As much as we’re excited about the lithe 2011 Lotus Elise, it’s Fat Tuesday so we’re going to give a break to at least one car porking up like the rest of us. Which fatty deserves a fair shake?
Call us crazy, but isn’t a luxo-barge supposed to be barge-like? Everyone yaps about bloated luxury cars and bloated SUVs and the Land Rover LR4 is certainly large but, c’mon, isn’t that the point? Sure, it’s gotten so big — expanding from 5,426 pounds in 2005 to over 5,800 in pounds in 2010 — they had to super size the name from LR3 to LR4. But with the added heft you get a more capable world crosser that finally has an engine powerful enough — an awesome 5.0-liter V8 — to stop its weight from getting in its own way. It represents the British Empire in its descent and a former colony in its ascendancy, which is a lot of baggage to carry.
Sure, it’s a fatty, but it’s a fatty with a purpose. Try taking your Escalade across the Serengeti.
When you’re done stuffing your face with pazckis and king cake let us know: which fatty deserves a fair shake?
(QOTD is your chance to answer the day’s most pressing automotive questions and experience the opinions of the insightful insiders, practicing pundits and gleeful gearheads that make up the Jalopnik commentariat. If you’ve got a suggestion for a good “Question Of the Day” send an email to tips at jalopnik dot com.)
Photo Credit: Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images
Hummers… capable of anything.
And everyone knows fatties give the best ones.
rocco.butterscotch
@Tanshanomi:
That’s a beauty.
My CVPI with it’s new shocks does decent at giving me a fair shake, especially with all the pot holes now.
cobrajoe
The Ford E-series doesn’t weigh much more than a Taurus SHO, but can haul at least 3x more people and their stuff.
RamblinReck89
IN THE FACE!
@Tanshanomi: I’ll trade you my anorexic Hyundai Accent. It’s not the ’86 Crown Vic I really long for (nostalgia at work – my grandparents had one up until ’06), but it’s close.
Maymar
Anything from Bentley or Rolls. The Veyron. The Ferrari 612.
CABEZAGRANDE
What does Kevin drive?
lilwillie
It’s been just over year, and I am still trying to give it a “fair shake,” but I am struggling.
Tanshanomi
Minivans – maybe it’s the part of me looking forward to the trappings of parenthood, maybe it’s just exposure (I’ve been spending plenty of time around Chrysler’s vans, and am rather smitten with a well equipped Town and Country), but I like them. Roomy, comfortable, and short of buying a luxury car, there’s no better way to get all sorts of gadgets and gizmos to play with.
Of course, I also like the afformentioned Escalade, or at least the GMT900. They’re big, commanding, and ride well, like a Cadillac should.
Maymar
Good to know I’m in that 10% division
Skinny helps make it easier to get to those blasted spark plugs and various sensors on my F-body.
WarShrike
camaro
Alan Vochaska
The Miata
Its gained weight since it was introduced but its also gotten more refined.
Although NA’s are still the most fun to drive.
jvrbanac
The Hemi Jeep.
On a side note..Kevin Smith is still thinner than like 90% of America.
Saboth