Fifth Gear returned to UK screens last week with the premiere episode of Series 15. This makes them the first major UK car show to get their hands on the Mk6 Golf. Here’s Jonny Smith’s review.
For more on the new Golf, check out this previous AUSmotive post, including the Trackback links at the bottom of the article that will take you to a wide range of Golf VI related articles.
The lads are back! A cracking episode to kick off Series 12. From the Porsche 911 GT2 v Lamborghini Gallardo 560-4 comparo that was classic Clarkson, to the arsing about in the £5000 Lorry Challenge, this was Top Gear at its absolute best. In the middle was an entertaining news package and a thoroughly enjoyable interview with Sir Michael Parkinson.
If you’ve not see this episode I suggest you use the powers of the internets to find it and watch it. If you have seen the episode, and were wondering, yes, Jeremy Clarkson did hurt himself in that smash!
Oh, one other question about Series 12 has been answered, the Vietnam special will air in this series, and I’d pencil in 28 December as a possible broadcast date.
I didn’t want to make comparisons with Top Gear Australia, but, well, the original is better isn’t it. To the SBS guys, watch this episode. If you reach this level you’ll have done very, very well!
Update 5 November: Jeremy’s ‘murder a prostitute’ quip during his summary of a lorry driver’s daily routine has dropped him and the BBC in hot water. Read more…
Top Gear Australia has arrived. It is clear, now, that the Top Gear format has been franchised, in the true sense of the word. Everything from the cast, the theme music, the set, right down to the seating positions of the presenters during the news segment pretty much matches the UK show frame for frame.
On the one hand, you can see why the producers have taken such a formulaic approach. After all, the original format has achieved enviable worldwide success. However, such was the degree of imitation that the viewer almost has a right to feel short changed. We’re only one episode in, granted, but it does seem as though the opportunity to give Top Gear Australia some genuine local flavour has been missed.
Conversely, by taking such a paint it by numbers approach Steve Pizzati, Charlie Cox and Warren Brown (pictured above) have been handed a great foundation from which to build. Indeed, take a look at the first two series of Top Gear UK and you’ll see the original trio needed time to settle in and build the camaraderie many enjoy today. For example, the first piece in the Australian format was a Surf-to-Snow Soft Roader Challenge. The challenge films rely heavily on the chemistry of the leading men and perhaps this was too bold an opening move as, at times, their mateship seemed a bit forced. This not to say the guys weren’t genuine, just that, the audience needs time to learn and familiarise itself with the characters. If my memory serves me correctly, the first challenge on the UK show was the £1500 Porsche Challenge, which aired in Series 5—ample time for Clarkson, Hammond and May to have established their individual niche.
Fifth Gear is back on UK screens and Episode 1 of Series 14 saw the debut of a new presenter, Tim Shaw. No, not the Demtel man, but someone possibly as, erm, loveable. We also saw Snooker legend and resident bad boy Ronnie O’Sullivan get some advice on how to blow his Crucible winnings. He took his pick from a Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG, a BMW M3 Convertible and a Mitsubishi Evo X. Speaking of the Evo, Jason and Tiff put the Mitsubishi Evo X and the new-ish Subaru Impreza WRX STi to the test to determine which was the best track day weapon. Jonny showed that scrap metal is not always worth more than the sum of its parts. Tom tried to see if the Ford Kuga was a stick in the mud, and, well, it was, even if he reckons it’s otherwise okay. Cast your mind back the the slick Roger Moore James Bond era and you’ll see exactly where Rinspeed’s inspiration for the sQuba came from (pictured above).
See you next week.
Joy to the world—Top Gear is back! With talk of new Australian and US versions in production, I guess there is now a need to specify just which Top Gear is being referred to. Of course, it is the original UK line up of Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May. The lads are presenting Series 11 and the first episode aired in the UK last Sunday. Above is the first part of two clips of their £1000 Police car challenge, the second part is down below.
Other highlights from the show included Jeremy’s review of the new-ish Ferrari F430 Scuderia, a Toyota Prius v BMW M3 fuel challenge and an all out supercar economy challenge. A new crew member—Top Gear Stunt man—was also introduced. It looks like we are in for another great series from the entire Top Gear team. Stay tuned for more next week.