Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[<i>Fifth Gear</i>: Hope yet for Britain's other car show?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/03/i-fifth-gear-i-hope-yet-for-britains-other-car-show/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/03/i-fifth-gear-i-hope-yet-for-britains-other-car-show/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/03/i-fifth-gear-i-hope-yet-for-britains-other-car-show/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Our heart goes out to the crew at Fifth Gear. It really does. Because it's got to be tough living in the shadow of the BBC show that spawned it. We're talking about Top Gear, of course, and by any other yardstick, Fifth Gear is a fantastic car show. But its popularity has never approached what Clarkson and company enjoy, which has reportedly led to UK's Channel 5 decision to cancel the show. Which is really a shame.

All hope may not be lost, however, as reports indicate that Channel 5's decision isn't final just yet. But if it is, the show's lead host Tiff Needell has hinted that it could very well get picked up by another network altogether. Alternatively, Needell could get a show of his own. If he does, we hope he takes some of his co-hosts with him. Because short of Jezza, Hampster, Captain Slow and the Stig, Fifth Gear's ensemble is one of the best - on the airwaves or off. Thanks for the tip, Paul T!

[Source: Tiff Needell on Twitter via iCars Singapore]

Fifth Gear: Hope yet for Britain's other car show? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Dec 2009 16:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>5th gear5thGearchannel 5channel fiveChannel5ChannelFivefifth gearFifthGeartiff needellTiffNeedellTop GearTopGearThu, 03 Dec 2009 16:39:00 EST<![CDATA[Trouble in U.K. TelevisionLand: Has <i>Fifth Gear</i> been canceled?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/19/trouble-in-u-k-televisionland-has-fifth-gear-been-cance/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/19/trouble-in-u-k-televisionland-has-fifth-gear-been-cance/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/19/trouble-in-u-k-televisionland-has-fifth-gear-been-cance/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


News coming out of the U.K. today suggests that everybody's second-favorite British motoring television show may be facing the axe. According to the Daily Mail, Fifth Gear, which has never quite mustered the following of rival Top Gear, has been put on ice. Or has it?

A quick check on FinalGear.com indicates that the report from DM may not be entirely accurate. Fifth Gear's own Jonny Smith has fired off a series of Tweets from his personal Twitter account, and he suggests that reports of the show's demise are somewhat exaggerated, saying that "nothing is official."

For what it's worth, while we do prefer to burn an hour watching the antics from the rival crew at Top Gear, we also find Fifth Gear's brand of vehicular commentary worth watching. Even if Clarkson and Co. are more entertaining, at least some Autoblog staffers find Tiff Needell and Vicki Butler-Henderson's driving impressions to carry more authority. If nothing else, we find Fifth Gear vastly superior to U.S. motoring shows like PBS' MotorWeek, which appears to be perpetually stuck in 1985. Where's the justice in that? Thanks for the tips, Sylvester and Eddie!

[Source: Daily Mail]

Trouble in U.K. TelevisionLand: Has Fifth Gear been canceled? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Oct 2009 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>5th gear5thGearcanceledfifth gearfifth gear canceledFifthGearFifthGearCanceledMotorweekTiff NeedellTiffNeedellTop GearTopGearVicki Butler-HendersonVickiButler-hendersonMon, 19 Oct 2009 14:28:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: Tiff Needell and actor John Barrowman crash Subaru rally car on <i>Fifth Gear</i>]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/23/video-tiff-needell-and-actor-john-barrowman-crash-subaru-rally/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/23/video-tiff-needell-and-actor-john-barrowman-crash-subaru-rally/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/23/video-tiff-needell-and-actor-john-barrowman-crash-subaru-rally/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click the image above to view the video after the jump

In case Richard Hammond's spectacular jet-car crash wasn't enough to convince you of the inherent dangers of filming British television's top car shows, the presenters of Fifth Gear have given us another startling reminder.

Barrowman, who plays a character who cannot be killed on Dr. Who spin-off series Torchwood, was driving the £120,000 rally-spec Subie with Needell riding shotgun when the actor lost control of the car, sending it over the shoulder and flipping several times down the hill before coming to a rest on the shore of a lake. Paramedics arrived at the scene and removed glass shards from Barrowman's eyes before taking both to the hospital with no major injuries. Check out the video after the jump for the segment -- a stark reminder that enthusiasm and ego aren't a suitable replacement for talent.

[Source: Daily Mail via RPMGo.com]

Continue reading VIDEO: Tiff Needell and actor John Barrowman crash Subaru rally car on Fifth Gear

VIDEO: Tiff Needell and actor John Barrowman crash Subaru rally car on Fifth Gear originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 Jul 2009 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>barrowmancrashfifth gearfifth gear crashFifthGearFifthGearCrashjohn barrowmanJohnBarrowmanneedellneedell fifth gearNeedellFifthGearrallysubaru imprezasubaru impreza rally carSubaruImprezaSubaruImprezaRallyCartiff needellTiffNeedelltop gearTopGearThu, 23 Jul 2009 20:01:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: <i>Fifth Gear</i> pits Ford Focus RS vs. Mitsubishi Evo X]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/12/video-i-fifth-gear-i-pits-ford-focus-rs-vs-mitsubishi-evo-x/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/12/video-i-fifth-gear-i-pits-ford-focus-rs-vs-mitsubishi-evo-x/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/12/video-i-fifth-gear-i-pits-ford-focus-rs-vs-mitsubishi-evo-x/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


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.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BTCCevo xevolution xEvolutionXEvoXFifth GearFifthGearFocus RSFocusRsFord FocusFord Focus RSFord RSFordFocusFordFocusRsFordRsJason PlatoJasonPlatoMitsubishi EVOMitsubishi EVO XMitsubishi EvolutionMitsubishiEvoMitsubishiEvolutionMitsubishiEvoXTiff NeedellTiffNeedellFri, 12 Jun 2009 15:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Autoblog Night Watch: Needell hints at Veyron 'vert, 5th Gear pegs Audi A5 vs. BMW 335i]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/05/autoblog-night-watch-needell-hints-at-veyron-vert-5th-gear-pe/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/05/autoblog-night-watch-needell-hints-at-veyron-vert-5th-gear-pe/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/05/autoblog-night-watch-needell-hints-at-veyron-vert-5th-gear-pe/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,



We found a couple great Fifth Gear videos for you from the new season, so we decided to put both into one post. First (above), Vicky Butler-Henderson pits two of the hottest luxury sport coupes, the all-new Audi S5 and the BMW 335i. These two vehicles show just how far the sport coupe market has come in the past few years, and Vicky took both to the track to see which vehicle was quicker. The rear-drive Bimmer had it all over the S5 in the handling department while also weighing a few hundred pounds less, but the S5 used its over 50HP advantage courtesy of its brute-force V8 engine to even the score. Click play above to see who won the time trial by a minuscule .6 seconds.

Hit the jump to view the second Fifth Gear video, and see what could be a teaser of the Veyron cabrio.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Autoblog Night Watch: Needell hints at Veyron 'vert, 5th Gear pegs Audi A5 vs. BMW 335i

Autoblog Night Watch: Needell hints at Veyron 'vert, 5th Gear pegs Audi A5 vs. BMW 335i originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 05 Sep 2007 22:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>16.4335ia5AudiBMW]BugattiFifth GearFifthGearS5Tiff NeedellTiffNeedellVeyronWed, 05 Sep 2007 22:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Autoblog Night Watch: Needell flogs the GT3 RS, Clubsport]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/20/autoblog-night-watch-needell-flogs-the-gt3-rs-clubsport/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/20/autoblog-night-watch-needell-flogs-the-gt3-rs-clubsport/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/20/autoblog-night-watch-needell-flogs-the-gt3-rs-clubsport/#commentsFiled under: ,



Tiff Needell has solidified his place in our minds as the be-all, end-all of motoring show presenters. Sure, Jezza's wit and rhythm is second-to-none, but it wouldn't surprise us to learn that his skills behind the wheel are more a product of clever post-production rather than outright talent. With Needell, his deft touch at the helm of everything from a Suzuki Swift to a BMW/Sauber F1 machine shows his racing roots. And when the time came to run the new GT3 RS through its paces, there is only one man that can make it look so easy.

In the video after the jump, Tiff pits a lime-green GT3 RS against the GT3 Clubsport to see what, if anything, Porsche left on the table. Enjoy!

Continue reading Autoblog Night Watch: Needell flogs the GT3 RS, Clubsport

Autoblog Night Watch: Needell flogs the GT3 RS, Clubsport originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 Jun 2007 23:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fifth gearFifthGeargt3gt3 clubsportgt3 rsGt3ClubsportGt3Rsporschetiff needellTiffNeedellWed, 20 Jun 2007 23:16:00 EST<![CDATA[Autoblog Night Watch: Driver Training with Tiff Needell]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/07/autoblog-night-watch-tiff-needells-stunt-driving-techniques/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/07/autoblog-night-watch-tiff-needells-stunt-driving-techniques/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/07/autoblog-night-watch-tiff-needells-stunt-driving-techniques/#commentsFiled under:



Say what you will about Fifth Gear, the highlight of almost every episode is watching Tiff Needell's masterful, yet seemingly effortless, driving technique. In this hour long movie, Tiff takes the time to explain how certain advanced car control skills are performed on a variety of vehicles, covering everything from donuts to 360s, the Scandinavian flick to the "Rockford." Now if we only had an abandoned airfield to practice on, our lives would be complete.

Autoblog Night Watch: Driver Training with Tiff Needell originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Nov 2006 23:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fifth gearFifthGeartiff needellTiffNeedelltop gearTopGearTue, 07 Nov 2006 23:09:00 EST<![CDATA[Autoblog Night Watch: Lotus Carlton]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/23/autoblog-night-watch-lotus-carlton/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/23/autoblog-night-watch-lotus-carlton/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/23/autoblog-night-watch-lotus-carlton/#commentsFiled under: ,



When Lotus announced earlier this week that its intends to bring three new models to production over the next few years, we began day-dreaming of the myriad of possibilities that may come about.

As good as the Elise and Exige are, and as good as the Europa and new Esprit hope to be, some of Lotus' more intriguing offerings were vehicles that weren't developed from the ground up by the boys in Hethel.

Stateside, the Ford Lotus Cortina has been hailed as the original sport compact. Introduced in 1963 and sold in limited numbers, the Cortina benefited from the staple Lotus tweaks, namely suspension upgrades and lightweight materials. When compared to the Lotus Carlton, however, it seemed pedestrian, at best.

The video above is a vintage episode of Top Gear, with then host, Tiff Needell driving one of the most controversial vehicles ever to be offered in Europe. The Lotus Carlton was based on the Vauxhall sedan bearing the same name and was stuffed with a twin-turbo 3.6-liter inline six, developing 377 hp and 419 ft/lbs. of torque. All that power was channeled through a six-speed manual transmission pulled from the Corvette ZR1, sent to the rear wheels through an LSD, which then catapulted the stately sedan to 60 in 5.2 seconds. All of this before we even broke into the 90s.

Since part of Lotus' plan for the future includes helping to develop vehicles for other manufactures, we hope that the standard set by the Cortina and Carlton may inspire upcoming collaborative efforts.

Autoblog Night Watch: Lotus Carlton originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 23 Sep 2006 01:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carltoncortinacorvetteeliseespriteuropaexigelotustiff needellTiffNeedelltop gearTopGearvauxhallSat, 23 Sep 2006 01:55:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: Perfecting the powerslide]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/17/video-perfecting-the-powerslide/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/17/video-perfecting-the-powerslide/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/17/video-perfecting-the-powerslide/#commentsFiled under: ,



Whether you call it drifting and do it with a Nissan Silvia or powersliding and perform it in a Corvette Z06, maintaining control of your car in a state of extreme oversteer is not an easy thing to do. Miguel sent us a link to this YouTube video in which Tiff Needell, ex-host of the BBC's Top Gear tellie program and current presenter on the show Fifth Gear, teaches a member of the British Special Air Service (SAS) how to powerslide a BMW M3. Having performed every mistake in the book while attempting to powerslide, we found Tiff's tips to be worded well and very helpful. Check it out, you might learn something.

[Source: YouTube]

VIDEO: Perfecting the powerslide originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 17 Jun 2006 09:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BMW M3BmwM3driftdriftingFifth GearFifthGearM3powerslideTiff NeedellTiffNeedellTop GearTopGearSat, 17 Jun 2006 09:08:00 EST