Top Gear Australia – more than the manufacturers bargained for
December 8, 2008 by Paul Maric
Top Gear Australia (the television series) has reportedly cost several manufacturers a combined total of close to $200,000 in damages after shenanigans and stunts performed in an attempt to gain credibility and purport humour.
The Aussie trio went beyond the call of duty – not only roasting sets of tyres during burnouts and drifts, but also causing damage in the form of severe stone chipping, body panel dislocations and so on.
Damage caused to the Lamborghini Top Gear Australia were privileged in driving is reported to have cost up to $25,000. The Lamborghini worth around $500,000 was damaged during filming on their quasi test circuit.
Other damage also includes around a $30,000 repair bill on several Holden Astras which the television show needlessly crashed into each other during a game of car guided lawn bowls. Holden representative, Kate Lonsdale, has been quoted saying “All we will say is that it turned out to be a very expensive test drive”.
Other manufacturers have spoken ‘off the record’, claiming that Top Gear Australia will find it hard to obtain vehicles in the next series and that such behaviour will no longer be tolerated.
Average viewer ratings and a horde of unhappy Top Gear (UK) fans blogging all over the Australian internet leads to question the worthiness of a second series.
What are your thoughts?
Print it: 
When I saw these clowns rev the date out of the Lambo in the studio when it was cold I knew then they had no idea what they were doing?
No respect for others property!
After jumping on the band wagon and joining the countdown I would observe that TGA has only served to alienate loyal TG fans and make enemies with the motor companies.
As a TG fan, I can honestly say I did not gain a single piece of insight during the many episodes (and cars) that TGA test drove. The 4wd test drive was horrendous. I mean, how practical is reverse parking in a neck brace running over stuffed toys? This would be perfect for a kids show or anyone with an IQ below 10 but please.. This was pathetic.
The basic function of a car show is to review a car. TGUK not only does it, but delivers the message in an entertaining and intellectually stimulating manner. You can guage that the UK guys are actually doing you a service, adding value to your life by testing the cars for you. Warren’s review of the X6 for example was just the complete opposite. Anyone who has read the car description on Car Advice would know it is not meant for off roading. So whats the point in spending a quarter of an episode proving this point and comparing it to a Land Cruiser. What a Nut! I’d rather read CA.
Those who say they love TGA, ask yourself this, if you were an exec in a car Co. and TGA rang to ask to test drive your top car, what would you say? Pi$$ off that’s what!
What were they thinking wall.. what were TGA thinking in introducing this! Lame lame lame!
Presenters all disrespect the very vehicles they test drive. These boys don’t deserve to progress beyond the go-kart track.
Ok, I could go on. But won’t. I’m going to watch the real deal (TGUK) now.
I prefer the Aussie version. I for one don’t want to watch a bunch of British snobs talking like they have a pole up their arse.
KJ I think your head is stuck where the british put their poles…….
Qute [KJ]: I prefer the Aussie version. I for one don’t want to watch a bunch of British snobs talking like they have a pole up their arse.
For you to know what people who talk with a pole up there arse sound like implies that either you yourself have a pole up your arse [at this very moment] or it has happened to you at least once in your life.. so which one is it?
Alex – I think the reason SBS aren’t paying the bill for the damage they do to cars on TGA is because they are considered to be costs that are incureed during production and must therefore be paid by the production company.
SBS are the network who televise the show.
Channel 7 televise the V8 Supercars but they don’t pay for any of the repairs to the cars involved in accidents or the cost of transporting the cars around the country etc.. if they did Channel 7 would be out of business
Channel 10 didn’t contrbute anything to the costs of staging shows like Big Brother or Australian Idol etc that was all paid for by the production company – which is one of the reasons Channel 10 [in particular loves]
“Reality TV” because its so cheap…. for them.
I don’t get it. While I enjoy every minute of the BBC Top Gear, what’s the need of an Aussie one? Top Gear is Jeremy’s Top Gear, it can’t be copied. Maybe forget about the Top Gear name and create some other car shows? I will only reserve Monday evenings for the real Top Gear.
The worst part of the Aussie one, the three hosts aren’t even funny. Pretending to be stupid and behaving like idiots aren’t Jeremy’s humours.
Top Gear is Top Gear, and there is only one.
Ahhh….just watched another episode of TGUK….feels great to laugh again! Those poms are crakcers!! and the quality is superb, every review is awesome!
There is only one Top Gear.
I say bring on season 2! Yes the Astra stunt was over the top and down right idiotic, but how many thousands of dollars worth of damage have been caused on the UK series? You can’t expect to thrash a car and not have any damage done to it, wheather it be stone chips, tar and bug spots or in these guys’ case burnt tyres and some panel damage – it will buff out. Give them a break, what rev head can honestly say that they don’t get any satisfaction out of watching a car do a burn out. Plus we need to watch something involving cars while we are waiting on the latest seasons of T.G UK being made and I think T.G Aus puts a uniquely Australian Spin on the show’s formula.
Sound like TG Australia is going to have a car crisis in 2009! No cars, no show.
The Rav4 V6 was launched into the air and created a big bang when it crashed :|
I can’t believe the whinging about the TGA guys wrecking cars. Have any of you idiots even paid attention to the UK show??? I don’t see anyone complaining about the stunts they do.
What I found really weird is that I’ve met funnier people in Australia myself! There were far better tv show hosts, like Rove for instance.
Lox, my sentiments exactly.
What do you reckon the response would be down under if you wanted to test, say, the new Fiesta, for example, against a Corvette in a shopping mall, haha!
cancell it its not even reali aussi humour its more like a pile of wanna b tv presentrs thinking thier cool well heres the reality thier not kick em off air
Lox – I think youll find the main difference is when TGUK guys do road tests of new cars ists either one of them at behind the wheel driving around an english town or on a winding country road or driving across Europe on the high speed motorways whilst the other 2 try to beat JC to the destination using some other method of transport.
The Never use a brand new $150K+ sports car and crash it into another $150K+ sports car or do what it’s not designed to do… if there is the possibility of any damage; they create challenges using old shitboxes which are worht less than $1500 and virtually ready for the scrap heap anyway – like they did tonight with the ugly unreliable Alfas
Thats the difference!
@Safir, I hope you’re being ironic!
Quote [Safir] “What I found really weird is that I’ve met funnier people in Australia myself! There were far better tv show hosts…. like ROVE for instance.”
ROVE – Surely tou can’t be serious? [ROTFLOL]
He’d be one of the first I’d put in the “No Way” basket along with Darryl Somers Bert Newton and Glen Ridge etc
TGA has a problem that itis 15 minutes shorter on average than TGUK. This means that if they do a 3 way test as is popular with TGUK then they are not allowed to make the tests as entertaining and they try to condense funny instead of allowing it to be natural banter. As has been mentioned before the first 2 seasons of TGUK was lucky to have 100 people in the audience,the 1 first episode had about 30. TGUK has been going in it 2 incarnation since the mid 80’s so the BBC know that it takes alot to develop an idea. What needs to be done is a mix of TG and fifth gear now that would be a better way to go in the Australian market.
PS Clarkson and co probably do more that $200000 dollars damage to the French car manufacturers with their comments about the crap cars they make.
I cannot wait for the US,asian and russian TG versions to start so that you guys have some more to whinge about
Well I saw Rove Live back in 2000 and saw him host the mardi gras tv coverage too. I found him funny, dunno what he’d be like now. But he’s the only tv person I remember from my stay down under.
I reckon they should get rid of the “celebrity in a moderately priced car” segment in both versions of the show!! Replace it with another car review or something…
Also WTF was the Wayne’s stupid shark cage car, and the smart hearse all about?? I fail to see any point or humor in it?!! Atleast most of the crazy uk segments hav4 a point to it….
Safir,
I don’t see why rove is so popular, he ain’t funny at all!!
I reckon they should have used Merrick & Rosso, and or Eric Bana!! HEhehehe…. During the W427 review he could have done his “Poiter” Character!!
GET RID OF THEM! IT’S A CRAP SHOW WITH CRAP HOSTS! OUR AUTO INDUSTRY IS SMALL AS IT IS AND DOING IT TOUGH. WE DON’T NEED CLOWNS LIKE THESE BUSTING UP CARS BECAUSE THEY CAN’T COME UP WITH BETTER IDEAS. The UK series is all we WANT and need. Put these other clowns into retirement where they belong!
SamR Says: “No respect for mechanical components in any part of the show. An enthusiast would not trash his car.”
A true car enthusiast wouldn’t buy an Astra.
WVB The show [like most shows on TV] is made by a seperate production company not SBS… SBS is just the network that televises the show.
As I said previously Channel 7 show the V8s but they don’t pay for the $100;000 engines or the $60;000 gearboxes that get damaged or replaced let alone the $500;000 race cars after being involved in a crash do they?
I favor the UKTG because of the English dry humor about it. The Aussie guys lack the refinement and certainly have not yet earnt the respect from the viewing public. After many years of slugging it out, perhaps they will build better success. To expect instant notoriety on the back of UKTG would be a ridicules expectation. I hope SBS stands by the trio, it will take time.
If you don’t like TGA – don’t watch it. For the rest of us who enjoy watching it we can’t wait for season 2. It just keeps getting better and better. TGUK is only on for about 16 episodes per year. That leaves 36 weeks to fill with TGA and TGUS. TGA will develop it’s own unique style that will make it just as compelling as TGUK. In a few years TGA will be just as if not more popular in Australia than TGUK.
I don’t like TGA and only watch TGUK. But last time I check both show do the same style of “pushing” cars to the limit. If these car manufacturers rather advertise substantial budget for a few tv spots than a 15 minutes feature in a well branded car show. Good luck to them.
I know I’ve already written this, but I am pretty sure the BBC picks up the bills for all the damage the boys do to the manufacturers cars, why don’t the SBS do the same?
Memo SBS. Leave this tripe to the commercial networks, and do what you do best, quality television.
I think the reaction of the manufacturers to damage says it all re industry reaction to the show.
If Clarkson crashes a Lamborgini, Lamborgini would more than likely clap their hands and give him the keys to another one! They know that it means the people all around the world will be watching it, downloading it from youtube, and their potential customers will be listening to him for his opinion…. Clarkson’s opinion of a any new car can make or break its commerical success.
But when TGA damages something, its just a pain in the arse cause they have no credibility, and no one thinking about buying a half million dollar car gives a rats about Warren Brown’s opinion, or that of the other two saps.
The fact that holden is bitching about them damaging astras just says that holden doesnt think TGA will lead to any additional sales of astras.
Thus if no one values the opinions of those on TGA, then it shouldnt really be call Top Gear, cause it not anything like Top gear. Its just knobs messing about in cars in a unfunny way. You may as well call it something else and replace the guys with chicks in bikinis.
I agree it shouldn’t be called Top Gear either as its not of the same calibre…. How about Neutral or Reverse or even Car Jack’n Off?
David_T
I think you will find that no one thinking about buying a half million dollar car gives a rats about Clarkson’s opinion either.
For that matter anyone considering buying any car shouldn’t pay any attention to what Clarkson’s scripted “opinions”, on an light entertainment program, are!
This is NOT real motoring information – it’s entertainment. It’s all pre-scripted. Enjoy it for what it is, but don’t treat any of it with any credibility.
I think youll find the main difference is when TGUK guys do road tests of new cars ists either one of them at behind the wheel driving around an english town or on a winding country road or driving across Europe on the high speed motorways whilst the other 2 try to beat JC to the destination using some other method of transport.
- What about the times they spend on the track thrashing cars?
And how safe was the UK episode where they have trucks crashing thru a brick wall or getting caught on fire. I find these episodes hilarious but these guys aren’t being any better on their cars than the aussie guys are. If you can’t see this comparison you’re blind.
The Never use a brand new $150K+ sports car and crash it into another $150K+ sports car or do what it’s not designed to do…
- Neither have the Aus guys in any of the ep’s I’ve seen so far.
Seriously, gives the guys are break on the Aus show. Car companies can’t be that ignorant to the fact of what will go on the show, surely….
Bret, you are completely wrong. For a start, TG UK has quite a high profile audience and that includes a lot of people with money so they may well take his opinions or at least go and look at a car that he has reviewed because they like it a lot. It’s a very enjoyable show and that spans to people with large bank accounts I’m sure.
The beauty of TG UK compared to TG A is that a lot of it isn’t scripted and when it is, you can tell (anybody believe Jeremy rolled that car while driving it last night?). TG A was so obvious with it’s scripting and almost the whole show had obviously been previously written (probably because they had nothing interesting to say themselves). I think the thing with TG UK is that they are all very different people and they all have different views, but those views are not written for them unlike TG A. And before this comment gets any back lash, please people, the scripting was so obvious on TG A! Not on TG UK though. Clarkson, Hammond and May are all funny by themselves, they don’t need writers and I’m pretty sure they don’t have them.
It’s not the guys fault. They have been given a copy of an original formula from the US series and none has attempted any modification to Australianise it, or improve it in any way. I love the UK series, and I would love the Oz series if it was truly and Australian original, not a cheap knock off copy of another’s idea. Sorry guys nice try, but let it die.
One improvement could be to have something similar to the cool wall… but isntead of uncool through to sub zero; they could Australian-ise it and call it the s–t wall and classify cars from s–thouse or s–theaps through to s–t hot
And in terms of the Track – instead of using Bankstown Airport why not use a recognised [private] racetrack like Wakefield Park – near Goulburn.. the lap times are almiost the same and if they tested a number of cars on one day [prerecorded] it would cost less to hire/lease. Plus they could do a review of the cars on the way there and back
Warren Brown had a few things to say in todays tele and one of them was that TGA is not a car show that putters around the streets in a car just to tell you how good the stereo is! Its there to put the car through its paces and test its limits.(think he was having a shot at The Car Show)
And to those who think TGUK isnt scripted or set up, you truly are MORONS!
Take for example, last knights ep when they were driving the alfas into the judging area. there’s no way those judges wouldnt have known Hampsters car wasnt being towed, not only would they have been blind not to see the tow strap, but the fact his engine wasnt running would have been a dead giveaway!
And to those whinging about the damage to the cars. Not only did Clarkson blow a tyre on a VERY EXPENSIVE Bentley, that would have also caused damage to the paintwork etc. Dont here anyone of you ppl complaining about that!
Those of you complaining about the “reasons” they hate TGA seem to be praising TGUK for the exact same “reasons” and you sound like a bunch of hypocrites, just like my nieghbour who successfully lobbied to have my BBQ removed from the front patio cause she doesnt like the smell of a barby, very un-australian.
I do love TGUK, dont get me wrong. And , yes TGA needs a little work, like more critical assessment when testing a car or when comparing cars, what makes one car better than the other?
I reckon all TGA needs is a spit ‘n’ polish and it’ll have a nice shiny paintjob. FAIR DINKUM!!!!!!!!!!!
Wheelnut, totally agree with your ideas, lets lobby the powers that be, Freehand productions. Waduya think?
Falcodore:
You do realise that Top Gear UK receives over 1300 times the viewers the Australian version does?
That’s about 385-million (estimated viewership including internet downloads) versus some 300,000 on good weeks.
They also have the credibility and rarely perform such lame stunts like the lawn bowls *yawn*.
Top Gear Australia is an absolute joke, they need to go back to their day jobs.
BM, how do you know the lambo was cold when they revved it?you were there, were you?
Bengie, TGUK is now an international show thats been running for 12 seasons so you would expect it to have more viewers etc, that doesnt disprove anything ive said before, so maybe you should go back to your day job. Or try to do a better job than the TGA hosts can.
TGA is total crap. For example they had a Maybach on the show and the only thing I learnt was that it comes with headphones in the armrests. Thats it. I understand SBS had to make the show to keep the rights to TGUK but thats not a good starting point to make a tv show, just ask Channel 9 they made survivor here for the same reason another failure.
SBS grow some Balls and make this national embarrassment stop.
For once I agree with Thomas79. Thats gotta be a 1st.
Yep they were a little too heavy handed. Cuasing that sorta damage just driving a Lambo for an hour or two is ridiculous.
Anyway – go to BBC iplayer and see the latest episode where Clarkson drives a ne Fiesta off a landing craft ito a metre of water onto a beach with the car full of Marine Commados. Say no more but its the best yet.
Alex, how an I “totally wrong”?
If you are too bluffed to realise almost EVERYTHING on the TGUK entertainment program ain’t scripted, then that’s your problem.
It’s entertainment, it’s fun, it’s light hearted – but it isn’t genuine motoring juornalism.
If you believe something “because Clarkson said..” then you are a fool.
And I would also like to think that anyone able to spend half a mill on a car is probably brighter than you, and understands that Clarkson sprouts BS most of the time, because thats what’s entertaining, rather than concrete facts and information about a car.
(Maybe the “old money” rich might be an exception here though?)
LOVED THE SHOW,DID NOT MISS ONE AND HOPE TO SEE A 09 SERIES. WHO CARES HOW MUCH DAMAGE WAS CAUSED TO CARS, IT IS A VERY SMALL COST COMPARED TO WHAT GAME SHOWS GIVE AWAY EVERY WEEK DAY AND NO ONE COMPLAINS ABOUT THAT. THE COST OF REPAIR TO AIR TIME IS CHEAP.