What Inspired Me to Start This Blog…

Yesterday, I had a lunch meeting in Umeda, so I decided to take our Panamera and bring along our baby, our younger daughter. At more than 1,900 mm wide, the Panamera limits your parking options pretty quickly. A multi-story parking garage is pretty much out of the question. I opted for the relatively affordable and usually uncrowded Hankyu Umeda Station Parking Lot (1-1-2 Shibata, Kita-ku, Osaka).

Could There Be a More Wonderful Car?

The meeting went smoothly. I picked up the Panamera from the parking lot and had been driving for a little while when I couldn’t help letting out a sigh.

“Ah, Panamera… what a wonderful car you are.”

Even when I drive it every day, it never stops moving me.

The way it stands so confidently in a parking lot. Its commanding presence. The way it surges forward when merging onto the highway. The sound of the engine. The way the steering makes you feel at one with the car. The way it responds faithfully to every press of the accelerator. The feel of the tires gripping the road. Its reassuring stability and solid, substantial feel—and the way it drives without ever making its weight feel like a burden. And the sheer sense of occasion that makes you feel, just by getting behind the wheel, as though you’ve become a more impressive person…

It’s incredible. Almost too wonderful for words.

Sure, it’s not the most nimble car, it won’t fit in every parking space, it’s not great on fuel, and narrow roads can be a challenge. But its many strengths more than make up for all of that. I wanted to share how much I love this car with someone, so I couldn’t resist emailing my car-loving husband. (Even though he was at work, lol.)

His reply came right away:

“Yeah, I get it. That’s just the kind of car it is. But if you love the Panamera that much, why not start a blog? lol”

I wasn’t sure what to make of “Why not start a blog?” I mean, would anyone really be interested in me simply gushing about how much I love the Panamera? Then again, there probably aren’t many people in Japan who love the Panamera this much—not the 911—so maybe I could write about something a little different. I mulled it over as I drove.

A Memorable Moment at the Preview Event

It reminded me of the time my husband and I were invited to a preview event for the new Panamera. Automotive journalist Goro Okazaki was there as a guest, speaking about just how wonderful the Panamera is.

Most people in the audience listened with a polite “Hmm, interesting.” But I was the one nodding enthusiastically:

“Yes, yes! Exactly! That’s exactly right!”

After the event, my husband said:

“You were nodding so much back there. Watching you from beside you was kind of creepy. Why not become Goro Okazaki’s apprentice?”

Ever since then, whenever the subject comes up, he’s had suggestions like:

“If you love the Panamera that much, why not ask Porsche Japan to let you be a Panamera evangelist? Tell them you’ll do it for free!”

“If you love the Panamera that much, why not visit the Panamera factory in Germany?”

After giving it some thought, I’ve decided to start this Porsche blog. I’ll be sharing, day by day, just what makes the Panamera such a remarkable car.

And to everyone who’s here to read along… I’m looking forward to sharing the journey with you!