I just watched last night's episode (with the new Jaguar XK and the traffic radio show). I have to say I was (again) surprised to see how Clarkson concluded that the Jag is in fact better than the BMW 650i, even though the latter is cheaper, more powerful, better built and has THE best engine in the world (BMW's 5.0L V10). The only thing going in favour of the Jag were apparently its looks, although personally I don't care too much for it. The first generation looked much better, this one reminds me somehow of a Mazda MX5 (and not of an Aston Martin, as it does to Clarkson and others!).
It is beyond my understanding how he can say that a car (the Jag XK) which tends to lift off at 130+ mph, is made of cheap materials, has the same old 4.2L V8 as the previous generation and is stacked with old guages and buttons inside, is actually better than the 650i, just because the German opponent doesn't look as good (I do agree with this with him, the 6-Series is downright ugly!) !?

Other remarks:
The radio show was actually funny, nobody should have expected the three of them to take things too seriously. I loved it when, an hour into the preliminary meeting, James May said "Actually, I don't understand any of what's been said so far!"

Poking fun at the "European" Cadillac was entirely justifyied. Why did Cadillac think that offering a re-badged, re-shaped Saab at a higher price than its BMW, Mercedes and Audi competitors was the right way to gain some market share in Europe?! Bad move, people!

All in all, it's always fun to see TopGear back on and The Stig breaking the record lap times of former Formula 1 drivers!

 

Doug got me a copy and I watched it yesterday. Fabulous (although I want to see the one where Stig crashes the konig). When JC was talking to Stig about his time, I was busting out laughing at work from it, just because jeremy seemed like he acctually expected a response.

Oh yeah and the Z06 was a great clip. I didnt like the Jag however, sure it looks great, but the sound was horrible from the exhaust. Maybe it was just the clip I had, but I wasnt impressed. The AM v8 vantage is much much nicer in that area.

 

Scott, I completely agree about the sound of the Jag. It could have been the sound on the computer, but I didn't like it.

I liked the Z06 clip, those parts of the show are one of my favorites with him cooking around the corners. I was impressed he got it up to 170mph on the runway starting in 5th.

 

I'd really love to see JC put the Z06 against the Ford GT to see how they compare. I know motortrend or someone did it and it was really close, I'd lvoe to see them do it just because I know they wouldnt let advertiser money get in the way of an honest opinion.

 

is the episode on google video yet? my network hates bittorrent so i have to try and find it elsewhere.

 

http://media.putfile.com/Top-Gear-Z06

 

that was so cool....love the sound of it!

 

I'm pretty sure the 650 gets a V8 that isn't quite 5 litres, despite the name. The M6 gets that V10, but this one only gets a V8 with 365hp was it?

 

I stand corrected. The 650i has the 4.8L V8 with 360 HP (MSRP coupé: $71,800):

http://www.bmwusa.com/vehicles/6/650iCoupe/features.htm

That's still better and cheaper than Jaguar's 4.2L V8 with 300 HP (MSRP coupé: $75,500):

http://www.jaguarusa.com/us/en/vehic...nical_data.htm


On the subject of XK's sound: I loved it, it's muscular and that's the way a V8 should sound, not like its German counterparts.

 

Here are the Lap times that the Stig did in the GT and the ZO6:

Ford GT - 1.21.9
ZO6 - 1.22.4

Big price difference in the cars for only 1/2 second quicker lap time. The performance you get from the ZO6 for the money you pay is amazing.

However, judging by what he said about the road manners of the ZO6, I think clarkson would keep the Ford GT he already owns.

 

here you go Scott! Stig crashed the Koeeennigggsssseeeggggggififdsjsnsjn



stig takes a dump

 

Best quote of the show: "I'm not joking, I'm not joking: As something I had to live with every day... I'd rather have bird flu. I would!". Referring of course to the Z06.

 

Thanks James!

 

you all have to download tonights edition. I have never laughed so much in my life as I did in the last 10 minutes of that show!

Oh yeah, Lotus Exige R V 2005 Mustang GT......

 

soon as i get home i am going to download it!

 

wworking on getting it now

 

just got done watching it..man that was hilarious!

 

just finished it. that was so funny

Jeremy's truck was definitly the best amphibious one.
how much does a lotus weigh compared to a mustang anyway.

 

i believe the lotus is about 1800lbs...the stang never had a chance

 

let's face it though, there wasn't that much between them, on normal roads (rather than a very twisty track), the Mustang would have walked it. Also, semi slicks would have made one heck of a difference to the Mustang's performance.......

One of the guys in my club has written to TG offering his Supercharged Roush to the Stig for a power lap.....that would be cool!