Taking two city cars to the middle of the desert may sound like a dumb idea, and it was debated a lot in the Top Gear office.
There was concern some people might think it stupid to take two city slickers into the boonies. But we figured that was part of the Top Gear mantra: ambitious but crap.
When Warren Brown, driving the Smart car, led Steve Pizzati, driving a Fiat 500, into the desert (in case you missed it, from Coober Pedy, to William Creek, then to Oodnadatta to complete a 620km dirt road mail run) he literally did get lost within five minutes of town.
There’s no outside footage of the cars (only what you see from the on-boards) because the crew were waiting just 10 minutes up the road. They couldn’t believe the boys got lost so soon. After all, it was a straight road. Warren copped heaps for that, poor bugger. But as he would discover that was only just the start of the ribbing.
The flat tyre he later encountered may have looked like a set up but it most certainly wasn’t. It shouldn’t have shredded the tyre but poor old Waz didn’t notice the weird sensation of a rim running on the road. For several kilometres.
The Fiat 500 was supplied by Fiat Australia. Eagle eyed viewers may note the protective film over the bonnet to keep paint chips to a minimum. We also kept top speed to about 60km/h so we didn’t destroy underneath the cars. The Smart ForTwo was unfortunately the old model. We asked for a new model but Smart said a vehicle wasn’t available.
The car in the shoot was a rental. We trucked it from Sydney to Coober Pedy, drove it as far as it got, and then trucked it back.
It was not our intention to leave the Smart behind but we had no choice. The mail run was for real, and each town was waiting for their delivery (including the wheelchair for the Flying Doctors, text books for the School of the Air, and turf for the local golf course).
The style guide story (does a car really maketh the man?) used the same brain scan devices used in viewer surveys of series one of Top Gear Australia TV. You might think it’s Sci Fi but the people who work the levers swear it’s accurate.
The 4WD challenge ended up costing James Morrison more than he bargained on. He liked the old LandCruiser so much he bought it off the Top Gear production company. He plans to restore it. This leaves only Pizzati without an old banger 4WD (Brown has a trusty old Land Rover).
Four-wheel-drive experts will rightly argue we didn’t put the cars through the most arduous tests (the hairpin turn at the start of the story being one of the less challenging challenges, if that makes sense). But we were left with no option. We wanted to put a new LandCruiser up against a new Patrol, but Toyota didn’t want to risk what we might do to its vehicle.
When James said he wouldn’t go down the 80 degree slope in the last challenge, that was for real. The brakes had started to pack in on the old Cruiser and he and the production team decided to park it in the interests of safety.
The speed-unlimited Nissan GT-R took us all by surprise with its speed and lap time. We would like to have done more with this car but there was a feeling we’d covered it enough in last year’s series. Should we have done another, longer feature on the GT-R in Series Two or is the audience GT-Red out already? We’d be keen for feedback. (For what it’s worth, we can’t get enough of it, it’s a truly epic car. On the shoot day we did four 0 to 100km/h sprints and got 4.5 seconds each time without trying).
Also, before we go, next week is the last episode of Series Two of Top Gear Australia TV and, at the risk of getting too excited, we reckon it’s a cracker. All of the stories were done late in the piece, when everyone was on their game, and it shows.
It’s a bit random (a Porsche versus a horse, a Mercedes versus a Lexus limousine and the Underbelly star Gyton Grantley) but it all works as the presenters seem more relaxed and comfortable than ever. But the team has saved the best til last: the Phase III GTHO. Yes, it’s a real one (not just the number plates) and we drive it sideways (gently, on a wet track) and we Stig it, and take it to the mecca of Australian motorsport (and the one piece of road in the world it was designed for): Mount Panorama Bathurst. Bloody Pizzati. Lucky bastard.
So what did you think of Monday’’s show?
Just watched last nights Top Gear UK, phenomenal is all I can say with the upcoming series. Unfortunately I can’t bring myself to watch TGA tonight…sorry guys.
thanks for the update buddy
Its halfway through, this episodes alright, but really, i dont think anyone at all can compare this to TGUK.
Sorry guys.
This is probably one of the best Australian Top Gear episodes.
I really liked the “spike meter” test put to a very useful cause I can also see the point in using the Fiat and Smart car for better viewing pleasure but generally I think most will be buying a compact hatchback in the likes of new Mazda3 or Golf also the 4WD Land Cruiser v Nissan Patrol was well done and a big hurray for the Australian version of the Nissan GTR35 for being mightily quick.
there you are,look at jims post,doest watch the show and makes a comment,.personally i dont care if i never see top gear uk ever again,im over it,……f off tguk.and im sure if tguk had the same budget as tga ,it would be 100 times worse that tga.
The 4wd Challenge was c00l but u cant compare TGA to TGUK
im so sick of hearing this same tguk crap,i forgot to say tonighs show was bloody great.
sorry mate but spandau tango, If you hate top gear uk that much that proves that you’re not an actual rev head anymore and that everyone who is a fan of topgear would prbably hate you… sorry mate but these words have to say to a TGUK hater
lightspeed192.no ,there is only room for one tg in oz,pomy one is not it,..like i said ,im getting so sick of hearing how good tguk is when i think its just expensive rubbish.
Just finished here in WA. Overall good, but the truck on the track…guys, that is NOT a truck. Over here the average truck is 3 times that. And in fairness to the smart with no spare…in the circumstance msot modern cars with spacesavers would fare no worse.
Not as good a fifth gear.
Oh, and British top-gear
Thought it was really good tonight guys, well done. It’s really starting to look much better than it did at the start. I think perhaps James had every right not to go down that 80 degree hill.
This episode was not as bad as some at the start of this series but tonight’s wasn’t…..anything.
I don’t know how many people care that cars that aren’t designed for the outback don’t work well in the outback. Silly premise and should be funny but there could have been some jokes written for it in advance. No matter whether you like Warren or not, we don’t want to hear him go on and on and on and on in the car with Steve either. 10 to 2? Who cares? It just looks like filler. Good call on the sound effect of the dog attacking them at the end though.
The camera angles and editing are getting better. The 4wd shots were well done, if some of the challenges were cut a little short.
Have some jokes ready when you go to location. When James won a challenge in the 4wd comp and said he wanted a Wagyu steak, Steve should have said, “Yeah Wagyu too, buddy!” or something.
Not bad tonight, just not good either.
7/10
very entertaining show tonight. Lots of variety – loved the scientific experiment. Can’t understand the tradie scoring so low – they are worth their weight in gold when you are a home owner with a bent for renovation. I’d love to have one in the family. Good 4wd test and the small cars in the outback was an eye opener.
Keep up the good work guys. Can’t wait for next week.
Has Barnsey had a go in the Proton?
Yeah this was probably one of the better episodes this year, but I have to question the legitimacy of that worm test… or I have unusual tastes in men and cars.
Old bloke looked sleazy full stop, beach bimbo bloke looked better without a vehicle and I like tradies… Skylines are poser-mobiles for 20 year old tools, ute was masculine and the rest are “meh”.
Anyway, that 4WD track looked awesome, I wasn’t aware of its existence, anyone know where it is? Would love to have a belt around that.
Also, like Tony said, that truck wasn’t a road train, it barely looked like a B-double, try some of the real road trains that have 6 trailers. Those corrugations were piss weak too, not really a tough track ; )
I didn’t think I’d say this till next season guy’s but – best show so far, well done!
Only criticism is that I think the 4×4 challenge should have both been Toyotas, you know – old vs new?
“spandex” – TGUK is still the bench mark show. Live with it! But I will agree that people should not comment on what they haven’t seen.
I’ll watch TGUK later. Looks like a good show.
As Jim said, i watched Top Gear UK Season 13 Episode 1 tonight and i loved it, ive seen almost every episode now and i can certainly say they are consistant and just damn funny.
Top Gear Aus however? They are consistantly hopeless, it’s a decent show but it has nothing on the real Top Gear.
The usual flamers are here. Good grief.
I enjoyed the show. I thought the meter thing was good, however being Gay I was a little confused. Perhaps same characters, however instead of MGB., ute, Porche and Kluger…Stag, ute, Lexus and Tiguan…when your ready guys.
I actually had a job in Cooper Pedy in the early 80’s for about three months. I travelled the Oodnadatta track a number of times, usually in J Series or Sportswagon. The Sportswagons used to suffer. Within weeks of my being there one of colleagues was killed on the road. Very dangerous. The track has improved. Yep, liked that segment too. I’m amazed the Fiat held up.
GTR seg with Stig was great. A brute of a club car at an affordable price.
Like the critique of old car adds in place of ‘what were they thinking’. There is an early 70’s ad for Escorts that is quite entertaining, not to mention the ‘hey Charger’ stuff.
The 4wd segment was good. My family had an interest in a few sheep stations in the mid Flinders Rangers…the machine we found best in the 70’s amd 80’s in tight situations were the little Suzuki jeeps, predecessors to the Jimmy.
Format was good, Well rounded show. Well done.
Enjoyed the show. I just think that the interviews need to be shorter and more dynamic.
Also the stories really need to have an actual story line. A beginning, a build-up, a problem, a climax, the end. They just seem to end. A bit of sensationalism really can’t hurt – it is an entertainment show after all.
I enjoyed it very much. Best TGA yet.
Don’t take the criticism too hard. A show like this has to earn its following, and I think its on its way there.
Cheers
The show is slowly getting better. The presenters are trying too hard. Be more natural boys!
Very good episode guys! The subject matter was interesting throughout, and the presenters did a great job. Only downside was the lack of wrap-up/conclusion to some of the segments. Overall though, a very nice job. Please maintain this quality (or better!) for all future episodes!
TGA and fifth gear are okay but in a different class to topgear UK.
The TGA presenters are trying 2 hard to copy the personalities of jezzer, captain slow and the hamster. however the latest TGA was okay.
For once i agree with spandau tango- stop winging about tga it is really obvious that most punters on here have not seen some early tguk, they are BAD!! clarkson is unwatchable!
What is it with oz fans – put so much crap on it ,then when it becomes popular -oh yeah the shows great!!!
Sounds like the same bunch that were sure webber would flop again.
#19 “will” – Most people are amazed that the FIAT could withstand the Aussie outback, don’t be. I knew all along it would do well. A while back I drove my 74 FIAT 124S right up the guts of WA from Perth to Broome via mining towns and picturesque gorges. 2500km’s of corregated dirt rd, no A/C! It sang as sweet as Pavarotti. People in the outback were curious since they never seen these cars there before, and yes I couldn’t help myself and told them it was a classic Ferrari.
So when I saw the FIAT 500 in TGA I knew It would make it.
A few more comments on the show:
The presenters looked more relaxed and the show flowed better because of it. There was less SHOUTING and the guys seemed to be more natural and it didn’t appear to be scripted as much. Probably should have described the cars in more detail.
Its unfair to compare it to TGUK, that is the pinnacle of all car shows. Try view TGA as it is, an Aussie car show and when you do that this episode was the best when compared to all other Aussie car shows. Its rapidly getting better now. I hope the sensible critisism here has helped.
Biggest load of crap ever , Trying too much to be like the UK Get your own set, idea’s, stig,
Oh & the presenters …… Need i go on
the sooner this crap is off the air the better .
I would rather watch paint dry !!!!!!!!
This website sucks. The original website (UK) was better.
Even a Fiat 126 would go further in the desert than a Holden (Yank rubbish made in Oz)
The Stig – its a franchise of TGUK – therfore I dont think they have CHOICE but to have a set like TGUK – its like telling a McDonalds franchise not to Put McDonalds signs up.
For everyone that Criticize TGA – you are entitled to you opinion – but – spare a thought for the presenters who are trying their hardest, and comparing it to TGUK now is not right – TGUK wasnt so great when it first started either – infact i watched one the early epsidoes and it was boring as however as years have gone by its become one of the best car shows to watch.
TGA doesnt have a massive budget like TGUK – not yet anyways – but give it time – the guys and the producers are probably still getting their feet on the ground – its only season 2.
Negavtive comments and bagging isnt going to do much for the show it also just goes to show how UNAUSTRALIAN some people are – you should be SUPPORTING Australian made – not bagging the Sh*t outta it – where’s your Australian spirit?
To the guys at TGA keep it up guys – one day i have no doubt this show will be a huge hit here in AUS. Till then keep up the good work – its been a MASSIVE improvement since Season 1.
Aussie Pride!!!!
I’m currently downloading the orignal top gear sry guys I can handle this Australian copy. To people like spandul and TGA fan and to all those other people that blindly support this show because it’s “Australian”, It’s not! Lets get some “Aussie Pride” and support our own writers actors and personalites with their own new ideas and not copy overseas shows because they are popular.
Getting better, dont do the fake argue too much, and lose the lame jokes, make the show about the cars.
I’ve watched every TGA episode so far – and if we’re to generalise – the word “boring” kinda sums it all up. TGA is always going to struggle against TGUK on every level no matter who fronts up the aussie upstart – I mean James May flew to the edge of space in a U2 spyplane recently (wow!); given TGA’s formula (copying with a aussie slant the UK show’s format)are we going to continually see some ‘lukewarm’ dilution of what Jeremy, James & Richard get up to? Also – given that TGA will not benefit from vast broadcasting rights (as other global networks buy into the show) like TGUK – a better strategy would have been to not call it TGA – but something completely different like Hot Wheels and start with a blank canvass rather being constantly fighting for screen credibility….
Cant wait for TGA to end so that we can watch TGUK
Too much Larakin. They cant all be buffoons
Not enough intersting aspirational cars
Lacks substance and depth and as a result the show comes across as shallow
Series II is a dramatic upgrade! I love Warren’s new role too. But each TG Challenge lacks adventure and suspense as well as not building each presenter’s character. We know Warren would pick a funny old car, Steve a fast car and James something in between – yet they are never given the freedom to choose a vehicle themselves and compete to provide that adventure.
Build upon the personalities of the 3 presenters, add some real competition and Series 3 will be fantastic!
Rubbish Rubbish Rubbish again. Please we want TGUK back on SBS.
Whoever this ‘Spandau Tango’ guy is up top, who’s bagging Top Gear UK, go shove your head in a bucket of water. Or prefably underneath a lawnmower. While it’s going.
I briefly saw some TGA last night, and the only part I did see was James trying to copy Jeremy. For God sake TGA. GO AWAY!!!!!! Oh well it makes watching Proper Top Gear UK all the much sweeter.
steve called the GT-R a skyline but it isn’t.
they should have tested the old land crusier
against a new mitsubishi pajero 3 door. it would have been a better and more fair test
Ideas they come up with for the show : Some good ones.
Presenters for the show: Horrible!! (Warren is o.k but i can’t stand Steve and James!!)
What i think SBS should just do is put TGA on another night and put TGUK on normal time. I don’t care if they are repeats!!! I just want real TG back on. I don’t care if TGUK has MP/H instead of KM/H and Pounds instead of AUD$. Series 2 is defenetley a HUGE improvement compared to Series 1 but Series 2 of TGUK was ssssooo much better.
GT-R’s rule they are so awesome. i want one so bad
that ep was alright but not really good because i watched both the 1st ep of series 13 of TGUK and that… it was awesome! I thought when TGUK came to Australia for TG live they could’ve gave TGAU advice on how to be a better show and all that
TGA SUCKS. Sorry about being so harsh guys but I had to get FOXTEL so I could watch the real Top Gear (UK) of course. Thanks a lot for stealing the SBS timeslot on Monday 1930hrs (AEST)! TGA should be aired…oh I dunno around…NEVER o’clock. (Well maybe 3am). If the hosts of TGA (whoever they are) would stop trying to mimick Clarkson, May and Hammond, maybe it wouldn’t be such a try hard show. U guys always do something the UK guys have done to go along with your own pathetic challenges etc. Same goes for the TGA Magazine, which I unfortunately bought the first few issues of. I had really high hopes for TGA, but you guys lost me at the beginning and I don’t have much time for TGA. Very lacking in every department. One more thing, stop staging your bloody jokes and one-liners on the show, yes…we can tell and I actually feel embarrased for you guys! You guys really aren’t funny like C, M and H, so don’t try and impersonate them. Hate to be so harsh, but TGA could have been so much more.
SPANDAU TANGO, YOU ARE A DICK!!!
Harsh but true, Spandau tango, if you enjoy TGA then thats great. But don’t ever disrespect TGUK!!! Best motoring/entertainment/co medy/action show on the planet. You obviously have no idea about quality programming!!!
to right
Why is TGA still aired on TV. Get rid of this crap, kill it off now!!! (Or at least kill off those idiot hosts, can’t stand any of them, pack of tryhard wankers).
BRING BACK TGUK
BRING BACK TGUK
BRING BACK TGUK
BRING BACK TGUK
BRING BACK TGUK
BRING BACK TGUK
BRING BACK TGUK
BRING BACK TGUK
BRING BACK TGUK
BRING BACK TGUK
It’s hosted by a cartoonist, a bugler and a driving instructor, how much worse ca it be???
they should have had an Australian Correspondent, and slowly introduced the idea of TGA over say, two years. Then launched something off with the input and direct studio involvement of Clarkson, May and Hamster.
I would suggest that SBS get their heads checked… And read the majority of the above feedback.
I am a Pom and have been watching the UK Show evolve since 1988… TGA makes me want to play the arm violin with a Gillette mach 4.
Please SBS, Giz back the good stuff Guv?
Youv’e taken a step backwards guys. That test was crap, whats the point, not even funny…
no no no,sbs should stop catering to a few angry foul mouthed poms,like the idiot who posted 45,USE YOUR OWN NAME COCK,YOU LOW LIFE CRIMINAL,THIEF,DONT EVER BLOG AGAIN USING OTHER PEOPLES NAMES.
RAtings down again this week to [02x07] – 510,000.
Thanks god TGUK is back n FifthGear!!!!
jlt007,DONT MAKE A COMMENT IF YOU DONT WATCH THE SHOW.
Look spandau tango i’m getting pretty fed up with u too, i mean if someone didn’t watch the show but still following TG in general then there is nothing wrong with them commenting.
They’re just expressing their opinion being a potential TGA watcher (if the show was any good) and making it known that currently the show sux shit.
And anyway most people who watch TGA i’m sure will admit that they do so because they initially watched TGUK.
Just cause u like a shit show doens’t mean the potential 600,000 additional SBS viewers who watch TGUK should have to put up with TGA.
get a comfortable couch instead of those ugly chairs for the celebrity driver.looks like they just found those chairs from some other set and said that’ll do, also let james do the interview
the guys need to relax more still its getting better
the new boss is great ,the show is a lot better. and iam looking forward to the next episode and the best car ever made the ford xy gt. go get them boys . ps i used too work 4 river abilities and loved the gopher race , y not do a hot up on them things cause they can really hall arse with a bit of effot and they are great fun
Put the worm back on a case-to-case basis for some tests and reviews guys, could generate a lot of debates plus viewers to the show…
…can you also review a comparo test about Korean cars ( Hyundai i30, Cerato ) versus Japanese cars ( Mazda3, Honda Civic ) versus European cars ( Volkswagen Golf, Citroen C4 )
Top Gear Australia mag is a good read…well done. The first TV series was very poor, although the current series is a big improvement…. keep at it, may be a liitle more polish and less ockerish.
look caz your self,how fed up do you think i feel ,reading posts from communist poms who cant handle freedom of speach,and free media ,yea its ok to bag tga but you cant tguk,…if you can dished it out you better learn to handle getting it back,.
they should do a race like the poms
I enjoyed it. The female meter result was very surprising. I would like to see more budget challenges though, like the UK boys do it – $1000 bangers etc.
I reckon TGA is getting better, so far heaps better than first series. But i think it would be cool to see some old sports cars tested, like old xy gts, and monaros, maybe some classic jap stuff like hachirokus – be sweet to see steve drift them. The old ads for cars are cool. I used to love the challenges in TGUK when they were each given about 1000 pounds and had to buy an italian sports car, or an alfa and race them. I think it would be good to see some classic cars given some credit for how they can hold up against ’some’ of todays cars. But it was a cool segment on the land cruiser
An entertaining effort. This second series leaves series one in the dust. Keep up the good work! Can’t wait to see the GTHO being driven by Steve and the (non Schumacher) Stig. You are competing against a stiff benchmark, but James Morrison is a real asset to the program, and deserves more up front time, as the equivalent of Clarkson.
Good stuff guys. Show is getting better with each episode. If you compare TGA to other crap thats on telly and not to TGUK your doing a bloody good job
Come on guys, give it up. Trying to replicate JC, RH and JM is just a waste of time. Try something you are good at – sleeping
I think TGA is getting better but you need to show more enthusiasm, show some eagerness and interest is the everything.
spandau tango i think u’r idiotic, hypocritical comment in not being able reply to the substance of what i wrote shows what a racist, small minded dumbass your comment makes you look like.
All i can say is TGA ratings were down this week, as the trend has been for the whole series. Thats a fact. Ppl (including non-poms) are voting with the TV as to how much they want TGA on their screens. Fait accompli.
Personally I think they guys are just not suited for the job, they are trying to hard to be people they clearly are not, seriously, no matter how much you know about cars…a professional trumpet player? Great musician but shit presenter. Steve is pretty much just a looser… he tries hard but really knows nothing… warren… is tolerable. the best out of the three, but still annoying, if they hadn’t used the Top Gear name, I think this show would have been axed in the first season, possibly even after the pilot ep. SBS really needs to do another search for presenters, Heck even maybe a new stig…Bold statement, but this stig…I dunno…just really doesn’t cut it with me. I normally tune in and watch it religiously, but with the TGA on…I normally don’t care. Give up the game. If TGUK had this much negative feedback. It would have been axed by now. Get new people. Try new things. Don’t copy. Be original.
caz,you are the idiot,are my posts the only ones you read?there are many people who want tga to stay.i think there are only a few tguk supporting foul mouths around ,and dont call me racist,did you not see the episode when tguk went to USA,?if i was a yank i would have shot them in the testicles with a 12 gauge shot gun.so what is your problem with people who dont like tguk,do you have a mental illness,are you in a padded cell?are you pom?like the other tguk supporters ,u did drop the word[non poms]so i guess you are pom,so are you running oz down for a bit of fun.
Again spandau tango if u read my posts i never said ANYTHING against the people who don’t like TGUK. i simply said that most people would agree that they were drawn to TGA through being TGUK viewers.
And i’m not a pom if u care, but again i think its pretty narrow minded of you to think that all who don’t like TGA poms when in fact i think u’ll find, like me n my mate, that Aussie actually dislike the show as well.
Unlike you though I don’t have anything against poms. I just think that as a fair minded Aussie (born here to make it clear to you) that we have to admit that TGUK is by FAR a superior show in any way.
My point is that why should we always accept second best in Austrlia. Why should we be willing to accept an inferior product? I mean all that TGA has done so far is copied TGUK, why doesn’t it show some originality that all critics of the show have been crying out for.
Simple – quit the crappy ‘big’ stunts, more car reviews, more car news, car comparisons etc.
If anything a sesious cut in the TGA budget (maybe 50%) immediately would do them some good. They would have to pool their money to a few specific feature films over a series and force them to improve the quality of the actual show rather than trying to wow audiences with hacked together features/stunts that cost alot but are badly put together.
Well there’s my rant for the week
THANK GOD NEXT WEEK IS THE LAST EPISODE. DIE TGA DIE DIE DIE. DON’T EVER COME BACK ON MY SCREEN
Personally i think spandau tango should be thankful that a few of us out there actually care about TGA and the TGA site. I suspect that, as Caz said, others are just voting with their remote.
I just find the presenters make me cringe, the stunts are just dumb and the show has no chemistry whatsoever. You asked me for my opinion and you have it. Please show TGUK 13 soon.
This was the only properly good Top Gear Australia episode. It still can’t compete on even the same scale as TGUK, but is worth watching. overall series 2 is much better than series 1. The worst thing about this show is the way that everything is so forced and scripted. For example, when Pizzati smashed the glass on Warren’s car, Warren knew it was going to happen and had stepped off to the side prepared the camera angle. After it happened he did a horrible job of pretending to be surprised. If this were TGUK, it would have happened, but not been scripted, or at least they would have done a god job at faking it. You should make series 3 not air it, and then come back for series 4, when everyone is relaxed and funny. Also do a proper race, like $1000 car race from sydney to darwin or something, with stops in the towns for challenges and at one point they each get to customize their cars (Like the Porsche challenge from TGUK).
Spandau tango, just relax mate. Don’t get too worked up about wat people are saying. I posted above on #44 so you can see my opinion on TGA (and it aint great). I personally don’t enjoy the show at all. You’re obviously passionate about TGA and thats great, but others are equaly passoinate about TGUK (myself included). So how about you take a chill pill and stop embarassing yourself champ.
Lose the hosts. Get some ex racers to host the show. Or even a couple of current ones. Try for a Russel Ingall, Glenn Seton & Craig Baird. If it’s going to be people with no credibility you might as well get 3 people off the street to do it. James is better than that Cox idiot was but still not up to task. Change the track. It’s boring to watch on tv. Might be ok to drive on but I could go to sleep through a power lap & not miss anything. At the least the camera work needs massive improvement.
The challenges still need some work. That Smartcar on the Oonandatta Track was just crap. If you want to test the bloody things then test them. I know roads worse than that track within 50km of Perth. The smartcar was never tested. It got a flat. Thats no surprise in the outback. It seems the two cars were tested to see if they would get flat tyres or not. I didnt see anything else get tested other than the dust seals. Big news guys, Landcruisers get flat tyres too.
Overall the presentation of the show is getting better & the hosts have better chemistry, but they just aren’t credible. Get some real drivers & a mechanic to host. Get rid of the stig too. He doesnt seem too good. Put a known driver in there & let us know who it is, then we know the car is really being pushed. Might be no mystery to it but these hosts couldn’t give a good intro to the stig if thier lives depended on it. So it’s no loss to know who the stig is.
Overall it’s getting better but there is still a massive amount of work to be done on quality.
Well said Jas. Spandau does have the tendency to get worked up over the little things.
you guys are Ok but can u finish ur series so we can watch tguk its so annoying
Introduce the news segment. There’s no problem about copying the UK version, this is Top Gear isn’t it? Just make it interesting and news pertaining to Australia. There’s so much happening in the car industry these days, much speculation, come up with some facts for the viewers.
I aggree with some posts here about dropping the tacky stunts, their bad. Thats why people are (wrongly) comparing it with the later series TGUK.
Also when driving/reviewing a car the presenters should give us some info on it that most viewers wouldn’t know. Like when James was driving the Jag XJ120 in S13-E1 he said, amongst other things, that the engine in that 1949 car was the same engine Jag used in their cars up until the 1980’s. Regardless of whatever car show we watch, the viewer wants to know new things about the car. We all know how great a Lamborghini looks and sounds but when Steve drove one in the Melbourne challenge he told us nothing we didn’t already know about it.
I hope that TGA continues to get better as it has since S1. For the guy’s posting here their hate for the show – don’t watch it if you hate it so much and stop posting. We’ve read it before and don’t need it repeated a million times, just leave. For those that like the show and have some “contructive” critisism please continue to share this so the show improves.
I’ve said this before and i’ll say it again, please sbs keep making tgoz so we can have some local content with local cars with local conditions to watch, if the others don’t like it they can simply push the button on the remote and watch
something else like friends or the 7:30 report or what ever other crap is on because if it has top gear on it i’ll be watching it, and guess what we get 2 top gears where as pommy land only gets 1 so enjoy YOUR TOPGEAR GOD DAMMIT!
Sorry but I just cannot get on with the program in its current format. Its just so “me too” and certainly I respond with the remote as suggested above, but if it was a better offering I would watch it for sure.
I guess it is easy to make comparisons between a mature program like TGUK and a new one ala TGA. The suggestion of motor industry professionals on the show is certaily credible, but often those sort of people make worse presenters that the people who are there now, just look at business owners who advertise on TV – cringe.
TGUK has certainly got it made in terms of interesting and accomplished presenters, who have great chemistry between them (mentioned above) and probably a huge budget that SBS could never replicate.
Also TGUK has a variety of locations close by i.e. Europe, that provides such wonderful opportunities for an abundance of different types of planes, trains and automobiles. Lets face it there is only so much that you can do in a desert where one dust cloud is very much like another. What is the point of testing obviously urban cars in an environment that they are clearly not intended for? Who in their right mind would buy a Fiat 500 for the depths of SA? A roo is a quite different prospect than a hedgehog to run over.
Australia certainly needs a credible (that word again) motoring show and the TG model would appear to be right, but with a high degree of originality.
Why not organise a driving competition using the studio cars between all 6 presenters on both circuits Oz & UK and see who comes out best. Surely SBS could cough up for economy fares to UK and back…..?
I found the way to make TGA bearable – DON’T WATCH IT! I tried this idea on Monday night show and it was great – I enjoyed every minute of it! Can’t wait for next weeks episode…
@James (Comment 32). Australia is BUILT on franchising, including a fair amount of overseas effort. McDonalds and The Good Guys are two examples of popular franchises, one American and one Australian that have, rightfully, done well.
What amazes me on this forum is the level of whinging. TGA may not (yet) be as slick as TGUK, but I’d defy anyone to name a better Australian-produced programme. Packed to the Rafters? Overrated and formulaic. 20 to 1? Err, No. Millionaire? Franchise! The Footy Show? Erm, actually that’s quite good, even thought I’m not a footy fan myself.
I know these forums can be full of flamers, but I think the whinging Aussies need to take a look at the lack of quality in their home-grown effort and see that this franchise is raising the bar for the rest.
I have a complaint — not with the TV show but with the May mag. My edition was incomplete. The printer mislaid the last 30 plus pages in the New Car Prices section. This is the second email I have sent and I would like a reply. My email address is philirvine@optusnet.com.a u or mail at 7 Kepnock Road, Bundaberg Qld 4670. My name should be on the contribution/recipition list as my daughter gave me the year subscription over the past two years. I would like a reply. Thank you.
Top gear australia…sucks
top gear UK…RULES
They have the budget, the studio, the cars, the audience and the stig, but the presenters are rubbish. There are SO many great australian personalty’s who could have made this show at least enjoyable to watch, but instead they went with what-his-face, who-the-F and the guy who was replaced by trumpet dude. Look at your demographic SBS and explain your casting logic. Bring back TGUK and like the Leyland P76, take TGA out of production.
Caz you and me are now buddies. It’s good to see that there are normal people who like proper Top Gear UK, unlike some dumb ass (spandau tango). Yes he or she or whatever it is can like TGA, but someone with such a bad taste shouldn’t diss proper Top Gear.
o sheeeeat i give up, im going to watch tguk ,stuff tga.
ned kelly would turn in his grave…..
TGA, well it’s not very impromptued like TG UK and no one really laughs at the jokes. I recon TGA will get better in the following years when the hosts have some time getting more use to the idea that it’s meant to be funny and following the script isn’t always going to be best.
Yeah, last TG Australia episode this Monday! Bring back TGUK!!!!
Warren you are such a bone head
Are you seriously that stupid to take a car without a spare tire
Read some book like how to drive for dummies, Page 56 paragraph 5 “make sure it has a spare tyre”
slightly better then 1st series, but still way off being able to compare it to TGUK. the show needs to change, change the name, the format. stop trying to copy TGUK and people won’t be campaing the 2
Second series (S.2)was more enjoyable with some really good moments and much much easyer to watch than S.1(S.1 was like finger nails on a blackboard at times!) but as TG-AUS will never have the budget of the UK program I think TG-AuS needs to re-read its mission statement then spend,write and plan wisely. I think the chemistry between the 3 aussie hosts (Now)works and should mature as the next season comes to air. I think the next series will be a very important one if TG-AuS is to be considered successfull and live up to its ToP GeaR name……Here’s hoping.
TGUK will always be original show.TGA is
our version,but at the end of the day is a franchisee of the uk show.as time progress’s along our TGA will grow to be
just as good as TGUK.4 any pom who has never been to australia,before you go making any smartass comments just remember
WE CAN SMELL YOU ALL THE WAY FROM AUSTRALIA!pommy baths need i say anymore?
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA TGUK AXED HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAH YOU A HOLES SHOULD HAVE KEPT YOUR MOUTHS SHUT
caz and the rest of you,suck on it……………
you really got a problem mate.poms n aussies been givin cheek to each other since the first fleet came to sydney 200
years ago.all in good fun,but after reading your comments lighten up.like i said before both TGUK TGA are both good
shows everyone should see it as having the best of both shows.spandau tango you are like a parking spot.ALL THE GOOD ONE’S ARE TAKEN THE REST ARE HANDICAPPED !!
holden babe,but the poms wanted tga taken off and replaced with tguk reruns ,i was just about the only one defending tga.
ok spandau tango thats all you had to say.no need for the nasty stuff.we can all have our say without attitude.thats what this site is for after all.
There’s a movement to radically change California government, by getting rid of career politicians and chopping their salaries in half. A group known as Citizens for California Reform wants to make the California legislature a part time time job, just like it was until 1966.shows everyone should see it as having the best of both shows.
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