1. They're Poms
This is possibly the most annoying part of the show. These guys are up themselves holier than thou preaching to the choir car nuts. They like or dislike cars largely on whether they're "cool" or "not cool" and "how likely a car is to get you laid." Very little technical stuff is discussed on the show, only the performance and sex appeal of cars. They get rock stars on the show to discuss how they've bought ridiculously expensive cars only to trash them. Really, from this perspective the show is about wealth and power as opposed to cars. Typically british, and it pisses me off right through the show.2. They're Poms
They're fanboys for European built cars. Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with european built cars, but fuck off. Having said that, they do throw a little respect the way of the Japs, but other than that, the show stinks like cum-stains from having sucked too much european car cock. Don't ask me how I'd know. Anyhow, they tend to overplay a lot of characteristics from euro-built cars and go about with their shitty ironic humour at cars built in any other country. "American cars can only go in a straight line", "Asian people have funny eyes", and other really mature jokes like that. This can kind of make sense in europe because...3. It's a european show
The cars and prices reflect european cars, and there's a lot more talk of diesel. European cars are built in europe for a european market and european conditions. They don't talk about how their pansy weather makes their air conditioning and engines too girly to work properly in a real country. They wouldn't, because the show is for Europe, and considering any other country would require them to acknowledge that other countries exist. The prices for Korean and Japanese cars seem at least a little inflated, as well as those for American cars. The European car prices seem rather cheap, by comparison. Also, while it's interesting talking about diesel, they seem to assume that everyone knows what diesel is all about. They bitch about the prius being shit compared to diesel engines in the same class in their upmarket european roads. They don't quite consider congested countries with lots of waiting and stop-start driving without too many cheap diesel cars. I think these kinds of little things would push cars from being "crap" to "good", from being "not worth it" and hence deserving of their shitty european humour or being "ultra happy awesome" and deserving of driving into a pool, or whatever it is europeans do with their cars.4. It's a european show
They use the imperial measuring system. It's annoying and reminds me of how fucked up the rest of the world is. Fucking brits and their fucking imperial system. Fuck the queen.While I was seething quietly about the britishness of the whole show, as well as the guy from "The Who" who used to be quite the rocker in his day bitching about how kids these days just aren't as extreme as "The Who" used to be, they did a segment on the Mitsubishi Evo VIII. That car is so cool it nearly made me cry. Ganbatte Mitsubishi! I still feel sad sometimes that my brother didn't buy the Lancer.
Firstly, I should say that I agree with some of what you say, but I feel there is a need for a little more objectivity - considering you have only seen the one episode.
I, on the other hand, have GREAT experience as a viewer of the show. I have seen FIVE episodes. Therefore, I quite obviously know ALL there is to know about it. :)
The show is a British show (BBC) for Britons. British/European cars, Diesel engines, prices in pounds and fuel efficiency in MPG, are therefore relevant as part of its content; it's not a conspiracy to discredit foreign built cars, nor is it incorrect to judge a car on how it would perform in European conditions, considering the targeted audience.
The majority of their "top ten" lists that they do are often Japanese cars, and they certainly give credit when credit is due. Out of 8 categories of Awards last year, 6 of the winners were Japanese built cars. 7 cars out of the top ten overall cars for 2005 were Japanese cars.
The Vauxhall Monaro (an Australian car) also won some sort of award in one of the episodes at the end of the 2004 season.
There are probably many reasons for the price differences between European cars and Japanese & American cars. Most likely, I'd say it is because of shipping costs and tariffs.
A small car with a diesel engine will cost at least half to 1/3 the price of a Toyota Prius, will still use less fuel, and will be more friendly to the environment. Then there's the cost of replacing all the electric batteries after anywhere between 5 and 10 or so years at a possible cost of a brand new small car. The Prius may have some decent technology aboard, but it's still not the best car around.
Might I add that in the 2004 season when they did a review on the Prius, they still thought it was a "cool" car based on the "cool" technology being used - and being efficient with energy when in congested areas. http://www.bbc.co.uk/topgear/coolwall/ (I assume this has now been updated for the 2005 season, as I can't find the Prius anywhere)
It's not their fault if they don't consider countries that don't have access to cheap diesels. I assume you're talking about here right? Blame the manufacturers instead for not giving us the options. VW now have a sub 20k diesel car in Australia, and I don't think it will be long before other manufacturers do give us more options, considering the cost of fuel now.
Now, in terms of the criticism of not enough technical stuff, IMHO it is a perfect mix. I hope you are able to watch a few more episodes before you make up your mind on it. I would suggest watching the following clip.
For those of us with broadband - http://www.bbc.co.uk/topgear/downloads/lotus_vs_apache_broadband.ram
For the less fortunate ones on dial-up - http://www.bbc.co.uk/topgear/downloads/lotus_vs_apache_narrowband.ram
It's about 8 or so minutes long, so you need the time to watch it. As I said, I think it's a perfect example of the type of stories they do on the show. I believe it has an excellent mix of technical information and entertainment. Granted, they only spend about 30 seconds on the techs - but how long do you wanna spend on it? Any more would just bore the crap out of people.
If you watch the clip and still disagree with me, eh, I've tried my best.
disclaimer: objectivity is not guaranteed. :)
As far as the Japanese car coverage on the show goes, it's true that some respect goes where it's deserved (I said so in the article). After all, these guys aren't stupid (they're Brits, not American). I know the Monaro won an award, but it was for "surprising, since it's not shit!", which may as well have meant "A great car if it was European".
Also, I'm not a Prius fanboy, but the Prius, in this country, is certainly not as bad as they say it is. Again, it's a price-point discussion. In this country, it's "a bit of a rip-off". In Europe, it's practically an insult how much it costs (I think the price they quoted in pounds was more than it costs here in Australian dollars).
Lastly, I think I gave the impression that I thought the show is shit, which I don't think it is. Perhaps mentioning at the outset that "for the most part, the show is great" may not have been enough. I actually do watch it every week, but there's enough there that gets me gritting my teeth every now and then.
Plus they've been showing plenty of the Evo, which is the most awesome car on the planet.
Add Comment
<< Home