Siddharth is a convert. He’s been swayed by the Jaguar F-Pace and Bentley Bentayga, and now can’t wait to drive SUV’s from Rolls Royce and Maserati. But how long before Ferrari succumbs too, he asks?
Purist: A person who insists on absolute adherence to traditional rules or structures, especially in language or style.
Well, I’ve always scoffed at anyone who claimed to be one (or pretended to be one) – a purist that is. And so I was rather shocked to find that I was, in fact, behaving that way when it came to a particular phenomenon of the automotive industry.
The phenomenon in question is in direct relation to my review of the Jaguar F-Pace in this issue. More generically, it’s the phenomenon of storied car brands going ‘Sports Ute!’ Yes, it makes sense for Audi or BMW to do it, but why Jaguar I asked (like many others)? A brand that belongs to the JLR combine, which boasts an SUV specialist already?
By the same logic, why did Lamborghini need the Urus concept or Skoda the Vision S? Why does Maserati need the Levante, Porsche the Cayenne, and why does Bentley need the Bentayga? And that’s when I started to see it. It’s no longer a niche idea. Even Rolls-Royce is now developing Project Cullinan, its ‘all terrain motor car’ (it would be oh-so-pedestrian for Rolls-Royce to call it an SUV).
So I can either sit by myself in my little corner or embrace the idea. People need mobility in the shape and form they need it. And why can’t they have it from their favourite brand? If I can accept Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai going volume-crazy on the Vitara Brezza and Creta respectively, then why can’t Jaguar or Bentley enjoy the same leeway? Of course, none of them are hanging on to the edge of their seats waiting to know what I think. Either way, in keeping with my firmly self-imposed non-purist status, I have now decided I like niche brand SUVs as much as the next guy (unless the next guy is a purist of course).
What has brought about this change you may wonder? Well, my opinion has been swayed by just how beautifully designed and well engineered some of these machines are. I’ve recently driven the Jaguar F-Pace and the Bentley Bentayga. Both cars cater to a very specific kind of buyer, and appeal to exactly what people seem to want from their cars. And they don’t compromise on performance, design, and luxury in any obvious or objectionable way. And both can go off the road too – pretty convincingly at that. The Cayenne has always delivered a similar promise anyway. So, yes, I am now a convert. And now I can’t wait to see what shape Project Cullinan takes, and I can’t wait to drive it – and the same holds true for the Skoda Kodiak, Maserati Levante, and Alfa Romeo’s upcoming Stelvio.
So, now the question is – with everyone having been bitten by the SUV bug – will Ferrari hold firm on its assertion of NEVER doing an SUV? Well, all I can say to that is – never say never!
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