Why Top Gear would be the best / worst place to review both V6 and V8 Camaro's

Anyone who does not know what Top Gear is I implore you to go directly to Youtube and check out, well, any episode before you read this post.


OK, for those of you who remember back last summer I was the unmitigated moron who jumped the gun when news spread that the BBC show Top Gear was in the States to review 3 American muscle cars and someone unfortunately parked an Audi chase car just on the other side of a 2008 Challenger in an online spy shot, so of course I being the damn eager fool that I am ass-umed it HAD to be a Camaro, to my unending shame!

This was also caused by my unrepentant love for Top Gear and the child-like hope that they would be first to get behind the wheel. Now many of those fine, sensible individuals who pointed out my obvious mistake, also scoffed at the prospect of Clarkson & co. deriding the new pony car based on previous opinions they have made very clear on their show that anything the Americans make is rubbish. So noted.

But I digress! I still hold to the belief that Top Gear is the ABSOLUTELY best (and potentially worst ;) place to test Chevy's newest vroom-vroom, and here's why for both sides of the arguement:

Best

1) Top Gear has one of the best known, closed course tracks, next to the Nurburgring in the world, which nearly every car maker has sent cars to be tested by the show for years.
2) One professional driver for all tests, the Stig.
3) Unabashed, pull-no-punches honesty on the cars performance.
4) No corporate meddling.
5) Jeremy Clarkson!


Worst

1) Horrendous torrential rain in England, where the car will be tested.
2) Getting GM to send 2 test cars to England.
3) James "captain slow" May
4) Comic anti-Americanism
5) Jeremy Clarkson (see #4)

All kidding aside, I feel with the result of their American visit and test of the ZR-1, CTS-V, and Challenger and how they loved how those cars drove that the Camaro would score very well with them. Now if everyone can just get over Clarksons hilarious ego and enjoy the show! Just my humble opinion.

he also likes/makes fun of the GTO as well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UeM1UWt2dvM

Hey, maybe they'll embrace the car a little more, since it's actually built in Canada, and Canada is still a part of the British Empire ;).

Or not?! :lol:

The Stig isn't one person.
But it's unknown how often they change or the schedule.

Not that really has anything to do with the Camaro, just sayin.

You can be sure they'd rip it for one thing or another, and a bunch of people on the North American side will cry bloody murder because it wasn't done fairly or they didnt' see the humor in it etc.

Remember Top Gear did rip on the GT500 because it wasn't the advertised 500hp (at the wheels on a dyno ... or rolling road as they called it) :rolleyes:

It'd be entertaining though, absoutely.

They talked about the new camaro in one of the episode in the "News" both jeremy and hamster seemed excited about the Indepedent Rear Suspension.

I have a feeling the only negatives when they do test it is that there gonna rip on its interior because its American, and rip on its size because its American.

Other than that I can only see good, there gonna hopefully like the power and the looks. And most of all, in Pounds it only costs around 11,000 for the V6 and 16,000 for the V8

The Stig isn't one person.
But it's unknown how often they change or the schedule.

Not that really has anything to do with the Camaro, just sayin.

You can be sure they'd rip it for one thing or another, and a bunch of people on the North American side will cry bloody murder because it wasn't done fairly or they didnt' see the humor in it etc.

Remember Top Gear did rip on the GT500 because it wasn't the advertised 500hp (at the wheels on a dyno ... or rolling road as they called it) :rolleyes:

It'd be entertaining though, absoutely.

Absolutely! Entertaining but also I feel that their track, which was designed by Lotus, gives a more balanced perspective of each car's abilities when compared to slolom, figure-8, and quarter numbers alone, though the 1/4 mile is still the gold standard for acceleration.

And I know that there have been at least 2 Stig's, black and white, but unless you have inside info the white Stig has been driving since season 3 (I think) and their currently on season 12. BBC also denied that Jenson Button was the Stig but others have confermed that he has been since black Stig ran off the air craft carrier. That's a long time!

And I know that there have been at least 2 Stig's, black and white, but unless you have inside info the white Stig has been driving since season 3 (I think) and their currently on season 12.he was found out just recently but i can't remember his name so i think there will be a new stig.

You're thinking Ben Collins. He was rumored to be the stig.
And he may well be one of them.
The idea behind having the Stig masked is that they can use multiple drivers...its been stated a long time ago... but of course for the entertainment and mystery value, its never been revealed as to who they were...just rumors.

The first stig (black) was killed off after season 2 when his identity was found out (Perry McCarthy).

The test track is good, but not all cars featured run around it.
It would be nice to see though.

You're thinking Ben Collins. He was rumored to be the stig.
And he may well be one of them.
The idea behind having the Stig masked is that they can use multiple drivers...its been stated a long time ago... but of course for the entertainment and mystery value, its never been revealed as to who they were...just rumors.

The first stig (black) was killed off after season 2 when his identity was found out (Perry McCarthy).

The test track is good, but not all cars featured run around it.
It would be nice to see though.

Here's an incomplete list of cars and their Top Gear test track times, and sorry in advance it's so damned big:

The Power Board

1. 1:17.1 - Gumpert Apollo S
2. 1:17.3 - Ascari A10
3. 1:17.6 - Koenigsegg CCX (with The Top Gear Wing)
4. 1:17.8 - Pagani Zonda F Roadster
5. 1:17.9 - Caterham Seven R500 (cold tyres)[6]
6. 1.18:3 - Bugatti Veyron 16.4
7. 1:18.4 - Pagani Zonda F
8. 1:18.9 - Maserati MC12
9. 1:19.0 - Ferrari Enzo
10. 1:19.5 - Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4
11. 1:19.5 - Porsche 911 GT2
12. 1:19.5 - Ariel Atom 2 300 [7]
13. 1:19.7 - Nissan GT-R
14. 1:19.7 - Ferrari 430 Scuderia
15. 1:19.8 - Lamborghini Murciélago LP640
16. 1:19.8 - Porsche Carrera GT
17. 1:20.4 - Koenigsegg CCX (without Spoiler )[8][9]
18. 1:20.7 - Ascari KZ1 (damp)
19. 1:20.9 - Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren
20. 1:21.2 - Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano
21. 1:21.9 - Ford GT
22. 1:22.3 - Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale
23. 1:22.3 - Porsche 911 GT3 RS (996 mk.II)
24. 1:22.4 - Chevrolet Corvette C6 Z06
25. 1:22.5 - Noble M15
26. 1:22.9 - Ferrari F430 F1[10]
27. 1:23.2 - Ferrari F430 Spider F1[10]
28. 1:23.7 - Lamborghini Murciélago (retested)+
29. 1:23.8 - Pagani Zonda C12 S 7.3 (partly damp)
30. 1:23.9 - Aston Martin DBS
31. 1:23.9 - Koenigsegg CC8S
32. 1:24.0 - Ariel Atom 1 220[11]
33. 1:24.2 - Veritas RS III
34. 1:24.3 - Prodrive P2 (concept)
35. 1:24.4 - Audi R8 (damp)
36. 1:24.6 - TVR Sagaris
37. 1:24.8 - Mitsubishi Evo VIII MR FQ-400
38. 1:24.8 - TVR Tuscan Mk.II
39. 1:25.0 - Noble M12 GTO-3R
40. 1:25.1 - Lotus Exige S
41. 1:25.3 - BMW M3 E92 Saloon
42. 1:25.7 - Audi RS4[12]
43. 1:25.7 - Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder
44. 1:25.8 - Lamborghini Gallardo (wet)
45. 1:25.9 - Morgan Aero 8 GTN[13]
46. 1:26.0 - Mercedes CLK 63 AMG Black series
47. 1:26.0 - Mitsubishi Evo VIII MR FQ320[14]
48. 1:26.2 - BMW M5[15]
49. 1:26.2 - Porsche 911 Carrera S (997)
50. 1:26.2 - Brabus S Biturbo Roadster
51. 1:26.4 - Lotus Exige (mildly moist)
52. 1:26.7 - Porsche Cayman S[16]
53. 1:26.8 - Chevrolet Corvette C6 LS2
54. 1:26.8 - Ferrari 575M Maranello GTC[17]
55. 1:26.9 - Lexus IS-F
56. 1:26.9 - Mercedes-Benz CLS55 AMG
57. 1:27.1 - Aston Martin Vanquish S
58. 1:27.1 - Aston Martin DB9
59. 1:27.2 - Tesla Roadster (mildly moist)
60. 1:27.2 - Porsche 911 GT3 RS (996) (WET)
61. 1:27.3 - Spyker C8 Spyder[18]
62. 1:27.5 - TVR T350C
63. 1:27.9 - Wiesmann MF 3[19]
64. 1:28.0 - BMW M3 CSL (DAMP, near-slick tyres)
65. 1:28.0 - Roush Mustang
66. 1.28.2 - Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X FQ-300
67. 1:28.2 - Marcos TSO GT2[20]
68. 1:28.2 - Lotus Elise Sport 190
69. 1.28.2 - Subaru Impreza WRX STI
70. 1:28.5 - Dodge Viper SRT-10 (very wet)
71. 1:28.6 - MG XPower SV
72. 1:28.7 - Porsche Boxster S
73. 1:28.7 - Audi TT MTM Bimoto (cold tyres)[21]
74. 1:28.9 - Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII MR FQ-300
75. 1:28.9 - Porsche 911 Carrera S (997) (wet)
76. 1:29.0 - Mercedes-Benz CL65 AMG
77. 1:29.0 - Lamborghini Murciélago (partly damp)[1]
78. 1:29.0 - Alpina Z8 Roadster
79. 1:29.4 - AS One
80. 1:29.4 - Subaru Impreza WRX STI WR1[14]
81. 1:29.6 - Volkswagen Golf GTI W12-650 Concept
82. 1:30.0 - Autodelta Alfa Romeo 147 GTA 3.7
83. 1:30.0 - Ford Shelby GT500
84. 1:30.1 - Subaru Impreza WRX STi
85. 1:30.1 - Vauxhall Monaro VXR (Pontiac GTO)
86. 1:30.4 - Aston Martin DB7 GT
87. 1:30.4 - Volkswagen Golf R32 mk.V
88. 1:30.9 - Audi S4 quattro 4.2
89. 1:31.0 - Porsche 911 Turbo (996) (very wet)
90. 1:31.3 - Vauxhall VX220
91. 1:31.3 - Vauxhall VXR8 (wet)[5]
92. 1:31.4 - Audi TT Mk.II 2.0T
93. 1:31.6 - Honda NSX-R[22]( very wet)
94. 1:31.8 - BMW M3 E46
95. 1:31.8 - BMW 535d
96. 1:31.8 - Nissan 350Z
97. 1:31.8 - Mazda RX-8
98. 1:31.9 - BMW 130i
99. 1:32.2 - Ford Focus RS
100. 1:32.2 - Mazda 6 MPS
101. 1:32.5 - Renaultsport Mégane 225 Cup[15]
102. 1:32.5 - Lotus Esprit V8 (cold tyres)
103. 1:32.7 - Audi TT 3.2 quattro
104. 1:32.8 - Jaguar E-Type (modernised)[23]
105. 1:32.8 - Honda Civic Type-R (EP3-2004 Facelifted)[24]
106. 1:32.9 - SEAT León Cupra R[24]
107. 1:32.9 - Mercedes-Benz SLK350[25]
108. 1:33.0 - Audi RS6[26](actual lap not shown)
109. 1:33.0 - Vauxhall Astra VXR[15]
110. 1:33.0 - Mercedes-Benz SL55 AMG (very wet)(Jeremy Clarkson's)
111. 1:33.1 - Noble M12 GTO (wet)
112. 1:33.3 - Volkswagen Golf Mk.IV R32
113. 1:33.4 - Cadillac CTS-V (very wet)
114. 1:33.5 - Honda Civic Type-R (FN2-2007)
115. 1:33.5 - SEAT Leon Cupra 240ch (177 kw)
116. 1:33.7 - MG ZT 260[27]
117. 1:33.7 - Volkswagen Golf Mk.V GTI[24]
118. 1:33.7 - 2002 Honda NSX (very wet)[28]
119. 1:33.8 - Clio Renault Sport 182[29]
120. 1:33.9 - Holden Monaro (wet) (Pontiac GTO)
121. 1:34.0 - Renault Mégane 225[24]
122. 1:34.2 - MINI Cooper S Works[24]
123. 1:34.2 - Ford Mondeo ST220
124. 1:34.7 - Jaguar XKR (melted snow)
125. 1:34.9 - Ford Focus ST (foggy)
126. 1:35.0 - Volvo S60 R
127. 1:35.2 - Ferrari 575M Maranello (very wet)
128. 1:35.3 - Vauxhall Vectra VXR
129. 1:35.4 - Renault Avantime (tuned by presenters)
130. 1:35.5 - Fiat 500 Abarth Essesse SS
131. 1:35.6 - Alfa Romeo 147 GTA
132. 1:35.6 - Lotus Elise (wet)
133. 1:35.8 - Citroën C4 VTS[24]
134. 1:36.2 - Aston Martin V12 Vanquish (very wet)[30]
135. 1:36.2 - Renaultsport Clio V6 (very wet)
136. 1:36.5 - Honda Civic Type-R (EP3)
137. 1:36:8 - Subaru Impreza WRX
138. 1:36.9 - Alfa Romeo Brera 2.2
139. 1:37.0 - Mercedes-Benz SL500 (Ronnie O'Sullivan's)(wet)
140. 1:37.0 - Porsche Boxster (very wet)[31]
141. 1:37.3 - BMW Z4 3.0i (very wet)[31]
142. 1:37.4 - Honda S2000 (very wet)[31]
143. 1:37.9 - Saab 9-5 Aero
144. 1:38.0 - Maserati 3200 GT/Camboicorsa (very wet)
145. 1:38.2 - Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione (very wet)
146. 1:39.4 - Bowler Wildcat
147. 1:40.8 - Bentley Arnage T (wet)
148. 1:42.5 - Renault Avantime(later modified by producers, posting a time of 1:35:4
149. 1:44.0 - Overfinch 580 S (very wet)
150. 1:44.4 - Suzuki Liana(driven by The Stig in the 8th series, put on the F1 board, but not put on the studio lap time board)
151. 1:46.0 - Aston Martin DB5

Here's an incomplete list of cars and their Top Gear test track times, and sorry in advance it's so damned big:

The Power Board

65. 1:28.0 - Roush Mustang

83. 1:30.0 - Ford Shelby GT500

85. 1:30.1 - Vauxhall Monaro VXR (Pontiac GTO)

91. 1:31.3 - Vauxhall VXR8 (wet)[5]
should be quicker then all these. maybe a 1:27-1:26...

didnt they just mention that a right hand drive version will not be made? is it still going to be exported to other countries? if its a available there, then there is a chance it will be driven(but very slim). if it is reviewed it may be hammond doing it with clarkson driving a car to compare. this is at least how i would picture it being done.

should be quicker then all these. maybe a 1:27-1:26...
53. 1:26.8 - Chevrolet Corvette C6 LS2

I doubt the Camaro will be as fast as a car that's ~600+ lbs lighter :shrug:. And it's not like a Corvette is light but can't handle ;).

Realistically, it should fall somewhere between that 1:26.8 and the Roush's 1:28.0 :cool:.

53. 1:26.8 - Chevrolet Corvette C6 LS2

I doubt the Camaro will be as fast as a car that's ~600+ lbs lighter :shrug:. And it's not like a Corvette is light but can't handle ;).

Realistically, it should fall somewhere between that 1:26.8 and the Roush's 1:28.0 :cool:.
i think it will do better then the roush.

i think it will do better then the roush.

Here's (http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/tuners/112_0704_2006_roush_stage_3_mustang/index.html) a link to the Roush Mustang Top Gear were testing. Here's the performance specs for that car.


Roush Stage 3
Power 415 hp/385 lb./ft.
0-60 mph 4.6 sec
Quarter mile 13.0 sec @ 110.0 mph
Braking 60-0 mph 111 ft
Lateral G 0.93 g, avg


This was 2006 but MIGHTY close to what the SS Camaro is purported to be capable of doing! Very interesting!

I watched the one where they did the C6 Z06 and was pissed - their driver actually put it on the grass in one of the tight turns. If it would have stayed on pavement, it would have done even better. I think the fix was in, since they still ragged on it even though it outperformed cars six figures higher in price.

-Geoff

I'd love to see them have the Camaro on. But honestly, I'm over needing to hear reviews on the 2010 Camaro. I've sat in it, I love it. I'm already sold.

Worst

1) Horrendous torrential rain in England, where the car will be tested.
2) Getting GM to send 2 test cars to England.
3) James "captain slow" May
4) Comic anti-Americanism
5) Jeremy Clarkson (see #4)


i dont see how james may would be anything but good for the car. This camaro is much more upscale than the last one as far as interior and ride quality, and i believe he is someone who would love the car. I hope we get to find out.

You're thinking Ben Collins. He was rumored to be the stig.
And he may well be one of them.
The idea behind having the Stig masked is that they can use multiple drivers...its been stated a long time ago... but of course for the entertainment and mystery value, its never been revealed as to who they were...just rumors.


There is one driver that is the stig... I would like to see any evidence or stories that say otherwise. Ya there was the black stig, but white stig has been the same guy since the beginning. How could any of the lap times be truly comparable if different people were making laps from week to week...

I watched the one where they did the C6 Z06 and was pissed - their driver actually put it on the grass in one of the tight turns. If it would have stayed on pavement, it would have done even better. I think the fix was in, since they still ragged on it even though it outperformed cars six figures higher in price.

-Geoff

Looks like the show did it's job! Name another show that has the capability to elict that kind of emotional response, and be damn entertaining at the same time!

the Top Gear Test Track is also supposed to be in the full version of the next Gran Turismo game :D

the Top Gear Test Track is also supposed to be in the full version of the next Gran Turismo game :D

That's great! Just tell Sony to stop dicking around and release the damn thing already....it's been like 2 years since they first announced that damn thing!

Looks like the show did it's job! Name another show that has the capability to elict that kind of emotional response, and be damn entertaining at the same time!

I always thought the "job" of a TV show was to get you to watch, then buy the sponsors products. I won't ever be watching that show again. If I want to get pissed off about something being anti-us auto industry, I can just tune into c-span.

-Geoff

I think it would a be an awesome idea for them to test it! They are BY FAR the best car show on TV today I never miss an episode. They did like the Challenger although they did make fun of it's fake ram air scoops and faux carbon fiber striping however. But on the flip side they understood what it is.... a muscle car. Now we all know how much superior the Camaro is to the Challenger as far as driveability and styling, I really think they'll love it. The only thing I could see them maybe putting down is the dash styling.

I always thought the "job" of a TV show was to get you to watch, then buy the sponsors products. I won't ever be watching that show again. If I want to get pissed off about something being anti-us auto industry, I can just tune into c-span.

-Geoff

they have no sponsors, thats how they can get away saying some of the things they say, and why a US version would not be good. they talk bad about other non-US auto makers too. of course we will say the are wrong when they talk bad about us, just like the french say they are wrong when talking about their cars. its like rooting for the home team.

I always thought the "job" of a TV show was to get you to watch, then buy the sponsors products. I won't ever be watching that show again. If I want to get pissed off about something being anti-us auto industry, I can just tune into c-span.

-Geoff

They "rip" on the US auto's because they want to feel superior. (They are still mad about losing the Revolutionary War.)

If you ever catch the Top Gear on the Corvette ZR1, CTS-V, and Challenger SRT-8. You'll see that some American cars, they can't even rip on it, even if they tried.

Hammond fell in love the Challenger, just by looking at it.

Clarkston, tried to not like his corvette.... but that failed, because it reminded him of the old ferrari's (His favorite cars). At the end he began ripping on the new ferrari's, he liked the ZR-1 that much.

And May, tried to hate the CTS-V, that didn't work either. He went on a backroad and couldn't get enough of it.

I've got a great idea for a Top Gear special, or any other car show or magazine article for that matter. Get the '10 Mustang GT, '09 Challenger SRT-8 and Camaro SS, get them over to Europe and let the boys cruise them from Italy to Germany and run each of them @ the Nurburgring letting Sabine Schmidt drive them to show just how bad-assed American muscle cars really are! Now that would kick ass! :)