Forget about gas prices for a moment. Think back to a few years ago (many for some) where you were hanging out with friends on a Thursday night, looking for something to do on the upcoming long weekend. What to do? How about a round of golf? Bowling? Kayaking? Bake sale? Gardening? No! None of these will do. We's too cool! Then, out of nowhere, the words “road trip” are uttered. YES! High-fives and fist-pumps all around!
Keep in mind that this is a hypothetical situation as we are all far to busy with home and family to simply disappear for a whole weekend. So, sit back, relax and dream along with me. This is all about the best road trip car regardless of where you are heading or your budget.
To begin with, road trips are always best enjoyed when three or more people are involved. Let's make it four. In this case, room is an absolute necessity as is decent cargo capacity that will aptly swallow all means of gear. Four-doors and a capacious trunk are then important.
Next, power. No one wants to go puttering about on the highways at 100 km/h. Boring! A minimal stable of 400 horses should do. Remember, this is a dream; fuel consumption is inconsequential.
The final element to a successful road trip is the car itself, rather, the brand and model. You need something that will speak volumes about you and your wallet. I know, but we're using our imaginations remember?
Up until 18 months ago, my numero uno long distance cruiser was an Audi S8. With 430 hp, AWD and luxury features coming out the ying-yang, it was perfect. Well, still is but another German manufacturer has recently come up with the ultimate road trip car, ever.
Enter the Porsche Panamera Turbo.
Four doors, hatchback-ish, fast, fast, fast and, did I mention fast? Yessireee, the Panamera Turbo packs a 500hp wallop, AWD, a stupendous 7-speed PDK gearbox with launch control, Porsche Active Suspension Management with adaptive air suspension and loads more.
Sure, you could bring up the Turbo S but we should draw the line somewhere...
Available in the big Porsche are a Burmester High-End surround sound system complete with rear-seat entertainment; and four Alcantara-clad, incredibly impressive, supportive and comfortable seats. The true genius of this car is that no one is ever punished regardless of where they sit in the car.
Obviously, our Panamera Turbo would include the Sport Chrono Package which endows the twin-turbo 4.8L V8 with an overboost function, enabling for 568 lb-ft of torque (up from 516) for short periods of time. As such, the large car will claw its way to 100 km/h 4.0 seconds flat. And for the all-important passing manoeuvre, the Turbo will go from 80 to 120 km/h in 2.7 seconds. Fast, I said.
Hell, with the Burmester blasting Hot Sauce Committee Part Two with the windows down cruising down to New York City at 80 mph on the interstate, what more could four guys want out of a road trip car?
Keep in mind that this is a hypothetical situation as we are all far to busy with home and family to simply disappear for a whole weekend. So, sit back, relax and dream along with me. This is all about the best road trip car regardless of where you are heading or your budget.
To begin with, road trips are always best enjoyed when three or more people are involved. Let's make it four. In this case, room is an absolute necessity as is decent cargo capacity that will aptly swallow all means of gear. Four-doors and a capacious trunk are then important.
Next, power. No one wants to go puttering about on the highways at 100 km/h. Boring! A minimal stable of 400 horses should do. Remember, this is a dream; fuel consumption is inconsequential.
The final element to a successful road trip is the car itself, rather, the brand and model. You need something that will speak volumes about you and your wallet. I know, but we're using our imaginations remember?
Up until 18 months ago, my numero uno long distance cruiser was an Audi S8. With 430 hp, AWD and luxury features coming out the ying-yang, it was perfect. Well, still is but another German manufacturer has recently come up with the ultimate road trip car, ever.
Enter the Porsche Panamera Turbo.
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| Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com |
Four doors, hatchback-ish, fast, fast, fast and, did I mention fast? Yessireee, the Panamera Turbo packs a 500hp wallop, AWD, a stupendous 7-speed PDK gearbox with launch control, Porsche Active Suspension Management with adaptive air suspension and loads more.
Sure, you could bring up the Turbo S but we should draw the line somewhere...
Available in the big Porsche are a Burmester High-End surround sound system complete with rear-seat entertainment; and four Alcantara-clad, incredibly impressive, supportive and comfortable seats. The true genius of this car is that no one is ever punished regardless of where they sit in the car.
Obviously, our Panamera Turbo would include the Sport Chrono Package which endows the twin-turbo 4.8L V8 with an overboost function, enabling for 568 lb-ft of torque (up from 516) for short periods of time. As such, the large car will claw its way to 100 km/h 4.0 seconds flat. And for the all-important passing manoeuvre, the Turbo will go from 80 to 120 km/h in 2.7 seconds. Fast, I said.
Hell, with the Burmester blasting Hot Sauce Committee Part Two with the windows down cruising down to New York City at 80 mph on the interstate, what more could four guys want out of a road trip car?