Top Gear vs The Telegraph
Discussion
Not that I read the Telegraph, but it's strange how everything TG said they hated, the T said they loved!
Top gear used to be fun to watch when there were a few different, honest, opinions from people with different backgrounds... a car dealer, a racing driver, a rally driver, a journo etc. Now it seems to be about JC having his opinion and his todies agreeing with him. Oh well... it's fun to watch in a trash-tv kinda way, as long as your car isn't the one being tongue-lashed.
Last night all the reviews were extremely confusing. At the start of a review they'd say that a car was great, then terrible, then great again... the terrible.
Personally, I found the TG review to be informative enough about the C6 from just seeing it on the track. It performed admirably, but the new styling was just blahgh. Didn't think it 'looked' like a Corvette.
My partner, who's American and a long-time Corvette driver, disagreed, though, saying that all you had to see to know it was a true Corvette was the badge on the front, that 'Corvette' wasn't necessarily about the styling so much as the bang for bucks and the American dream, I guess...
Looked like a Nissan to me...
-kenski
Top gear used to be fun to watch when there were a few different, honest, opinions from people with different backgrounds... a car dealer, a racing driver, a rally driver, a journo etc. Now it seems to be about JC having his opinion and his todies agreeing with him. Oh well... it's fun to watch in a trash-tv kinda way, as long as your car isn't the one being tongue-lashed.
Last night all the reviews were extremely confusing. At the start of a review they'd say that a car was great, then terrible, then great again... the terrible.
Personally, I found the TG review to be informative enough about the C6 from just seeing it on the track. It performed admirably, but the new styling was just blahgh. Didn't think it 'looked' like a Corvette.
My partner, who's American and a long-time Corvette driver, disagreed, though, saying that all you had to see to know it was a true Corvette was the badge on the front, that 'Corvette' wasn't necessarily about the styling so much as the bang for bucks and the American dream, I guess...
Looked like a Nissan to me...
-kenski
I've watched the TG stuff again this morning (one benefit of working from home!) and I think it looks good, but I'd agree - a bit bland from the front...
But! I'd qualify to say that it looks bland sort of only from the front head-on... any peep at the sides, or the back and it's pure 'vette: coke bottle, big arse and two pairs of lights...
And let's face it: most people are going to be looking at from that end!
I think at the moment, I'd plump for a C5 Z06 over it, but it does look good, and I reckon in C6 Z06 trim, it'll be the dogs....
Now let's just hope the Stig can take that one round the test track!!! Remember, that "fast" C6 they showed last night is the base model!!
But! I'd qualify to say that it looks bland sort of only from the front head-on... any peep at the sides, or the back and it's pure 'vette: coke bottle, big arse and two pairs of lights...
And let's face it: most people are going to be looking at from that end!
I think at the moment, I'd plump for a C5 Z06 over it, but it does look good, and I reckon in C6 Z06 trim, it'll be the dogs....
Now let's just hope the Stig can take that one round the test track!!! Remember, that "fast" C6 they showed last night is the base model!!
Two quotes from the Telegraph which may have made Mr Clarkson's ears burn...
"a thunderous exhaust note that makes the Ford GT tested last week sound like a Scalextric car"
"Perhaps most noticeable of all is the feedback offered by the chassis; it was possible to sense the road surface through the front and the rear wheels, a degree of communication that is sadly lacking in the Ford GT."
-kenski
"a thunderous exhaust note that makes the Ford GT tested last week sound like a Scalextric car"
"Perhaps most noticeable of all is the feedback offered by the chassis; it was possible to sense the road surface through the front and the rear wheels, a degree of communication that is sadly lacking in the Ford GT."
-kenski
kenski said:
"Perhaps most noticeable of all is the feedback offered by the chassis; it was possible to sense the road surface through the front and the rear wheels, a degree of communication that is sadly lacking in the Ford GT."
But alas!
Like the story of the princess and the pea!!
This good-feedback-to-the-driver was too much for the TG team! They moaned they could feel too much!! Poor dears.
The irony is that the reviews have put me off the C6 purely based on the looks (how shallow am I?) but not off the Ford GT, which I really wouldn't say no to if someone offered me one!!!
The only thing that I find worrying about the Ford is the alleged 75 mile range on a single tank of fuel... I don't care that it's expensive to run, but I was used to being able to jump in my Corvette and drive to New Orleans without her needing to be refuelled... in the GT you'd have to stop 3 or 4 times on the way... each way!
-kenski
The only thing that I find worrying about the Ford is the alleged 75 mile range on a single tank of fuel... I don't care that it's expensive to run, but I was used to being able to jump in my Corvette and drive to New Orleans without her needing to be refuelled... in the GT you'd have to stop 3 or 4 times on the way... each way!
-kenski
Styling - I think it looks quite good, granted the front vista is the least good out of all of them. But I think pictures (even on the telly) don't do it justice - you need to see it in the flesh. I think the C5's look significantly less good in pics than they are when you appreciate how low and wide they are.
As for steering, Ford GT vs Corvette, how Ford could have messed up the steering I have no idea - normally cars without the engine in the front have the best steering feedback of all. I think, in reality, the investment in design time by Ford for a limited run car would be far less than that invested by our pals at GM, who were designing for a full production car. And lets not forget how much they spent developing the LS range of engines.... (£1.2 Billion if I remember rightly from Mr Jeals comments at the Nationals...)
I think it was a true comment about top gear, but hey, look at most of the media re: cars these days. I remember, back a long way in the past (early 90's I think) when Max Power was about interesting cars people had built. Hey ho...
As for steering, Ford GT vs Corvette, how Ford could have messed up the steering I have no idea - normally cars without the engine in the front have the best steering feedback of all. I think, in reality, the investment in design time by Ford for a limited run car would be far less than that invested by our pals at GM, who were designing for a full production car. And lets not forget how much they spent developing the LS range of engines.... (£1.2 Billion if I remember rightly from Mr Jeals comments at the Nationals...)
I think it was a true comment about top gear, but hey, look at most of the media re: cars these days. I remember, back a long way in the past (early 90's I think) when Max Power was about interesting cars people had built. Hey ho...
I like the styling, but anyone seen www.gryphonauto.com ? I know the person who does the designs, and is always looking for feedback, what do you people think of the designs? He is looking to put them into production.
z064life said:
I like the styling, but anyone seen www.gryphonauto.com ? I know the person who does the designs, and is always looking for feedback, what do you people think of the designs? He is looking to put them into production.
Fantastic! All have a much better front end treatment than stock. Any news on production/availability?
blackzr said:
I like the styling, but anyone seen <a href="http://www.gryphonauto.com">www.gryphonauto.com</a> ? I know the person who does the designs, and is always looking for feedback, what do you people think of the designs? He is looking to put them into production.
Fantastic! All have a much better front end treatment than stock. Any news on production/availability?
No news yet he is still designing the kits. He did sell the idea to a few aftermarket companies, none of which have been decided I don't think, one of which tried to rip his design so he has a legal battle. I'll ask him about price when I next talk to him (MSN).
It's easy to say that and it shows the C6 could be improved no end in the looks department but remember GM have to comply with hundreds of federal and world laws so far as construction and safety regs. I'm sure those designs or similar ones appeared on GM drawing boards before the car had to be sanitised for production.
Aftermarket kits seem to have no constraints on slapping on any old piece of serrated or pointed plastic with litle or no regard for any regulations. I understand this area of the law is to be toughened up considerably but until then, lets' not blame GM for having to comply with safety standards. There seem,s little rhyme or reason why manufacturers have to spend millions on passing SVA and construction and use only to have some pimply teenager turn their car into an offensive weapon.
Aftermarket kits seem to have no constraints on slapping on any old piece of serrated or pointed plastic with litle or no regard for any regulations. I understand this area of the law is to be toughened up considerably but until then, lets' not blame GM for having to comply with safety standards. There seem,s little rhyme or reason why manufacturers have to spend millions on passing SVA and construction and use only to have some pimply teenager turn their car into an offensive weapon.
jaytee368 said:
I agree whole heartedly with GJ. Fan-bloody-tastic.
Just goes to show what can be done with a bit of imagination. Something which is largely in short supply at GM, IMHO.
Lack of imagination at GM a bad thing? It could just as well be a good thing - if they were creative we could be talking about a car which looks much worse! Remember, the designed of the C6 was the same person who designed the Pontiac Aztec...
I understand the controversy over the C6, and think that the front air dam was in itself pretty unambitious. But the rest of the car is Corvette in looks, pace and character.
THe Mustang - if you have a good look at it there are some really clumsy parts of the design - like the Friday afternoon rear quarterlight. I think the C6 has the benefit that all the bits look like they 'belong' together even if some don't shout/sing as loudly as perhaps they should!
THe Mustang - if you have a good look at it there are some really clumsy parts of the design - like the Friday afternoon rear quarterlight. I think the C6 has the benefit that all the bits look like they 'belong' together even if some don't shout/sing as loudly as perhaps they should!
I agree, FranV8, but I believe the front was more deserving of attention than it seem to have received. I guess GM's effort on the 50th was a strong indicator that a not fully thought out finished product may be on the way.
That being said, I haven't seen the thing in the flesh, as it were and I know that some have reversed their "not impressed" views having seen and even sat in it. When I do see it, which may take some time while I'm stuck out here in Moscow, I can't say I won't change my opinion, I can say that I don't think I will.
Now the Mustang, again I haven't seen that in true life either but I will say I'm not surprised it isn't perfect, not absent of any flaws. F*rd, however, did get the message across... BIG TIME.
That being said, I haven't seen the thing in the flesh, as it were and I know that some have reversed their "not impressed" views having seen and even sat in it. When I do see it, which may take some time while I'm stuck out here in Moscow, I can't say I won't change my opinion, I can say that I don't think I will.
Now the Mustang, again I haven't seen that in true life either but I will say I'm not surprised it isn't perfect, not absent of any flaws. F*rd, however, did get the message across... BIG TIME.
I'm really a fan of the old classic Vettes but like the C5 and having seen the C6 in the flesh during a recent trip to the States I would say it is a fairly logical evolution. The short overhangs are even an improvement.
Regarding TG, I think Clarkson should go. He is overpaid and and over-opinionated. However, I did enjoy watching the TVR350 (my latest car) leave all the others for dead
Regarding TG, I think Clarkson should go. He is overpaid and and over-opinionated. However, I did enjoy watching the TVR350 (my latest car) leave all the others for dead
That would be just before the C6 trashed the TVR's lap time then....LOL. What an ironic turnaround...American car outhandles British sports car and then gets outdragged by it.
Still, most seem to think that the Honda beating the Vette is practically impossible and the filming looks altered mid-race. However, that issue aside, latest rumour is that the C6 Z06 will pack a 7 litre 500bhp V8.
Still, most seem to think that the Honda beating the Vette is practically impossible and the filming looks altered mid-race. However, that issue aside, latest rumour is that the C6 Z06 will pack a 7 litre 500bhp V8.
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