Last show of the series... so then final observations.
I'd have to disagree with them on the BMW 1 Series, I think it's a fine small car and what they layed into it for applies to several other cars as well.... another example of Top Gear's presenters getting a bee in it's bonnet rather than offering objective opinions.
Firstly its screwed together better than a Golf, it's interior is more tactile than the sublime Alfa 147 (GTA excepted with it's incredible Muira interior) and it's visually more dynamic than any other car in it's class, whether you like it or not is subjective of course but at Rockingham when they had it parked next to the new Astra *yawns* new Golf *yawns* and 147 only one of them stood out
I didn't think the rear was uncomfortably cramped when I sat in the back of it for a skid pan session with my bro, and I'm not exactly small at six foot three and chunky!
but is any car in this class really what one could consider roomy?? thought not.
I can't comment on the 116i on the road, but on the track it's not a bad car at all offering decent enough performance, but the gem is the 120d with it's huge slug of torque, 7's to 60 and in gear times that'd give a Boxster a serious hiding.
They didn't mention the stability issue under heavy braking with the DSC switched off, (but then they don't exactly test the car do they) I found the back end of the car to be REALLY twitchy, to the point where you have to catch it with a handful of opposite lock to stop it switching ends, not quite a Scandinavian flick but really not as far off as you'd think. I think for people that have never driven a RWD car, or a RWD car without a host of de-facto driver aids they'd probably be on the end of a nasty surprise if they ever accidentally switched the aids off.
How mad was that Merc G Wagon??? G 55 AMG.... hahahahahahaha I love the G Wagon, in bog trim it looks the bomb, wasn't sure about all the body kit on the AMG version though looked a little 'Pimp my Ride' for my taste, but the illuminated scuff guards were very cool and the Cayenne matching performance would be abit of a giggle come winter time.
I can't stand Trinny and Susannah... they should come with some sort of ' Irritant' label.
And even less should be said about the Korean group test.
I'm also surprised (actually I don't think I should be after all this is the same team who had the Enzo in the Car of the Year 2004 category
) they've only just got around to testing the Ariel Atom... it's not like it's just come out is it.
How much fun does it look though... 2.9 to 60
all for £20k. I really expected it to beat the Enzo around the track and was really surprised when it didn't. It did knock the Carrera GT down to 3rd though which demonstrates that it's got serious track pace. Not quite practical day to day though is it. heheh
