I guess if I were paying to sit in the back seat then you're right.

[Gridl0k]

Is it wrong that I really really want a Cayenne Turbo?

It's Britain's fault. I'd drive a Caterham to work if I could but even in my relatively smooth C43 I cannot enjoy driving any more - too many potholes, sagging Cable TV trenches and roads that are just 15 years beyond their shelf life.

I've always disliked 4x4s on the road, and love my fast, chuckable metal but for some reason I keep thinking that my next car might be a Cayenne (the fact it's a Porsche V8 helps).

In this light, maybe the Panamera has a future? I hated the Cayenne when it launched. Here's hoping the Panamera gets a facelift in short order as well.

[RacingTeatray]

No, they are getting appealingly cheap. You'd have to cope with everyone thinking you were a planet-murderer of the highest order, but hey, you'll still be the one with the cracking (albeit hideous) car.

[Gridl0k]

Part of the appeal is making self-absorbed self-righteous 'environment lovers' angry, surely? Just before they jump on their 15th Easyjet flight of the year...

I have no kids - can't think of a better way to reduce my long term environmental impact than that..

[RichB]

“A French lady who works for Eurotunnel is utterly besotted with it, and reckons it looks like an old Aston from the rear”

Oh my God they really are blind as well as ignorant when it comes to cars…

[The Leaper]

In response to Riggers' question, of course the XFR would have been a far better drive!

R

[CY88]

Uhura_Fighter said:

CY88 said:

I'll be doing virtually the same trip this evening. Fingers crossed the 1979 Merc will hold out!

I would love to hear your right up on the trip and please post some pics of the 107.
Does the cruise control (temomat - (sp) still work?

Cruise control? Not on mine. But we made it without - all 1500 miles

[mybrainhurts]

LuS1fer said:

DP 1 said:

Pingman said:

God, it looks like a 911's fat, ugly and retarted sister

+1

Almost as bad to the brand as the Cayenne IMO (I hate to sound like a purist)

+500

I can't be "the public" who apparently "love it".

Neither can I....

Utterly vile.

I keep seeing one, and this generates an involuntary wince...

The driver now views me with disdain...

[RichB]

Garlick said:

LuS1fer said:

I can't be "the public" who apparently "love it".

I kid you not, everywhere you went in it people would come and say how much they liked it. They really did.

Not even a little bit of selective journalism there... just to ensure the Porsche PR dept continue to lend you cars? It is after all a right minger and 99% of P'Headers agree.

[ewenm]

I saw one in the metal on Friday (parked on Pulteney St, Bath). It is better looking than the pictures I've seen, but very large and functional rather than pretty. The rear end still looks too heavy to me, but better resolved than I thought from pics.