[15x07] February 16th, 2009

[SL65]

This week, three British sailing team-mates turn on each other as they race the Ferrari F430 Scuderia; Tiff test-drives the new Farbio GTS 400; and Vicki reviews the small but chic Alfa Romeo Mito. Tim’s consumer review centres on the diesel-versuspetrol debate; and there is a Fifth Gear shootout with a difference.

Jason Plato meets three gold-medal winners on the track this week. Sarah Ayton, Sarah Webb and Pippa Wilson – affectionately known as ‘three blondes in a boat’ are still riding the wave of their success in the Yngling sailing class at the Beijing Olympics. The tight-knit trio are used to working as a unit, but Jason asks them to face off against each other in a time trial. In this test, the sailors will be driving the streamlined Ferrari F430 Scuderia.

Will they be in their element on the asphalt? Tiff is making history this week by being the first to review the brand new Farbio GTS 400 on the small screen. This latest offering from the Bathbased car-maker boasts an impressive 400 brake horsepower, and comes with hefty £94,000 price tag. Can this small but perfectly formed sports car compete with the offerings from the larger European manufacturers?

Vicki stages a battle of the superminis as she pits the new Alfa Romeo Mito against the classic Mini. The little Italian charmer certainly has the edge over its rival in the style stakes, but how does it handle on the road? Vicki takes the Mito and the Mini to the track to find out.

As consumers continue to tighten their belts, diesel power is becoming an increasingly popular alternative to petrol. But despite the fact that diesel vehicles are more economical to run, the fuel itself is actually more expensive than petrol. Diesel cars also tend to be pricier. Tim closely examines the diesel-versus-petrol debate to find out which offers the best overall value.

To close this week’s show, Jason and Tiff gear up for another Fifth Gear shootout. This time round, quad bikes are their vehicle of choice. The boys head to a disused quarry for an extreme off-road challenge. Who will triumph in this raw test of nerves?

[Viper007Bond]

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