With pundits falling over themselves to pronounce the death of diesel, Porsche proves that the rumours have been greatly exaggerated.
“They’ve only gone and ruined it.” That’s the first thought that crosses my mind as I approach the fleet of 2017MY Panameras lined up in front of me. There’s disappointment at first, then a growing anger. I’m scowling, confused, cursing under my breath, wondering what on Earth has possessed Porsche’s design team to wreak such havoc with the car’s exterior.
When it launched, the original Panamera was criticised for being ugly, but that’s why I loved it. In a world where so many cars are designed to be as aesthetically appealing as budgets and practicality will allow, it stood alone – a proud beacon of hideousness whose ungainly look was part of its charm. At least in my eyes.
But here, in front of me, stands something that is... well, it’s pretty. And it’s making my blood boil. Porsche has taken what was once a giant middle finger on wheels and made it... nice.
The problem, for me, is that this new model appears to have lost all of the charm that made it so special. The slightly awkward front end is now muscular and well-sculpted, with LED headlights.
It’s not particularly pretty in profile. I’ll concede that it still looks like the world’s foremost experts in cutting and shutting have welded together two cars that are only vaguely similar, and that’s great – it’s a talking point. But then I see the back end, and that ruins it all.
Gone is the lardy hunchback I once loved, swapped for what can only be described as a pert, attractive, 911-like rump. It’s even got haunches now, like a proper sports car. It’s all so inoffensive. The new Panamera is Gérard Depardieu with a nose job, or Katie Price without her massive, oversize chest appendages. It’s fine, but where’s the fun in fine?
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der November 2016-Ausgabe von BBC TopGear India.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der November 2016-Ausgabe von BBC TopGear India.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
No It's Not An SUV
But an FUV Ferrari Utility Vehicle
THE STORY OF THE MULTI RALLY
Why this Ducati is the ultimate one-pony horse
INFINITI FX VETTEL EDITION
The list of special edition road cars bearing the name of F1 world champions is short, but not short enough.
BIKE SALES ANALYSIS THE WINNERS AND LOSERS
The Indian two-wheeler industry continues to grow at a rapid pace. India runs on two-wheelers and this age-old adage has stood the test of time.
(2004) MG XPOWER SV-R VS MG4 XPOWER (2023)
The 429bhp Chinese hot hatch meets its troubled, V8-engined namesake. Is there any relation?
RICCI'S GARAGE
Reportes Mark's pondering the biggest question of all: single or twin turbos for his GT-R rebuild
BEHIND CLOSED DOORS
A new book gets unfiltered access to BMW Design’s cutting room floor. These are the projects that could have been...
THE LAST OF US
The Audi R8 is no more. TG was there to witness the final build, and we couldn't help but get involved...
FUTURE PROOF
The Chinese auto industry is moving at pace. And it means business
PURE KLASSE
Last year saw the saloon version of BMW’s Vision Neue Klasse, now here comes the SUV...