Photo by John Lamm
It doesn’t look that far on a map and the mileage doesn’t add up to much for freeway-familiar Americans, but it’s a long way from Stuttgart, Germany to Monza, Italy. And back.
It’s those pesky Alps that get in the way, whether you’re trying to go over or through them. And the traffic can bite…big time.
Luckily Porsche provided a Panamera for the drive, so even when stacked up waiting to get through the Gotthard tunnel you’re comfortable. Okay, the car’s exterior styling is controversial to some–hey, I like the rear 3/4 view–but the interior is a wonderful place to be. You face the familiar Porsche gauge layout, but look to the right and then back to all that space, as comfortable as it is beautifully finished.
Here’s what’s different about the Panamera in Europe. Those who have driven the 4-door Porsche in the U.S. think of it as large for a non-Cayenne Porsche, but not really that big in our open spaces. Put it in narrow European city streets or edging your way into an underground garage seemingly sized for small VWs and Fiats and it’s another matter altogether.
Thankfully the Porsche is equipped with highly effective and sensibly conservative sensors that warn you of impediments, both audibly and visually. BMW uses a similar system that features green, then yellow, then red flaring warnings on an overhead view of the car. It works nicely and squeezing into a tight spot in a garage ends up being oddly fun. Honest.
The route back from Monza included a stint over the Tyrolean Alps, through the Fernpass on a warm morning with sunlight slanting in from east and the roads remarkably free of traffic. The road seemed the twistiest through forest sections before opening into gentle curves bounded by open fields. Now the Panamera didn’t feel at all big, but downright nimble and when you do come up on traffic, the V-8 powers you right past.
Not surprisingly, 100-mph autobahn cruising is easy in the big Porsche, the words that keep coming back are “well planted,” which is how you feel.
Related posts:
- Porsche Panamera Diesel Bringing 37 mpg to Europe
- Driven: 2010 Porsche Panamera V-6
- 2010 FAB Design Porsche Panamera
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