Top Gear Show/Site Suggestions

[Mr. Nice]

If the show truly has a shorter budget for this year, why not do a call in type of thing where viewers get to have some input?

I'm not sure how the BBC collects revenue from phone calls, or if this is even still allowed. But if it is, it would be an interesting way to get the audience involved, while making some entertaining clips for the show.

I posted a thread about this here and tried to get some input for the idea from fellow final gearheads.

This could be done by having one car go around the track per episode, starting with a pre-chosen car, and having votes for the next car after every show. It could also be done by having a list through the series, and allowing people to vote on it, concluding with a big test of the top voted songs in one show.

Edit: for Jay Kay, if the song "Black Devil Car" is picked, maybe he could drive his own car around, since the Enzo has already been tested by the Stig, and since it will probably be the fastest car in a song.

[The Fishman]

You have had Keith Allen on the show, what about his daughter? I am happy you have had Billie Piper.

Another Vietnam-like epic race would be sensational.

[Mr. Nice]

BMW Z4 sDrive35i put up against the Mercedes SLK 350 at the Top Gear test track. Since Hammond loved the Z4 in its previous incarnation, perhaps he could review this new Z4, which looks as though it's trying desperately hard to be a Mercedes, and also looks to have shed (by gaining weight, size, and luxury appointments) some of its previous performance cred (though it is fast). It would be interesting to see which is more well liked, as the Mercedes is actually a Mercedes.

Edit: Maybe the new PDK transmissioned Porsche Boxster could be put into this mix as well, and then it could show off its real (supposedly) performance credentials.

[Mr. Nice]

A return to the Isle of Man, or the Yorkshire Dales, for a test of the Jaguar XFR, the Bentley Continental GTC Speed, and the Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S.

Edit: perhaps spliced into this, James could review a proper British sports car from a time when Jaguar, or Bentley, were actually British.

Edit: I have updated ideas going back as far as page 26 as, for me, they seem to all be a work in progress

[mig8769]

In time for Halloween this year, how about a Top Gear Zombie challenge?

Each of them gets 1500 pounds (or some other small amount) to buy a car to use in case of a zombie apocalypse, and must outfit it to survive hordes of zombies, but only with things they find for free or in a junkyard (since nobody would be alive to take cash).

Then challenges could be things like having to smash through a bunch mannequins (aka zombies) or something else solid to test their car's durability, they have to rescue an attractive woman and escape to test speed and maneuverability, or something along those lines.

Bonus points awarded for every functional chainsaw or shotgun attached to the car.

[smitman556678]

Cheap 4x4 Challenge in Scotland.

[Mr. Nice]

A Kia Sedona, taken on a Clarksonian version of Mr. Toad's wild ride, with Hammond, and May, riding in the back. I would love to see how astronomically bad it is, how much it falls apart or breaks whilst being driven in a less than frugal manner. I would love to see it parked on a hill, using only the parking brake, so that an explanation could be made of how well it (the parking brake) doesn't work! After it has rolled into something making a nice mess of an accident, an estimate could be given as to how much the repairs from a minor collision that should have never happened in the first place, should cost.

After all is said and done, I think it would be funny if James were given an M-60, and allowed to shoot at it. Then, Richard could be given a Sten, again shooting at the car. At this point, Jeremy could tell Richard that he has gone in the wrong direction, and that he needs to use something with more firepower, not less. Jeremy could then produce something like an RPG-7, a LAW, or a modern anti-tank weapon that I'm sure I don't know the name of.

Some explanation of the guns would be nice as well

[Mr. Nice]

The Hyundai Genesis put up against a Mercedes C-Class saloon, alternatively, a 3 Series BMW could be used, as could a Mercedes E Class or a BMW 5 Series, as Hyundai claim this car to have 12% to 14% better torsional rigidity than the 5 Series or the E-Class. I think it would also be interesting to see a decked out Honda Accord 2.4 i-VTEC EX and maybe a Lexus GS 300 or a Lexus GS450h put through their paces along with the other two cars. I think that the cars themselves will come off as being a bit boring, but the technology and competitiveness among this type of mid-size four door saloon is itself interesting. I tried to get the proper UK spec on all cars listed except the Hyundai Genesis, as chances are slim that it will make it to the UK.

Perhaps to make this more interesting, since the cars are somewhat mundane, an idea like the show Overhaulin' could be embarked upon, only in this show, people could be overhauled! Find 3 or 4 suitable (not dangerous/carrying weapons/totally beyond any scrap of sanity) homeless men or women living in a park or on the street, drive them around to Doctors, Dentists, and Psychiatrists, get them a makeover, and try in as short of a time period as possible to get them to matriculate back into normal society. After they have ridden in each car, being transported to their various appointments, have them fill out a multiple choice questions form about ride quality etc. and determine from it what car they liked most. Just for fun, check back on them a couple of weeks later to see if they have progressed, or if they have gone back to their previous lives.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0102303/

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086465/

Edit: got to thinking about this, and maybe just reviewing the Genesis alone would be appropriate, as it's the first Korean car that seems to be any good.

http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews..._v8/index.html

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/au...enesis_v8.html

Edit: looks like the coupe version might make it after all.

Further Edit: As it turns out, the V-6 Genesis is apparently capable of accelerating every bit as fast as the V-8 version to 60!

[Heathrow]

If the show truly has a shorter budget for this year, why not do a call in type of thing where viewers get to have some input?
I'm not sure how the BBC collects revenue from phone calls, or if this is even still allowed. But if it is, it would be an interesting way to get the audience involved, while making some entertaining clips for the show.

I posted a thread about this here and tried to get some input for the idea from fellow final gearheads.

This could be done by having one car go around the track per episode, starting with a pre-chosen car, and having votes for the next car after every show. It could also be done by having a list through the series, and allowing people to vote on it, concluding with a big test of the top voted songs in one show.

Edit: for Jay Kay, if the song "Black Devil Car" is picked, maybe he could drive his own car around, since the Enzo has already been tested by the Stig, and since it will probably be the fastest car in a song.

Ah-ha, ^ inspired this form me.
They could establish a new segment using the studio audience.
The idea is to have a no-cost/low-cost segment shot in the studio with the TG3 interacting with the audience. Need to last about six minutes and deliver an average 10% budget saving.
Every week, as the audience stream in, had them a card to fill in and ask them all the same question to be completed and handed to a Runner asap.
Some random crap for the questions each time, the stronger ideas Producers & TG3 come up with the better the segment will be.
Some weeks it will be unusable others will OK to show.

[ykickamoocow]

It probably wont happen but since Clarkson and Hammond are in AUstralia i would love to see them review a Australian car or two.

[scoobieeccosse]

how about TOP GEAR vs VXRONLINE cos we would love to show jezza how to really drive a vxr

[Mr. Nice]

A mention in the news of this car: http://www.motortrend.com/features/a...rce/index.html

Maybe the presenters could talk with each other about this in the news, and then the three of them could go on to make an attempt at making something faster, which of course will end in catastrophic failure. Perhaps this could be budgeted, and the first and largest expense could be the kit... Someone posted an idea about kit car stuff here.

Perhaps the presenters could shop around for which kit car they find to be best, and buy it as a rolling chassis. They then could go on to put an engine and transmission in it, which would be quite funny if it came from a donor car as most kit cars require. Some kit cars are pretty nice, surprisingly, but it would be pretty funny if all they could turn up with was something somewhat mediocre, and then went on to try to make it compete with the Maxximus G-Force.

[Mr. Nice]

In the United States, and I'm sure in other countries, executives spend a lot of time at the golf course. Since there have been consistent massive layoffs, bankruptcies, and job losses all over the world, over the course of the past year, why not take some revenge against the par obsessed titanic business dinosaurs that are running companies and countries into the ground!

I give you (and from looks of the video, at a very economical price and a great value!) the jet powered golf cart!

+ YouTube Video

Since not everyone can afford a jet powered golf cart, and because some may want something a bit faster, here is the 110hp 600cc bike engine golf cart!

+ YouTube Video

What great noises! And, could there be a better way to ruin a golfers game (or a golf course) than with insane golf carts???

Being that this is my 70th post in this thread, I think I will stop and let other people post some ideas. I'd like to thank everyone at Top Gear for reading and/or using my ideas, and to let you know that I am forever grateful! If, in the future, anyone at Top Gear would like me to post more ideas, or would like to receive ideas from me by other means, please feel free to contact me through private message on this site, or in some other direct or indirect manner. Again, thank you so much for making me feel as though I, in some way, helped to contribute to the magic that is Top Gear.

Edit: I've added something to this post, that I felt just made it ever so much cooler. Thought I would bring it forward so that it doesn't go unnoticed.

[lock76pt]

When will they test the amazing track of the Algarve?
http://www.autodromodoalgarve.com/
It's been acclaimed as one of the best in the world...and i'm hoping they come to Portugal in a time race!

Cheers!

[leviathan]

I give you (and from looks of the video, at a very economic price and a great value!) the jet powered golf cart!

That's an interesting way of using a jet engine - to power wheels with the rotational power of the shaft rather then actually using the jet propulsion. It's more of a helicopter-style turbine engine then than a jet. Still, pretty awesome

[Mr. Nice]

That's an interesting way of using a jet engine - to power wheels with the rotational power of the shaft rather then actually using the jet propulsion. It's more of a helicopter-style turbine engine then than a jet. Still, pretty awesome

Technically, it's a turbine. But, being an American, I have to incorrectly refer to it as a "jet". I'm sorry if I have mislead anyone.

[Cobol74]

When will they test the amazing track of the Algarve?
http://www.autodromodoalgarve.com/
It's been acclaimed as one of the best in the world...and i'm hoping they come to Portugal in a time race!

Cheers!

Have they not already been there or am I mistaken?

[lock76pt]

I don't think so.

[JoeR247]

i think that top gear should take part in the 2009 Gumball Rally!!!!

[shellygrrl]

My First Car: Is It Just As Good (or Bad) Now As It Was Then?

With the usual "cheap car challenge" budget of £1500, the boys have to buy some version of the first car they ever owned (preferably, it should be the exact car, right down to the year; if they can't find the exact year, they can substitute). Afterwards, they'll put them through the usual series of challenges.

Copied-and-pasted from another thread...

The "I Hate That (Cheap) Car!" Challenge

The three are given the usual budget of £1500 (or so) to buy a car for each other...one they know the other absolutely hates, for whatever reason. (They can't choose a VW Beetle; that would be too easy.) Afterwards, as always, a series of challenges. Stress levels will also be monitored.

Again, I also love the idea of a cheap 4x4 challenge.