[09x04] February 18th, 2007

[Rapier]

Originally Posted by GraemeH

The back window. In the CCX it's fixed. It's just the top of the roof that comes off. So it's more like an aero-top.

In a convertable, the whole roof, rear pillars and rear window disappear/fold away, like the SL.

Ah yes, The SL which in this very episode is called (and I'm quoting):"The Most powerfull convertible ever made, <pause> welcome everyone to the 160000 pound Brabus S Biturbo Roadster"

That's the end of it! Roadsters are simply a breed of convertibles, without any proper borderlines or rules. Except being a 2-seater(at least I don't not now any that doesn't comply).

Therefor my original comment was correct, there are more powerfull converibles out there.

Let's continue being anal for a moment, JC says the SL65 has 517 bhp, it has well over 600, as he is well aware of as he tested the CL65 years ago which the same engine. JC also says the original engine is 5.5 liters, it is not it's 6.0 liters(despite being called "65")
:"it has 730 Bhp which is more the any Bentley, more then any Ferrari more the any lamborghini even" => not true, there is the diablo VTTT which has more power and came straight from the factory.

[Peter3hg]

Originally Posted by Rapier

Let's continue being anal for a moment, JC says the SL65 has 517 bhp, it has well over 600, as he is well aware of as he tested the CL65 years ago which the same engine. JC also says the original engine is 5.5 liters, it is not it's 6.0 liters(despite being called "65")

He is probably talking about the SL55 which was the original fast SL of that generation.

:"it has 730 Bhp which is more the any Bentley, more then any Ferrari more the any lamborghini even" => not true, there is the diablo VTTT which has more power and came straight from the factory.

Can you buy the Diablo now? There you go then.

[Donington]

Originally Posted by Blythy

and from that site:

Shame I had to sit through Top Gear to get to about two minutes of genius

fucking heathen

I am tempted to reply to that with 'that's a lot less than the wait I had for the other shuttle to explode' but I won't.

[apack]

Yes! My dad talks about buying a Kia Ceed... Since it's now on the coolwall, in the UNCOOL section, he should realize that it's a poor car

But a great episode indeed... TGD in the windtunnel was funny But the spaceshuttle segment was just fantastic

[Rapier]

Originally Posted by Peter3hg

He is probably talking about the SL55 which was the original fast SL of that generation..

I found out what it was, he's comparing the brabus to the Original SL600. It does have a 5.5L 517 Bhp engine, the studio bit was just plain wrong with JC talking about:"This Mercedes SL65 517bhp V12 Twin turbo, how can a tuning company make this better then it allready is?"

Originally Posted by Peter3hg

Can you buy the Diablo now? There you go then.

Quite irrelevant, he didn't say present day Lamborghini he said "Any lamborghini" which basicly qualifies the offshort powerboates aswell.

[Lurker]

Originally Posted by Rapier

Let's continue being anal for a moment, JC says the SL65 has 517 bhp, it has well over 600, as he is well aware of as he tested the CL65 years ago which the same engine. JC also says the original engine is 5.5 liters, it is not it's 6.0 liters(despite being called "65")

The Brabus is base on the SL600 not SL65.

[regiz]

Originally Posted by Percolator

It could have exploded, because of the massive impact causing the re-entry solid-propellant rockets mounted on the reliant itself to ignite (solid boosters are relatively stable compared to liquid gas, but the impact was quite massive, also a quick explosion does not necessarily melt/burn enough to make it visible in the short shot of the debris)......

Well, I happen to have some experience with amateur and half-professional pyrotechnics and it obviously was liquid fuel explosion (hard to tell the size of it, but it looks like loads of petrol). Why would they cut it exactly in the moment of impact and change camera? I'm pretty sure they would have shown us different angles

[TopGearWannabe]

I was a bit worried after 9x03 episode that somehow future episodes will be less interesting after their great adventure... and thankfully I was wrong.

There were plenty of cars, plenty of character and a space shuttle

I was amazed by how fast a group of blokes managed to make it work to the point it did. It's a shame that the tank did not separate, but at the same time it's amazing that it did not leak and explode while fueling...

Lovely episode, Thanks TopGear, and everyone else who makes it possible for us damn snotty (stone throwing, WWII history distorting) yanks to see this great program(me).

[IceBone]

I've seen enough special effects doccus to know that was a liquid fuel explosion as well. it's quite obvious. There usually isn't such a an elaborate fireball with other kind of explosions.

[Peter3hg]

Originally Posted by Rapier

Quite irrelevant, he didn't say present day Lamborghini he said "Any lamborghini" which basicly qualifies the offshort powerboates aswell.

I think any normal person would assume he meant any current Lambo. If you are talking about any ever then there have been Bentleys and Ferraris with more power.

[Nano]

Originally Posted by IceBone

What would your mum, who just likes to watch the cocking about think if he went all technical on it.

I don't understand what is technical about mentioning units? Even my mom understands the importance of proper units (even though she couldn't care less about TG). You don't need to be finance PHD to understand that If someone says this car costs "100000 moneys", it wouldn't make any sense to anyone. If you are going to give torque specs, give them properly.

[Martin]

Overall a really good episode, enjoyed it greatly. I was shocked at how well the Robin/Shuttle worked. I was so disappointed when they couldn't get it to separate and at least attempt to land it properly. Hopefully the remainder of the series will run like this episode.

However, I do have one complaint. Stop the plugging. Top Gear is not a late night American talk show. I don't recall much chatter with Simon Peg about cars. I don't want to clips from an upcoming movie. They did this two weeks ago with Grant, and I didn't like it then and I didn't like it this time. I'll go see Hot Fuzz and I'm sure I'll enjoy it, but Top Gear does not need to take up the task of movie promotion. Andy, if you are reading this... please, no more plugging!

[AiR]

Originally Posted by apack

Yes! My dad talks about buying a Kia Ceed... Since it's now on the coolwall, in the UNCOOL section, he should realize that it's a poor car

But you'd be wrong, it's a great car given the pricetag. I've driven loads of them and build quality is good, engine is revvy and it feels more german than korean. Of course it's built in Slovakia, so it isnt very korean at all.

[SVTWANNABE]

Originally Posted by Peter3hg

If a couple of men can build something that launches that well then I'm sure we could create a proper space ship with a bit of government funding.

That...and you wonder how countries and space agencies with billions in funding are having problems. Aside from making a spacecraft safe enough for humans upon entry and exit into/out of space, you have to wonder what kind of costs involved - those that go into making the craft, and those to line the pockets of those behind the scenes.

I think I might need to watch that again

[Bloody Fork]

Good episode, the shuttle part was awesome. Glad to see Top Gear Dog in a couple shots, especially the wind tunnel.

[Gonoc]

Hammond: Whats it gonna feel like to fly do you think?
Steve the Airplane Boffin: Well its gonna come down like a lift with the cable cut
Hammond: Your not filling me with hope Steve......
Steve the Airplane Boffin: Well most normal aeroplanes they sort of glide for about... if they fly 20 feet forward they loose about a foot in height....
Hammond: Yeah...?
Steve the Airplane Boffin: I'm afraid the Robin is the other way around......

[Ripper]

The shuttle part was most excellent, how much did it cost to build i wonder?
http://youtube.com/watch?v=6CXy601tlPg

[Henk]

Originally Posted by schmorbraten

I think you're both being too paranoid here, and you've probably missed the following detail: there were some extra small rockets attached to the Reliant Robin shuttle part which the remote control shuttle pilot was supposed to be able use if necessary while trying to bring the shuttle down gently. Since they never got that far because the shuttle wouldn't separate from the main rocket, there was still quite some unburnt rocket fuel left in that robin when it hit the ground. Or in other words: there was no way for there not being an explosion when it hit UK soil as it did.

Oh yeah you're right. Still I find it hard to believe it blew up this nice, but I'm prolly being paranoid.

[Jezzabelle]

Originally Posted by Martin

However, I do have one complaint. Stop the plugging. Top Gear is not a late night American talk show. I don't recall much chatter with Simon Peg about cars. I don't want to clips from an upcoming movie. They did this two weeks ago with Grant, and I didn't like it then and I didn't like it this time. I'll go see Hot Fuzz and I'm sure I'll enjoy it, but Top Gear does not need to take up the task of movie promotion. Andy, if you are reading this... please, no more plugging!

Well said that man!
I HATE all the plugging which is going on. It has turned into 'Star Here to Plug a New Project Shamelessly in a Reasonably priced Car'.
With the immense popularity of Top Gear here in the UK, I know that there are plenty of 'stars' who would love a chance to go around the track in the Lacette. There is NO NEED to have people on just for their own commercial gain. It's not nice & ruins the fun of the section.
Kristen Scott Thomas (sorry, that would be my jealousy exploding all over the screen) is to be on next week, and Billie Piper sometime soon. I bet Billie will be promoting...

[Henk]

Originally Posted by Nano

I don't understand what is technical about mentioning units? Even my mom understands the importance of proper units (even though she couldn't care less about TG). You don't need to be finance PHD to understand that If someone says this car costs "100000 moneys", it wouldn't make any sense to anyone. If you are going to give torque specs, give them properly.

I think Jeremy just thinks/realises, that the audience is not as knowledgable as he is.