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Infographic crunches the numbers of Top Gear's Star in a Reasonably Priced Car

Noah Joseph — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 19:28:00 EST

Over the years, Top Gear has had 154 celebrities on its Star in a Reasonably Priced Car segment. They've used three different cars and driven in a variety of weather conditions ranging from dry to wet and even snow. With such variety, you can bet there will be numbers to crunch and statistics to ponder, and as we all know, the best (or at least the most fun) way to do that is with - you guessed it - an infographic.

Fortunately, that's just what our mates over at carbuzz have put together. And in doing so, they've taken all sorts of parameters into account, including what gender, nationality and even profession is best represented in their Stigliness. Click on the image above to view the full graphic.

Continue reading Infographic crunches the numbers of Top Gear's Star in a Reasonably Priced Car

Infographic crunches the numbers of Top Gear's Star in a Reasonably Priced Car originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Mar 2012 19:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rowan Atkinson checks in with Top Gear, shows off V16-powered Rolls-Royce Phantom

Jeff Glucker — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 19:58:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Videos, Rolls-Royce, UK, Celebrities

Rowan Atkinson takes on the Top Gear Test Track - Click above to watch video after the jump

Before you get angry at us in the comments, we're using the first line of this post to issue a spoiler alert.

Rowan Atkinson is best known to American audiences as Mr. Bean. He's a hilarious comedian with a lengthy career comprising works on both the silver and small screen. If you weren't already aware, he's also completely infatuated with cars. You've got to be if you wind up putting a McLaren F1 in your garage, and then tack over 37,000 kilometers on the odometer. Recognizing this passion for speed, it's no surprise that Atkinson wound up on the Top Gear guest couch staring down Jeremy Clarkson.

Rowan brought along a prop car from his upcoming film Johnny English Reborn. What appears to be a standard Rolls-Royce Phantom from the outside actually hides a rather large secret under the hood. According to Atkinson, Rolls flirted with the idea of building a 9.0-liter V16-powered Phantom, but ultimately scrapped the idea. Still, the British car maker wound up producing three or four of the mega mills, and Atkinson asked to use one for his new film. The engineers at Rolls obliged, and his Phantom is now a truly exotic luxury coupe.

Rowan wasn't there simply to talk about his movie and the Phantom. He is a star, and the Reasonably Priced Car was on the track waiting for him. How'd he do? Click past the jump to find out.

Continue reading Rowan Atkinson checks in with Top Gear, shows off V16-powered Rolls-Royce Phantom

Rowan Atkinson checks in with Top Gear, shows off V16-powered Rolls-Royce Phantom originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 18 Jul 2011 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: Top Gear USA - the first episode [w/poll]

Chris Shunk — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 12:31:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Videos, Celebrities

Not The Original, But Not Bad, Either

The logo. The exotic car-filled studio. The engine block coffee table. The Stig. The Star in a Reasonably Priced Car. It all seemed so familiar. The inaugural episode of Top Gear USA aired Sunday night at 10pm EST/9C on the History Channel with a lot of what made the original British show an international hit, but without those three dynamic blokes that have made the UK version so great. Or the amazing producers who put that show together each week. Instead, we get new producers, a new set, and new promise in hosts Tanner Foust, Adam Ferrara and Rutledge Wood.

The first episode of Top Gear USA started off with a bang by transitioning from an original Shelby Cobra to the best modern interpretation of the big engine on wheels: the Dodge Viper. The American-made missile was driven by Tanner Foust who was charged with outrunning a Cobra attack helicopter. The Viper was fitted with a missile detection simulator that showed when the supercar was being missile-locked and "hit" by the chopper. To win this competition, Foust and his navigator/co-host Rutledge Wood needed to blast across town and back before being hit by the chopper three times. We won't tell you how it ends, but we will say this first stunt showed that while the camera work and editing isn't yet up to Top Gear UK levels of excellence, the content is still engaging and fun to watch.

Take our poll below, then follow the jump to continue reading...

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Continue reading Review: Top Gear USA - the first episode [w/poll]

Review: Top Gear USA - the first episode [w/poll] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 22 Nov 2010 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz channel their inner Stig on Top Gear

Chris Shunk — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos, Kia, UK, Celebrities

Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz on Top Gear - Click above to watch the video after the jump

Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz have been all over the world pushing their not-so-blockbuster movie Knight and Day, and while moviegoers haven't exactly filled local theaters, enthusiasts should most definitely witness the Hollywood A-listers on the latest episode of Top Gear. The two stars appeared on our favorite BBC show to compete against other celebrities in "Star in a Reasonably Priced Car," and their performance far outshines their recent box office receipts.

Hit the jump to watch as the two push hard around the Top Gear track in a KIA Cee'd. We won't ruin the results for you, but we will reveal that Diaz shows that she can swear like a trucker while looking good with a helmet on, and Cruise proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that he is a very competitive guy. Seriously, the man literally finishes the race on two wheels, nearly giving Clarkson a heart attack in the process. Who got the better part of their co-star? You'll have to watch to find out.

[Source: Top Gear via YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz channel their inner Stig on Top Gear

Video: Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz channel their inner Stig on Top Gear originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Jul 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Tom Cruise, Cameron Diaz to be the stars in Top Gear's Reasonably Price Car

Zach Bowman — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 12:59:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Sedan, Etc., Kia, UK, Celebrities

According to The Sun, Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz will take to the infamous Top Gear track in an attempt to topple the Star in a Reasonably Priced Car leader board. Evidently, Cruise contacted the show about a stint behind the wheel of the infamous Kia c'eed while in the UK. Both he and Diaz were in country for the debut of their new film "Knight and Day."

So far, we don't know how either of the two stars did on track, but we're betting Cruise managed to hold his own. It's no secret that the guy has a penchant for sports cars of just about every flavor. Besides, he starred in Days of Thunder.

The crew at Top Gear hasn't said exactly when we can expect to see the two go around the track, but we're betting it won't be too long before the segments air, possibly this Sunday.

[Source: The Sun]

Report: Tom Cruise, Cameron Diaz to be the stars in Top Gear's Reasonably Price Car originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Jul 2010 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Top Gear retires Chevrolet Lacetti, toning-down stunts

Zach Bowman — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 15:31:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Chevrolet, Celebrities, Humor

The times, they are a changin' for Top Gear. Everyone's favorite motoring show has undergone quite a few transformations over the years, and that doesn't look to stop with the next season. Viewers can expect to see a few sad but inevitable changes come to fruition, starting with the death of the Chevrolet Lacetti. For those of you who don't have an archive of creatively obtained episodes lurking about on your hard drive, the miserable little car had been the subject of abuse at the hands of a myriad of celebrities in the show's infamous "Star in a Reasonably Priced Car" segment.

We're not entirely sure what happened, though we have to imagine it had something to do with repeated missed shifts and the fact that the sedan spent more time in low orbit than actually lapping the show's track. Either way, it's off for good, and you can expect the guys to send it on its way in style.

Then there's word that Clarkson, Hammond and May will actually be toning down the stunts this season. While speaking with The Daily Telegraph, James May said that things had gotten a little out of hand over the past few seasons, and that the show would be working to return to basics somewhat. We have no idea what that means, but we're guessing there might be a few less helicopter chases in the cards. But there will be explosions. Lots and lots of explosions...

[Source: Top Gear, The Daily Telegraph]

Top Gear retires Chevrolet Lacetti, toning-down stunts originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Jun 2010 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paper: Guy Ritchie wrecks four reasonably-priced cars on Top Gear

Alex Nunez — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 18:29:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, UK, Celebrities

When fans tune in to watch (or torrent) tomorrow night's episode of Top Gear, they'll get to see Snatch director Guy Ritchie regale Jezza, Hamster, and Captain Slow with tales of his stint as the program's Star in a Reasonably-Priced Car.

According to London's Daily Mirror, which spoke to a source who attended the taping, it seems Ritchie wound up doing his best H.B. Halicki impression, killing four of the reasonably-priced crapboxes in his effort to set the fastest celebrity lap. Sloppy track conditions were to blame, says Madonna's ex, according to the Mirror's snitch.

Whether he actually succeeded in his mission to land atop the leaderboard will be revealed during Sunday's broadcast, which, according to the tabloid, also sees the boys race airport equipment and bombard a ferry using hatchbacks as munitions. That, friends, sounds like some quality television.

[Source: Mirror.co.uk | Image: Dave Hogan/Getty]

Paper: Guy Ritchie wrecks four reasonably-priced cars on Top Gear originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 05 Dec 2009 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Jay Leno's new show to put stars in green cars

Jonny Lieberman — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 13:29:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Etc., Celebrities, Humor

Unlike many, we haven't been losing sleep over Leno leaving The Tonight Show. Partly because we're in bed by that time. Mostly though, despite Jay's well-known obsession with automobiles, the Tonight Show was essentially car-free, instead choosing to focus on Miley Cirus, American Idol and politics. Yawn. Leno's new show - called the Jay Leno Show - looks to address that serious oversight.

According to new reports, Leno's show will feature celebrities racing against each other in "advertiser friendly" challenges involving green cars. In fact, NBC has already built a racetrack next to Leno's studio. Says Jay, "You can see who is faster, Shaquille O'Neal or Cameron Diaz." We've always wondered.

As to what cars will be used in the segment, or what the races will look like, your wild speculation is as good as ours. And yes, Leno's green car challenge does seem kinda close to Top Gear's Star in a Reasonably Priced Car. But in the grand scheme of things, who cares, as car racing on network TV ought to be a good thing over the long term. That said, we'll admit that the very term "advertiser friendly" makes our skin crawl a bit. Thanks to Dali for the tip!

[Source: Car Design Fetish via The Live Feed]

REPORT: Jay Leno's new show to put stars in green cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Aug 2009 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Jay Leno drives the Reasonably Priced Car

Jonny Lieberman — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Videos, Celebrities

Click above to watch video after the jump

Last week we saw AC/DC's Brian Johnson on Top Gear's Star in a Reasonably Priced Car segment and for the first time ever the consensus was, "no need to fast forward." Now, we're not going to say that the former Tonight Show host and pistonhead extraordinaire Jay Leno is as mesmerizingly fun as AC/DC's front man. But Jay does own two Lamborghini Miuras, which is it's own sort of spellbinding. In fact, the notoriously anti-American Clarkson calls Leno the world's "#1 petrolhead." High praise indeed.

For his part, Jay is affable and halfway laughable. He gives a very strange, inaccurate answer as to why Americans drivers won't let people with their turn signals on into a lane (real answer: because we're jerks), but does tell an absolutely fantastic story about two "gang bangers," his McLaren F1 and the three tunnels on Kanan Road. Yes, fine, but does Leno drive fast? Well, he's quite smooth. And the second fastest American. See for yourself after the jump.

Continue reading VIDEO: Jay Leno drives the Reasonably Priced Car

VIDEO: Jay Leno drives the Reasonably Priced Car originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 03 Aug 2009 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Hells Bells! AC/DC's Brian Johnson is seriously quick in the Top Gear Reasonably Priced Car

Jonny Lieberman — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 19:29:00 EST

Filed under: Videos, Australia, UK

AC/DC - Click above to watch the videos after the jump

You gotta love Brian Johnson. Plucked from (relative) obscurity by AC/DC in 1980 to replace Bon Scott (R.I.P.), Johnson and the band then recorded Back in Black, the second most successful album in history, just behind Thriller by What's His Face. Johnson - who maybe stands five feet five inches tall - also hasn't changed his shirt, taken off his hat or had to learn a new song in nearly 25 years. What a life.

On this week's Star in a Reasonably Priced Car, Jezza puts Johnson through the usual paces before we quickly learn that Mr. Gets Knocked Out By American Thighs is a serious gearhead. How serious? He drives a 1920s Bentley 4.5-liter to get the newspaper. That's class. And once in Moscow he micturated on Sputnik. That's a different sort of class. Oh, and it turns out that Mr. Johnson is quite a talented driver. How talented? You're going to have to jump and find out.

[Source: YouTube via Road Runner Records]

Continue reading VIDEO: Hells Bells! AC/DC's Brian Johnson is seriously quick in the Top Gear Reasonably Priced Car

VIDEO: Hells Bells! AC/DC's Brian Johnson is seriously quick in the Top Gear Reasonably Priced Car originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Jul 2009 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Jay Leno confirms Top Gear appearance

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Videos, Lifestyle, UK, Celebrities

Jay Leno and The Stig - Click above to watch video after the jump

Those previously unconfirmed rumors of Jay Leno making an appearance on Top Gear? Consider them now confirmed, courtesy of The Man himself. According to Jay Leno's Garage, the popular American late-night comedian, talk show host and all around cool guy did in fact visit Jeremy Clarkson, The Stig and the rest of the crew to film a piece for the show's Star in a Reasonably Priced Car segment.

From the sound of things, Leno had lots of fun in the U.K. and he specifically calls Top Gear his favorite show on television. With due respect to Conan, we'd have to agree. In addition to filming a few teaser shots of his trips around the TG Test Track, the comedian takes us into the Top Gear Production Office - and let's just say its pretty much exactly as you'd expect from a bunch of car-obsessed men. Click past the break to watch the video. Thanks for the tip, Stephen!

[Source: Jay Leno's Garage]

Continue reading VIDEO: Jay Leno confirms Top Gear appearance

VIDEO: Jay Leno confirms Top Gear appearance originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 10 Jul 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jay Leno filming Star in a Reasonably Priced Car for Top Gear?

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 18:29:00 EST

Filed under: Lifestyle, UK, Celebrities, Rumormill

Jay Leno's Tank Car - Click above for high-res image gallery

Citing an unnamed though supposedly reliable source, the boys at Jalopnik are reporting that Jay Leno - fresh from his appearance at the Goodwood Festival of Speed where he's believed to have piloted an awesome McLaren F1 GTR up the hill - was spotted filming a Star in a Reasonably Priced Car segment today with the blokes from Top Gear. What are the chances we'll get surprise appearances by Leno's Tank Car or EcoJet?

Assuming this rumor turns out to be true, we fully hope that Jay can properly represent American gearheads by outlapping Jamiroquai lead singer Jay Kay, who currently sits atop the Star leaderboard after knocking Simon Cowell off his perch as the quickest celebrity in Britain.

Gallery: Jay Leno's Tank Car at Pebble Beach

Jay Leno filming Star in a Reasonably Priced Car for Top Gear? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Jul 2009 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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