130mph Grand Tourer?

"Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen" (distraxi) 08/06/2020 at 17:40 • Filed to: None

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Having spent some time last year travelling on autobahns and autoroutes of Europe, I have decided that 100mph is pass é. Dull. Mundane. Pedestrian. Any Hans in his clapped out E30 or Gaston in his diesel 309 can keep up at that speed - even the UK’s famous White Van Man can get there with a good enough runup.

This has cha n ged the role of the Bentley R Type Continental in my future . Previously my plan when I win the lottery has included doing the Grand Tour in style , travelling in a Continental and staying at 6 star boutique hotels. However the Bentley, having been de si gned to cruise all day at the then- exorbitant speed of a mere 100mph, is no longer suitable for the job in the se modern times. I shall still have one, beca u se face it, they’re gorgeous, but I will need something else for Grand Touring.

I have determined thro ugh extensive experiment that the correct speed for Grand Touring in current times is 130mph (or 210km/h, since I’ll be doi ng this in Europe). That is quick enough to get you anywhere you want to be in time for drinks, and sufficiently faster than the Hanse s and Gastons to make it clear that you are a superior being, but not f lashy, o ffensive and downright hard work the way a h eadlight -flashing 150mph+ is .

So: what is the correct choice nowadays for driving all day at 130mph with a trunkful of luggage (fitted, obviously) , enjoying the odd detour on intere sting roads, arriving at your destination comfortable and unru mpled, allowing the women in the party t o alight while dressed to the nines without embarrass ing themselves , and most importantly, having the valet park you r car out the front at any high class hotel or casino and being able to instantly identify your own car among the others out front. Bonus points if it has enough presence to make a policeman in restricted-speed countries reflexively tug his fo relock (or in Italy, appla ud you) rather tha n pull you over as you waft past a t an exceeding ly illegal velocity.

What would you choose , Oppo?

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Maxima Speed > Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen 08/06/2020 at 18:02

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Mustang

ClassicDatsunDebate > Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen 08/06/2020 at 18:05

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ToyotaFamily > Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen 08/06/2020 at 18:09

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Has to be this.

Exage03040 @ opposite-lock.com > Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen 08/06/2020 at 18:09

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This one! :)

Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen > ClassicDatsunDebate 08/06/2020 at 18:11

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Parki ng that out front at Mo nte Carlo Casino would certainly wake a few people up! Not sure I’d want to do 130mph in one though - autobahns have curves.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen 08/06/2020 at 18:15

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The new 8 series.

Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen > Exage03040 @ opposite-lock.com 08/06/2020 at 18:16

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Good choice, but I think I’d be incli ned to go back a ge neration:

Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen > ToyotaFamily 08/06/2020 at 18:17

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T ha t’s certa in ly the intended application for those . But I struggle to get past the leo p ardskin-wrap asso cia t ions of modern B entleys . Plus you’d be in no way the only one in the parking lot.

Lovely color though.

Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 08/06/2020 at 18:19

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Would handle the fast cruising aspects pretty well , though like most modern fast cars I exp ect the ride’ll be less than great. Won’t get you parked out front though.

Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen > Maxima Speed 08/06/2020 at 18:22

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I said parked out the front, not crashed out the front.

SmugAardvark > Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen 08/06/2020 at 18:27

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For a modern car, I’d probably go for the Jaguar XJR 575.

For something with a little more old-school flair, I’d look for an Aston Martin V8 Vantage, from the 70's/80's.

The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock > Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen 08/06/2020 at 18:35

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An Alpina D5 S Touring. 382 hp/ 59 0lb-ft take it too 178mph. I’m sure 130mph for it be no problem. It can do 33mpg too, that’ s nice for long autobahn stints. Then all space in it for everything/.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen 08/06/2020 at 18:39

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Ford Festiva.

https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/classic-cars/videos/a28945/ford-festiva-shogun-jay-leno/

Jim Spanfeller > SmugAardvark 08/06/2020 at 18:40

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Those V8 Vantages are like British Mustangs on steroids and I love them.

Jim Spanfeller > Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen 08/06/2020 at 18:46

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Jensen Interceptor

Nothing like British elegance and handling with American reliability and power. The Chrysler 440 V8 should get you up to 130 mph no problem. British muscle car is always the answer.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen 08/06/2020 at 18:48

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W ould a hellcat in Europe get the front of the castle treatment? It’s unique, it’s mean, it’s fast AF. 

onlytwowheels > Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen 08/06/2020 at 18:55

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S 560 4MATIC Coupe

Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen > SmugAardvark 08/06/2020 at 19:04

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The Vantage is probably where I’d end up, too. I think the Jag’s a bit too “155mph crowd”. Plus the ride will be brutal as soon as you get off the autobahn.

Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen > Jim Spanfeller 08/06/2020 at 19:05

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This is a good choice. Fast, spacious, c lassy, and a little eccentric, but without the “ Bond wa nnabe” connotations of an Aston.

SmugAardvark > Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen 08/06/2020 at 19:08

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Haven’t driven the XJR, but my XE rides quite nice, even when encountering bumps and rough spots mid-turn . It would be even better if I swapped the OEM 20" wheels for some 18 or 19 inchers.

Cé hé sin > Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen 08/06/2020 at 19:09

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Just for a start, even in Germany the idea of proceeding at more than 200 kmh for any length of time is gone, but let’s pretend we live in an alternate and better universe.

Sir and Madam require something that will travel at 200+ with their luggage and in comfort and be easily identifiable in the car park. Mercs and BMs out then and the Aston Taraf in.

I don’t think it was actually much good sadly. What you really want is a new E spada.

Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen > The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock 08/06/2020 at 19:09

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No valet is ever goi ng to front-park a wagon, no matter how good the wagon . With the possible exc eption of Tom Walkinshaw’s Volvo .

11/10 for bei ng the thinking man’s weapon for longhaul travel round Europe though.

Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 08/06/2020 at 19:12

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Depends whether your valet knows his Americana well enough to tell a Hellcat from any other GI car, I guess. If you wanna buy me one, I’m pre pared to give it a go and let you know the over/under .

I bet the loud American factor would get you pulled over pretty much any time you were 1mph above the limit though.

ranwhenparked > Jim Spanfeller 08/06/2020 at 19:12

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See also the Monteverdi 375L High Speed, for Italian style, Swiss craftsmanship, and American power.

Jim Spanfeller > ranwhenparked 08/06/2020 at 19:14

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Ooh, so that one would have build quality! I’m sure it costs an arm and a leg, but if the lottery has been won in this hypothetical scenario, that shouldn’t be a problem.

Jim Spanfeller > Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen 08/06/2020 at 19:16

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And much more easily attainable, leaving plenty of money left over for other cars and gold fountains and castles and petting zoos and whatever else you want on your estate(s).

ranwhenparked > Jim Spanfeller 08/06/2020 at 19:18

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They seem to go for a bit  less than most Aston-Martins or Ferraris of the same era, but a lot more than a Jensen. 

AestheticsInMotion > Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen 08/06/2020 at 19:26

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Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen > Cé hé sin 08/06/2020 at 19:42

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Pick your part of Germany - I did north of 200 most of the way from H amburg to the Danish border early last year without having to work at it too hard. But yes, it’s a dying art. However given that we’re talki ng about spending my lottery winn ings, the statistical anoma ly of all the unrestricted sections being traffic-free is not the least unlike l y thing that needs to happen before it actually matters.

It also depends on the extent to which you care about traffic regulations. A lot of the French toll roads are lightly trafficed enough to make 200+ cruising possible if you have a sufficiently strong Somebody Else’s Problem Field.

The Taraf was a worthy successor to the 70s Lagonda, in both the ambition of the swing and the magnitu de of the miss. Since as per my handle I think a Jagroen would be a good idea, and therefore h ave a high tolerance for folly , i t’d be an excellent choice.

Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen > onlytwowheels 08/06/2020 at 19:50

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S 560 Coupe - the only choice for the holidaying dictator.

Combine that and the Cozzie though and you get to Hammer Time: now we’re talking!

Maxima Speed > Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen 08/06/2020 at 19:50

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He he he

way2blu does a rev update > Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen 08/06/2020 at 19:54

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May I direct you to a fine Grand Touring Car from America: the 2019 Chevrolet Camaro 1LE, with the two-liter turbocharged engine.

Despite its track-capable suspension from the more heavily-muscled Camaro SS, this Camaro is supremely comfortable thanks to a lighter curb weight and softer springs.

With two hundred and seventy-five horsepower under its expansive hood, the turbocharged Camaro can reach a manufacturer-claimed speed of one hundred and fifty-five miles per hour. With a tall 3.27 rear axle ratio, it can still return above-average fuel economy at faster cruising speeds.

This is also a Grand Tourer that will make the “interesting detours” even more interesting. With a crisp six-speed manual gearbox and a 50/50, perfectly balanced weight distribution, it’s a vehicle that will deliver a fun time for a long time.

The Camaro will be instantly recognizable parked out front. Despite its low base price (and incentives from GM, to boot!) the Camaro is more exclusive in Europe than most Ferraris.

BMW-beating driving dynamics, Rolls-Royce-rivalling comfort levels, what more could you wish for? At a cost of only €blindspots, what could go wrong?

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Jim Spanfeller 08/06/2020 at 19:59

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Can I have a petting ca stle fountain of gold animals?

Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen > way2blu does a rev update 08/06/2020 at 20:02

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Which demonstrates perfectly the difference betwe en a grand tourer  and a Gr an d Tourer ...

Jim Spanfeller > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 08/06/2020 at 20:07

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Yes, but be warned: the castles may bite.

Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen > Cé hé sin 08/06/2020 at 20:07

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What you really want is a new Espada.

An old Espada would do very nicely, thank you kindly. G ive or take the getting out of it elegantly bit. And postulating in this hypothetical wo rld an unrea l istic level of reliability . I don’t think I’d trust modern L ambo to capture the essence of the original in a new vers io n.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Jim Spanfeller 08/06/2020 at 21:19

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Then can I have an animal fountain made of gold petting cars within my castle zoo?

sony1492 > Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen 08/06/2020 at 21:54

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V12 Vantage

An sl500 would also rank high

WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI > Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen 08/06/2020 at 21:55

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I vote this:

I drove one (specced similar to the picture) from NYC to Tampa over the course of a week, and I can confirm that it does not feel even the least bit bothered by spending extended time periods at 130.

Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen > WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI 08/06/2020 at 22:11

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spending extended time periods at 130.

...hypothetically sp eaking, officer.

Everything I’ve read suggests that Maclaren make the most longha ul-friendly of the current supercar crop. However all supercars suffer from the “ can’t get out of one elegantly” problem, which really knocks them out of contention for doi ng the “ pull up to the casino” thing.

Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen > sony1492 08/06/2020 at 22:23

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I think if I was going modern Aston I’d dial it back to a regular DB9. Too “common” to get you a guaranteed front-row park , but it’ s such a lovely shape I wouldn’t want it contaminated by all the vents, and the extra space of the bigge r pl atform would be nice .

8 0s and 90s high-end Benzes are a good option - new enough to still eat up the miles, old enough to be approaching classic status and the class bump that comes with it. An SL or a Hammer would do the job .

I l oved the 500SL I rented a couple of years ago: 25 years old and still felt like it was carved from rock.

WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI > Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen 08/07/2020 at 00:05

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True. I’m young and slim enough where it’s not TOO bad.

I wouldn’t call it elegant. 

Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen > WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI 08/07/2020 at 00:25

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Now imagine doing it in high heels and a tight - or worse still, short - skirt. 

WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI > Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen 08/07/2020 at 10:24

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I would feel silly in a s hort skirt regardless, so the car shouldn’t make it too much worse.......