Once you're done arguing over the blunt front end, awkward profile and “minivan does an SUV” rear end, have your new friend step inside the 5 GT. If he or she knows anything about class and elegance, they'll be smitten with the large, comfortable seats. If they should move rearward, they'll explore new definitions for huge second row and tonnes of legroom. They'll be unable to help themselves and will run their hands all over the cinnamon brown nappa leather, soft-touch plastics and other surfaces laden with rich textures.
You'll probably have to excuse the fact that the most important controls are located low in the centre console of the dashboard, which makes reading and selection difficult. You can detour their attention by inviting them to grab the fat, juicy steering wheel and having them imagine what it must be like cruising down the autobahn in this car. That'll get them to drool a little...
Once you've got their attention, show them the contents of the $5,000 Executive package: the rear-view camera, the ventilated front seats, the heads-up display, electric side sunshades, heated rear seats and the satellite radio. They're hooked now.
If you're feeling cocky, do take them for a spin. Say nothing. Start up the turbocharged 4.4L V8 and simply pull the funky-functional shifter into “D” and then let'er rip. Your passengers will think that they have been simultaneously kicked in the face and the ass. They'll wonder how such a huge beast can move this fast. Say only 400 hp and 8-speed automatic transmission.
That should be enough to shut them up for a few minutes. You could go on and add that it takes only 5.9 seconds to reach 100 km/h, that the motor generates 450 lb-ft of torque and that it's AWD. But why rub the salt in the wound with your words.
This person's dumbfounded expression will do nicely. The ultra-smooth drivetrain, tremendous power and unbelievably civil and quiet nature of the 2,240-kg (4,928-lb) road mammoth will numb his or her brain into mush. They'll wonder how one vehicle can behave in such polar-opposite ways; it rides as cozy and floaty as an early-90s Buick yet speeds up like a bullet.
You'll probably have to excuse the fact that the most important controls are located low in the centre console of the dashboard, which makes reading and selection difficult. You can detour their attention by inviting them to grab the fat, juicy steering wheel and having them imagine what it must be like cruising down the autobahn in this car. That'll get them to drool a little...
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| You'll probably have to excuse the fact that the most important controls are located low in the centre console of the dashboard, which makes reading and selection difficult. (Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com) |
Once you've got their attention, show them the contents of the $5,000 Executive package: the rear-view camera, the ventilated front seats, the heads-up display, electric side sunshades, heated rear seats and the satellite radio. They're hooked now.
If you're feeling cocky, do take them for a spin. Say nothing. Start up the turbocharged 4.4L V8 and simply pull the funky-functional shifter into “D” and then let'er rip. Your passengers will think that they have been simultaneously kicked in the face and the ass. They'll wonder how such a huge beast can move this fast. Say only 400 hp and 8-speed automatic transmission.
That should be enough to shut them up for a few minutes. You could go on and add that it takes only 5.9 seconds to reach 100 km/h, that the motor generates 450 lb-ft of torque and that it's AWD. But why rub the salt in the wound with your words.
This person's dumbfounded expression will do nicely. The ultra-smooth drivetrain, tremendous power and unbelievably civil and quiet nature of the 2,240-kg (4,928-lb) road mammoth will numb his or her brain into mush. They'll wonder how one vehicle can behave in such polar-opposite ways; it rides as cozy and floaty as an early-90s Buick yet speeds up like a bullet.
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| If you're feeling cocky, say nothing. Start up the turbocharged 4.4L V8 and simply pull the funky-functional shifter into “D” and then let'er rip. (Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com) |