Autoblog

MG goes big with new BTCC entry

Noah Joseph — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 08:01:00 EST

The field of cars entered in the British Touring Car Championship has grown incredibly in the last year or two. But as quintessentially British as the series is, few of those automakers represented on the grid are actually, you know... British. But that's all about to change with the latest entry from MG.

Now you might look at MG's current line-up of ho-hum Chinese econo-boxes and lament at how far the brand has fallen since its heyday of building quirky yet iconic roadsters, but MG is pulling all the stops with its touring car effort. The cars - based on the MG6 GT five-door - are being prepared by Triple 8 Race Engineering, the outfit responsible for turning Vauxhall into a powerhouse that dominated the BTCC for years.

If that's not enough to get the job done, the Sino-English automaker has also retained one of the very best drivers in the series. You may know the name and face of Jason Plato from Fifth Gear, the British motoring show he co-presents. But he's also a two-time BTCC champion, winner of 68 races and holds the records for the most fastest laps, pole positions and podiums in the history of the series. Poached from Chevrolet, Plato will be driving alongside up-and-coming talent Andy Neate.

All in all, MG KX Momentum Racing is shaping up as a force to be reckoned with, so the other 22 drivers on the grid had better take notice as the series gears up for its 55th running. Details in the press release after the jump.

Continue reading MG goes big with new BTCC entry

MG goes big with new BTCC entry originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 Jan 2012 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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British Touring Car Championship down to five-way title fight at Silverstone finale

Noah Joseph — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 07:59:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, UK

It's not often that the series crosses these pages, but there's no getting around the fact that UK racing fans have enjoyed an unprecedented level of competition in the British Touring Car Championship this year. No season in BTCC history has had a bigger or more varied field of entries, the lead in the standings has changed hands a head-spinning eleven times this season, and with one last stop on the calendar at England's storied Silverstone circuit, it's down to a whopping five-car showdown for the title.

Still in contention for the championship this late in the season are Jason Plato (the Fifth Gear host who drives the Chevrolet Cruze touring car), Matt Neal and Gordon Shedden (both in Honda Civics), Mat Jackson (Ford Focus) and James Nash (Vauxhall Vectra). Although Neal, Plato and Shedden are very much in the lead (with 225, 220 and 220 points, respectively), Jackson and Nash (189 and 181) are both still in the running as domination at Silverstone could still catapult either to the crown.

The contest was left open after an exciting stop at Brands Hatch, where Plato took the checkered flag in both the first two races. The Civics were relegated further behind in the record 29-car field in those first two, but returned for a 1-2 finish in the third and final race of the weekend. Follow the jump for more details and start crossing off squares on your calendar until the championship wraps up with three races at Silverstone two weeks from now.

Continue reading British Touring Car Championship down to five-way title fight at Silverstone finale

British Touring Car Championship down to five-way title fight at Silverstone finale originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 05 Oct 2011 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fifth Gear pits McLaren MP4-12c against Ferrari 458 Italia

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 19:57:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Videos, Ferrari, MISC

Fifth Gear rings out the McLaren MP4-12C and Ferrari 458 - Click above to watch video after the jump

Fifth Gear's Tiff Needell and Jason Plato (lucky bums!) had a go at both the McLaren MP4-12C and Ferrari 458 Italia, testing each car for thrills and for precision. While both may seem to be winners in the pantheon of automotive excellence, one one can come off victorious.

Both drivers render the same verdict, and it's the kind of final assessment you don't often get from motoring shows: one wins on paper, then gets trounced once they discard the spec sheet and grab the wheel.

Powerslides, tire smoke and some unintentional off-roading can be found in the video after the jump. Enjoy!

Continue reading Fifth Gear pits McLaren MP4-12c against Ferrari 458 Italia

Fifth Gear pits McLaren MP4-12c against Ferrari 458 Italia originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Jun 2011 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Plato v. Coulthard in Red Bull's driving sim

Jeff Glucker — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 18:07:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Etc., Videos, Toys/Games, Racing

Jason Plato vs David Coulthard in the Red Bull F1 simulator - Click above to watch video after the jump

The Race-Star ConverTTable is cool and all, but compared to Red Bull's F1 racing simulator it's just a toy. Jumping behind the Red Bull sim's wheel are David Coulthard, whose Formula 1 resume boasts 247 starts and 13 wins, and Fifth Gear's Jason Plato, himself a two-time British Touring Car champion. You'd expect DC to mop the floor with Plato, considering that BTTC cars are a long way from the open-wheel racers of F1. So, what happens? Hop the jump to check out the clip.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Plato v. Coulthard in Red Bull's driving sim

Video: Plato v. Coulthard in Red Bull's driving sim originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 04 Dec 2010 18:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Fifth Gear Follies - Tiff puts a scare into Jason aboard Porsche 911 Turbo

Zach Bowman — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 18:05:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Videos, Porsche, UK, Humor

Tiff Needell scares the life out of Jason Plato - Click above to watch video after the jump

We revel in watching someone get their wits scared out of them in the passenger seat of a car. It's why we take the time to watch Subaru's slew of new ads for the 2011 WRX STI sedan any time we're feeling down. It would appear that we're in good company. During filming of a somewhat recent episode of the UK's Fifth Gear, Tiff Needell was charged with scooting the Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet around the show's test course with Jason Plato in the passenger seat. Based on the outtakes, it looks as if it took a few tries to get Plato around the course without a profusion of expletives.

It's no secret that Needell is one of the hottest shoes around when it comes to coaxing big speed from a vehicle. With a racing resume packed with references to the 24 Hours of Le Mans and Formula One, the guy could run the wheels off a shopping cart. Hit the jump to see Tiff make Plato hold on for dear life. Thanks for the tip, Brad!

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Fifth Gear Follies - Tiff puts a scare into Jason aboard Porsche 911 Turbo

Video: Fifth Gear Follies - Tiff puts a scare into Jason aboard Porsche 911 Turbo originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 25 Jul 2010 18:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Fifth Gear rips it up in Chevrolet Camaro SS

Chris Shunk — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 14:59:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Videos, Chevrolet, UK

Fifth Gear hangs out with the Chevrolet Camaro SS - Click above to watch after the jump

The 2010 Chevrolet Camaro has been in U.S. dealerships for over a year now, and demand for Chevy's newest pony car has been strong from the get-go. And though the Camaro is based off the Australian Zeta platform and built in Oshawa, Canada, it still rocks a Bowtie badge and carries a 6.2-liter small block V8 under the hood. That makes the Camaro an American pony car in our book; one that will (finally) officially go on sale in England early next year.

But before our allies to the east get a chance to pick up a Camaro of their own, Fifth Gear host Jason Plato took the reins of a Bumblebee-flavored Camaro out on the track. Hit the jump to watch Plato show no mercy to the 3,860-pound coupe. In typical UK-reviewer-on-American-car-ese, we definitely hear words like "lazy" and "heavy," but Plato still looks like a very happy man behind the wheel. If you like smoking tires, oversteer and burnouts you'll definitely like this video.

Gallery: 2010 Chevy Camaro SS

[Source: Fifth Gear via Camaro5]

Continue reading Video: Fifth Gear rips it up in Chevrolet Camaro SS

Video: Fifth Gear rips it up in Chevrolet Camaro SS originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Jul 2010 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Five Alive! Fifth Gear reportedly set to return in April... with some changes

Noah Joseph — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 17:32:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., UK

Fans of British car shows take heart. Nope, we're not talking about Top Gear, but it's cross-town rival Fifth Gear. The Channel 5 car show that picked up after the original Top Gear was canceled was itself the victim of cutbacks recently. In the face of reduced viewership (compared to the five million who watch Top Gear regularly) and reduced ad revenue from belt-tightening automakers, network executives canceled the show back in October. By December, however, sources indicated that there was still a heartbeat and a glimmer of hope.

Now reports suggest that, following an outpouring of support, the network has agreed to keep Fifth Gear alive, albeit with some changes. The new Fifth Gear will apparently leave the studio permanently to focus directly on the test drives in a bid to lure hard-core enthusiasts disgruntled with Top Gear's decided emphasis on shenanigans. Two of the six presenters - Tom Ford and Tim Shaw - have also been dropped, leaving Vicki Butler-Henderson, Jonny Smith, Tiff Needell and Jason Plato to present the show.

With the revised format, Fifth Gear has reportedly been approved for two more seasons, with the first starting only a month away in late April, beating Top Gear's late-summer return to the punch. Apparently the Discovery network has been contracted to broadcast the show in other European markets outside the UK, so here's hoping we'll get the shows Stateside as well.

[Source: The Times of London via rpmgo.com]

Five Alive! Fifth Gear reportedly set to return in April... with some changes originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 25 Mar 2010 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Fifth Gear pits Ford Focus RS vs. Mitsubishi Evo X

Chris Paukert — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 15:29:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Videos, Hatchback, Ford, Mitsubishi, UK

Click above to watch the video after the jump

Yesterday, we showed you Fifth Gear's take on the new Audi R8 V10 - notable more for their footage of the gorgeous blue test car than for much in the way of actual performance driving and analysis. In an effort to correct that oversight, we've found you another clip of the UK television show that features not just one enthusiast car - but two cars, Ford's stonking new Focus RS and the Mitsubishi Evolution X. Better still, the fearsome twosome tangle on the track in a pair of tests with hot shoes Tiff Needell and BTCC champion Jason Plato at the wheel.

It's a scrap as the touring car scion takes on the rally-bred hero, so check out the front-drive versus all-wheel-drive pocket rocket madness after the jump.

Gallery: 2009 Ford Focus RS (green)

[Source: Fifth Gear via YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Fifth Gear pits Ford Focus RS vs. Mitsubishi Evo X

VIDEO: Fifth Gear pits Ford Focus RS vs. Mitsubishi Evo X originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Jun 2009 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Jason Plato makes epic save during BTCC race at Brands Hatch

Damon Lavrinc — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 15:01:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos

Click above to view the video after the jump

Those of you familiar with Fifth Gear have undoubtedly enjoyed Tiff Needell and Jason Plato's powersliding shootouts, and at this weekend's British Touring Car Championship, Plato had the opportunity to show off his sideways skills at Brands Hatch.

At the beginning of the second lap, Plato was leading in his Lacetti as Jonathan Adams in the #12 BMW came up strong behind him. The two drivers entered the Paddock Hill Bend and Adams, who apparently misjudged the braking pointing, slammed into the left side of Plato's bumper, causing the Lacetti to rotate nearly 90-degrees. Plato kept the throttle planted, had the steering at full lock and was able to recover from the slide with the kind of minimalist drama only a seasoned veteran (in a front-driver) can deliver.

The BTCC organizers eventually penalized Adams four seconds, delivering the win to Plato. Check the video of Jason's epic save after the jump.

Continue reading VIDEO: Jason Plato makes epic save during BTCC race at Brands Hatch

VIDEO: Jason Plato makes epic save during BTCC race at Brands Hatch originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 06 Apr 2009 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Jason Plato's firey review of the Caparo T1

Siddharth Raja — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 15:03:00 EST

Filed under: Videos, Supercars

Earlier this month, Fifth Gear presenter and British Touring Car Championship driver Jason Plato was hurt behind the wheel of the high-performance Caparo T1 supercar while filming a segment for the UK television show. In this video footage of the incident, all looks swell as Plato takes the car around a track, but towards the end of the test, the flames start to build and the car suddenly comes to screeching halt.

Jason escaped without sustaining serious injuries; just some burns to his left hand and neck. According to Caparo, they've corrected the fault that started the fire, although no word was given whether or not this was a production model or a prototype.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Jason Plato's firey review of the Caparo T1

VIDEO: Jason Plato's firey review of the Caparo T1 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 18 Oct 2007 15:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Look Ma, no hands! SEAT develops world's first driverless touring car

Frank Filipponio — Sun, 01 Apr 2007 09:01:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Europe, Technology

Click image to see high res gallery of this unbelievable car!

The Seat Leon is a holy terror on the European touring car circuit, but bad luck and driver error can often mean less than perfect results. So the team has been hard at work creating a virtual interface for the vehicle to take the human error out of the equation. By eliminating the driver, the car can be driven remotely and consistent fast laps are a virtual certainty. It's really unbelievable that nobody has been able to accomplish such a feat before now. And the way in which they've done it makes it look like child's play. In fact, it's as easy as driving a remote control car. No driver means less weight, so it's likely the team will have to carry ballast to make it more realistic competition -- a lot of it if it's supposed to simulate team manager and remote-control jockey Scott Dennis, according to driver Jason Plato). If they didn't, they'd be toying with the rest of the field.

Plato and fellow Seat Sport UK driver Darren Turner aren't too keen on the robotic car, but Scott Dennis says that they'd better get used to it. The advanced electronic system uses computers to replicate driver inputs while controlled from the comfort of the pits by Dennis. Dubbed the Telematics Remote-Information Control Kit, it is sure to surprise more than a few other drivers when it debuts April 1 at the season-opening race at Brands Hatch. The other teams would be foolish not to hop on board and try the TRICK system themselves.

Full release after the jump.

[Source: SEAT Sport UK]

Gallery: Driverless SEAT Leon touring car

Continue reading Look Ma, no hands! SEAT develops world's first driverless touring car

Look Ma, no hands! SEAT develops world's first driverless touring car originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 01 Apr 2007 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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