Top Gear @ Bonneville

Gawd DAMN, was that a great episode tonight (no I don't bother w/ torrents--that show deserves a big screen)

Some observations:

• The shots of Jeremy drifting the ZR1 through those twisty desert mountain passes were sick.

• Boy, am I proud of Detroit regarding these cars (more specifically, the CTS-V and the ZR-1--I'm still not much of a Challernger fan). I didn't really feel this way until the top Gear crew dug these cars so much.

To hear Jeremy carry on about how amazing the ZR-1 was made me think "damn--they really DID build a world-beater. Seeing the CTS-V's suspension development shine in those mountain roads was also great. Proof that we do indeed possess the ability to build a world-class car. Se need that brilliance to trickle down to the affordable stuff. They loved those cars and it was great to see. Detroit needs that morale boost badly.

• The camerawork @ Bonneville was BRILLIANT. They really know how to create drama w/ their shots. Another example of some of the best cinematography on TV--automotive or otherwise. Watching the guys striving for an eventually reaching their speed goals was just riveting. The copter shots were like car porn. Just gorgeous.

A fun, fun episode. Up there w/ one of my favorites.

Too bad it wasn't "entertainment".

Yup. I just watched it too. That Z (sorry Zed) R1 was teh hotness. Last weeks show with the "lorries" was hilarious.

Stupid work blocked out BBC America. I'll watch it tonight when I get home at 1am.

Watching it on TiVo now, so far so good.

Brilliant episode, that. I think it's just too bad they couldn't get Hammond a Challenger with a manual trans. If nothing else, it would've improved his stakes in the middle-of-nowhere burnout comp.

This thread made me realize I hadn't seen last week or this week's episode so off to DVR land.

They were great! My wife and I loved the Lorry episode but were literally on the edge of our seats on the Salt Flats. With a little tape the Vette might have made 180.

Probably my favorite episode, with the possible exception of the Africa one.

mtn wrote: Probably my favorite episode, with the possible exception of the Africa one.

My favorite is still the episode where they entered the 320d in the touring car enduro. That one was just complete overload for me.

Have you guys seen the Vietnam episode yet? That one's my favorite. The whole thing is set in Vietnam, where the three of them attempt to cross the country on cheap motorbikes.

Anyone else laugh at Jeremy and Hammond setting of car alarms in Reno? Or, after buying hats to blend in, Clarkson blends further by greeting some dude with a "Hullo?"

Luke wrote: Have you guys seen the Vietnam episode yet? That one's my favorite. The whole thing is set in Vietnam, where the three of them attempt to cross the country on cheap motorbikes.

According to last week's episode, it is part of this series. I can't wait for it, as I refuse to watch it on anything but my big screen.

The Vietnam episode is great. I liked the "presents" they received.

Luke wrote: Brilliant episode, that. I think it's just too bad they couldn't get Hammond a Challenger with a manual trans. If nothing else, it would've improved his stakes in the middle-of-nowhere burnout comp.

Yeah, that was the one part of the show that bugged me. All he had to do was turn off the traction control and I guarantee he would have lit up the rear tires.

Other than that, it was a fantastic episode, as is the entire season this year.

-Rob

Loved it too. The ZR1 is really an amazing car. Maybe one day (20 years from now???), it will be cheap enough for us mere mortals to entertain.

I liked how Jeremy was gesturing with his middle finger when pulled over by the cop!

You do realize that like it's siblings the 300, Charger, and Magnum, the Challengers traction control does not turn off. It is always somewhat on and does prevent burnouts.

Having witnessed (and participated in) several burnouts from a 300C I respectfully disagree.

Also reference this photo. http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/articles/win-sunday-carpool-monday/

That was a particularly good episode; hopefully Chrysler will be more willing to give them a car in the future. Good for them for going out and buying the Challenger, though. I wonder what they sold it for.

Top Gear cinematography is great, but I am starting to get bugged by whatever filter they use on the sky that makes the upper edge go all dark no matter what.

Gamby said: (no I don't bother w/ torrents--that show deserves a big screen)

I have a 15" TV, and a 29" Computer monitor...I only watch TV online....

You guys who are big screen snobs are missing out. First, you're watching an edited version of the show on BBC America. A big shiny version, but you're getting less Top Gear. Secondly, who says you can't watch a torrent version on a big screen? I do. A good capture is worlds ahead of YouTube, if that's what you are expecting.

The Vietnam show is the last of the series, by the way. It'll be a couple of months yet.

I just torrented Rally Norway, and the quality was above what my TV is capable of...

great rally too.

P71 wrote: You do realize that like it's siblings the 300, Charger, and Magnum, the Challengers traction control does not turn off. It is always somewhat on and does prevent burnouts.

Greg Voth wrote: Having witnessed (and participated in) several burnouts from a 300C I respectfully disagree. Also reference this photo. http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/articles/win-sunday-carpool-monday/

Depends on the version. From the R/T on down, yes, you cannot really turn off the traction control. With the SRT8 versions however, if you hold down the traction control button for 7 seconds, it'll beep and traction control is totally off.

That little feature is why I only drive my wife's Charger about once a month......

All he had to do was hold the button down, drop it first and he'd of lit 'em up. Slight powerbrake and he could have peeled the rear tread off.

-Rob

I can practically burn the tires off of my crown vic, and it is an Auto...obviously

left foot hard on the brakes, right foot eases gently into the gas, feel the traction begin to fade, until SCREEEEAAACH. Cue smoke, tires exit stage left.

too easy. cars are just too smart these days, you can't have any fun in them.

I really enjoyed this episode too. The Three Stooges were great, as usual, but I think my favourite bit was the guy on the motorbike who realized he was being filmed and put on the best "mug for the camera" face I've seen in ages. For some reason that guy just cracked me up completely.

I also liked that Jeremy toned down his knee-jerk negativity about American cars and actually looked like he was enjoying his job.

J

Jay wrote: I also liked that Jeremy toned down his knee-jerk negativity about American cars and actually looked like he was enjoying his job.

"Congratulations, fat man from KENtucky!!! You've made a masterpiece!!!"

However, I like the knee-jerk negativity. There's a certain charm to it.