September 15th, 2008
After our recent visit to catch up with the guys (and the Stig) from Top Gear Australia, we had such a good time, we thought we’d give something back.

So we are giving away a Top Gear shirt and a Top Gear bag to one of our readers, but there is a catch. You have to come up with an idea for a Top Gear Australia segment.
The best idea will be sent to Top Gear Australia and depending on how good it is, may be used in the second season.

Keep it simple and realistic. Post your segment ideas in the comments.
The winner will be picked at the end of September.
Top Gear Australia will premiere on Monday September 29th on SBS.
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September 9th, 2008
Top Gear Australia Official launch

- words & photography Anthony Crawford

SBS invited CarAdvice.com.au and selected press to a secret location for “Hummers, Helicopters and Hot Laps” this afternoon, as Top Gear Australia was launched to the media.

The invite said “Your Transportation to the top secret location will be arranged…Please indicate if you are willing to participate in either.
a) Helicopter joyride, b) Hotlap or c) All activities” – enough said!

A Stretch Hummer is almost 10 metres long and can accommodate 12 people in relative comfort – including a fully stocked bar. They are an awesome sight on the road but not nearly as awesome as four stretch Hummers in convoy!

We arrived at a private airport Southwest of Sydney, but no one actually knew which building belonged to Top Gear. Try doing a three-point turn in one of these, in a confined space, without “Park Assist. That should be a challenge for a celebrity guest to perform in George Street Sydney, in Friday afternoon peak hour.

We pulled up outside a fairly non-descript aircraft hangar but just to the right, through a fenced off area, I could clearly see two of the show’s hosts, Steve Pizzati and Warren Brown beside a Pagani Zonda, Ferrari F430, Maserati Grand Turismo and the superb looking Audi R8.

This is a big day for SBS, BBC Worldwide and quality local production house, Freehand.
Next page…
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September 8th, 2008
Victoria Police have announced plans to use five custom built Hummer H3s in a new operation to tackle the weekend violence in Melbourne’s CBD.

General Motors’ Hummer brand will be loaning the five vehicles to Victoria police with media reports suggesting the cars will be ready within five weeks.
The concept is for the Police force to stand out and have a stronger felt presence on city streets. The idea has already been in the works for some time, however the announcement follows yet another weekend filled with violence that left a 24-year-old man dead and another seriously injured.

“The idea of going to the Hummers is that it’s about trying to measure visible impact so we’ve got to try to introduce something which might look different to our current fleet of vehicles. We want to be visibly seen and we want to make sure the police out on the streets are recognisable and that we do reassure the public that we’re there.” Asst Commissioner Gary Jamieson said
Will the use of more “stand-out” vehicles such as the Hummer have any noticeable impact on the alcohol problem in Melbourne?
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August 29th, 2008
Although we are told it’s top secret and we can’t talk about it, we couldn’t really help ourselves. TopGear Australia has invited us to a special day to meet with the hosts of the Australian show, Charlie Cox, Warren Brown and Steve Pizatti.

Of course, we will also get to meet the Aussie Stig and try our very hardest to figure out who he is, although we suspect he will not be saying a single word.
The invitation mentions such words as Hummers, helicopters and hotlaps so we are expecting a rather exciting day, TopGear style.
TopGear Australia has already begun filming and the first episode is expected to air in late September.
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August 29th, 2008
Yes, it’s official. SBS has announced that Top Gear Australia’s first episode will go to air on Monday September 29.

Charlie Cox, Warren Brown, and Steve Pizzati, who describe themselves as the “ugliest men to go on television” will grace our screens, along with the Aussie Stig.
So make sure you’ve got your hard-drive recorder, DVD recorder, VCR, or even your BETA set to capture the Australian version of the iconic Top Gear.
August 14th, 2008
Some say his skin has the texture of a dolphin’s, and that where ever you are in the world, if you tune your radio to 88.4, you can actually hear his thoughts. All we know is, he’s called the Stig.

But apart from being the preeminent driver of any car ever built (and some would say any yet to be built), the Stig doesn’t seem to live for any other purpose. So when Top Gear asked him (it?) to annotate his impressions on the new Nissan GT-R, he was happy to oblige….if he could use a computer, that is.
The result, is…well.. interesting. Click here to head to the Stig’s blog.
August 11th, 2008
Surely you are all familiar with Air Force One, the US President’s own personal aircraft - well now meet Cadillac One, the President’s personal limousine.

Believe it or not, this isn’t a new long-wheel base model from the GM stable for general consumption - this is a limousine being specifically built for President George W. Bush.

Well now that we have ruined the surprise - because of course the President is an avid reader - we can reveal a few of the details surrounding his new ride.
‘Cadillac One’ is a heavily armoured behemoth which our spies in the US speculate is based on the Topkick platform - a medium-duty truck chassis.

The test mule was being escorted by two regular Topkick trucks at the time these photos were taken and the wheels were identical; only reinforcing this theory.
A snapshot of the opened rear door - estimated to be almost 8-inches thick - reveals just part of the simply staggering level of protection designed into this one-off special.

Weighed down by so much armour, bullet proof glass and every other go-go gadget imaginable, it is powered by a rather large diesel engine - apparently with an exhaust note quick similar to the accompanying Topkick trucks.
Styling wise, it is a bit of a mixed bag from the Cadillac range, wearing the Xenon headlights from the Escalade while the front and rear seem to have some STS influence.

A final dead giveaway are the two small holes above the front wheel arches - for two small American flags.
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August 8th, 2008
In a blow to the automotive design community, Andrea Pininfarina, head of coachbuilding and design company Pininfarina, has died overnight in a collision.

Pininfarina, who was 51, was riding his Vespa scooter, when he was hit by 78-year-old driver Giuliano Salmi, on the outskirts of the city of Turin. The real irony is that he was killed by a Ford Focus - one of the vehicles his company was deeply involved with.
Best known for its work on Ferraris, Fiats, Alfas, and developing convertible versions of existing product, Pininfarina’s company has been a driving force in the motoring landscape of Italy.

So much so, that Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said in a statement Pininfarina was “the representative of a dynasty that helped bring the story of ‘made in Italy’ to the world.”
Ferrari head Luca di Montezemolo had this to say:
“With Andrea Pininfarina I have lost a great friend and outstanding business partner. Together we shared years of work and successes with the Ferrari cars he designed.”
“He was a man of great humanity and in this moment of deep sorrow my heart goes out to his parents, his wife, children, brothers and all his collaborators at Pininfarina.”
London’s Telegraph noted that when his death was announced, trading in the firm’s shares were suspended as a sign of respect.
His family also said his body would be taken to the chassis plant at Cambiano near Turin so employees could pay their last respects.
He is survived by his wife Cristina Maddalena Pellion di Persano, and three children.
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August 1st, 2008
Some say he never leaves his test track, and that a fear of aerodynamic lift means he can never fly on an aeroplane - but he does… and he has.

The Stig has been spotted in Australia recently, driving one of only two right-hand drive Ford GT’s in the world for the first season of Top Gear Australia.
Unfortunately the Stig was as elusive as ever, keeping his trademark white helmet on the entire time to hide his true identity.

It seems Camden airport in New South Wales has been adopted as the home ground for the local series, with the team reportedly using the main runway as well as a few of the taxi ways to create their own test track.
Thanks to LS1.com.au
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July 24th, 2008
Blasphemy! Due to high customer demand, Atom has developed a lightweight windscreen for owners who want to use their Atom on the road without a helmet.

The removable screen offers the convenience of typical open air driving at high speed and can easily be removed for optimum performance on the track.

The one piece screen is constructed from a composite glass surround incorporating a wiper, washing system, switchgear and wiring attached with five fixtures plus a quick release electrical connector.
“We believe in offering Atom customers maximum choice and being able to build a car that is exactly right for their use, from simply good fun to full on track use. The screen widens that choice, the Atom’s appeal to new customers and is the first in a range of options dedicated to keeping the Atom the best in its class.”

Needless to say this will be a welcome addition for current owners, given the face-warping nature of the Atom at high speeds, as demonstrated by Jeremy Clarkson.
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July 20th, 2008
It seems at least one employee at the BBC had their doubts over the performance of the new Nissan GT-R’s brakes.

A crew member of Top Gear Magazine allegedly rear-ended Japan’s pride and joy in an unsuspecting Audi R8 whilst shooting on the Isle of Man.

You will be happy to know however that this same GT-R was repaired in record time to make its official appearance at the 2008 Goodwood Festival of Speed.
Source: GTROC
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