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Top Gear Australia premieres tonight

By Matt Brogan |

Get home from work on time, set the DVD recorder or have a stenographer take notes but by all means don’t miss the premiere of Top Gear Australia tonight.

lp560_01.jpg

Kicking off what promises to be the best Aussie made motoring thus far, the lads try out Lamborghini’s new 412kW “baby-bull” the LP560, interview self-confessed rev head Vince Colosimo as well as introduce Aussie Stig and all the new antics we’re sure will become Tuesday’s office conversation for many months to come.

TGA Episode One airs tonight at 7.30pm on SBS.


 
  • http://skyline The Salesman

    I have not been this excited since….I cant even remeber when.
    I hope it is the start of a long running series.

  • pg

    does anyone know wat the reasonably priced car will be?
    …better not be the holden viva/epica/barina

  • Pat E

    LOL, exciting indeed!

    The reasonably priced car probably will be some shocking Korean thing – A Kia Rio perhaps! hahaha

  • Jez

    Reasonably priced car is a Proton persona.

    Good thing I went onto this site this morning.
    I almost forgot about Top Gear. Silly me.

  • Pat E

    Persona huh? Should be interesting to see what they break first!

  • http://skyline The Salesman

    Pat E,

    The Kia Rio was ranked highest in it’s category by JD Power and associates in 2006, in front of all other sub compacts globally. The Hyundai – Kia motor company is now the fifth highest car manufacturer in the world, just behind Ford and in front of Nissan and Honda. Hardly shocking….

  • pg

    …persona?..sounds lame
    shuldve been an eb falcon, the spin outs would have been hilarious

  • Pablo

    Any tips on the stig’s identity???

  • http://skyline The Salesman

    Ha Ha,

    Grant Denya? He is shorter now so can fit in little sports cars.

  • Pat E

    Salesman,

    I’m quite familiar with the Rio, i work within a group that sells them. I wouldn’t rank is driving physics up there even though its sales volumes are. Just becasue you sell alot of something, doesn’t mean its the best of what its supposed to do. Have you driven one recently? Yuk

  • http://skyline The Salesman

    Pat E,

    You are right, the sales volume is there. I have read allot of independent research, positive and negative reviews.
    Budget priced, yes. Shocking, no, very good car for the $$$$
    I am off to Korea next moth to tour the factories, attend conferences, workshops, ETC. This trip was very impressive last year and year before that so I know they strive to impress.

  • http://www.caradvice.com.au/9708/2008-mitsubishi-colt-ralliart-review/6/ andy

    Lets see now Aussie TG fomat – CHECK
    Comparo used EB vs VN – CHECK
    HOW TO change lanes without indicating – CHECK
    Ciclework in a ute – CHECK
    Reasonable priced PURPLE EXCEL – CHECK

    Should be awsome compared to reality TV

  • Bob

    Spoken like a true Kia salesman.

  • VW_Freak

    Anything is better than floppin’ reality TV. Looking forward to this tonight! I reckon the overseas TG fans will be looking forward to it as well, it’ll be one of the largest ever shows to be BT’ed out of Australia.

  • http://skyline The Salesman

    Thanks Bob :)

  • Tom

    Funny how everyone says anything is better than reality TV, when Top Gear is turning into reality TV with all the shark hunting crap they go on with.

    Its funny with the UK hosts, not so funny with people we don’t know.

  • Pat E

    Salesman,

    Fair enough if it is your product to sell, you have to back it. Take a Fiesta or a Focus for a drive and its pretty easy to say the Rio is shocking.

    The Koreans Strive to impress becasue they are trying to expand, that still doesn’t mean they have mastered the art of chassis control and suspension dynamics!

    Anyway, lets get back to the topic at hand and not turn this into another slinging match :-)

  • http://skyline The Salesman

    Not looking for a slinging match. I respect your opinion.
    Pat E

    It is my job to have an intimate knowledge of the automotive sales industry; this involves studying and driving the competitors in the same market as my product, I frequent a few different automotive websites between customers. I don’t believe the Ford Fiesta or Focus is any better than what is coming out of the Korean factories.
    I also know it is nearly impossible to buy a bad car, standards are very high for all manufactures. Just my 2 cents..

  • http://faster DanMan

    ‘I also know it is nearly impossible to buy a bad car, standards are very high for all manufactures. Just my 2 cents..’
    Yeah agree with that (we usally do) subtle differnces like branding, marketing and runouts are the only varibles in the quality of cars these days..

  • SumoDog

    No guys, there are big differences between cars(quality,handling,performance) ,and not all is in the marketing. If you can’t tell the difference between Fiesta and Rio after driving both ,than you should retire immediately.

  • SumoDog

    It is quite easy to buy a bad car – just buy Kia !

  • Fiat Man

    The KIA’s have never been a great “car” but for what people pay for them new there not a bad mode of transport, considering the warranty they get. (you never see a KIA KAR KLUB) I’d rather a corolla even tho its over priced or a punto..

    I really hope the TGA show doesnt let me down like the magazine did. But in saying that i never liked TOP GEAR magazine either……

  • http://melbournejester.blogspot.com/

    I can’t wait for this Aussie TG.

    First thing they will review is the 40km/h zones and what supercar can get there first, 0-40 tests.

    Other nonsenses will be how to make an excuse to a TMU copper, and then he won’t bash you for doing 52 in a 50.

    TG Oz, what a joke, and if the show is good then the presenters will get arrested because everything is illegal here. God forbid they spin a wheel, cops will raide their TV studio and confiscate all their cars.

  • http://carAdvice The Salesman

    SumoDog Says:
    No guys, there are big differences between cars(quality,handling,performance) ,and not all is in the marketing.

    True sir, all true. Their is a difference between a $$14,000 car and a $20,000 car. Mostly though it is only that, the price. I have a Ford dealer next door to me and I often take my customers to see the Fiesta when comparing to the Rio, they can see themselves the Rio is superior in both drive and over all fit and finish. Please I encourage you to compare them yourself.

  • http://honda mustang

    Reasonably priced car , the holden viva , nice peice of garbage should be suitable

  • BMW

    after a shaky start i think its actually pretty good

  • Ra

    I gotta say – What is the point…………………………………………………………………………………..?

    The same camera lens filters, set design, bad forced acting & scripted comedy. Even the f*n texta colour when writing the celebrity times on the leader board.

    TopGearUK want their stuff back guys.

    Why LORD?

  • http://. Naughtyius Maxiumus

    Bit average to be blunt.

    Gr8 acting……yeah right! Why does hipster duffus long haired blondie say when taking drive in snow “I want to bring you 3 guys in safe” when he is only talking to 2 other people in car being hosts!

    Sort of barely ok and average wannabe neville nobodies with no depth of character or style! Mega average threesome!

  • Cupid Stunt aka No Name

    Hope you folk down under enjoy it. Do SBS stream onto the ‘net’?

  • Who is the Stig???

    Did anyone notice that Stig’s face was visible for a split second when the sun reflected into his face on a hot lap. Unfortunately I didn’t record it :( but someone that did could possibly freeze frame it.

  • http://. Naughtyius Maxiumus

    And as for blondie….he sounds like Rod Stewart and a rock singer gone bad who lost his voice! Guy who sat in Moke in water for white pointers is barely above other 2 wannabes! I really thought they were corny average and their droll dry humour was lax pathetic at best!

  • http://. Naughtyius Maxiumus

    Whoever scripts lines and mixes dryish comments into it really needs to lift game as fairly cod ordinary!

  • Gavin

    I just wish they didn’t try to make it so exactly the same.
    Even similar banter during the challenge.

    However i am so sick of the UK version I can’t actually sit through a episode any more. So this is actually a nice change. A lot more relevant to us aussies (who when it comes down to it have a much better car culture than the poms). Just try not to copy it so exactly and it will be a lot better.
    \

  • Tim

    Scripted, try hard, not funny, lame….no point.

    Crap.

  • Brett

    I kept an open mind, even though I had my doubts; but I though it was disappointing at it’s best and seriously lame at its worst. You cannot substitute scripted humor (I am being kind here) woodenly delivered by boring non-entities for the genuine wit and personality of the original. And which idiot thought it wise for the first major story to focus on soft-roaders? Hardly the high octane start we were all looking for.

    Shame they didn’t feed the whole show to the sharks.

  • Gavin

    I actually liked the soft road challenge.
    I would rather see something that is relevant to me, Than some half million dollar super car that i will never drive, racing a train or a rocket.

  • driver

    very good first episode! has definitely got me hooked. the host is well spoken and has a true aussie larrikin personality. the porsche trainer guy is suitably enthusiastic and energetic – seems to be able to represent the xbox generation (me) well. the shark story the cartoonist did was very good. the stig sequences were a bit rushed and i’d like to see an overhead view of some of the track as it’s difficult to get a perspective on the circuit. otherwise excellent.

  • http://carAdvice The Salesman

    I really enjoyed it. It just makes me proud to see Aussies up there. I thought we would come up with our own intro and set, to much carbon coping. Loved the driving, they didn’t pussy foot the cars like I thought they would.
    Give it time lads, let them find their feet and get to know their personalities.

  • Ian

    I tried to keep an open mind too before watching.

    But it just didnt work. They were trying to hard to copy elements of the UK show. They talked to one another like they had been doing this for ages…but it was their first show! There should have been more of a “first show” feel to it. Sort of like, getting to know them and each other. And yeah..whats with the soft-roader challenge? I wanna see V8′s or hot 4′s, not grandma and grandad cars.

    The only thing I liked is the production and camera work seemed pretty good, close to the standard we have to expect from the UK version.

    Was it me ..or was the race track a bit of a dud. There we not enough cameras around the track to give us a real sense of layout.

    It’s a real shame. I think SBS could have really did something great here, by taking the UK concept, and really morphing the show into something in its own right. Not just a lame knock off.

    I think I’ll just wait for the rest of Season 11 of Top Gear UK to start again next month.

  • pg

    forget uk topgear, this isnt even upto 5th gear level imo

  • Sam

    Just a show. Perhaps it will get better, we can only live in hope.

  • driver

    also wouldn’t have minded seeing some ‘aussieness’ to the set. ie, aussie wood table, maybe croc seats (although the greenies would have an absolute field day). liked the photo wall for its originality – more original ideas like this with an aussie angle please.

  • pinkie ponk

    I’ve seen a show on BBC which seems a bit like this, similar name me thinks, though the BBC one wasn’t so obviously scripted. I reckon they should not try and copy it so much, and actually put some content in, the BBC one lives off the “personalties”, whereas the Ozzie one’s personalities are still developing. Less flashy editing, bad jokes, and gimmicks, concentrate on the car, a bit more like ACA. You can get flashy/indulgent later if the new threesome develop some on-screen charisma.

  • Tim

    After an hour, I settled down and see the positives. It is the lads first show, soft roaders were excellent – much better than most of the $400 000 crap we see from UK and it was a bit entertaining with the shark thing.

    Though they didnt even say which soft roader is the winner, the track was crap – I have no clue of the layout, and the presenters are boring and are not very inviting to the show.

    Oh well, we should give it some time. I mean UK Top Gear was pretty bad when it started also, so lets give it time before we completely right it off.

  • Reckless1

    Bloody hell, it’ll want to get better than this overacted, self conscious drivel.

    I was so glad when I got a phone call half-way through, so I didn’t have to agonize through the whole lot.

    From the very beginning they lost me with their forced style, and driving perfectly good cars through salt water does not light my fire – it’s just plain stupid.

    And, Oh-my-God – did you see the “steep” sand dune they shat themselves over – bah, what rubbish.

    Episode 1 = FAIL, totally crap attempted DIRECT COPY of the real thing.

  • Azz Man

    Why the hell would you go to all the trouble of producing a show with an Australian flar, and then put a bloody
    want-to-be pom in the box seat.
    The first five minutes…crashing a rav4, lost all credibility.
    Lame Lame Lame, hope next week get’s better otherwise i’ll have to find something else to do monday nights.

  • SumoDog

    If you just want reliable, honest A-to-B transport at the lowest possible price, with minimal regular costs, the Getz and the Rio will do the job. However, for not much more money you can get a more contemporary, enjoyable and better built car.
    Colt,Swift,Fiesta, Jazz and Yaris are all much better cars.

  • Jimbo

    Top Gear Australia reminded me of those Chinese copy cat cars. From a distance it looks good, sort of like the original if you squint a bit. But underneath is a pathetic sh*t box.

    I was VERY disappointed. I was hoping for an original Australian twist on the concept that was only similar.
    NOT a practically identical nasty cheap copy.

    AND to add to this steaming Cow pat that was the first episode of this farce they choose a Proton Satria as the reasonably priced car?????????????????????

    I think I will continue to download the proper Top Gear from the UK thanks! Since SBS cannot keep up to date.

    The shark thing was an embarrassment and I hope that they don’t show any clips of that segment overseas, in any country.

    Every one deserves a second chance though. I hope SBS has a good rethink for the second episode because if things don’t improve fast I have a feeling this show will die very quickly.

  • Ra

    And just for the record Vince Colosimo is a loser and a wanker… They could have picked someone else surely.

  • smokin’r32

    Christ arent you guys just full of answers?? Give the show a chance, it took Top Gear UK 10 seasons to get where it is today. I hate how australians are so quick to bash something new and its cancelled before it gets the chance to properly develop. What would you rather? Another cop show? please…

  • BOSSCR

    Forgive me, but I havent read all posts as they all had the same/similar arguements……

    What we have to consider is that Top Gear is a Franchise, much like McDonalds and that Top Gear UK would have stipulated certain things that would have to be carried over into the Aussie version making them the same, much like every Maccas you visit.

    I too thought it was a bit rough, but will give it time as SBS’s recent airing of early Top Gear UK reminded me of how average the UK lads were when they started out….

    Give it time, Im sure they will either pull their fingers out or give it the arse, but in the meantime, Im sure everyone of us as car enthusiasts will watch it, especially next week to see F6 v GTS!!!!!!

  • SumoDog

    It was a good show. It is Top Gear franchise so it has to look the same ,otherwise i wouldn’t be a Top Gear.
    Much more relevant than UK one. It is only a first episode ,and it is going to get better.Can’t see what was wrong with Vince, top bloke.

  • Jimbo

    smokin’r32,

    A lot of the first show jitters are forgivable but the Proton is not! Also bagging the C5 with no mildly intellectual point in sight.

    And then the tough old school racing driver (character) stacks a RAV4 in the first 5 min while driving like a tool!!!!!!!
    I will give the show a few episodes to improve before I switch off. But for now the outlook is very grim!!!!!

  • Wheelnut

    Going by his driving style I think that the Stig could be Gentleman Jim Richards…. As his son Steve says if its got a steering wheel and an engine; Dad will drive it -
    if he hasn’t already.

  • Wheelnut

    The Salesman Says: September 29th, 2008 at 11:51 am
    Ha Ha,

    Grant Denya? He is shorter now so can fit in little sports cars.

    Thats Low and Not funny at all – At least Grand Denyer has a spine!

  • Genie

    Jimbo, I agree with you about the C5, but whats wrong with the Proton? The reasonably priced car is supposed to be near to the worst car on the market, the proton satria fills the role nicely.

    And I wouldn’t say he ‘stacked’ the rav4, its not his fault the things 4WD system sucks balls. But its a soft roader, the segment was supposed to show that they struggle when it comes to actual 4WD’ing.

    Overall I was happy with it, at times it was a little awkward or rough, but so was first season of the UK top gear, and that was with Clarkson who had years of experience on the original series of Top Gear, so he wasn’t new to the job. I reckon give it time, it’ll get a lot better. Its a bloody tough ask for them to pull off, and I think things like the C5 part kind of show that there is still work to do to differentiate the two versions more. In Europe the C5 is quite well known and Citroen whilst not everywhere have a decent market share, so bagging it off the cuff with no real explanation is possible because people are familiar with the car. In Oz where Citroen is almost non-existant, you can’t bag a car that is as rare as hens teeth and made by a manufacturer that has no real presence without at least a full review of the car first.

    And the track needs more explanation, some elevated camera angles would do wonders to show more of the layout, but other than those points, I enjoyed watching it, and thats what matters really.

  • billybob

    I watched Top Gear Australia with about 80 people in a pub – cos it was on the tv in the corner. Didn’t intend to – but the whole place just stopped and laughed and had a great time!

    It was the Australian feel of it that I liked – loved the sand to snow thing …. and the stupid humour of dunking a moke with sharks.

    Looking forward to next week!!!

  • http://porsche Millatime

    Well well well, what a disapointment that was. The Oz version is produced by the same bloke that does UK TG so I expected similarities, but I didn’t expect a complete carbon copy, but then again why shouldn’t it be?? It is TG afterall, so I can probably accept that.

    But what is much more difficult to accept is 3 blokes that are forced to imitate the UK hosts. Do we need 3 clones of Hammond/May/Clarkson? Those 3 work so well together, their chemistry and humour, they carry the show, so you will never successfully imitate their personalities, impossible – so why try? Our boy’s must be allowed to develop their own style, interactions and personalities if the show is to succeed.

    The most painful was the “Clarkson clone”, he was just bloody annoying to watch.

    God I hope they get it right.

  • http://porsche Millatime

    Also, round 1 to the GTR, 2 seconds quicker than the 911 DSG Posche – impressive!

    And heres a thought, for around the same money as the GTR you could pick up the HSV W427. But I’ll bet any amount of cash you can raise that the HSV is not 2 seconds quicker than the DSG 911.

  • http://porsche Millatime

    Oops, please insert the “r” in Porsche above!

  • Mixtmeta_iv

    Aww, c’mon! Quit bagging it, everybody! Sure, it’s a little rough ’round the edges but I’m sure it’ll polish up after a while. Give it a chance. It’s the best Aussie-made car show on…ever.

    Besides: it’s gotta be better than the soon-to-be-made US Top Gear.

  • Patsy

    Give them a break!

    Bloody better than most light entertainment crap on aussie tv today. I’d rather watch Aussie Top gear than Better homes and gardens or that sort of tripe.

    And as they are all saying – if you’ve seen some of the earliest uk top gear they were pretty crap too!

    I think aussie top gear will turn out all good – if you give it some time to find it’s feet.

  • Tomas79

    I reckon it was OK for a first show!
    Blondie seemed Natural, like he belonged up there!! The other two seemed a little too nerdie, the short guy was downright annoying with his high pitched voice, and try hard humor!!

    Anyway, i give them a few season!!

  • BMW

    After a few seasons i’m sure we’l all be looking back at the first few episodes thinking they weren’t that bad after all. The problem is our expectations were way too high.. even though we said to ourselves we ain’t expecting miracles the reality is after the original TG the bar is extremely high. In all i don’t think our blokes did that bad of a job, despite trying their guts out imitating their UK compatriots i’m positive as the series runs on they will find their own personalities, but at least for now they deserve a fighting chance.

  • slugger

    Barely ok, first show, it needs a chance. But the cast are pretty bad and the stories have no meat to them. The Maybach piece was rubbish and I fear symptomatic of the biggest problem the show faces – the car makers won’t allow stunts the way they do in the UK. Shame.

    Give it till ep 3.

    I have to say that all those people who say ‘give them time, it took TG UK ten seasons – no, it didn’t. You watch season 1 all the way through, it was good to go by about ep 4 and has been consistent since S2E1. Freehand just have to see what did and didn’t work and go from there. They broke a lot of fundamental TV rules which is pretty poor.

  • Glen

    They tried too hard in the studio, they seemed fake. But during the “challenge” when they were more themselves it was quite good. Whats the point of eing the 1st car show to have a Lambo Gallarado LP560-4 and not actually drive it. The dude with the porno mo seems pretty funny actually, especially when he banged the limiter on the limiter on the lambo. That little bloke pissed me off, you could tell his lines were scripted.

  • http://. Naughtyius Maxiumus

    3 ordinary characterless nevilles who cant crack dry humour or closely mix wit into the mix. There attempt at dry humour 95% of the time was as exciting as watching grass grow or paint dry. The lines the used at times must of been scripted by Kevin Rudd or someone totally irrelevant to humour and cars!

    The only thing that kept me in there was the cars and the hope they can nail it a wee smidgeon!

  • ZANDIT

    Yes, they could have done better, but I enjoyed the shark feeding time. A good twist on the Lambo would have been to show the previous model there to show the changes and maybe have a drag down the straight to show the differences. Blondie and the boys really have to tone it done a little and be more relaxed and less forced with less hand movements.

  • pious

    I thought it would be ordinary, and was pleasantly surprised. I thought the guys were pretty good. My only complaint is that you really didnt get to see or find out about the cars. I cant remember one shot showing the interior of any (unless it was an aside while one of the guys was talking). At least in the UK version they manage to splice in a few seconds talking about the car, its good points and bad points. Aside from the porsche, you really didnt find out anything useful about any of the cars. I am more interested in a car show that is kept at a lively pace by good hosts, than a show about 3 guys who just happen to drive around in good cars. Aside from that, though, a pretty good effort for a copy.

  • Hando

    I am not one to actually post, but after last nights dribble I have no option.
    I went in with an open mind and was left significantly annoyed. With due respect it was the first episode, so in theory they can learn from mistakes. But the list of paux-pas is too long IMO. Over scripted, lame attempts at homour, annoying presenters, no in depth insight into anything.
    It felt like they were given a replica script to TG UK and the crammed as much similarity into the 1 hour timeslot as possible. Get back to the basics boys, learn how to ‘mesh’ with one another and sack whoever came up with the pathetic attempt at humour.
    In short, it felt like the show was directing the lime light at the presenters, not the cars.
    3/10 – At least it can only get better…. *fingers crossed*

  • Bavarian Missile

    If we compare it to the original yep it was crap but if you compare it to any other Motor program we have had in the last 2 decades in Australia it was better than all of them…..lets hope it gets better and the guys are more them selves not try hard clones of the originals .

  • Oz.

    I agree BM. It may not be as good as the original UK series, but it’s sure better then any other crap car shows we get here like “The Car Show” which I’ve noticed they’ve been trying to copy some of Top Gear’s plot in the past, (when they wrecked that Ford Meteor) but not in a, lets say “humorous manor” like Top gear.

  • http://faster DanMan

    Well lets see. I didn’t even watch it all and i am a huge fan of all things Auto on TV. It wasn’t just bad compared to UK version but bad full stop. The editing was so sub standard and the production values were crap. did anyone even watch the rushes before airing the final version.
    Good luck getting anything more from Toyota after damaging their vehicle… Lambo go to the trouble of lending an LP560 and the idiot revs a cold v12 to the limiter. The hosts are terrible and either wooden or boring. It looked like they hated each other sometimes. Cant see any chemistry developing. Notice how so many people above cant remember the hosts names… that’s bad!
    oh yeah would an over head shot of the track hurt for god’s sake. how stupid was that. you are at an airport and no ariel shot WTF. The stig sucks too. his driving style was terrible…. *meh*

  • brett

    Comments can be sent to SBS:

    comments@sbs.com.au

  • Oz.

    What did I think the first episode?
    At the start when they were driving the small SUVs around the sand dunes at the beginning quickly got boring until the driver of the RAV4 (can’t remember which guy it was) went airborne and damaged the front end a bit.

    The 9-11 test after the first ad break was rather ordinary but when they got to the Stig part it was a lot better. It was funny when after he drove the Nissan GT-R around the course you suddenly see a Hummer limousine. That got a laugh out of me.

    I thought they could of used a different car for the celebrity challenge, it should have been a large sedan as you know this is Australia and they were copying the UK series too much by using a small size car.

    They mentioned the rare old car called the Zeta and actually put it on their “What Were They Thinking” wall. I’ve heard about that car once before, it’s a strange car, a bit like the Goggomobil Dart.

    At they end they finally did something good when they put that Mini Moke under the water with the sharks, that’s something very Top Gear-ish. I think that was being rather Aussie how they used a Moke and how he said the sharks grow the size of a Ford Fairlane.

    I would give the first episode a 6/10. The second episode might be a bit better with the Holden v Ford comparisons and the ute race around the mining. We just have to wait and see.

  • sad man

    I am so dissappointed in this first show…..it was sad to see three grown men try to be something they are obviously not tv presenters…..why not use people who know what they are talking about like dick johnson or any ex driver who has at least half a brain they could at least make the driving believable…….these three new guys are a joke GET RID RID OF THEM!!!!! we should be proud of OUR TG but these guys SUCK big time
    If they stay on try to be yourself not a clone…relax enjoy your job dont try so hard and maybe just MAYBE you might last a few more episodes.as for the cars you would have thought they would choose holden vs ford first to show we are ozzie and can do it right from the start.pull ya finger out do something original dont copy UKTG as you will never replace Clarkson/May and Hammond .

  • Simon

    Like many I tried my best to keep an open mind..

    Hosts – Terrible pathetic attempt to imitate the UK hosts

    Soft Roaders – Not to bad I really liked the RAV 4 going over the dune and nearly flipping

    Tassie Story – Very Top Gear UK however was missing the speed, in every shot the car went past the camera doing about 60kmh it seemed.

    The Stig/Track – Up there with the hosts as the worst part of the show – my mate with a handycam could have filmed better I have no idea what the track layout was and it looked narow and very slow. Surely this is place where we want to see the cars really fire.

    Mini Moke – Completly pointless story, is that really the best idea they could finish ep 1 with

    I’ll keep watching for a few more weeks at least however part of me hope it flops so we can get back to the UK episodes and never speak of this again.

    Maybe if that happens SBS could take a leaf from the book of their commerical cousins and “fastrack” episodes from the UK rather than hanging on to them until they are irrelevent and most have seen them on the net.

    Rant over!!

  • http://www.autoblog.com Wheelnut

    There are those who will compare the Australian Version of Top Gear to the Original UK version
    Yet to do so is like comparing a Lexus to either a Porsche or BMW M3 which is something a few people on this site also like to do….
    Its totally and utterly pointless because its very unlikely that you will ever be better than the original as its what people use as a benchmark and the one more people remember.
    If you do manage to equal the original it will only be after a lot of time and hard work.. Remember it took Toyota 50 odd tears to become number one in Oz despite their supposed high level build quality and reliability etc

    However; in Television as in the Auto Industry if something doesn’t wotrk after a season or two its usually axed.

  • sco

    felt like an extended preview of the series to me. there was a lot of material crammed in to a small time space, the review of the 911 seemed brief only focusing on on the PDK gearbox. The maybach segment was underwhelming too, surely the car has more amazing features than headphones in he back seat?
    The camera work was top notch, very TG:UK feel to it.
    the little guy was annoying, like a jack russel jumping around at the feet of the other two.
    As someone else mentioned, its a lot better to watch than any other lifestyle shows on, so give it some time. With time, we can hope that they ease into their roles better and the audience gets to know their personalities better.

  • Daniel

    What a great way to wreck a good show, Get a small budget and 3 lame presenters that try to compete with the real topgear, I wont be watching next week( actually i couldnt even sit through the whole first episode)

  • ShaunL

    Dudes, this is season one of TopGear Australia… go watch season one of TopGear UK and let me know if you’d give those guys a chance back then. It takes time for the presenters to get in the swing of things and for the show to develop it’s own character, you can’t expect magic straight out of the box.

  • Ivan

    One thing about the presenters is that they are not sarcastic enough. Dry british humour relies heavily on that, especially when Jeremy makes so much fun out of Richard and May with full sarcasm on their face.

    The only thing i find funny over the entire show is what the short guy said during the news about the victorian police using hummer: “They’re gonna put a cap in ur a$$”. That sounded like a geniune joke. You’ll notice that everybody in the studio was laughing only for that.

    The car coverage was not long enough. Make it longer and show the details. Use the track more often for the car review.

    One last thing. Show a picture of the test track from above. Or maybe look it up on Google Earth??

  • Oz.

    Okay Ivan, I’ll have a look on Google Earth. I’ll look up Camden NSW and look for an airstrip. (I think that’s where the course is)

  • Marcos

    ShaunL you are aBSOLUTELY CORRECT, if people actually gave them a chance and watch a few more i guarantee the hosts will get the swing of things, i mean im sure they will be taking note of some bloggs/comments sites on the 1st show, they would be crazy not too.
    I loved it except the nes on the couch bit, i didnt get any info what so ever, that needs to be touched up, apart from that i though it was good.

  • davie

    Fair Dinkum, some of you are pathetic tough guy armchair warriors aren’t you? Its easy being critical from the comfort and anonymity of a remote computer.

    I think its obvious that SBS have been screening old episodes recently to remind us how unpolished Top Gear UK was in the beginning (of the re-started series). Black Stig, James May’s unconfident segments etc.

    Remember that this was series 1, episode 1.

    I thought it was a good first episode. It had lots of positives, a good mix of stories relevant to Aussies but presented in Top Gear style. they will clearly focus on more than just V8 holdens and Fords which (news flash!)reflects the reality of the Aussie market. Those blokes are trying their guts out and deserve your applause.

    There are things to improve and I’m sure they will work on that. Clearly the presenters dont know each other that well yet. The little bloke is a bit noisyC. Vince Colisimo is an idiot and the test track is a bit of a mystery to the view. All easily solved over the next few weeks.

    Remember, its a lot harder to actually go out there and create something than to sit and tear it down.

  • BIG JIM

    It s good to finally have a decent Aussie motoring show. Being the first show there were obviously a few teething problems.

    Warren: Went well on screen and from his previous TV work (Peking to Paris and various short history programs) I know he has a good on screen personality.

    Steve: Has good potential. Especially when he develops his in car dialogue with the camera to say more than “ooh”, “aah”, “whoa” and “holly cow”, and adds things about the car. The Hammond equivalent.

    Charlie: His delivery will get slicker/smoother. An absolute Clarksonesque classic when he got major air in the rav4, good stuff.

    Production and Editing: Let the show down slightly eg. A better track view, more car flogging and speeding and letting the boys have there own personalities, instead of trying to make Warren May etc. would be better.

    Looking forward to the next episodes.

  • Not The Stig

    Overall it was totally lame. No chemistry at all between the hosts and at times I really felt a sense of Aussie cultural cringe.

    Please don’t follow the UK example of expensive performance cars – the should have used the Lamborghini in place of the Moke.

  • SteveC

    LOL, I don’t think anyone here would enjoy season 1 (I’m talking the real season one, first episode ever or Top Gear).

    I do, but I’m a freak. I even watched The Car Show and enjoyed the pain, only because I got to hear a car being gingered around some safety cones by Glen with the manufacturer standing off camera saying “slooooooower…. SLOOOOOOWER!”

    I watched the show this morning because it was my birthday, my wife took me out to dinner. I think my $65 steak was the better choice. But I hope the show improves.

    Steve’s jokes are terrible. He almost looks like he’s waiting for people to ‘get it’. How about get on with it!

    The Sand to Snow was an enjoyable segment. The rest was filler. Star in a bog stock car needs severe improvement.

    I hope it improves. It is their first ever show from people who have pretty much never been in the lime light. The next episode should spark some interest with the Ford vs Holden debate. I personally like Ford, I think they’re better built. But I think Holden will win it.

    Either way, lets just hope there’s more shenanigans, less crap jokes and better camera work. I hate how they make all these violent camera shakes and angle changes to make it appear like something is happening. It just makes me realise nothing is happening.

    I personally couldn’t wait till it was over in the last 10 minutes. I’ve never felt that way over TGUK. In fact, as painful as Fifth Gear is to watch, I have never been compelled to turn that off either. So, it’s a first episode for Top Gear AU, and a first time I have ever been so sick of a TV show that I have turned it off.

    Deep down, I hope it improves. I’ll still watch each week and I’ll support it until it flops. It’s still better than anything else on TV besides Top Gear UK.

    SteveC

  • pious

    I suppose that they are going to have a hard time finding Australian “stars”. When Ray Martin gets a run, it is time for me to tune out…

  • ZANDIT

    Wheelnut Says: “Remember it took Toyota 50 odd tears to become number one in Oz despite their supposed high level build quality and reliability etc”

    LOL wheelnut, I’m sure it was just a typo, but I reckon Lamborghini & toyota was crying a few tears after they got their cars back!!!!

  • BIG JIM

    Just had a look at the preveiw for next week on the TGA website sbs. com. au /topgearaustralia . It looks like a good episode. Ford Vs Holden, FPV vs HSV is a good thing. Its Aussie Top Gear we want to see Aussie cars.

  • Robj

    Get Rid of Steve and replace with a girl on the team. Someone with car/race cred and personality. How about Rachael Splat or Natalie Lownes? This would be unique and work much better (sorry Steve). Too much trying to copy the UK version. Need to add some unique Aussiness (like Deni ute muster, Bathurst 1000 etc). Warren Luff is the Stig, can see that…

  • Wheelnut

    If you’re looking for a Female co host then there’s also –
    Current Leader of the F3 series Leanne Tander;
    Former Brute Ute Racer Danielle A’giro or
    GT-P Race car driver Amber Anderson

  • Joober

    You need personality, just being a female race driver doesn’t cut it. Being female alot of charisma and wit (can take a mickey) will be needed not just someone who knows their cars.

  • http://dodge Marcos

    I am total agreement with both robj and wheelnut & put in any of the girls that you’ve suggested, i think that would be such a great combination and unique flavour to the show. Firstly get rid of that little pest steve, he is so annoying when he tries to be funny an noone laughs, he is exactly like a caffeine addicted fox terrier waiting for attention. Would love to see those two drongos replaced leave the old guy and should be a good recipe. But still like the format, i love cars anyhow, but thier is a limit on the hosts id put up with.

  • Jimbo

    Agreed, a lady on the team would be a refreshing change.
    However for me Steve is the one that I find the least annoying so I would keep him and ditch the others. Especially the Clarkson wanna be Charlie (same ego minus the wit or charisma).! And I’m no expert but isn’t this Charlie character supposed to be this top notch race car drive? He seems to be the worst driver of the bunch.

  • MisterTwo

    Did any one elso notice during the “Star in the bog standard car” interview the female audience members weren’t that flash? If you watch the UK Top Gear there are always very good looking women in the audience. Just an observation.

  • Bavarian Missile

    Ditch Charlie……….hes not funny and has bad hair! Hes wrecking every car he does a challenge in!

    They did it again revved that Ford GT cold last night just like the Lambo the week before!They call themselves car enthusiasts!

    MisterTwo I noticed the same thing,they also seem to be older ……..

  • pious

    Pedestrian effort, IMO, and I have been trying to give it a fair shake. The presenters are getting more forced, not less. Maybe they need some sedatives before they go on. Its almost cruel watching it!