Another pass mark for TGA this week. The main challenge, making an armoured car, did have as many holes in it as the cars by segment end. But it was what it was—a harmless bit of fun. The hosts are interacting better and the show continues to improve. Steve’s piece on the two Elfins was [...]
There seems to be a pattern forming here. This was, generally speaking, another very good episode from the TGA lads. More importantly, the hosts are improving. They still have a way to go if their aim is to match the UK masters, but their progression is evident. Opening the show with a supercar shopping trolley [...]
After tonight’s episode I think we can say Top Gear Australia has found second gear. This was easily one of their best episodes and probably the best episode to date. The chemistry with the hosts was smooth, natural and the forced behaviour of earlier episodes was pleasantly absent. I have to again compliment the production [...]
A serviceable episode from the lads tonight. I’m yet to be convinced we can expect greatness from the locals, but episode 2 did provide solid entertainment. The show opened with a piece on the HSV Clubsport R8, which quickly, and thankfully, took a turn for something that sounds truly mad. The brutes from Walkinshaw Performance [...]
Well, I didn’t mind the return of Top Gear Australia on SBS TV tonight. New host James Morrison was not bad. Actually, for a first up effort he was quite good, even if there is room for improvement. His opening piece testing the Mitsubishi Evo X was more than reasonable, helped by some very good [...]
Just spotted on CarAdvice is news that Top Gear Australia has put out an audience call for its second series. The first recording date is just a few weeks away on Tuesday 7 April. A full list of filming dates is listed below. Series 2 will premiere on SBS Television on Monday 11 May. Of [...]
Top Gear LIVE has now left Australian shores. Like many of the cars on show it was a whirlwind affair filled with action. That is a given, but was it actually any good? It was entertaining. Certainly. But I’m not so sure it was everything it could be. The “show” kicked off with a series [...]
Charlie Cox has told SBS he will be leaving the Top Gear Australia franchise to spend more time in his native Britain. He will be replaced by Australian jazz icon James Morrison, who will join existing hosts Warren Brown and Steve Pizzati for the second series, scheduled to hit our television screens in 2009. “My [...]
The final episode of Top Gear Australia Series 1 has just gone to air. Tonight’s episode started with a great concept, ‘The Ultimate Drive’. Pick your ideal car, and add some truly great driving roads. The lads headed to Tasmania, including a closed road run on a Targa Tasmania special stage. Charlie in a Porsche [...]
Lots of good content in tonight’s episode, the Nissan GT-R package was the highlight for me. Shooting the dark silver car through Sydney’s city lights at night looked stunning at times. The clips driving past the Ferrari and Porsche dealerships also worked well. Kudos, too, for Steve getting access to the new stretch of Highway [...]
Due to an, erm, error in scheduling I’ve not seen episode 6 as yet, but I will update this post with my thoughts when I have. In the meantime, there’s a few more pics and an SBS press release below…
Monday night’s episode of Top Gear Australia was a bit of a hit and miss affair. The amphibious car challenge (pictured above) was quite good, if a little predictable. But, like previous TGA segments, it didn’t really forge a meaningful conclusion. Although, watching the car start up first go and drive out of the water [...]
The SBS hosted Top Gear Australia website has recently published a working drawing of their test track. The location is Camden Airport, Sydney—follow this link for the Google-Maps-eye view. Currently a right-hand drive Ford GT holds the record for the fastest Power Lap time at 1:08.80, some six tenths quicker than a Nissan GT-R (speed [...]
Another great step forward from the local Top Gear crew this week. In fact, I’ll go so far as to say tonight’s episode was comparable to Top Gear UK. Sure, the Australian version is not reaching the consistent highs each week, but they are getting there. As usual, there will be complaints from TV land, [...]
Much better episode this week. Comfortably the show’s best to date. Warren Brown, the glue holding the hosts together, posted an entertaining piece on the BMW X6. Steve Pizzati was confused by the Mercedes-Benz CLK AMG 63 Black Series—is it a GT, a track day special, or just something grey in between? On these two [...]