Auto News 5

Halfway around the world, crowds gather at the Shanghai auto show to examine the curiously shaped Porsche Panamera. The first sedan in Porsche's sixty-one-year history looks like a big, stretched, hand-blown 911 - and decidedly unlike anything else on the road. The mere existence of the Panamera is a blow to Porschephiles, proof that their beloved brand's focus is slipping away. Its awkward styling is salt rubbed deep into the wound, and naysayers vilify Porsche boss Wendelin Wiedeking, who, as the story goes, had the roofline raised so he could fit his egomaniacal - and very tall - self in the back seat. Oh, how those purists groan.

Time in Fleet: Six weeks
Miles to Date: 3381

The Mercedes-Benz G-class - otherwise known as the Gelandewagen - celebrates its thirtieth birthday this year. There are plenty of contemporary models that are riding streaks longer than that, but none of them have done so in quite the same manner as the G-wagen. You see, this isn't just a thirty-year-old nameplate; it's a thirty-year-old vehicle. A heavily updated one, to be sure, but still the same box Mercedes rolled out when Jimmy Carter was president and Journey hit number sixteen on the Billboard charts with "Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'." Not to belabor the point, but this rig hit the streets the same year that the Gairy dictatorship in Grenada was overthrown by the New Jewel Movement. Gosh, does that make me feel old.

Miles to Date: 8653
Months in Fleet: Four

This may look like a run-of-the-mill Nissan Cube, but in order to grasp its importance, you need to think outside - or underneath, rather - the box. You're looking at an early prototype for Nissan's forthcoming electric vehicle, due late next year.

The blanked-off sides provide a great place to advertise your rock band, plumbing business, or geek service. With some lacy curtains for the back door windows, prying eyes will never penetrate your cargo hold. Unfortunately, there's barely room inside for a full drum set and the fetal position is required for napping. On the plus side, the mid-twenties gas mileage is reasonable and driving off the lot should be doable for less than $20,000. That said, I'd recommend budgeting for the more expensive SS edition powered by a 250- or 260-horsepower turbo motor and underpinned by one of the last suspension systems tuned by GM's illustrious Performance Division.

Let's get the negatives out of the way first. The steering on the Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S is slightly numb on center, the brakes have an eerie dead spot before they bite, the ride quality is brittle on broken pavement, and the shift paddles feel cheap. And to that, we have to say, "Who cares?" There are too many other things to love about the Quattroporte.

The Automobile Magazine fleet has been inundated with hybrids lately, and this GMC Sierra Hybrid is certainly the largest of the lot. I had many doubts about hybrid pickups before I first drove a Silverado Hybrid last summer, but the truck proved to be quite capable and very refined. Sadly, the truck market is obsessed with diesel engines, so I wonder how many buyers will take the hybrid GMT900s seriously. But those who are willing to test-drive a hybrid pickup will likely walk away very impressed.

Months in Fleet: Two
Mileage to Date: 10,862

Miles to Date: 32,714
Months in Fleet: Nine