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[VIDEO: Top Gear Australia electric car build-off, Aussie rules style]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/28/video-top-gear-australia-electric-car-build-off-aussie-rules-s/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/28/video-top-gear-australia-electric-car-build-off-aussie-rules-s/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/28/video-top-gear-australia-electric-car-build-off-aussie-rules-s/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


Click above to watch video after the jump

While they might lack the comedic punch of their seasoned British co-frères, the presenters at Top Gear Australia don't seem to have any electric car "issues". Indeed, in a recent episode they even held their own battery-powered build-off. Presenters Warren Brown and Steve Pizzati each took a car of their choosing, stripped out all the combustive components and inserted a rough and (mostly) ready electric drivetrain, before meeting up on a racetrack to compete for bragging rights.

Realizing that a decent electric vehicle shouldn't be too heavy, Pizzati decided to go with the featherweight Suzuki MightyBoy while his competitor settled on that great Australian classic, the HZ Holden Kingswood. This hulking station wagon weighs in somewhere between the QEII and the state of New Hampshire. While we won't tell you which conversion won straight out, we will throw out the hint that the triumphant strains of "Football meat pies kangaroos electric cars" could be heard coming from the passenger compartment of the conquering contestant. Follow the jump for the segment in two parts - as well as a bonus video of a very nice MightyBoy conversion.


[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Top Gear Australia electric car build-off, Aussie rules style

VIDEO: Top Gear Australia electric car build-off, Aussie rules style originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 May 2009 12:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>holdenHZ Holden KingswoodHzHoldenKingswoodkingswoodmighty boyMightyBoySteve PizzatiStevePizzatiSuzuki MightyBoySuzukiMightyboyTop GearTop Gear AustraliaTopGearTopGearAustraliaWarren brownWarrenBrownThu, 28 May 2009 12:56:00 EST<![CDATA[<i>Top Gear Australia</i> 2: Back with a vengeance(?)]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/12/i-top-gear-australia-i-2-back-with-a-vengeance/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/12/i-top-gear-australia-i-2-back-with-a-vengeance/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/12/i-top-gear-australia-i-2-back-with-a-vengeance/#commentsFiled under: ,



Top Gear's planned takeover of the world hasn't been going as well as scripted, and it's not because the Poles or the French actually put up a fight this time. The American series got axed before it even began, and the Australian version has turned out to be a big disappointment. But the producers at SBS, the Aussie version of the BBC, are keen to turn a new leaf and start over again. They've replaced lead host Charlie Cox with James Morrison, a locally revered musician (no relation to the Doors frontman) who appeared as a guest on the first series. Pictured above with Crocodile Stiggee, Morrison is the proud proprietor of a 100-car collection, and he even has his share of experience in motorsports.

Based on the huge popularity of the British series, the Australian version attracted a television audience of nearly one million viewers for the first episode, but disappointed by what they saw, a quarter of those eyeballs dropped off by the second show. Morrison figures the series needs a more Australian feel to it, sharing the spotlight with his co-hosts Warren Brown and Steve Pizzati instead of grandstanding like a certain Mr. Jeremy C, and generally giving the show its own unique flavor. We wish the new crew better luck this time around, but at least one of us wishes that Eric Bana had been available.

[Source: Herald Sun]

Top Gear Australia 2: Back with a vengeance(?) originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 May 2009 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>charlie coxCharlieCoxjames morrisonJamesMorrisonsteve pizzatiStevePizzatitgtg australiaTgAustraliatop geartop gear australiaTopGearTopGearAustraliawarren brownWarrenBrownTue, 12 May 2009 16:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Top Gear Live lambasted for using fake Ferraris]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/14/top-gear-live-lambasted-for-using-fake-ferraris/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/14/top-gear-live-lambasted-for-using-fake-ferraris/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/14/top-gear-live-lambasted-for-using-fake-ferraris/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Proving once again that Top Gear, in all its forms, is a show meant solely for entertainment are new accusations that the Ferraris driven by stuntmen at last week's Top Gear Live event in Sydney didn't exactly hail from Maranello. In fact, it seems that the cars really originated from Sagamihara, Japan. How's that? The twin red cars that looked to all the world like Ferrari 360s were actually rebodied Toyota MR2s, which, of course, cost significantly less than the real thing.

Showgoers reported that the soul-stirring sounds they expected from high-strung small-bore V8s were notably absent, replaced by deafening music instead. At least one fan was interested enough to snoop backstage, where he noticed that these specimens lacked the rear air intakes and the transparent engine cover of the real thing. Further inspection revealed mid-mounted engines with half the expected number of cylinders.

We'll leave to you to decide if this is really a big deal or not, but ask yourself this: Would the Top Gear Live organizers have gone to the trouble of using Ferrari lookalikes if they thought attendees didn't care whether they saw less exotic machinery?

[Source: Drive.com.au]

Top Gear Live lambasted for using fake Ferraris originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 14 Feb 2009 09:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Anyone who's been watching the original Top Gear knows it took a bit of switcheroo to get the chemistry right before things really took off (James May replaced the rotundish Jason Dawe after Series 1 of the current show concluded), and TG Australia is no different. Charlie Cox (the bloke on the left) is reportedly leaving the young show due to commitments in Britain, and word is that he will be replaced by Australian jazz trumpeter James Morrison.

Thankfully, Morrison not only arrives with an instrument, he comes with a revhead pedigree: He hosted a show in the '90s called Behind the Wheel, and he currently holds the quickest time for the Star in a Bog Standard Car on TG Australia. After some ups and downs during the first season, perhaps now the show has a shot at making some real music. Thanks for the tip, Liam!

[Source: Ausmotive]

Top Gear Australia replacing Charlie Cox? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 Dec 2008 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Behind the WheelBehindTheWheelcharlie coxCharlieCoxClarksonJames Mayjames morrisonJamesMayJamesMorrisonJeremy ClarksonJeremyClarksonRichard HammondRichardHammondsbssteve pizzattiStevePizzattitop geartop gear australiaTopGearTopGearAustraliaTrumpettrumpetertvtv showsTvShowswarren brownWarrenBrownFri, 19 Dec 2008 13:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Top Gear Australia responds to damage criticism]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/10/top-gear-australia-responds-to-damage-criticism/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/10/top-gear-australia-responds-to-damage-criticism/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/10/top-gear-australia-responds-to-damage-criticism/#commentsFiled under: , ,



BBC's Top Gear is the undisputed leader when it comes to producing entertaining automotive-related content on television. So popular are the show's antics that the franchise has branched out into the Australian market and should be airing Top Gear America here in the States soon. Recently, though, the Oz-branch has ran into some serious questions regarding its treatment of automaker's products. Is it possible for a television show such as Top Gear to go about its business - that of putting the coolest cars through their paces under sometimes ridiculous circumstances - without sending the automakers back a hunk of broken machinery? Is the show good enough that it doesn't matter? That seems to be the $200,000 question, which is the total estimated amount of damage (in Aussie funds) that Top Gear Australia is suspected of having inflicted on its assortment of test vehicles. TGA co-host Warren Brown has come to the show's defense, and we've pasted his complete response after the break.

[Source: Carsguide]

Continue reading Top Gear Australia responds to damage criticism

Top Gear Australia responds to damage criticism originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Dec 2008 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>top geartop gear australiaTopGearTopGearAustraliawarren brownWarrenBrownWed, 10 Dec 2008 16:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Top Gear Australia in trouble for damaging cars]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/08/top-gear-australia-in-trouble-for-damaging-cars/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/08/top-gear-australia-in-trouble-for-damaging-cars/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/08/top-gear-australia-in-trouble-for-damaging-cars/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Australia gave us the word "hoon," and the Aussie version of Top Gear apparently features three of them in presenters Charlie Cox, Warren Brown, and Steve Pizzati. The trio's habit of hooning for local audiences has seen them rack up a repair bill close to $AUS 200,000 for the cars they've damaged during taping - a bill to be paid by the automakers, thank you very much, for a show that is not yet racking up the ratings. Carmakers, not surprisingly, aren't thrilled about it, with one one likening the show to an automotive version of Jackass. TG Australia is coming around again for a second season, which might be difficult if carmakers end up gathering behind one manufacturer's rather blunt declaration: "They will encounter a lot of shut doors." Thanks for the tip, Richard!

[Source: Sun Herald]

Top Gear Australia in trouble for damaging cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Dec 2008 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Charlie CoxCharlieCoxSteve PizzatiStevePizzatitop geartop gear australiatop gear australia presentersTopGearTopGearAustraliaTopGearAustraliaPresenterstvtv showsTvShowsWarren BrownWarrenBrownMon, 08 Dec 2008 13:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Top Gear Australia already in trouble after two episodes]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/07/top-gear-australia-already-in-trouble-after-two-episodes/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/07/top-gear-australia-already-in-trouble-after-two-episodes/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/07/top-gear-australia-already-in-trouble-after-two-episodes/#commentsFiled under: , ,



So we've downloaded the first two episodes of Top Gear Australia, and our assessment of the series so far seems to be right in line with how Aussie nationals are receiving their own home brew version of the wildly popular Brit-based car show. Viewership for the first episode that aired September 29th was estimated to be around 925,000 blokes, and while producers were hoping to crack the 1 million mark with episode two, viewership for the show last Sunday actually fell to 674,000. For those averse to bittorrenting, we can tell you that while episode two was a big improvement over the series premier, it was still very awkward to watch these Australian impersonators of Jezza, Hampster and Captain Slow recite their poorly written scripts for an audience that didn't know when to laugh.

Episode two does have a segment comparing the Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon, but while you would think that match up is important enough to devote a 13-part mini-series to, Top Gear Australia's coverage is no longer than a quick bathroom break and not very insightful. In fact, after drag racing and brake testing both cars side-by-side, for some reason they decide to lap the track with just the Falcon and never hands either of them over to the Stig.

Speaking of which, while a Stig is a Stig is a Stig when they're all wearing white suits, the Top Gear Australia test track on which the great one drives is a poor substitute for the original. It's got too many long straights and not enough turns, and the show's camera placement that should show off how a car moves is not flattering at all.

We give the show a C so far and will continue watching (err, downloading) to see if it gets better. We hope it does, otherwise we won't have much to look forward to when our own Top Gear USA airs.

[Source: AdAge via Jalopnik]

Top Gear Australia already in trouble after two episodes originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Oct 2008 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>top gear australiaTopGearAustraliaTue, 07 Oct 2008 16:57:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: Top Gear Australia releases new teaser commercial]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/23/video-top-gear-australia-releases-new-teaser-commercial/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/23/video-top-gear-australia-releases-new-teaser-commercial/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/23/video-top-gear-australia-releases-new-teaser-commercial/#commentsFiled under: ,


Click above to view video after the jump

Top Gear has become a world-wide phenomenon over the years, and the U.S. isn't the only country that has a local spin-off on the way. Australia boasts one million Top Gear viewers, and show producers are hoping their locally produced version of the iconic BBC show translates into just as many fans.

Top Gear Australia is gearing up for its inaugural show next Monday, and judging from the promo clip after the jump, it looks like the blokes down under have some interesting ideas to keep us entertained. How about driving an aqua car into shark-invested waters? Sounds like fun. Australia picked three car-loving guys from Down Under to host the show, and from the clips we've seen so far, it looks like they have some chemistry. We're looking forward to seeing the finished product, but for a taste of what is to come, hit the jump. Thanks for the tip, Andrew!

Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Top Gear Australia releases new teaser commercial

VIDEO: Top Gear Australia releases new teaser commercial originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Sep 2008 14:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australiaoutbacktop geartop gear australiaTopGearTopGearAustraliaTue, 23 Sep 2008 14:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Details surface on Aussie <i>Top Gear</i> pilot]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/17/details-surface-on-aussie-i-top-gear-i-pilot/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/17/details-surface-on-aussie-i-top-gear-i-pilot/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/17/details-surface-on-aussie-i-top-gear-i-pilot/#comments

Mark your calendars Top Gear fans, because the first episode of the new Australian series is almost upon us. As we reported previously, the first of eight episodes forming the pilot season Down Under will air on September 29, but following the preview video that was released last week, details of the Aussie team's exploits have now made it online.

The first episode will feature an off-road shoot-out between the Nissan X-Trail, Toyota RAV-4 and the new Subaru Forester. Warren (that's the mate with the soup-strainer) will be testing the Maybach 57S, and they'll later be dunking him into shark infested waters with their homemade Jeep/shark cage conversion. No kangaroo in a reasonably priced beer segment, then, but it should make for some entertaining viewing while we wait for the pilot episode of American Top Gear to air on NBC.

[Source: FinalGear.com Forums]

Details surface on Aussie Top Gear pilot originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Sep 2008 16:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australian top gearAustralianTopGearsbs top gearSbsTopGeartop geartop gear australiatop gear pilotTopGearTopGearAustraliaTopGearPilotWed, 17 Sep 2008 16:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Take a sneak peek at Top Gear Australia]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/13/take-a-sneak-peek-at-top-gear-australia/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/13/take-a-sneak-peek-at-top-gear-australia/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/13/take-a-sneak-peek-at-top-gear-australia/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Going through Top Gear withdrawals? It's understandable. In lieu of mind-altering drugs, may we suggest watching a video of the new Australian crew doing their best Clarkson, May and Hammond impressions? All right, what do we see here? There's a bright yellow Lotus, a ridiculously long Hummer limo, supercars galore and plenty of smoking tires. Of course, the three hosts, Charlie Cox, Warren Brown, and Steve Pizzati, are present and accounted for as well, as is The Stig's Australian clone. Looks like fun, though there's something not quite right about those accents.

If this video was enough to whet your appetite, there's good news. The first episode will debut on Monday September 29 -- right around the corner. For those of us who don't get Australian television channels, the interwebs are sure to come to the rescue in no time flat. Let the countdown commence.
[Source: SBS via Jalopnik]

Take a sneak peek at Top Gear Australia originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 13 Sep 2008 10:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>top geartop gear australiaTopGearTopGearAustraliaSat, 13 Sep 2008 10:48:00 EST<![CDATA[First Australian <i>Top Gear</i> episode to air Sept 29]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/01/first-australian-i-top-gear-i-episode-to-air-sept-29/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/01/first-australian-i-top-gear-i-episode-to-air-sept-29/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/01/first-australian-i-top-gear-i-episode-to-air-sept-29/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Mark your calendars, gearheads. The Special Broadcasting Service in Australia has confirmed that the first episode of Aussie Top Gear will air on Monday, September 29. The show will apparently have a regular slot at 7:30 in the SBS Monday night line-up, featuring all manner of Holdens, Ford Falcons and Elfin roadsters crisscrossing their way across the Outback. All the while co-hosts Charlie Cox, Warren Brown and Steve Pizzati - along with their own Fosters-swilling version of The Stig - will be endeavoring to prevent the dingo from eating their babies lest the entire endeavor boomerang on them all. (Okay, enough making fun of the Aussies.) We'll be keeping an eye on FinalGear.com for their count-down before heading on over to Top Gear's YouTube channel to see the first of the eight-episode inaugural season in less than a month's time.

[Source: SBS via FinalGear]

First Australian Top Gear episode to air Sept 29 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 Sep 2008 15:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aussie top gearAussieTopGearaustraliacharlie coxCharlieCoxsbs top gearSbsTopGearsteve pizzatiStevePizzatitop geartop gear australiaTopGearTopGearAustraliawarren brownWarrenBrownMon, 01 Sep 2008 15:56:00 EST<![CDATA[The Line Forms <strike>Here</strike> Down Under: Top Gear Australia begins filming]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/25/the-line-forms-strike-here-strike-down-under-top-gear-austra/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/25/the-line-forms-strike-here-strike-down-under-top-gear-austra/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/25/the-line-forms-strike-here-strike-down-under-top-gear-austra/#commentsFiled under: ,

All around the world, thousands upon thousands of automotive enthusiasts wait with baited breath, remote controls, YouTube clicks and torrent downloads for new episodes of Top Gear. Some satiate their cravings with Final Gear in the meantime, but as Clarkson and company seek to rebuild the British empire one commercial deal at a time, soon we'll have two new series to keep our interests piqued. Because not only are we getting our own version of Top Gear here in the United States, so our own mates down in Australia.

While the American pilot has already been shot, Down Under they're just gearing up, and they're now accepting applications for tickets to the filming of the first episode of Top Gear Australia. So if you live in the Outback, put down your boomerang and ride your kangaroo Holden over to the Special Broadcasting Service website to fill out the form.

[Source: SBS via FinalGear.com]

The Line Forms Here Down Under: Top Gear Australia begins filming originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Aug 2008 09:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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