<?xml version="1.0"?>
<rss version="2.0" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:itunes="http://www.itunes.com/dtds/podcast-1.0.dtd">
<channel>
<title>Autoblog</title>
<link>http://www.autoblog.com</link>
<description>Autoblog</description>
<image>
<url>http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif</url>
<title>Autoblog</title>
<link>http://www.autoblog.com</link>
</image>
<language>en-us</language>
<copyright>Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only.</copyright>
<generator>Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/</generator><item><title><![CDATA[<i>Fifth Gear</i>: Hope yet for Britain's other car show?]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/03/i-fifth-gear-i-hope-yet-for-britains-other-car-show/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/03/i-fifth-gear-i-hope-yet-for-britains-other-car-show/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/03/i-fifth-gear-i-hope-yet-for-britains-other-car-show/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/hirings-firings/" rel="tag">Hirings/Firings/Layoffs</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/uk/" rel="tag">UK</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/celebrities/" rel="tag">Celebrities</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/rumormill/" rel="tag">Rumormill</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://twitter.com/tiff_tv/status/6108215923"><img hspace="4" vspace="4" border="1" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/10/fifth-gear-uk-staff.jpg" alt="" /></a></div>
<br />
Our heart goes out to the crew at <em>Fifth Gear</em>. 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 <em>Top Gear</em>, of course, and by any other yardstick, <em>Fifth Gear</em> 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 <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/19/trouble-in-u-k-televisionland-has-fifth-gear-been-cance/">cancel the show</a>. Which is really a shame.<br />
<br />
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, <em>Fifth Gear</em>'s ensemble is one of the best - on the airwaves or off. <em>Thanks for the tip, Paul T!</em><br />
<br />
[Source: <a href="http://twitter.com/tiff_tv/status/6108215923">Tiff Needell on Twitter</a> via <a href="http://www.icars.sg/2009/10801/fifth-gear-may-be-rescued-by-other-stations/">iCars Singapore</a>]<p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/03/i-fifth-gear-i-hope-yet-for-britains-other-car-show/"><i>Fifth Gear</i>: Hope yet for Britain's other car show?</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Thu, 03 Dec 2009 16:39:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://twitter.com/tiff_tv/status/6108215923>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/03/i-fifth-gear-i-hope-yet-for-britains-other-car-show/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19261826/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/03/i-fifth-gear-i-hope-yet-for-britains-other-car-show/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>5th gear</category><category>5thGear</category><category>channel 5</category><category>channel five</category><category>Channel5</category><category>ChannelFive</category><category>fifth gear</category><category>FifthGear</category><category>tiff needell</category><category>TiffNeedell</category><category>Top Gear</category><category>TopGear</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Noah Joseph]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 03 Dec 2009 16:39:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Trouble in U.K. TelevisionLand: Has <i>Fifth Gear</i> been canceled?]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/19/trouble-in-u-k-televisionland-has-fifth-gear-been-cance/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/19/trouble-in-u-k-televisionland-has-fifth-gear-been-cance/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/19/trouble-in-u-k-televisionland-has-fifth-gear-been-cance/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/etc/" rel="tag">Etc.</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/hirings-firings/" rel="tag">Hirings/Firings/Layoffs</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/uk/" rel="tag">UK</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/celebrities/" rel="tag">Celebrities</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1221174/Vicki-s-career-stalls-Five-s-Fifth-Gear-driven-television.html"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/10/fifth-gear-uk-staff.jpg"  alt="" /></a></div>
<br />
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 <em>Daily Mail</em>, <em>Fifth Gear</em>, which has never quite mustered the following of rival <em>Top Gear</em>, has been put on ice. Or has it?<br />
<br />
A quick check on <a href="http://www.finalgear.com/news/2009/10/18/fifth-gear-cancelled/">FinalGear.com</a> indicates that the report from DM may not be entirely accurate. <em>Fifth Gear</em>'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."<br />
<br />
For what it's worth, while we do prefer to burn an hour watching the antics from the rival crew at <em>Top Gear</em>, we also find <em>Fifth Gear</em>'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 <em>Fifth Gear</em> vastly superior to U.S. motoring shows like PBS' <em>MotorWeek</em>, which appears to be perpetually stuck in 1985. Where's the justice in that? <em>Thanks for the tips, Sylvester and Eddie!</em><br />
<br />
[Source: <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1221174/Vicki-s-career-stalls-Five-s-Fifth-Gear-driven-television.html">Daily Mail</a>]<p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/19/trouble-in-u-k-televisionland-has-fifth-gear-been-cance/">Trouble in U.K. TelevisionLand: Has <i>Fifth Gear</i> been canceled?</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Mon, 19 Oct 2009 14:28:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1221174/Vicki-s-career-stalls-Five-s-Fifth-Gear-driven-television.html>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/19/trouble-in-u-k-televisionland-has-fifth-gear-been-cance/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19200894/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/19/trouble-in-u-k-televisionland-has-fifth-gear-been-cance/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>5th gear</category><category>5thGear</category><category>canceled</category><category>fifth gear</category><category>fifth gear canceled</category><category>FifthGear</category><category>FifthGearCanceled</category><category>Motorweek</category><category>Tiff Needell</category><category>TiffNeedell</category><category>Top Gear</category><category>TopGear</category><category>Vicki Butler-Henderson</category><category>VickiButler-henderson</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Jeremy Korzeniewski]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 19 Oct 2009 14:28:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[VIDEO: <i>Fifth Gear</i> exercises the outlandish Tramontana R Edition]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/28/video-i-fifth-gear-i-exercises-the-outlandish-tramontana-r-e/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/28/video-i-fifth-gear-i-exercises-the-outlandish-tramontana-r-e/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/28/video-i-fifth-gear-i-exercises-the-outlandish-tramontana-r-e/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/coupes/" rel="tag">Coupe</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/sports/" rel="tag">Performance</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/euro/" rel="tag">Europe</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/videos/" rel="tag">Videos</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/gallery/tramontana-in-fighter-plane-regalia/low"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/07/tramlead.jpg" alt="" /></a><br />
<div align="center"><strong><em><small>Tramontana in fighter plane regalia - Click above for high-res image gallery</small></em></strong></div>
<strong><em><em><strong> <br /> </strong></em></em></strong>You've <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/24/revealed-720hp-twin-turbocharged-v12-tramontana-r/">seen the Tramontana before</a>, and now, you can see it in motion. This Spanish made beast sports a 100% carbon fiber chassis, a twin-turbocharged AMG 5.5-liter V12 that makes 720 hp and 811 lb-ft of torque, it weighs 2,500 pounds and looks like an F1 car designed for <span style="font-style: italic;">Robotech</span>. 0-60 happens before you get in the car and top speed is orbit. Probably. Not only are Tramontana's more expensive than you could possibly imagine, but each one is designed around the owner. Plus, your passenger sits behind you. We like that. But possibly the craziest thing about the R Edition is a certain button on the dashboard. See, in "regular" grocery shopping mode, the big Mercedes motor spits out "just" 550 hp. Luckily there's a button labeled "720 HP" on the dash. Wish our car had that. Check the video of Tom from <em>Fifth Gear</em> driving it <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/28/video-i-fifth-gear-i-exercises-the-outlandish-tramontana-r-e/">after you jump</a>. <br /> <br /> <div class="postgallery"><p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/tramontana-in-fighter-plane-regalia/low/">Tramontana in fighter plane regalia</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/tramontana-in-fighter-plane-regalia/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/07/tramontana_samedan2009_davidkaiser.ch_03_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/tramontana-in-fighter-plane-regalia/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/07/tramontana_samedan2009_davidkaiser.ch_11_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/tramontana-in-fighter-plane-regalia/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/07/tramontana_samedan2009_davidkaiser.ch_08_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/tramontana-in-fighter-plane-regalia/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/07/tramontana_samedan2009_davidkaiser.ch_01_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/tramontana-in-fighter-plane-regalia/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/07/tramontana_samedan2009_davidkaiser.ch_04_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/28/video-i-fifth-gear-i-exercises-the-outlandish-tramontana-r-e/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>VIDEO: <i>Fifth Gear</i> exercises the outlandish Tramontana R Edition</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/28/video-i-fifth-gear-i-exercises-the-outlandish-tramontana-r-e/">VIDEO: <i>Fifth Gear</i> exercises the outlandish Tramontana R Edition</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Tue, 28 Jul 2009 19:27:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/28/video-i-fifth-gear-i-exercises-the-outlandish-tramontana-r-e/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19112055/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/28/video-i-fifth-gear-i-exercises-the-outlandish-tramontana-r-e/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>AMG</category><category>Fifth Gear</category><category>FifthGear</category><category>Mercedes</category><category>Mercedes-Benz</category><category>Spain</category><category>Tom Ford</category><category>tom ford fifth gear</category><category>TomFord</category><category>TomFordFifthGear</category><category>Tramontana</category><category>tramontana r</category><category>Tramontana R Edition</category><category>TramontanaR</category><category>TramontanaREdition</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Jonny Lieberman]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 28 Jul 2009 19:27:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[VIDEO: Tiff Needell and actor John Barrowman crash Subaru rally car on <i>Fifth Gear</i>]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/23/video-tiff-needell-and-actor-john-barrowman-crash-subaru-rally/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/23/video-tiff-needell-and-actor-john-barrowman-crash-subaru-rally/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/23/video-tiff-needell-and-actor-john-barrowman-crash-subaru-rally/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/etc/" rel="tag">Etc.</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/safety/" rel="tag">Safety</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/subaru/" rel="tag">Subaru</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/uk/" rel="tag">UK</a></p><div align="center"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/23/video-tiff-needell-and-actor-john-barrowman-crash-subaru-rally/"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/07/fifthgear-crash-vidcap.jpg" alt="" /></a><em><strong><br /></strong><strong><small>Click the image above to view the video <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/23/video-tiff-needell-and-actor-john-barrowman-crash-subaru-rally/">after the jump</a></small></strong></em><em><strong><br /></strong></em></div>
<br />In case <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/20/update-details-on-richard-hammond-crash/">Richard Hammond's spectacular jet-car crash</a> wasn't enough to convince you of the inherent dangers of filming British television's top car shows, the presenters of <em>Fifth Gear</em> have given us another startling reminder. <br /><br />Barrowman, who plays a character who cannot be killed on <em>Dr. Who</em> spin-off series <em>Torchwood</em>, was driving the &pound;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 <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/23/video-tiff-needell-and-actor-john-barrowman-crash-subaru-rally/">after the jump</a> for the segment -- a stark reminder that enthusiasm and ego aren't a suitable replacement for talent.<br /><br />[Source: <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1200698/Lucky-escape-John-Barrowman-survives-80mph-rally-car-crash.html">Daily Mail</a> via <a href="http://www.rpmgo.com/john-barrowman-and-fifth-gears-tiff-needell-involved-in-high-speed-crash">RPMGo.com</a>]<p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/23/video-tiff-needell-and-actor-john-barrowman-crash-subaru-rally/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>VIDEO: Tiff Needell and actor John Barrowman crash Subaru rally car on <i>Fifth Gear</i></em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/23/video-tiff-needell-and-actor-john-barrowman-crash-subaru-rally/">VIDEO: Tiff Needell and actor John Barrowman crash Subaru rally car on <i>Fifth Gear</i></a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Thu, 23 Jul 2009 20:01:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1200698/Lucky-escape-John-Barrowman-survives-80mph-rally-car-crash.html>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/23/video-tiff-needell-and-actor-john-barrowman-crash-subaru-rally/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19106451/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/23/video-tiff-needell-and-actor-john-barrowman-crash-subaru-rally/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>barrowman</category><category>crash</category><category>fifth gear</category><category>fifth gear crash</category><category>FifthGear</category><category>FifthGearCrash</category><category>john barrowman</category><category>JohnBarrowman</category><category>needell</category><category>needell fifth gear</category><category>NeedellFifthGear</category><category>rally</category><category>subaru impreza</category><category>subaru impreza rally car</category><category>SubaruImpreza</category><category>SubaruImprezaRallyCar</category><category>tiff needell</category><category>TiffNeedell</category><category>top gear</category><category>TopGear</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Noah Joseph]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 23 Jul 2009 20:01:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[VIDEO: <i>Fifth Gear</i> pits Ford Focus RS vs. Mitsubishi Evo X]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/12/video-i-fifth-gear-i-pits-ford-focus-rs-vs-mitsubishi-evo-x/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/12/video-i-fifth-gear-i-pits-ford-focus-rs-vs-mitsubishi-evo-x/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/12/video-i-fifth-gear-i-pits-ford-focus-rs-vs-mitsubishi-evo-x/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/sedans/" rel="tag">Sedan</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/sports/" rel="tag">Performance</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/videos/" rel="tag">Videos</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/hatchbacks/" rel="tag">Hatchback</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/ford/" rel="tag">Ford</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/mitsubishi/" rel="tag">Mitsubishi</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/uk/" rel="tag">UK</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/12/video-i-fifth-gear-i-pits-ford-focus-rs-vs-mitsubishi-evo-x/"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/06/fifth-gear-tripod-focus-rs.png" alt="" /></a><br /><small> </small>
<div align="center"><small><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Click above to watch the video <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/12/video-i-fifth-gear-i-pits-ford-focus-rs-vs-mitsubishi-evo-x/">after the jump</a></span></small><br /></div>
<br />Yesterday, we showed you <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/11/video-blue-beauty-i-fifth-gear-i-samples-the-audi-r8-v10/"><span style="font-style: italic;">Fifth Gear</span>'s take on the new Audi R8 V10</a> - 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.<br /><br />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 <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/12/video-i-fifth-gear-i-pits-ford-focus-rs-vs-mitsubishi-evo-x/">after the jump</a>.<br /><br /><br /><div class="postgallery"><p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2009-ford-focus-rs-3/low/">2009 Ford Focus RS (green)</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2009-ford-focus-rs-3/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/07/09focusrs_7495a_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2009-ford-focus-rs-3/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/07/09focusrs_7490a_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2009-ford-focus-rs-3/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/07/09focusrs_7509a_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2009-ford-focus-rs-3/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/07/09focusrs_7502a_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2009-ford-focus-rs-3/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/07/09focusrs_7506a_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><br />[Source: <a href="http://fwd.five.tv/fifth-gear">Fifth Gear</a> via <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QS8wT6nCOyo&amp;feature=player_embedded">YouTube</a>]<p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/12/video-i-fifth-gear-i-pits-ford-focus-rs-vs-mitsubishi-evo-x/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>VIDEO: <i>Fifth Gear</i> pits Ford Focus RS vs. Mitsubishi Evo X</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/12/video-i-fifth-gear-i-pits-ford-focus-rs-vs-mitsubishi-evo-x/">VIDEO: <i>Fifth Gear</i> pits Ford Focus RS vs. Mitsubishi Evo X</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Fri, 12 Jun 2009 15:29:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/12/video-i-fifth-gear-i-pits-ford-focus-rs-vs-mitsubishi-evo-x/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19065115/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/12/video-i-fifth-gear-i-pits-ford-focus-rs-vs-mitsubishi-evo-x/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>BTCC</category><category>evo x</category><category>evolution x</category><category>EvolutionX</category><category>EvoX</category><category>Fifth Gear</category><category>FifthGear</category><category>Focus RS</category><category>FocusRs</category><category>Ford Focus</category><category>Ford Focus RS</category><category>Ford RS</category><category>FordFocus</category><category>FordFocusRs</category><category>FordRs</category><category>Jason Plato</category><category>JasonPlato</category><category>Mitsubishi EVO</category><category>Mitsubishi EVO X</category><category>Mitsubishi Evolution</category><category>MitsubishiEvo</category><category>MitsubishiEvolution</category><category>MitsubishiEvoX</category><category>Tiff Needell</category><category>TiffNeedell</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Chris Paukert]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 12 Jun 2009 15:29:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[VIDEO: Blue By You - <i>Fifth Gear</i> samples the stunning Audi R8 V10]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/11/video-blue-beauty-i-fifth-gear-i-samples-the-audi-r8-v10/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/11/video-blue-beauty-i-fifth-gear-i-samples-the-audi-r8-v10/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/11/video-blue-beauty-i-fifth-gear-i-samples-the-audi-r8-v10/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/coupes/" rel="tag">Coupe</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/videos/" rel="tag">Videos</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/supercars/" rel="tag">Supercars</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/audi/" rel="tag">Audi</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/uk/" rel="tag">UK</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/11/video-blue-beauty-i-fifth-gear-i-samples-the-audi-r8-v10/"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/06/audi-r8-v10-fifth-gear-580x.jpg" alt="" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><small> <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Click above to watch the video <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/11/video-blue-beauty-i-fifth-gear-i-samples-the-audi-r8-v10/">after the jump</a></span></small><br /></div>
<br />The 16th season of the hit British motorcar show <em>Fifth Gear</em> is just getting off the ground, and it's starting in style with a review of a stunningly beautiful <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/09/pics-aplenty-audi-r8-v10-in-red/">Audi R8 V10</a>. Unfortunately, <em>Fifth Gear</em> didn't appear to really wring out the 522 hp, V10 beauty during their review, but the rain may have had something to do with it. The UK team did provide plenty of exquisite shots of the top Audi, though, along with plenty of pithy dialogue. <br /><br />Do the blokes at 5G feel that the added punch of the V10 engine is enough to justify the massive price premium over the standard V8-powered R8? <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/11/video-blue-beauty-i-fifth-gear-i-samples-the-audi-r8-v10/">Hit the jump</a> to view Fifth Gear's leisurely review for yourself. We're not entirely sure we agree with the final analysis of the V10's merits, but we'll reserve judgment until we get our mitts on one. In the meantime, we appreciate the well-done video and the R8's striking blue paint - a shade we haven't encountered before, but one we look forward to seeing again and again.<br /><br /><br /><div class="postgallery"><p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/detroit-2009-audi-r8-v10-5-2-fsi/low/">Detroit 2009: Audi R8 V10 5.2 FSI</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/detroit-2009-audi-r8-v10-5-2-fsi/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/01/r8v10fsilive_01_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/detroit-2009-audi-r8-v10-5-2-fsi/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/01/r8v10fsilive_02_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/detroit-2009-audi-r8-v10-5-2-fsi/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/01/r8v10fsilive_03_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/detroit-2009-audi-r8-v10-5-2-fsi/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/01/r8v10fsilive_04_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/detroit-2009-audi-r8-v10-5-2-fsi/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/01/r8v10fsilive_05_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><br />[Source: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fW1tyMD8a_g&amp;feature=player_embedded">YouTube</a>]<p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/11/video-blue-beauty-i-fifth-gear-i-samples-the-audi-r8-v10/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>VIDEO: Blue By You - <i>Fifth Gear</i> samples the stunning Audi R8 V10</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/11/video-blue-beauty-i-fifth-gear-i-samples-the-audi-r8-v10/">VIDEO: Blue By You - <i>Fifth Gear</i> samples the stunning Audi R8 V10</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Thu, 11 Jun 2009 19:57:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fW1tyMD8a_g&amp;feature=player_embedded>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/11/video-blue-beauty-i-fifth-gear-i-samples-the-audi-r8-v10/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19064684/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/11/video-blue-beauty-i-fifth-gear-i-samples-the-audi-r8-v10/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>audi R8</category><category>AudiR8</category><category>fifth gear</category><category>FifthGear</category><category>gallardo engine</category><category>GallardoEngine</category><category>R8</category><category>R8 V10</category><category>R8V10</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Chris Shunk]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 11 Jun 2009 19:57:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[<i>Fifth Gear</i> attempts world's biggest loop-the-loop]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/19/i-fifth-gear-i-attempts-worlds-biggest-loop-the-loop/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/19/i-fifth-gear-i-attempts-worlds-biggest-loop-the-loop/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/19/i-fifth-gear-i-attempts-worlds-biggest-loop-the-loop/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/etc/" rel="tag">Etc.</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/hatchbacks/" rel="tag">Hatchback</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/toyota/" rel="tag">Toyota</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/uk/" rel="tag">UK</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/19/i-fifth-gear-i-attempts-worlds-biggest-loop-the-loop/"><img width="580" vspace="4" hspace="4" height="437" border="1" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/05/aygolooptheloop.jpg" alt="" /></a><br />
<div align="center"><em><strong><small>Stuntman Steve Truglia attempts what is believed to be the tallest loop-the-loop by a real car</small></strong></em><br /></div>
<br />We've heard that 'Ring times have become the <em>de facto</em> benchmark for performance cars of late, but this is ridiculous. Not so much a ring as a loop, stuntman Steve Truglia just attempted to drive a Toyota Aygo through a 40-foot loop for the (other) British motor show, <em>Fifth Gear</em>. The stunt was filmed at a Suffolk airbase, and was planned by a team that included a Cambridge physicist.<br /><br />While anyone with a Hot Wheels track growing up might know that the stunt can be done, a real-world reenactment with a real car and real driver is so dangerous it is referred to as the "Death Loop" by professional stuntmen. While it might seem that a driver could merely power in at a high speed to carry enough momentum to complete the loop, the truth is that the g-forces on the driver at anything above 30 mph can be catastrophic. So stuntman Steve Truglia trained with jet pilots to learn techniques that would help him deal with the centripetal forces.<br /><br />The car also had to be chopped to increase its approach and departure angles. He had to enter the loop at precisely 37 mph, then immediately <em>slowed</em> to 16 mph as the modified Toyota went up and over. Did he succeed? You'll have to watch the special episode this Saturday, or at least find the torrent. We don't think we're giving too much away to say that Steve plans something even bigger for his next stunt, even though it doesn't involve a car. He plans to skydive, from space.<br /><br />There's a video montage of Truglia's work, where he talks about the science behind the stunts, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/19/i-fifth-gear-i-attempts-worlds-biggest-loop-the-loop/">after the jump</a>.<br /><br />[Source: <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1183898/Am-I-ring-road-Stunt-driver-defies-gravity-worlds-biggest-loop-loop.html">The Daily Mail</a>]<p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/19/i-fifth-gear-i-attempts-worlds-biggest-loop-the-loop/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em><i>Fifth Gear</i> attempts world's biggest loop-the-loop</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/19/i-fifth-gear-i-attempts-worlds-biggest-loop-the-loop/"><i>Fifth Gear</i> attempts world's biggest loop-the-loop</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Tue, 19 May 2009 16:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/19/i-fifth-gear-i-attempts-worlds-biggest-loop-the-loop/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/1549276/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/19/i-fifth-gear-i-attempts-worlds-biggest-loop-the-loop/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>fifth gear</category><category>FifthGear</category><category>loop the loop</category><category>LoopTheLoop</category><category>Steve Truglia</category><category>SteveTruglia</category><category>stunt</category><category>stuntman</category><category>stunts</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Frank Filipponio]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 19 May 2009 16:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[VIDEO: Jason Plato's firey review of the Caparo T1]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/18/video-jason-platos-firey-review-of-the-caparo-t1/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/18/video-jason-platos-firey-review-of-the-caparo-t1/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/18/video-jason-platos-firey-review-of-the-caparo-t1/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/videos/" rel="tag">Videos</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/supercars/" rel="tag">Supercars</a></p><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/10/plato_caparo_crash01.jpg" alt="" /><br /><br />Earlier this month, Fifth Gear presenter and British Touring Car Championship driver Jason Plato was <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/10/first-shots-of-jason-platos-caparo-t1-inferno/">hurt</a> <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/09/jason-plato-injured-when-caparo-t1-bursts-into-flames-at-150-mph/">behind the wheel</a> 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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />[Source: YouTube]<p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/18/video-jason-platos-firey-review-of-the-caparo-t1/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>VIDEO: Jason Plato's firey review of the Caparo T1</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/18/video-jason-platos-firey-review-of-the-caparo-t1/">VIDEO: Jason Plato's firey review of the Caparo T1</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Thu, 18 Oct 2007 15:03:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8NXWhZd-iQ>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/18/video-jason-platos-firey-review-of-the-caparo-t1/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/1015669/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/18/video-jason-platos-firey-review-of-the-caparo-t1/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>Caparo</category><category>Caparo T1</category><category>CaparoT1</category><category>Fifth Gear</category><category>FifthGear</category><category>Jason Plato</category><category>JasonPlato</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Siddharth Raja]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 18 Oct 2007 15:03:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Fifth Gear takes the MINI Clubman for a spin]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/15/fifth-gear-takes-the-mini-clubman-for-a-spin/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/15/fifth-gear-takes-the-mini-clubman-for-a-spin/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/15/fifth-gear-takes-the-mini-clubman-for-a-spin/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/videos/" rel="tag">Videos</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/mini/" rel="tag">Mini</a></p><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/10/mini_clubman_review1_450.jpg" alt="" /><br /><br />The MINI Clubman isn't a major breakthrough over the current Cooper but it does have one glaring distinction worth taking a closer look at and that's the suicide-style rear opening door. Fifth Gear's Johnny Smith shows us all there is to like and loathe about the new car in sunny Madrid.
<p>[Source: YouTube]<br /></p>
<br />
<p> </p>
<br />
<p> </p>
<p><br /></p><p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/15/fifth-gear-takes-the-mini-clubman-for-a-spin/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Fifth Gear takes the MINI Clubman for a spin</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/15/fifth-gear-takes-the-mini-clubman-for-a-spin/">Fifth Gear takes the MINI Clubman for a spin</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Mon, 15 Oct 2007 18:57:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/15/fifth-gear-takes-the-mini-clubman-for-a-spin/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/1013070/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/15/fifth-gear-takes-the-mini-clubman-for-a-spin/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>Clubman</category><category>Fifth Gear</category><category>FifthGear</category><category>Mini Clubman</category><category>MiniClubman</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Siddharth Raja]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 15 Oct 2007 18:57:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Jason Plato injured when Caparo T1 bursts into flames at 150 mph]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/09/jason-plato-injured-when-caparo-t1-bursts-into-flames-at-150-mph/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/09/jason-plato-injured-when-caparo-t1-bursts-into-flames-at-150-mph/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/09/jason-plato-injured-when-caparo-t1-bursts-into-flames-at-150-mph/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/motorsports/" rel="tag">Motorsports</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/etc/" rel="tag">Etc.</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/supercars/" rel="tag">Supercars</a></p><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/10/caparo_t1_jp_450_op.jpg" /><br /><br /><img width="212" vspace="4" hspace="4" height="254" border="1" align="right" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/10/profile_plato.jpg" alt="" />Jason Plato, BTCC champion and Fifth Gear presenter, found himself in the midst of a Caparo T1 barbeque while testing the new supercar at the Bruntingthorpe Proving Ground in Leicestershire. According to Plato, he noticed a loss of power while traveling upwards of 150 MPH. He checked the outside mirror, saw smoke and then felt a rush of intense heat. The T1 "spontaneously erupted into a ball of flame," said Plato, who immediately stopped the Caparo and jumped out after sustaining burns to his neck, face and hands.<br /><br />He was rushed to the hospital and is expected to consult a burn specialist later today. Plato still intends to compete at the final BTCC race this weekend at the Thurxton Circuit this Sunday, which coincides with his 40th birthday. Just be careful blowing out those candles, Jason. <br /><br />[Source: Fifth Gear]<p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/09/jason-plato-injured-when-caparo-t1-bursts-into-flames-at-150-mph/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Jason Plato injured when Caparo T1 bursts into flames at 150 mph</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/09/jason-plato-injured-when-caparo-t1-bursts-into-flames-at-150-mph/">Jason Plato injured when Caparo T1 bursts into flames at 150 mph</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Tue, 09 Oct 2007 15:29:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/09/jason-plato-injured-when-caparo-t1-bursts-into-flames-at-150-mph/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/1009186/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/09/jason-plato-injured-when-caparo-t1-bursts-into-flames-at-150-mph/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>btcc</category><category>caparo</category><category>fifth gear</category><category>FifthGear</category><category>jason</category><category>jason plato caparo t1</category><category>JasonPlatoCaparoT1</category><category>plato</category><category>t1</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Damon Lavrinc]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 09 Oct 2007 15:29:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Fifth Gear host injured while drifting A-Team van]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/27/fifth-gear-host-injured-while-drifting-a-team-van/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/27/fifth-gear-host-injured-while-drifting-a-team-van/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/27/fifth-gear-host-injured-while-drifting-a-team-van/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/etc/" rel="tag">Etc.</a></p><p><a href="http://www.motorauthority.com/news/news/fifth-gear-presenter-crashes-while-van-drifting/"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="0" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/09/ford_ateam_1.jpg" alt="" /></a></p>
<p>Is it just us, or are more high profile folks having more high speed encounters with large, high density objects? Next up in the queue is Tom Ford, presenter for <em>Fifth Gear</em>, who crashed while drifting a van. And not just any van, but a van painted like the A-Team van, home to Hannibal, Murdock, Face, and <em>Monsieur</em> T. </p>
<p><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="0" align="right" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/09/ford_ateam_2.jpg" />But it wasn't the van above, which is a GMC G-Series model like the one on the show. No, it was more like the one to the right, which is someone else's Bedford Rascal van painted to look like the A-Team chariot. The Bedford normally comes with a 4-cylinder Suzuki engine, is 10 feet long, and takes ten seconds to get to 30 MPH. That's right, <em>30 MPH</em>.</p>
<p>During his drifting maneuver, Ford put the van on two wheels and then plowed into a safety barrier. Due to a hefty amount of safety gear in the van and on his body, his only major injuries appear to be three broken toes. Crash footage will air during the next season of the show.</p>
<p>[Source: Motor Authority]</p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/27/fifth-gear-host-injured-while-drifting-a-team-van/">Fifth Gear host injured while drifting A-Team van</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Thu, 27 Sep 2007 18:31:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.motorauthority.com/news/news/fifth-gear-presenter-crashes-while-van-drifting/>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/27/fifth-gear-host-injured-while-drifting-a-team-van/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/999825/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/27/fifth-gear-host-injured-while-drifting-a-team-van/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>a team van</category><category>a-team</category><category>ATeamVan</category><category>bedford rascal</category><category>bedford rascal van</category><category>BedfordRascal</category><category>BedfordRascalVan</category><category>fifth gear</category><category>fifth gear crash</category><category>FifthGear</category><category>FifthGearCrash</category><category>tom ford</category><category>tom ford fifth gear</category><category>TomFord</category><category>TomFordFifthGear</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Jonathon Ramsey]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 27 Sep 2007 18:31:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[VIDEO: Fifth Gear takes on the Vauxhall VXR8 (aka the Pontiac G8)]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/10/video-fifth-gear-takes-on-the-vauxhall-vxr8-aka-the-pontiac-g8/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/10/video-fifth-gear-takes-on-the-vauxhall-vxr8-aka-the-pontiac-g8/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/10/video-fifth-gear-takes-on-the-vauxhall-vxr8-aka-the-pontiac-g8/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/sedans/" rel="tag">Sedan</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/euro/" rel="tag">Europe</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/pontiac/" rel="tag">Pontiac</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/vauxhall/" rel="tag">Vauxhall</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/vauxhall-vxr8/380425/"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="0" align="top" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/09/vauxhall-vxr8.jpg" /></a><br /> <br /> Jeremy Clarkson and <span style="font-style: italic;">Top Gear</span> crew aren't the only car show on British television. In fact Top Gear was canceled by the BBC and the producers relaunched it as <span style="font-style: italic;">Fifth Gear</span> before the Beeb eventually revived <span style="font-style: italic;">Top Gear</span> as well. <span style="font-style: italic;">Fifth Gear</span> is still around and they recently got a chance to spend some quality time on a race track with the Vauxhall VXR8. <br /> <br /> If that car looks familiar, it's because we saw a lower-end version sporting a Pontiac grille at the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/07/chicago-auto-show-gm-rwd-fans-can-rejoice-for-the-pontiac-g8-h/">Chicago Auto Show as the new G8</a>. <span style="font-style: italic;">Fifth Gear</span> spent a lot of time getting seriously sideways in the 414hp VXR8 and even got to do a top speed run. For a preview of what G8 buyers can expect whenever GM gets around to doing the all-but-inevitable GXP version, check out the video after the jump.<br /> <br /> [Sources: YouTube, Fifth Gear]<br /><br /><div class="postgallery"><p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/vauxhall-vxr8/low/">Vauxhall VXR8</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/vauxhall-vxr8/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/02/vauxhall_vxr8_hi_01_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/vauxhall-vxr8/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/02/vauxhall_vxr8_hi_02_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/vauxhall-vxr8/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/02/vauxhall_vxr8_hi_03_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/vauxhall-vxr8/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/02/vauxhall_vxr8_hi_04_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/vauxhall-vxr8/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/09/vxr8_newhi001_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/10/video-fifth-gear-takes-on-the-vauxhall-vxr8-aka-the-pontiac-g8/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>VIDEO: Fifth Gear takes on the Vauxhall VXR8 (aka the Pontiac G8)</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/10/video-fifth-gear-takes-on-the-vauxhall-vxr8-aka-the-pontiac-g8/">VIDEO: Fifth Gear takes on the Vauxhall VXR8 (aka the Pontiac G8)</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Mon, 10 Sep 2007 11:28:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/10/video-fifth-gear-takes-on-the-vauxhall-vxr8-aka-the-pontiac-g8/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/985078/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/10/video-fifth-gear-takes-on-the-vauxhall-vxr8-aka-the-pontiac-g8/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>fifth gear</category><category>FifthGear</category><category>pontiac g8</category><category>PontiacG8</category><category>vauxhall vxr8</category><category>VauxhallVxr8</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Sam Abuelsamid]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 10 Sep 2007 11:28:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Autoblog Night Watch: Needell hints at Veyron 'vert, 5th Gear pegs Audi A5 vs. BMW 335i]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/05/autoblog-night-watch-needell-hints-at-veyron-vert-5th-gear-pe/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/05/autoblog-night-watch-needell-hints-at-veyron-vert-5th-gear-pe/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/05/autoblog-night-watch-needell-hints-at-veyron-vert-5th-gear-pe/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/coupes/" rel="tag">Coupe</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/euro/" rel="tag">Europe</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/videos/" rel="tag">Videos</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/supercars/" rel="tag">Supercars</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/audi/" rel="tag">Audi</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/bmw/" rel="tag">BMW</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/bugatti/" rel="tag">Bugatti</a></p><br /><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/aHj0zbhjLZI"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/aHj0zbhjLZI" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object><br />We found a couple great <em>Fifth Gear</em> 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. <br /><br />Hit the jump to view the second Fifth Gear video, and see what <span style="font-style: italic;">could </span>be a teaser of the Veyron cabrio.<br /><br />[Source: YouTube]<p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/05/autoblog-night-watch-needell-hints-at-veyron-vert-5th-gear-pe/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Autoblog Night Watch: Needell hints at Veyron 'vert, 5th Gear pegs Audi A5 vs. BMW 335i</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/05/autoblog-night-watch-needell-hints-at-veyron-vert-5th-gear-pe/">Autoblog Night Watch: Needell hints at Veyron 'vert, 5th Gear pegs Audi A5 vs. BMW 335i</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Wed, 05 Sep 2007 22:57:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUECXI0GbRo>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/05/autoblog-night-watch-needell-hints-at-veyron-vert-5th-gear-pe/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/981092/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/05/autoblog-night-watch-needell-hints-at-veyron-vert-5th-gear-pe/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>16.4</category><category>335i</category><category>a5</category><category>Audi</category><category>BMW]</category><category>Bugatti</category><category>Fifth Gear</category><category>FifthGear</category><category>S5</category><category>Tiff Needell</category><category>TiffNeedell</category><category>Veyron</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Chris Shunk]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 05 Sep 2007 22:57:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Autoblog Night Watch: Needell flogs the GT3 RS, Clubsport]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/20/autoblog-night-watch-needell-flogs-the-gt3-rs-clubsport/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/20/autoblog-night-watch-needell-flogs-the-gt3-rs-clubsport/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/20/autoblog-night-watch-needell-flogs-the-gt3-rs-clubsport/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/videos/" rel="tag">Videos</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/porsche/" rel="tag">Porsche</a></p><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/06/tiff_gt3_capture_450.jpg" /><br /><br />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.<br /><br />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!<p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/20/autoblog-night-watch-needell-flogs-the-gt3-rs-clubsport/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Autoblog Night Watch: Needell flogs the GT3 RS, Clubsport</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/20/autoblog-night-watch-needell-flogs-the-gt3-rs-clubsport/">Autoblog Night Watch: Needell flogs the GT3 RS, Clubsport</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Wed, 20 Jun 2007 23:16:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/20/autoblog-night-watch-needell-flogs-the-gt3-rs-clubsport/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/922991/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/20/autoblog-night-watch-needell-flogs-the-gt3-rs-clubsport/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>fifth gear</category><category>FifthGear</category><category>gt3</category><category>gt3 clubsport</category><category>gt3 rs</category><category>Gt3Clubsport</category><category>Gt3Rs</category><category>porsche</category><category>tiff needell</category><category>TiffNeedell</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Damon Lavrinc]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 20 Jun 2007 23:16:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[VIDEO: Audi R8 screams through the Las Vegas Speedway]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/02/video-audi-r8-screams-through-the-las-vegas-speedway/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/02/video-audi-r8-screams-through-the-las-vegas-speedway/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/02/video-audi-r8-screams-through-the-las-vegas-speedway/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/sports/" rel="tag">Performance</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/videos/" rel="tag">Videos</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/supercars/" rel="tag">Supercars</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/audi/" rel="tag">Audi</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/01/video-audi-r8-screams-through-the-las-vegas-speedway/"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/05/r8-fifthgear.jpg" /></a><br /><br />The guys over at <span style="font-style: italic;">Fifth Gear</span> get some pretty sweet work assignments, but few match up to Tiff Needell's task of driving the brand-new <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/28/audi-r8-us-prcing-to-start-at-109-000/">Audi R8</a> through cones at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. If you're a fan of Top Gear, you know how well-produced their spots are, and the video enclosed after the jump is just terrific.<br /><br />Tiff starts off by driving the gorgeous R8 down the Las Vegas strip, and Audi's supercar generated plenty of gawking. Our favorite part of the video comes about 2/3 through, when Tiff swerves through four cones, cuts left, then banks to the right through some tightly arranged cones. Another highlight comes when Needell, on several occasions, manages to kick out the rear end of the mid-engined AWD supercar after turning of the ESP. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/01/video-audi-r8-screams-through-the-las-vegas-speedway/">Hit the jump</a> to take in the sights and sounds of Fifth Gear getting the most out of the R8. You'll be glad you did.<br /><br />[Source: Jalopnik]<p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/02/video-audi-r8-screams-through-the-las-vegas-speedway/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>VIDEO: Audi R8 screams through the Las Vegas Speedway</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/02/video-audi-r8-screams-through-the-las-vegas-speedway/">VIDEO: Audi R8 screams through the Las Vegas Speedway</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Wed, 02 May 2007 10:04:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.jalopnik.com/cars/video/audi+o+phile-tiff-needell-hangs-the-r8s-ass-out-256831.php>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/02/video-audi-r8-screams-through-the-las-vegas-speedway/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/886691/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/02/video-audi-r8-screams-through-the-las-vegas-speedway/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>4.2L FSI</category><category>4.2lFsi</category><category>audi</category><category>fifth gear</category><category>FifthGear</category><category>r8</category><category>tiff</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Chris Shunk]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 02 May 2007 10:04:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[MINI GP slower than an R/C car]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/30/mini-gp-slower-than-an-r-c-car/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/30/mini-gp-slower-than-an-r-c-car/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/30/mini-gp-slower-than-an-r-c-car/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/etc/" rel="tag">Etc.</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/videos/" rel="tag">Videos</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/mini/" rel="tag">Mini</a></p><a href="http://www.techeblog.com/index.php/tech-gadget/fifth-gear-mini-cooper-gp-vs-rc-car"><img width="390" vspace="4" hspace="4" height="153" border="1" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2006/12/works.jpg"  alt="" /></a><br /><br />Fifth Gear recently took advantage of having a <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2006/02/21/mini-gp-fastest-mini-ever-will-meet-public-in-geneva/">MINI GP</a> to run their own mini GP. That is a race between a MINI GP and the fastest tiny vehicle they could find that might be a real challenge to the MINI. After thinking through the list of would be competitors for this 218 hp, lightened and stiffened MINI, they landed on the perfect match; an R/C car. Seriously. They found Andy Moore who happens to be an R/C touring car champion. They pitted Vicki and him against each other on a full size track. You won't believe the outcome. Click through to see the video for yourself. <br /><br />[Source: Fifth Gear via <a href="http://www.techeblog.com/index.php/tech-gadget/fifth-gear-mini-cooper-gp-vs-rc-car">TechEBlog</a>]<br /><p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/30/mini-gp-slower-than-an-r-c-car/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>MINI GP slower than an R/C car</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/30/mini-gp-slower-than-an-r-c-car/">MINI GP slower than an R/C car</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Sat, 30 Dec 2006 12:09:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.techeblog.com/index.php/tech-gadget/fifth-gear-mini-cooper-gp-vs-rc-car>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/30/mini-gp-slower-than-an-r-c-car/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/726513/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/30/mini-gp-slower-than-an-r-c-car/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>Fifth Gear</category><category>FifthGear</category><category>Mini Cooper GP</category><category>MiniCooperGp</category><category>RC car</category><category>RcCar</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Frank Filipponio]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sat, 30 Dec 2006 12:09:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Fifth Gear award goes to... a Corvette?]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/19/fifth-gear-award-goes-to-a-corvette/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/19/fifth-gear-award-goes-to-a-corvette/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/19/fifth-gear-award-goes-to-a-corvette/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<a href="http://fifthgear.five.tv/jsp/5gmain.jsp?lnk=601&amp;featureid=691&amp;description=And%20the%20winner%20is..."><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2006/12/s8e10_bts5gaward_400.jpg" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Striking us as perhaps something out of <em>Shaun of the Dead</em>, where bizarre news reports keep filtering in through a world-wide crises, we have a somewhat garbled missive from abroad that seems to indicate that the British TV program, <em>Fifth Gear</em>, has awarded the Chevrolet Corvette its Fast Car of the Year award for 2006. A British TV show naming an American car as the best in its class? Must be something amiss. Perhaps the satellite feed is a bit wonky. The show's website doesn't have a confirmation of this award yet, so we can only wonder. <br /><br />Actually, <em>Fifth Gear</em> handed out a few awards on Monday night, with the Audi TT taking home the slab of Portland Stone for Car of the Year. In the Small Car category, the award went to the new Mini Cooper. Best Family Car was the Ford S-Max. And the previously mentioned Corvette beat out the new 997 Turbo Porsche and Ferrari's latest GTB, the 599 Fiorano in the Fast Car segment. <br /><br />By the way, the photo shows the actual award, which British sculptor Rob Bowers creates out of Portland Stone for the show. The annual award goes to the car the staff picks out of every vehicle they tested over the previous twelve months. <br /><br />Thanks for the tip, James!<br /><br />[Source: Fifth Gear]<p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/19/fifth-gear-award-goes-to-a-corvette/">Fifth Gear award goes to... a Corvette?</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Tue, 19 Dec 2006 14:29:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://fifthgear.five.tv/jsp/5gmain.jsp?lnk=601&amp;featureid=691&amp;description=And%20the%20winner%20is...>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/19/fifth-gear-award-goes-to-a-corvette/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/721585/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/19/fifth-gear-award-goes-to-a-corvette/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>Car Of The Year</category><category>CarOfTheYear</category><category>Chevrolet Corvette</category><category>ChevroletCorvette</category><category>Fast Car of the Year</category><category>FastCarOfTheYear</category><category>Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano</category><category>Ferrari599GtbFiorano</category><category>Fifth Gear</category><category>FifthGear</category><category>Ford S-Max</category><category>FordS-max</category><category>Mini Cooper</category><category>MiniCooper</category><category>Porsche 997 Turbo</category><category>Porsche997Turbo</category><category>Rob Bowers</category><category>RobBowers</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Frank Filipponio]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 19 Dec 2006 14:29:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Autoblog Night Watch: Driver Training with Tiff Needell]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/07/autoblog-night-watch-tiff-needells-stunt-driving-techniques/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/07/autoblog-night-watch-tiff-needells-stunt-driving-techniques/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/07/autoblog-night-watch-tiff-needells-stunt-driving-techniques/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/videos/" rel="tag">Videos</a></p><embed flashvars="" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=7789779849418629011&amp;hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" id="VideoPlayback" style="width: 400px; height: 326px;"></embed> <br /><br />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.<p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/07/autoblog-night-watch-tiff-needells-stunt-driving-techniques/">Autoblog Night Watch: Driver Training with Tiff Needell</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Tue, 07 Nov 2006 23:09:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/07/autoblog-night-watch-tiff-needells-stunt-driving-techniques/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/698033/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/07/autoblog-night-watch-tiff-needells-stunt-driving-techniques/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>fifth gear</category><category>FifthGear</category><category>tiff needell</category><category>TiffNeedell</category><category>top gear</category><category>TopGear</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Damon Lavrinc]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 07 Nov 2006 23:09:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[2007 MINI Cooper S review on Fifth Gear]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/22/2007-mini-cooper-s-review-on-fifth-gear/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/22/2007-mini-cooper-s-review-on-fifth-gear/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/22/2007-mini-cooper-s-review-on-fifth-gear/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/economy/" rel="tag">Budget</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/euro/" rel="tag">Europe</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/videos/" rel="tag">Videos</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/hatchbacks/" rel="tag">Hatchback</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/mini/" rel="tag">Mini</a></p><object width="425" height="350">
<param value="http://www.youtube.com/v/1uA7e-sB3EQ" name="movie" />
<param value="transparent" name="wmode" /><embed width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/1uA7e-sB3EQ"></embed></object>  <br /><br />The blokes over at Fifth Gear got their hands on the new MINI Cooper S and gave it the thorough once over. Contrary to other reports, Tom Ford maintains that the 'go-cart' handling characteristics that made the last model so popular among drivers are still alive and well.<br /><br />Styling-wise, Ford agrees that upon first inspection the new Cooper looks much larger. That perception is, in fact true, but mainly due to the hood's height increase that meets stricter pedestrian impact laws. The newly revised front end causes the beltline to move northwards, giving the new MINI a taller stance.<br /><br />The three models mentioned in the video are the Cooper, Cooper S and the 1.4-liter One model that has been available across the pond, but hasn't made its way to the States.<p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/22/2007-mini-cooper-s-review-on-fifth-gear/">2007 MINI Cooper S review on Fifth Gear</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Sun, 22 Oct 2006 12:51:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/22/2007-mini-cooper-s-review-on-fifth-gear/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/688865/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/22/2007-mini-cooper-s-review-on-fifth-gear/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>5th gear</category><category>5thGear</category><category>cooper</category><category>cooper s</category><category>CooperS</category><category>fifth gear</category><category>FifthGear</category><category>MINI</category><category>one</category><category>tom ford</category><category>TomFord</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Damon Lavrinc]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sun, 22 Oct 2006 12:51:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Mini's new interior revealed]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/01/minis-new-interior-revealed/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/01/minis-new-interior-revealed/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/01/minis-new-interior-revealed/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/economy/" rel="tag">Budget</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/euro/" rel="tag">Europe</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/hatchbacks/" rel="tag">Hatchback</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/bmw/" rel="tag">BMW</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/mini/" rel="tag">Mini</a></p><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="0" alt="" id="vimage_6" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2006/08/newminidash2.jpg" /><br /><br />The upcoming Mini Cooper has <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/27/new-mini-rolled-out-for-the-european-press/">already made its debut</a> with our friends across the pond, but amidst all the coverage of the new vehicle's engine, chassis and cosmetic upgrades (or lack thereof), one question remained. What's up with the interior? As this seemed to be a particularly common criticism of the outgoing model, it's no wonder BMW sought to impress and improve. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.motoringfile.com/2006/07/28/2007-mini-dash-options/"><em>MotoringFile</em></a> quote their source as saying that the color of the new interior panels will not be dependent on the exterior colors as they are now. In total, there will be seven different variations of wood grain and aluminum, including separate textured panels in a variety of hues.<br /><br />Other changes include some of the switchgear moving northward and finding its place on the headliner, with one of the toggle switches allowing the instrument backlighting to change from the standard orange to a variety of different tints.<br /><br />While <em>Fifth Gear</em> flogged the new Mini around the track they were able to snag a few close-up shots of some key interior elements. They came away generally impressed, noting that the new layout is cleaner and has a greater feel of quality, while the new seating position greatly contributes to an overall improvement in driver control.<br /><br />When the new Mini finds its way to the U.S. next year, we look forward to drawing our own conclusions when it hits the Autoblog Garage (wink, wink, nod, nod).<br /><br />Follow the jump for more detailed photos.<br /><br />[Sources: <a href="http://www.motoringfile.com">Motoringfile.com </a>and <a href="http://fifthgear.five.tv">Fifth Gear on Five</a>]<p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/01/minis-new-interior-revealed/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Mini's new interior revealed</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/01/minis-new-interior-revealed/">Mini's new interior revealed</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Tue, 01 Aug 2006 07:02:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://fifthgear.five.tv/jsp/5gmain.jsp?lnk=211&amp;featureid=451&amp;pageid=-1>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/01/minis-new-interior-revealed/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/649107/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/01/minis-new-interior-revealed/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>bmw</category><category>fifth gear</category><category>FifthGear</category><category>mini</category><category>motoringfile</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Damon Lavrinc]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 01 Aug 2006 07:02:00 EST</pubDate></item></channel></rss>