Auto Design

An Embarassing Comparison?

When I received the first set of official pictures of the Audi A5 Sportback, the first thought that came to my mind was how far (or, indeed, how close) the new “5 door coupé” from Audi  is from the new Porsche Panamera. The two cars are very different in many ways, starting from their selling prices to their fuel consumption and performance via their overall dimensions. You cannot compare them when the time comes to buy one.

Yet, they have a lot in common. They are both luxury cars, they both fit in the new trend of  “dynamic, coupé-like, four seater, authoban-cruisers” with that fastback design and rear hatch.

In this respect it is impossible not to make a few considerations on their design and style, and eventually ask some questions. Ultimately the question is “How embarrassing is a comparison between the design, style, elegance, appeal of these two cars?”; soon to be part of the VW Group, probably under the new name of “Auto Union”.

It took decades to come to the decision in favour of a four-door Porsche, and the substantial, although unpredictable success (now turned into a predictable problem) of the Porsche Cayenne.

In the meantime many studies have been done again and again, and several prototypes or one-offs have been built to gain experience and consideration in view of what is now the Porsche Panamera.

On the contrary, Audi executives have been very quick at approving a completely new platform for the middle-class premium models and approve a wide range of offering taking advantage of the relevant investments. This is to say that time was not wasted after the new Audi 4 and 5 series platform was launched.

Now, if I look at these two cars and compare the time they required to mature the decision, as well as their design and engineering, it seems very clear (at least to me) that the speed of decision making and action do a lot of good to a new car design, when the fundamentals (read: the right people and know-how)  are nicely in place.

In the case of the Porsche Panamera, it is as obvious that it is a rather attractive car, developed with great acumen by experienced professionals. Yet, is also obvious that the Porsche management has been unable to go for a more innovative concept for the role and look of their “flagship” and is now delivering that sort of “four door 911″ Porsche has been considering since the 1970ies.

In the case of Audi, there is no need to say how nicely balanced, modern and convincing is the intuitive and spontaneous the design of the A5 Sportback in its emotional, yet refined, simplicity.

A much more innovative, dynamic, and trend setting sort of car.

The contrast between past and future is clear. Insn’t it?

Overall dimensions comparison chart: