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The Top Gear MEGATHREAD!!!!
- Thread starter edesignuk
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5th gear, they're talking a skoda something-or-other and a golf gti round their track...backwards. WTF is the point of that. They try to be creative and do slightly 'wacky' things like top gear, but it's just nonsense.
What about Vroom Vroom? Sky-One's attempt at getting all their other presenters to do an extended, watered down version of the Top Gear "zaney" sectionedesignuk said:
iGav said:
Have you actually spent any amount of time in the new XK? The interior quality leaves the Aston in the dust and that's before you get to overall reliability. The top of the line Alpine stereo is worth the price of admission alone just a slight step up from Alba
What annoyed me was the way JC said that the car didn't have any new technology in the interior yet all the radar controlled cruise control, voice integration, Bluetooth, keyless entry and ignition features that he showed off in the S-Class are available on the Jag. I have to admit it is one of the finest interiors I've had the pleasure of sitting in, it is like TG magazine pointed out the XK's interior and computer interface was designed by a mac user the Germans all use Windows.The XK isn't flawless but it is a fantastic car. The supposed high speed instability is something of a joke, the car was tested to destruction at amongst other places the Nurburgring, not a place you can get away with a 'dangerous stability problem'. Sabine Schmidt, a cracking german bird
, also gave it her thumbs up.The cars that they tested didn't seem like top of the line models so I wonder whether they were fitted with the CATS suspension pack. It makes a big difference. I can't wait for the XKR, for Jaguar this was all about creating a car that was more alive... a true sports car and they've done that. They are not going up against Aston Martin directly (both being owned by Ford) although the XK will undoubtedly take sales from them. They are gunning for BMW, Merc and Porsche. The 6 Series is fast but highly flawed and generally disappointing. The SL is a very solid car but it is all very German it has no soul what so ever. The Porsche 911 is probably the finest handling sports car in the world, the old XK could never compete it was solely a GT car. The new XK combines a superb touring ability with the fun and handling not seen since the first XK's and racing E-Types. It offers a genuine alternative to the 911 and if the old XK was anything to go by will get better and better over the course of its life.
I make no bones about it I am a life long Jag fan, Aston's hold no appeal for me what so ever. This XK does connect, it won't appeal to everyone no car can but as JC summed up it has that special something and in everyday use it will reward like very few others.
Just watched the new episode, great as usual.
I certainly was not surprised with the CCX's time, I had a feeling it would easily get the top spot. I don't think the Bugatti will even beat it, if it goes around the track. The Bugatti is around 2,000lbs heavier, and only has about 200 more horsepower. I think the CCX will be #1 for awhile.
I certainly was not surprised with the CCX's time, I had a feeling it would easily get the top spot. I don't think the Bugatti will even beat it, if it goes around the track. The Bugatti is around 2,000lbs heavier, and only has about 200 more horsepower. I think the CCX will be #1 for awhile.
psycho bob said:
It's actually funny you should mention that, I was given a tour of the Whitley plant (my Mum lives in Whitley, I'm there at the moment) not only 2 weeks ago, by a good friend (though I do actually have relatives that work there, Peugeot too, hey I'm a Coventry Kid after all) that I was at University with (he studied car design).
And though I haven't yet driven one (can't say I'm all that bothered if I do actually) I did get to sit in one, and I maintain my original opinion that the interior is...
iGav said:
And I told him that too
psycho bob said:
I'm no fan of Aston Martin that's for sure (see earlier in this thread), I'm most critical of their failure to take risks with their exterior design language for example.
But... I disagree that the interior of the new XK leaves the DB9 or indeed the Vantage in the dust.
Both of those models exhibit a rare attention to detail with regards to not only the overall aesthetic, but also the choice of materials in which it is realised... both of which seem completely absent in the XK's interior.
An example is the differences in how Aston and Jaguar have approached the way in which they integrate the Sat-Nav screen, in the Aston the screen is hidden when not in use (itself forming part of a beautiful single piece of wood) Or the attention to detail that can be found in the starter/power button, itself formed in crystal, but exhibiting similar characteristics, functionality and behaviour to the power button found on Macs, compare this to how Jaguar solved these problems, NO such attention to detail and design can be found ANYWHERE in the XK interior.
My comments regarding ALBA, are not to be intended to be taken in reference to the in car hi-fi
but as a general comment regarding the poor quality of plastics used in the interior, the lack of cohesive, innovative design and the general archaic feel to the interior.psycho bob said:
Do you mind if I vehemently disagree with you on this one. heh
, I know of NO car company that approaches interior design to anywhere near the levels of detail that Audi do for example, (maybe Volvo occasionally, especially with the S40/V50 but that was a high point, the rest of the range falls somewhat flat).The XK interior is archaic, gaudy and poorly realised... littered with switches in ergonomically poor or just plain aesthetically displeasing positions that offer a poor visual counterpoint (buttons by the door handles, steering wheel buttons for example).
The centre console functionality has been so poorly integrated, that aesthetically speaking... the design itself completely fails to visually intergrate at any level with the interior in which it is placed (see how the DB9 interior solves this problem, with the integrated CD slot, billet dials, hidden screen etc) which further exacerbates the overall lack of quality and attention to detail.
psycho bob said:
And there's nothing wrong with that fella.
psycho bob said:
They don't for me either, though I can appreciate the lengths they went to, regarding the interior design of the DB9 and V8 Vantage, especially considering the Vanquish is arguably the worst interior, or any car ever. heh.
iGav said:
I guess it just goes to show how design touches people differently
My only experience of the DB9 came at a motorshow around the time of the cars launch when I was lucky enough to recieve an invitation from the company. Without a doubt it is the finest Aston for a long time and deserved of the winged badge. The DB7 was basically an updated Jag XJS and the Vanquish fast but too flawed and lacking in that special something to really make you want one. The interior of the DB9 quality wise is top notch but I find the layout out fussy and counter intuitive. Yes the screen folds away nicely but I don't want an object perched on the top of the dash like a cheap add on when I need it.
My neighbour bought a new XK convertible in red (Radiance) with Caramel leather and Burr Walnut trim and the finish is top notch. On a par with the DB9. There is hardly any plastic, far less than on just about any car I've seen below £100k. The Jaguar approach to the monitor/computer is to make it integral to the interior (much like the S-Class/BMW thinking) and driving experience. It really is a joy to use and so straight forward. The main reason to tuck it away on the Aston is because there are already a tonne of switches all over, the look on the XK is very clean. I have to disagree that it shows no attention to detail, the design of the interface to the general position of switches is first rate designed for the optimum driving position. If you actually count the number of buttons on the dash of the DB9 you will find it has far more than the XK's.
Audi's interiors are well thought out but it is only the A8's that really feels special, the rest are just very robust and useful in a German sort of way. Some though, I emphasise the Q7 at this point, are IMHO just ugly and clearly positioned to target the US market where they have been well received.
The Aston and Jag interiors are just very British, you either like them and buy it or you buy German (possibly Italian). As they've said on TG and on just about every review I've seen you cannot sit in and drive an Aston or Jag and not feel special in it. Both companies know there target markets for such models and aim for them. Aston are really aiming for the high end Porsche, Lambo and Ferrari markets. Jaguar compete with the big German 3 and the likes of Lexus. The improvement in quality over the past decade combined with the traditional Jaguar qualities does offer something unique. No car rides as well as an XJ on UK roads, it is a supremely comfortable yet engaging car.
At the end of the day the DB9 is not competing with the XK yet they are two of the most attractive cars of their type currently available. The Aston costs around twice the price of the Jag, is it twice the car? Is it hell. At the end of the day it doesn't really matter, people like different things. I love the new XK to bits and I think anyone who is after that type of car will feel the same way.
LOL I can breath again now
How in the world did I not see this thread?!
I thought he was just guest hosting that one show? I tell you this, top gear is the only thing keeping me going this week. Man has this been a hard one.
James May rules.
MacsRgr8 said:
I thought he was just guest hosting that one show? I tell you this, top gear is the only thing keeping me going this week. Man has this been a hard one.
James May rules.
xPismo said:
Yes, just this week's show. Sorry if I implied otherwise.
BTW, I am with you... I also had a very tough week, and am looking forward to coming Sunday.
All 3 rule
Without one of the three, Top Gear just won't be the same. But JC still is my favourite.
yg17 said:
Why should it, why should any programme have to give up it's slot for 22 men kicking a leather ball around a field. I hate it when Top Gear (or any other programme) was not on because of snooker or something like that. If the BBC can take one programme out for sport, they can take another out for one of it's flagship programmes.
Pyrus said:
I know, I hate that.
Not sure about the UK, but in the US, we have like 5 ESPN channels and a Fox Sports channel, and other networks still cancel regular shows to air a sporting event.
I can't count how many times Fox Sunday (Simpsons, Family Guy, ect) was delayed due to some damn NFL game that I don't give a crap about and belongs on a sports channel.
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