- 5,379
- Yokohama
- F1fan1
Gene is still in their books. Judging by the persons build, I would hazard a guess that it was Badoer, but I'm not sure. May not necessarily be a famous racing driver.
Unless someone spills the beans, I don't think we'll know.
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- Thread starter ExigeEvan
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Gene is still in their books. Judging by the persons build, I would hazard a guess that it was Badoer, but I'm not sure. May not necessarily be a famous racing driver.
Unless someone spills the beans, I don't think we'll know.
Robin
Premium
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- United Kingdom
I was expecting the worst but the episode started well, then got worse, then was so so till the end. I actually liked the 'dull' season preview 
I would have the Lambo, I don't care about the engineering so I would never by the Mclaren because in my opinion its a calculator with the body of a 90's generic kit car. The Noble is also pretty terrible like all those man in shed marques full of Ford bits that charge you Ferrari prices.
will.i.am was a right weirdo and that car he's designed is horrid, like a riced DeLorean that a 10 year old would draw. Just because you have shed loads of money doesnt mean you can wakeup and be an expert at automotive design.
Stig's Italian cousin
I would have the Lambo, I don't care about the engineering so I would never by the Mclaren because in my opinion its a calculator with the body of a 90's generic kit car. The Noble is also pretty terrible like all those man in shed marques full of Ford bits that charge you Ferrari prices.
will.i.am was a right weirdo and that car he's designed is horrid, like a riced DeLorean that a 10 year old would draw. Just because you have shed loads of money doesnt mean you can wakeup and be an expert at automotive design.
Stig's Italian cousin
Robin
Premium
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- United Kingdom
I saw them testing a new Corsa, and thought... oooh I'd be interested in that.
This is why I'm enjoying Top Gear USA at the moment on BBC3. I think its so much better than UKTG (who's formula is getting so old now) because it reminds me of how the series used to be. The US one is so much more about the cars and the hosts are much fresher and really interesting charaters.
To be fair, Ratzenberger is only a name to most of the general public apart from the true F1 fans who follow the sport.
It is always disappointing when they do miss out his name as Senna's death would have always be in the forefront of people's mind when it comes to Imola.
Personally, I felt that the show was ok (apart from the interview with Will.i.am, pretty dull) but there wasn't really anything impressive about it. Apart from three presenters who are legally having a mid-life crises.
It is always disappointing when they do miss out his name as Senna's death would have always be in the forefront of people's mind when it comes to Imola.
Personally, I felt that the show was ok (apart from the interview with Will.i.am, pretty dull) but there wasn't really anything impressive about it. Apart from three presenters who are legally having a mid-life crises.
Wiegert
Premium
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- United Kingdom
Aye. I was expecting them to at least mention him, but that didn't happen.
I was expecting the worst but the episode started well, then got worse, then was so so till the end. I actually liked the 'dull' season preview
I'm slightly annoyed because I ended up missing the 'dull' season preview.
And Clarkson actually liked the look of that thing? I honestly don't think he does in reality. I mean, who would?
Stig's Italian cousin
Bunga Bunga Stig
Honestly, this episode may have only reelly been about the supercar journey across Italy, but it surpassed my expectations. Will.I.Am as SIARPC was the definitive low point in this episode, and the Noble breaking down was pretty disappointing (really wanted to hear that thing go through the tunnel).
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Ah, he was (before Barrachello surpassed him) the longest serving driver for the F1 sport, managed to basically have a good points scoring ratio and still didn't win a World Championship (much like Stirling Moss) and was actually pretty talented.
Just wasn't very much in the public eye, for some reason.
It was a massive shock when Ratzenberger died though and the actual crash wasn't televised. As Senna's crash was, it would have the most impact. However, if it was the other way around, (Ratzenberger being televised during the race, Senna not televised during his practice laps) I suspect that Ratzenberger would have been remembered more.
Ironically, Barrachello was the only F1 driver in 2011 who was still driving during 1994 season. Kinda highlights exactly how long he was in the sport!
Just wasn't very much in the public eye, for some reason.
It was a massive shock when Ratzenberger died though and the actual crash wasn't televised. As Senna's crash was, it would have the most impact. However, if it was the other way around, (Ratzenberger being televised during the race, Senna not televised during his practice laps) I suspect that Ratzenberger would have been remembered more.
Ironically, Barrachello was the only F1 driver in 2011 who was still driving during 1994 season. Kinda highlights exactly how long he was in the sport!
- 29,867
- Bratvegas
- GTP_Liquid
Don't forget Schumacher...
But Rubens has driven consecutively. Very impressive.
Patrese, despite my loathing of his replacing of Martin Brundle at Benetton, also has the record of longest gap between race victories. 6 years between RSA 1983 and Imola 1990.
But Rubens has driven consecutively. Very impressive.
Patrese, despite my loathing of his replacing of Martin Brundle at Benetton, also has the record of longest gap between race victories. 6 years between RSA 1983 and Imola 1990.
I was talking more about still being in F1 continually. Schumacher is kinda an odd situation, having left it then joined back into it. But yes, you are quite right.
I felt that the Lambo was more Supercar-ishly than the others. The Noble did look slightly odd and the Mclaren kinda looked bland, apart from the colour of the car. However, the Noble was a pure car with no electronics and gave us the opportunity to really see Hamster being completely well and truly scared at one point. The Mclaren was rather well made with a good sound bizarrely and seemed to be like a dishwasher. Very good at what it does, but without much soul to it. Lambo, in race mode looked brutal with the gear changes. And the inside was looking a bit Fezza-ish with all the gizmos.
However, it did highlight something interesting. Now, it is very easy to go to 200mph without much training any more. I remember a time when even getting to 180mph was talked about in tones of awe. But 200 mph that was achieved by all three cars? Impressive, but it kinda makes it a milestone that didn't really present a lot of challenges anymore.
Shows how well technology has moved on, so much so that humans can't keep up with it.
I felt that the Lambo was more Supercar-ishly than the others. The Noble did look slightly odd and the Mclaren kinda looked bland, apart from the colour of the car. However, the Noble was a pure car with no electronics and gave us the opportunity to really see Hamster being completely well and truly scared at one point. The Mclaren was rather well made with a good sound bizarrely and seemed to be like a dishwasher. Very good at what it does, but without much soul to it. Lambo, in race mode looked brutal with the gear changes. And the inside was looking a bit Fezza-ish with all the gizmos.
However, it did highlight something interesting. Now, it is very easy to go to 200mph without much training any more. I remember a time when even getting to 180mph was talked about in tones of awe. But 200 mph that was achieved by all three cars? Impressive, but it kinda makes it a milestone that didn't really present a lot of challenges anymore.
Shows how well technology has moved on, so much so that humans can't keep up with it.
- 29,867
- Bratvegas
- GTP_Liquid
I don't really like Audi-era Lambos. They're much more tame, which I feel gives them less 'soul' than they used to have.
They may be great cars technically, but for me there is something lacking. Odd, considering I prefer the McLaren. I also think the McLaren is much better looking.
And the Noble? Hm, somehow I just don't think of Noble as being a supercar company; more of a sports car company. I love the M12.
I have irregular, inconsistant and conflicting opinions on cars. Much like the TG presenters!
They may be great cars technically, but for me there is something lacking. Odd, considering I prefer the McLaren. I also think the McLaren is much better looking.
And the Noble? Hm, somehow I just don't think of Noble as being a supercar company; more of a sports car company. I love the M12.
I have irregular, inconsistant and conflicting opinions on cars. Much like the TG presenters!
- 17,223
- United Kingdom
Not a bad show tonight, all dramatic at the end..!
As far as the dull season preview goes, I don't get why people want it! Access to run-of-the-mill cars is easy, you can even drive one yourself with not too much effort, you can research them easily on the internet to get a good idea of what they are like (for better than you'd ever get from a Top Gear presenter), you will probably see these dull cars numerous times a day in the real world.. Top Gear go to beautiful places, in amazing cars, and cock about doing what I'd do if had 1/98th of the chance... that is better TV. If you want oily nuts (if you get my meaning) then.. I dunno, maybe Edd China and Mike Brewer?
Anyway, much as I hate everything about the VAG and it's cars, I can't help but like the Lambo.. although Aventador is ruined as a name since the "A vent > A door >" thing... The Mclaren does not cut it from a looks point of view - and despite being English I always consider them the 'bad guys' in Formula 1, and don't like the brand (yes even despite the BMW powered McF1 being the closest thing to a Super car BMW have had for years)... and the Noble,.. well, I love the back to basics approach, and as a company they've achieved a lot... but it's not a great design, it lacks finesse or attention to smaller details, and I don't doubt it 'Feels' compromised by being "low-budget" in a way that I would expect the Lambo, Mclaren (or Ferrari) don't. I'd have the Lambo over the lot of them. No other tests tonight, I wonder of that sets a pattern for the season.
And by the way... Why the F are they dropping an E30 on it's roof???????????
As far as the dull season preview goes, I don't get why people want it! Access to run-of-the-mill cars is easy, you can even drive one yourself with not too much effort, you can research them easily on the internet to get a good idea of what they are like (for better than you'd ever get from a Top Gear presenter), you will probably see these dull cars numerous times a day in the real world.. Top Gear go to beautiful places, in amazing cars, and cock about doing what I'd do if had 1/98th of the chance... that is better TV. If you want oily nuts (if you get my meaning) then.. I dunno, maybe Edd China and Mike Brewer?
Anyway, much as I hate everything about the VAG and it's cars, I can't help but like the Lambo.. although Aventador is ruined as a name since the "A vent > A door >" thing... The Mclaren does not cut it from a looks point of view - and despite being English I always consider them the 'bad guys' in Formula 1, and don't like the brand (yes even despite the BMW powered McF1 being the closest thing to a Super car BMW have had for years)... and the Noble,.. well, I love the back to basics approach, and as a company they've achieved a lot... but it's not a great design, it lacks finesse or attention to smaller details, and I don't doubt it 'Feels' compromised by being "low-budget" in a way that I would expect the Lambo, Mclaren (or Ferrari) don't. I'd have the Lambo over the lot of them. No other tests tonight, I wonder of that sets a pattern for the season.
And by the way... Why the F are they dropping an E30 on it's roof???????????
- 3,385
- Kings Lynn.
- Dixon_F1
I LOL'd at the Stigs Chinese Cousin!
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- Somewhere.
It was an ok episode in general, I thought. Certainly a good starting point for a new season.
Lambos can't leave you indifferent... You either love them or hate them, there's no in between. I thought that shade of orange was perhaps the color best suited to the Aventador, which, out of the 3 cars there and the 458, would definitely be my choice, if I were in a position to buy such a car.
In fact, I'd choose walking or taking the bus over any Ferrari made in the last 20 years.
Lambos can't leave you indifferent... You either love them or hate them, there's no in between. I thought that shade of orange was perhaps the color best suited to the Aventador, which, out of the 3 cars there and the 458, would definitely be my choice, if I were in a position to buy such a car.
In fact, I'd choose walking or taking the bus over any Ferrari made in the last 20 years.
SuperShouden
(Banned)
- 7,542
- SuperShouden
I think the Noble won. Highest speed around the Nardo Ring, best fuel economy, and Noble drove in Hammond's replacement car over night. Let's see McLaren or Lamborghini do that.
All in all, a great show, though. Even the Star in a Reasonably Priced Car wasn't boring this time.
All in all, a great show, though. Even the Star in a Reasonably Priced Car wasn't boring this time.
- 3,239
- New York
- thepatriots
I will have to disagree. Watching that car go around the track did not look very confidence inspiring. It had a far amount of brake dive and body roll. Also that was the best MPG at high speed. The MP4-12c gets 30mpg~ around town, which is astonishing.
As Clarkson said, Lambo wins because, blue stuff.
- 29,867
- Bratvegas
- GTP_Liquid
Because I prefer an entertaining car show (TG 2002-2007) to a car-themed entertainment show (TG 2007-present).
I've been watching some episodes from before series 11 recently and I can honestly say I prefer them. Much funnier, much more dynamic and on the whole, much less formulaic. The script isn't as obvious and the humour is smarter.
I like Top Gear, but since the second new set, after the fire, it has become so formulaic and predictable, with less technical stuff and more quote/unquote 'funny' bits instead. The presenters aren't themselves; they play caricatures of themselves, playing up to their public personas and expectations.
The Renault Aventime challenge was the moment for me. When the script and the dumbing down was too much for me to really enjoy the show. The specials were a welcome relief, but Vietnam, East Coast of America and India were far from spectacular.
There have been some great episodes in recent years, but for me they are sadly few and far between. And Clarkson's brown nosing during SIARPC is just embarrassing.
I'm not trying to flame, or ask to be flamed. This is just my opinion. Roll on episode two.
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It really doesn't. If you drove it incredibly carefully it might just squeeze high 20s on the motorway (and you'd have to be doing 50-60mph). In town I suspect you'd struggle to get above 20mpg.
Official EU combined is 24.2mpg (20mpg in U.S. gallons). U.S. EPA combined is 18mpg - 15 city and 22 highway. None of those figures are 30mpg whether you're talking US or Imperial gallons.
- 1,233
- Patra
- Rotorist
Noble is a modern F40, so it is more authentic than Mc and Lambo. Mc is a tech show and Lambo is a very powerful but tamed monster. For everyday use? Mc. For trackday? Noble. For both? F458! Lambo is a great car with great abilities but very big and being 4WD is not playful enough to offer the joy you need from a supercar.
- 3,957
- Cleveland
Must've been a good episode to inspire this much conversation here.
For me, if the Noble hadn't blown its clutch, that would've been my vote. Supercar kings need to push the weight to power ratio limit. No driver aids is another nice touch, though just being able to turn the aids off is good enough. But also, steel discs on the Noble and what looked like soft suspension are problems. All these put together make it a very close contest between the Noble and the Lambo as finished products. As an ideal, the Noble by far, but in reality, the Lambo. Great style, and blue out the rear.
For me, if the Noble hadn't blown its clutch, that would've been my vote. Supercar kings need to push the weight to power ratio limit. No driver aids is another nice touch, though just being able to turn the aids off is good enough. But also, steel discs on the Noble and what looked like soft suspension are problems. All these put together make it a very close contest between the Noble and the Lambo as finished products. As an ideal, the Noble by far, but in reality, the Lambo. Great style, and blue out the rear.
- 1,233
- Patra
- Rotorist
It is a more powerful and beautiful Nissan GTR my friend. What driving excitement do they have? They are too stable to make you thrilled... F458 is better by miles in excitement. Remember JC's review on F458 and compare it to how much excited he was to when he drove Lambo. Even May (not a playful driver at all) couldn't think Mc is better.
- 6,041
- Puget Sound
- Crash852
Uhhh, have you driven any of the cars you mentioned? How do know that one is "more exciting" than the other? Different people have different opinions because excitement is so subjective. I have never heard of any credible journalist or reviewer say that AWD or 4WD vehicles cannot be exciting.
Incidentally, during this episode:
Clarkson said he would rather have the Aventador than the Ferrari 458
This episode was decent. The segment with Will.i.am was pretty bad. Did anyone notice how he was essentially dancing with his hands the whole time he was talking to Clarkson? It was really really weird for me; his hand movements and gestures just didn't seem natural at all.
I'm really excited for the China segment and also the review on the F10 M5. Also, why are they dropping an E30 onto its roof?
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I've seen the E30 mentioned a few times now. There's a chance it may not be a road-worthy car, or even in anything approaching good nick.
I'm more surprised nobody has mentioned them trashing a brand new Jag XFR...
You're really asking whether a near-700bhp car is exciting or not? People here would back me up on this, I'm not normally the one who fawns over supercars, but even I know that the Aventador is an amazing bit of kit and massively more exciting than you seem to be making out. Who literally gives a damn which wheels are being driven?
Let me guess, you're basing everything from your experiences of... playing GT5?
I'm more surprised nobody has mentioned them trashing a brand new Jag XFR...
You're really asking whether a near-700bhp car is exciting or not? People here would back me up on this, I'm not normally the one who fawns over supercars, but even I know that the Aventador is an amazing bit of kit and massively more exciting than you seem to be making out. Who literally gives a damn which wheels are being driven?
Let me guess, you're basing everything from your experiences of... playing GT5?
McLaren
Premium
- 45,530
- Texas
Not even close.
Drive a Lamborghini sometime. You'll find they are nothing like a GT-R. There is no system that corrects your inputs & the V12 models are nowhere as nimble as the GT-R. Their large, wide bodies can make them very difficult to drive through corners fast & because the power sends 70% to the rear, they are more than capable of snapping the rear around.
I've had time in a LP640 & Gallardo 5.0 around the track, as well as a chance in the LP570-4 Superleggera in Las Vegas. These are not stable cars; the LP640 alone because of its size can make it just as unpredictable as a 458. I'd be even more inclined to say that if you turned on all the 458's electronic aids, it'd be more stable through a course than the big V12 Lambos. flat out.
Tell ya what. I'm scheduled to drive an Aventador in March in Vegas again. I'll be sure to come back & let ya know how "unexciting" it is in comparison to the 458.
- 1,233
- Patra
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No, to what excitement had everyone who drove 458 or another nice balanced RWD to what excitement everyone shows when driving a 4WD. Sure, it is very nice to have the torque distribution to 20-80 or 30-70 but there is no comparison to the agility of RWD cars if setup is right... This is exactly the difference between a 911 GT3RS and 911 Turbo.
And above all, I really like Lambo V12s especially for how they sound, but handling is another matter compared to MRs.
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