Long Drives Are Just Part of Life

I’d say I enjoy driving more than the average person. When I had a work assignment in Yonago, Tottori Prefecture, my client assumed I’d take the train from my home in Hyogo. But when I said, “I’m driving!”, they were stunned.

“Wait, seriously?! It takes four hours even when the roads are clear. Isn’t that a lot of trouble?”

(It was the perfect chance to take the Panamera on a long road trip, so there was no question I’d drive it, lol.)

Family trips are much the same. My husband is firmly in the “No trains—we’re driving” camp, so we’ll happily drive from Hyogo to Fuji Speedway (about seven hours each way, with breaks). When we visit Kyushu, we drive to Osaka, take the car aboard a ferry, and then travel everywhere by car once we arrive.

I also remember when I was pregnant with our first daughter (around six months along, if I recall correctly). We figured, “Once the baby arrives, we won’t be able to take a road trip together for a while, so let’s go now.” We set off on a three-day, two-night driving and hot-spring getaway: from Hyogo to Mount Fuji, then the next day along the Venus Line and other scenic routes to Kaga in Ishikawa Prefecture, before heading back to Hyogo.

My morning sickness had passed, and I was in the relatively stable second trimester, but spending the whole trip on the road eventually took its toll. I spent much of the return journey feeling awful and saying, “I’m going to be sick—I really am…” (After we got home, my obstetrician and my parents gave me a serious telling-off. I learned my lesson.)

Not All Driving Enthusiasts Are the Same

Still, I’ve always thought, “I like driving, but my husband and I are different kinds of driving enthusiasts.” (You could also say we differ in how far gone we are, lol.) Every long holiday, he heads off on a roughly 1,500-kilometer road trip. On Sunday mornings, he gets up early and makes a point of driving the Royu Driveway or Mount Rokko. Me? I’m not quite that dedicated.

The other day, he suggested, “Why not try the next Porsche Driving School (Porsche Track Experience)? You’ll learn a lot about driving!” But right now, I just don’t have the motivation to arrange childcare for both kids and drive seven hours from home to Fuji Speedway for a driving lesson.

On a sunny Sunday morning, he’ll say, “It’s such a beautiful day—why not take a drive on the Royu Driveway? I’ll watch the kids.” But I usually reply, “No, I’m good,” and stay home.

In June, I experienced a track day at Fuji Speedway, and it was even more fun than I’d imagined. But if you asked, “Would you now spend hours practicing the circuit in Gran Turismo on PlayStation so you can go back and drive it again?” I’d have to say… probably not.

Even so, when we need to travel a long distance, I’ll sometimes choose to drive for hours, even when taking the train would be easier. So yes, I do enjoy driving.

Four Types of Drivers Who Love to Drive

That got me thinking: “There must be all sorts of people who enjoy driving.” After giving it some thought, I came up with four broad types.

1) Drivers Who Go Out Just to Drive

These are people who head out specifically for the pleasure of driving.

① The track-day type… Loves pushing a car to its limits and driving flat-out in the unique environment of a racetrack.

② The touring type… Loves flowing along enjoyable roads, whether winding country lanes, mountain passes, or highways.

2) Drivers Who Mainly Drive Day to Day

These drivers don’t go out of their way to drive, but prefer to use a car for their everyday journeys.

③ The long-distance type… Enjoys driving for hours at a time, not just around town or for everyday errands.

④ The city-driving type… Mainly drives around town and enjoys a comfortable, satisfying drive.

Something like that, anyway? (It’s admittedly a very rough classification… lol.)

I think I’m type ③. My husband, on the other hand, is probably type ②.

The Porsche Panamera Is Ideal for These Drivers

And that’s why I think the Panamera is ideal for drivers like me—type ③. It’s comfortable around town, and on the highway it’s both luxurious and fun to drive. It really is an all-rounder.

If I drove a Boxster or a 911 right now, I’d be wasting its potential—like giving a priceless treasure to someone who can’t appreciate it. I think you really discover what makes a Boxster or 911 special when you take it touring on mountain roads and winding routes.

The Panamera may be capable of lapping the Nürburgring in around 7 minutes 30 seconds, but if I were choosing a car specifically for track driving, I’d probably go for a GT3…

So, if you’re a type ③ driver, my broad-brush conclusion is this: the Panamera could be a very natural fit—and an ideal choice. (笑)