Top Gear's Top 10 for 2007

[YSSMAN]

I thought it would be interesting to hear what the Europeans are giddy about, thus, here it is...

Renault Twingo
Renault's baby concept wowed us at the Paris motor show in the autumn, and it looks like we're finally going to see a production version in the UK by the September. Although it might lose the webcam and mixing deck of the concept, it should be a high-tech little creature, and the thought of a hot version - think Renault 5 Turbo for the 21st century - is getting us seriously excited.

Volkswagen Tiguan
VW's softroader - the bastard offspring of a tiger and an iguana, apparently - impressed us at the LA Auto Show. Based on the Golf platform, it should reach Europe at the end of next year to give a kick up the proverbial to the current swathe of flabby SUVs.

Alfa 8C Competizione
So, so beautiful. If a more stunning car appears in 2007, we'll eat our sweaty racing helmets. Due to reach us in October, sadly only 500 8Cs are going to be made - so get your order in quick if you fancy one. Powered by a 4.7-litre 450bhp V8 from Ferrari, you'll need to stump up £100,000 to join the waiting list.

Fiat Bravo
Old name, new car - and it's the best-looking Fiat in years. No question. The Bravo won't outsell the Focus, but it's much cooler, and with the option of a 150bhp 1.4-litre turbo, should be fun to drive as well. Think of it as an 8C Competizione for the rest of us.

Caparo T1
Please, please, let this make it to the road. We thought it would never happen, but Caparo looks like putting its mental T1 into production by the end of the year. A mid-mounted V8 develops 480bhp - which might not sound that impressive until you realise that it produces 100bhp per tonne. That's enough to take it to 100mph in under five seconds. Yes, 100mph. Dear lord.

Audi Q7 V12 TDi
Yes, it's just another Audi Q7. But this one is a biggie. A six-litre twin-turbo V12 diesel will see this Q7 to 60mph and on to 155mph. With almost 500bhp under the bonnet, it'll be the most powerful diesel production car in the world - and Audi reckons it'll even return 24mph. We like it. Ken won't.

Nissan GT-R
It's been in the pipeline for far, far too long, but Nissan says that the GT-R will finally be unveiled at the Tokyo show in the autumn. We reckon it's going to get a 450bhp twin-turbo V6, which should make it even more murderous than the original Godzilla.

Dodge Avenger
It's going to be cheap and cheerful, but we like the Avenger. Based on the Chrysler Sebring platform and about the same size as a VW Passat, the retro-styled Avenger should weight in under £20,000 when it reaches our shores in September.

Audi R8
Audi's first supercar is so, so close. With a 420bhp V8 that will hit 62mph in under five seconds, the UK's allocation of 350 R8s has already sold. Bah. There might be a 500bhp V10 version by the end of the year, though. Yay.

BMW M3
Looks like stock, goes like stink: the BMW M-division formula has always suited us just fine, and the new M3 - due to be unveiled at Frankfurt in September - looks to carry on that tradition. With a 4-litre V8 cracking 60mph in under five seconds and rumours of a carbon fibre roof, the new M3 could be on our roads before Christmas. And so the great circle of life continues...

That is quite the international list right there, and indeed a very interesting one. I think on any list for 2007 you are going to be bound to find the M3 and the R8, however there is just one car that really bothers me... Why is Top Gear any bit interested in the Dodge Avenger?

...Sure, I understand that the car isn't even out yet, but do they realize what they are talking about? The same company does build the Caliber, which has often been accused of having a very sub-par interior (I'm in the group doing the accusing). Along those lines, the Sebring that it shares nearly everything with isn't all too great of a car either, passable, but not up to snuff in the quickly adapting American car market. I understand that £20,000 may be cheap for a car that size, but you will be getting what you pay for...

---

However, I must be in agreement over the excitement that surrounds the 8C from Alfa. The incredibly sexy looks, presumably outstanding performance, and somewhat "reasonable" price tag will make it a winner in various world markets, and most importantly, brings Alfa back to America. I simply cannot wait for the car, and hope to see it in Chicago this year!

---

One more thing: Why doesn't FIAT sell cars in America? If they are going to continue making these striking models, I don't see any reason why they couldn't have some level of success in America...

 

[Tornado]

Why is Top Gear any bit interested in the Dodge Avenger?

The way I understand it, the Avenger by itself (and to a lesser extent, the Sebring) is a very surprising piece of not-suck, and somewhat of a sporty car to boot.

 

[Roo]

and Audi reckons it'll even return 24mph.

24mph? I should hope a 500hp Audi can do 24mph

That is quite the international list right there, and indeed a very interesting one. I think on any list for 2007 you are going to be bound to find the M3 and the R8, however there is just one car that really bothers me... Why is Top Gear any bit interested in the Dodge Avenger?

...Sure, I understand that the car isn't even out yet, but do they realize what they are talking about? The same company does build the Caliber, which has often been accused of having a very sub-par interior (I'm in the group doing the accusing). Along those lines, the Sebring that it shares nearly everything with isn't all too great of a car either, passable, but not up to snuff in the quickly adapting American car market. I understand that £20,000 may be cheap for a car that size, but you will be getting what you pay for...

Interested to see what it's like. It may turn out to be rubbish, but there's a chance it might not. We don't get the Sebring over here, so it's an unknown. Getting what you pay for isn't a problem over here either... that's what all the Kias and Hyundais driving around says to me.

 

[ExigeEvan]

The Avenger- Probably because they'll see it as a 4 door mustang, and it'll be cheap aswell.

One more thing: Why doesn't FIAT sell cars in America? If they are going to continue making these striking models, I don't see any reason why they couldn't have some level of success in America...

Because American's are quite obsessed with reliability. Hence big lazy V8s and the low popularity in Audi (Ok, one slip up, but FIATs have a worse reputation, so how will they fare any better?)

 

[YSSMAN]

The way I understand it, the Avenger by itself (and to a lesser extent, the Sebring) is a very surprising piece of not-suck, and somewhat of a sporty car to boot.

My viewing of the new Sebring is that of mixed feelings crossed with reviews that have been generally mixed as well. Certainly the car can be interpreted as a mess of both good and bad things, generally a good representation of Chrysler as a whole. The mish-mosh of odd styling (check the attempt at muscular, American styling with a very Japanese-like car), poor interior quality, and as C/D reports, driving dynamics that are worse than that of Buick... I don't see a very positive future for the Sebring. Sure, there is value in the car, and it certainly has some neat tricks up its sleeve (I like the hot/cold cup holders, 40 Gigabite media storage system), but that may not be enough.

Maybe Dodge can pull one off that is completely unexpected. Maybe they can indeed dodge (pun intended) a bullet, and better compete with the class-leading Accords, Sonatas, and Auras that are out there today. But to be honest, I don't have much confidence in the car, or Dodge on the whole. Inventory and cash flow problems are mounting, idiots are running the marketing campaigns, and no one seems to be taking the blame for the issues the company is having.

Best-case-scenario will be that Dodge actually listens to what the public wants, builds a car with fewer faults than its stable-mates (Sebring and Gallant included), and sells it at a somewhat reasonable price. Lets hope that Dodge takes that crucial step-forward, sells the car with Diesel power in America, and makes a manual transmission an option on several different models. Hell, maybe Dodge decides to do a SRT version as they had promised with the Sebring, as a 300 BHP version doesn't seem to bad.

...In all seriousness, I'm deeply confused by Top Gear's selection of the car. Sure, it may turn out to be a good car (that is one huge MAYBE), but I think they may be setting themselves and their readers up for a slight bit of disappointment...

I'm sure that criticizing a car without actually seeing it, or reading any kind of official, solid data on it may cause a few lapses in judgment... But given the track record as of late, my confidence is weak.

 

[Poverty]

Audi's are unreliable ExigeExcel?

 

[Dave A]

He didn't say they generally were, you might want to read what's in the brackets as well.

 

[ExigeEvan]

Audi's are unreliable ExigeExcel?

You really are a fanboy, aren't you?

(Ok, one slip up, but FIATs have a worse reputation, so how will they fare any better?)

You know, the whole phantom accelerating fiasco?

 

[KSaiyu]

I just care about the 8C, possibly the new Bristol too since that could clip the Veyron's wings.

 

[Kent]

Is that the same Avenger that has been here in the states for a while now?

Sorry, don't mean to make such a blanket statment but here in the States the Avenger was not sporty (unless you're the kind to think of cars like the Camry as sporty) and it certainly wasn't in any way, shape, or form, reliable.

The Avenger was a horrible failure to every person who drove one (amongst the many Avenger drivers I've met).

As for the rest of the list... In all honesty...
I don't know many of the cars and some of them certainly draw my interest. It will be interesting to see how things work out for 2007 in the Top Gear studios.

Of course, as usual, I'll take it all with a grain of salt.

 

[McLaren]

You really are a fanboy, aren't you?

You know, the whole phantom accelerating fiasco?

I remember that. It was hard to see any Audis on the road after that. They became as rare as a Lamborghini.

Amazingly though, you have to give the company credit for bringing itself back up.

 

[McLaren]

I just care about the 8C, possibly the new Bristol too since that could clip the Veyron's wings.

That's if Bristol would let anyone drive it.

The part I don't get is why on Earth are they making a ludicrous claim, and then limiting the top speed to what? Under 230Mph?

 

[Poverty]

You really are a fanboy, aren't you?

You know, the whole phantom accelerating fiasco?

I asked a simple question because I didnt understand what you were saying due to bad wording, (unintended acceleration is not unreliability but instead a design/manufacturing flaw/defect of which never existed in the first place.) so I dont know why you said it was a slip up on their part when a major organisation engaged into a smear campaign for their own benefit which was rating.

 

[Jim Prower]

Is that the same Avenger that has been here in the states for a while now?

Sorry, don't mean to make such a blanket statment but here in the States the Avenger was not sporty (unless you're the kind to think of cars like the Camry as sporty) and it certainly wasn't in any way, shape, or form, reliable.

The Avenger was a horrible failure to every person who drove one (amongst the many Avenger drivers I've met).

As for the rest of the list... In all honesty...
I don't know many of the cars and some of them certainly draw my interest. It will be interesting to see how things work out for 2007 in the Top Gear studios.

Of course, as usual, I'll take it all with a grain of salt.

mmm....no, it's not the first-gen coupe. the new one replacing the Stratus.

 

[ExigeEvan]

I asked a simple question because I didnt understand what you were saying due to bad wording, (unintended acceleration is not unreliability but instead a design/manufacturing flaw/defect of which never existed in the first place.) so I dont know why you said it was a slip up on their part when a major organisation engaged into a smear campaign for their own benefit which was rating.

So wait, something didn't work as it was designed? But that doesn't mean it is Audi's fault?

Sorry if I'm wrong, I'm finding it hard to understand due to poor wording.

 

[Poverty]

So wait, something didn't work as it was designed? But that doesn't mean it is Audi's fault?

Sorry if I'm wrong, I'm finding it hard to understand due to poor wording.

I thought you said you knew about the unintended acceleration incident, as then you would understand?

 

[ExigeEvan]

I thought you said you knew about the unintended acceleration incident, as then you would understand?

On reading this I realised that perhaps I didn't know enough about the incidents. So I checked Wikipedia, and indeed it appears that it was not a reliability issue, more likely driver error.

However, I stand by what I said. If just one model is suspected of being dangerous/critically-unreliable it will devastate a brand in the US.

 

[SagarisGTB]

One more thing: Why doesn't FIAT sell cars in America? If they are going to continue making these striking models, I don't see any reason why they couldn't have some level of success in America...

They only sell good small cars (Panda, Grande Punto). The Bravo is the biggest of the bunch, yet it is only golf sized. Americans dont really go for small.

 

[Mt. Lynx]

I want to see what the 8C can do on the track! Alfa is supposedly going to make a raceprepped 8C to compete in the GT2 class at Le Mans in 2008.

I also have my hopes on an Audi R8R... would be really cool.

 

[ND4SPD]

I'm gonna be a little giddy about the new Avenger myself. Last time I checked, the top of the line R/T will feature AWD and the 3.5L 235hp engine. I believe it will also feature autostick. If it doesn't weigh too much I'd put this car in WRX territory when it comes to a straight line.

 

[Pebb]

Is anyone going to be posting up what 10 cars there looking forward to this year?

 

[Poverty]

M3
A5
A4
C-class
LCR

 

[YSSMAN]

Is anyone going to be posting up what 10 cars there looking forward to this year?

- Saturn Astra
- Cadillac CTS (and CTS-V)
- BMW M3
- Chevrolet Malibu
- Chevrolet Impala
- Pontiac G8
- VW R32 (we don't have it in America yet...)
- VW R36 Passat
- Dodge Challenger
- Ford Mustang Bullitt or BOSS 302 (whichever comes first)

...I'm sensing a commonality between a lot of those cars...

 

[Diablomonkey]

Well here is my list of cars that I'm looking forward to.

1. Nissan Skyline GT-R
2. Ford Mustang GT Bullitt Edition (My dad had one but totaled it doing 140 MPH at the track and he hadn't even made the first payment and it was #340 )
3. Toyoda's Replacement for the Supra
4. Mitsubishi Evo X
5. Shelby Cobra (I hope they change their minds and decide to put it in to production)
oh and one more
6. My 240SX that I haven't bought yet

 

[YSSMAN]

On your list:

- Nissan GT-R: Forgot about that one. I'm interested, however, I'd rather have a Challenger or a Mustang (call me crazy!)
- Toyota's "Supra": Given how many "concepts" we've had, it is going to be 2010 at the absolute earliest before anything gets done there...
- Shelby Cobra: You can buy one right now, however it is the decidedly old-school version (lol). Ford says they don't want to do either the Cobra or the GR-1, so it looks like Daisy (Ford GT) is going to go on as the only car to use that platform. I'd rather have Shelby Mustangs anyway, wouldn't you?