[14x04] September 1st, 2008

[SL65]

This week, Tiff Needell checks out KTM’s new four-wheeler; Vicki attends the Goodwood Festival of Speed to see two eco-friendly cars; Tom Ford reviews the controversial new BMW X6; Jonny Smith sits in judgement at the Ultimate Street Car modified-car show; and Jason Plato stages another shoot-out, this time with two offerings from Honda.

This week, Tiff tests the first-ever car produced by Austrian motorcycle manufacturer KTM – the X-Bow. This menacing-looking orange beast, crafted from carbon-fibre and plastic, is a sight to behold. Its design is clearly influenced by that of a motorbike, with its go-kart-like appearance and the absence of a windscreen. With the popularity of the two-wheeler in decline, this bid to cash in on the car industry is a bit of business savvy on KTM’s part. But can the company’s first attempt at a track-car equal their expertise with the bike? Tiff is on a mission to find out.

Elsewhere, Vicki has her sights set on all things glamorous at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. This prestigious event is littered with celebrities and champagne flutes, but the real stars of the show are the machines on display. In particular, Vicki checks out the sleek Tesla Roadster and the clever Breckland Beira. The Roadster is the first car produced by Silicon Valley’s Tesla Motors. The manufacturer only makes vehicles that run on electricity – in the Roadster’s case, a lithium-ion battery pack that takes it 220 miles on a single charge. The grunty Breckland Beira, on the other hand, is a powerful piece of engineering – or so it may seem at first glance. The unique offering from this car is that its V8 engine can run on environmentally sound liquefied petroleum gas.

In his review of the new BMW X6, Tom attempts to strip away the hype and controversy surrounding this SUV-coupe crossover, or Sports Activity Coupe. Can a vehicle with the styling of a coupe deliver the gritty performance of a topclass four-wheel drive? Tom puts the X6 through its paces.

Jonny finds himself placed in the esteemed position of judge at Ultimate Street Car’s meet at the Santa Pod Raceway in Northamptonshire. For the ‘Show & Shine’ category, Jonny’s task is simple – choose the single most attractively modified car out of the 23 entries. But with the proud owners having spent up to £100,000 on beautifying their babies, it is tough for Jonny to pick just one winner...

And in another classic Fifth Gear shoot-out, Jason pits the Honda Civic Mugen RR, imported from Japan, against the Honda S2000 which is readily available in the UK. Will the imported hatchback beat the zippy roadster?

[Viper007Bond]

Tiff in KTM? Oh shit...

[SL65]

Originally Posted by Viper007Bond

Tiff in KTM?

^That reads funny. You'd expect one to be on a KTM.

But anyways - Tiff shouldn't be on a KTM, even if it has 4-wheels. Just get him behind the wheel of something fast and rear wheel drive.

[Viper007Bond]

Originally Posted by SL65

^That reads funny. You'd expect one to be on a KTM.

But anyways - Tiff shouldn't be on a KTM, even if it has 4-wheels. Just get him behind the wheel of something fast and rear wheel drive.

I dunno about you, but I get in cars rather than riding on their roof.


(and I meant to say "in the KTM")

[SL65]

Originally Posted by Viper007Bond

(and I meant to say "in the KTM")

I know you did. And that was correct of you. I was just making a point of how its kinda weird seeing it presented that way because KTM has always made stuff you get on

[Jimi Hendrix]

The Mugen RR vs S2000 should be interesting. When they were compared at Tsukuba by BM the Civic was 2 seconds faster then the S2k, it's a great FWD machine.

[SL65]

Originally Posted by Jimi Hendrix

The Mugen RR vs S2000 should be interesting. When they were compared at Tsukuba by BM the Civic was 2 seconds faster then the S2k, it's a great FWD machine.

Sounds like some FWD goodness then I'll be impressed if it beats the RWD UK-spec S2000. Although the non-Japanese versions get slightly diluted VTEC versions...

[Jimi Hendrix]

Here is the Mugen RR against some other JDM machinery:

+ YouTube Video

[Viper007Bond]

Via http://www.teslamotorsclub.com/news-...html#post11436





I'm very interested to see what she thinks of the thing.

[Aiolos]

This episode sounds great, much better than 14x03 sounds.

Tiff in the KTM should be awesome, I was wondering when that was gonna happen since it was featured in the new opening sequence.

Vicki's part will be interesting, hopefully she'll drive them, as her wearing a track suit in those pictures implies.

Tom in the X6 will be nice, can't wait to see that thing.

Hopefully they'll be some completely ludicrous cars during Johnny's bit.

And rounding out with the hatch vs. S2000 should be cool as well.

[SL65]

Preview video:
http://link.brightcove.com/services/...ctid1747186435

I hope Tom tears into the X6 for being ugly

[dino_martini]

Jonny finds himself placed in the esteemed position of judge at Ultimate Street Car’s meet at the Santa Pod Raceway in Northamptonshire. For the ‘Show & Shine’ category, Jonny’s task is simple – choose the single most attractively modified car out of the 23 entries. But with the proud owners having spent up to £100,000 on beautifying their babies, it is tough for Jonny to pick just one winner...

Wasnt that in last weeks show?

[Viper007Bond]

http://forums.finalgear.com/fifth-ge...-2008-a-30116/