DREAM DRIVES

Well, here we are in the middle of summer, and even though most people are usually on vacation during this time of year, there still are interesting things going on in the automotive world. Obviously, the most significant event recently was the launch of the Porsche Panamera, which occurred in Shanghai, and was followed by the launch of the Porsche USA Configurator and the acceptance of orders from Porsche for the car. The initial Dream Drives Panamera will be delivered first in early September and other models will follow shortly after. It looks like, from our vantage point, the one to go for is the Panamera S. Not only is the price more reasonable (starting MSRP $89,000), but from what I am hearing from friends in Europe, the engine sounds much better in a naturally aspirated twin turbo form than in turbocharged form, and this has certainly been the case with the Cayenne. So, in all likelihood, for your 90 grand you get a very exciting 400 horsepower sport sedan which sounds great and probably has the right balance in terms of weight and dynamics. While the turbo Panamera is obviously an absolute monster, like the Cayenne it loses something in natural dynamics to the artificial feel and sound of the turbos and the over-electronic involvement of the air suspension and PDCC. The other big piece of news, of course, is Jaguar's launching its re-bodied XJ this Thursday in London, and that will be a very important launch. The XJ has long been a leading car in terms of its aluminum space frame, but because of the moribund traditional thinking at Jaguar's previous owners, Ford, and because of the moribund traditional thinking of Jaguar's loyalists in England, Jaguar was never able to get a modern body on the car. Thus the car's appeal dwindled until Jaguar had no choice but to replace it with an all-modern look. This new body coming for the XJ is supposed to be even more radical than the one which Jaguar is now selling on the XF, and I hope so, because the XF was a real partial job. If you have ever driven in an XF, you will notice that the car feels very unrefined. The interior is Jaguar-ish, but very much built down to a price. The seats are highly unsupportive, the rear room is marginal. The XJ should correct most of these problems with a much more bespoke cabin, longer wheelbase, providing better room in the rear, and an overall look that is even more aggressive and modern, something that Jaguar is absolutely due for. We will keep you up to date and hopefully talk about one of the stars this fall's Frankfurt show in September, the Alfa Romeo Milano, which may end up coming here as a Chrysler! JLS:M&M:d 7/6/09