Pink Panther attracts smart girl motorists.

"De dum, de dum, de dum de dum de dum...etc"...no, it's not me going barking but me and everyone else over at 'Insureyourmotor.com' Towers getting a tad excited about the forthcoming Pink Panther flick. You know, the one without Peter Sellars. Anyway, forget about Steve Martin for a mo and think of the real star of the show - The Pink Panther. Ok, so it's only in the spin-off 80's cartoon that we really get to see the coolest pink animal on the planet, as, after all, the actual pink panther of the films title refers to a priceless diamond that first Sellars, and now that egit Martin attempts to track down, but its our furry fella that really captures the imagination. After George from Rainbow that is; he really is the pinkest dude out there;

So, what is his favoured mode of transportation in the new movie ? According to press shots this week?... wait for it - a Smart Fortwo. Exactly.

"This fun and funky two-seater comes across as an action hero with bags of wit and personality" carps the marketing literature. Right.

However, if my memory serves me correctly, in the cartoon series of my youth, (that Sunday teatime treat that was inspired by the opening sequences of the actual 1963 movie that introduced the Pink Panther to the cinematic audience) the furry fella slipped in and out of an orangey coloured

Lamborghini -esque pointy shaped car. (After he'd turfed out that irritating kid from the title sequence).

Which, in the eyes of any 10 year old - rocked.

I mean, I know it's filmed in real time using real people (this celluloid remake that is) and my memory is just that, of a cartoon, but the connection is of cool. A whole generation of kids are now going to associate the pink legend with a bloody Duplo car.

In fairness the reworking of the original legendary detective film comedy uses the Smart as a direct replacement for the Mini, and later, the Citroen 2CV, the original loon-mobiles from the Sellers movies that his bumbling creation of legend, the accident-prone InspectorClouseau would drive around in. and, needless to say the film is all about his character, admittedly nothing to do with the cartoon franchise, but this still infuriates me.

"Back on the hunt for criminals, Martin will use the Fortwo" adds the PR machine. And that the Smart Fortwo is a "mobile companion for a contemporary Clouseau". Yeah, just the Popemobile is for the Holy one, but it still looks more nonce than purposeful (The former I hasten to add!!). At least the 2CV was humorous to look out and did, whatever anyone else said, ooze a certain charm (albeit Gallic), and the mini, well, what can we say about the Mini? A film icon whatever role it has to play - but a Smart car? The splendid Sellers wouldn't give it his approval.

"Both Clouseau and the car stand out from a crowd in a positive way" grinds out the PR machine (earning it's keep)..you're not kidding. And whereas the Issigonis-classic in particular complimented Sellars sense of style and wit, reflecting his own unique branding, can the same be applied to this updated pairing. On closer inspection, probably yes.

I'll leave the last word to the incessant ramblings of the relentless marketers, who add.."In one humorous scene Clouseau attempts to manoeuvre the 2.5metre long car into an enormous parking space, in the process wrecking 2 other vehicles". Cue laughing out loud.

Pure genius.

Anyway, if you've taken leave of any remaining senses after watching Martin offend a masterpiece and wish to purchase a Smart Fortwo, be sure to check out our quotes here at Girlmotor.com, for prices that won't, like this film, be beaten.

Date - 15/09/2006