Some say he ate a donkey for spitting on his helmet, and that he once wrote a book on why Ben Collins should die. All we know is, he's called the STIG, and you can now look like him as well. For example, let's start with his helmet. You might think that's unique, but actually that is a Simpson Diamondback Racing Helmet pictured here...
Simpson Diamondback Helmet
You can get it with a clear visor or you can choose from different dark visors, including a dark purple to match the STIG. His suit is actually an Alpinestars Auto Racing suit as seen here...
Alpinestars Auto Racing Suit
You can get this suit in black and other colors as well. His gloves are Alpinestars Tech 1-Z Karting gloves as seen here...
Alpinestars Tech 1-Z Gloves
And finally, his shoes are Alpinestars Tech 1-K Racing Shoes as seen here...
Alpinestars Tech 1-K Racing Shoes
So, there you are: your shopping list of items if you want to look like the STIG. Unfortunately, all of this will cost you a hefty $3000, but if you are a die-hard STIG fan, its worth it.
Top Gear UK Fans rejoice! Another thrilling episode of Top Gear UK is on tonight at 9 p.m. on BBC America. This time, the guys head to Albania to test out three super-expensive luxury sedans: the Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG, the Rolls-Royce Ghost, and the Bentley Mulsanne, well when I say the Bentley Mulsanne, I mean a Yugo. You'll see what I'm taking about when you watch it tonight. Then the guys discuss Ferrari's newest creation, the Ferrari FF, which they think looks absolutely fantastic because it brings back the great design that was the shooting brake. Then, Clarkson tests out three high-performance hatchbacks: the Ford Focus RS500, the Cosworth Impreza STI CS400, and the Volvo C30 PCP Polestar, all of which you can't even own. Then, British talk show host Jonathan Ross comes back to Top Gear to set a lap in the Kia Cee'D. It should be one exciting episode. Tune in tonight to see all of the action.
Some rally enthusiasts will tell that when it comes to cars, the classics are where its at. The Top Gear UK presenters did an episode showcasing their pick for the best manufacturer in the world, which happened to be Lancia. They especially loved the one pictured here: the Lancia Fulvia. It was one of the greatest rally racers of its time and they liked it because it just looked pretty. Well, if you're one for bringing the classics back, the Codemasters boffins are now working on the 3rd sequel to the Colin McRae DiRT series, and they're bringing all the old stuff, and mixing it with some new stuff. The game should be somewhat exciting.
For those of you who live in Liverpool, UK, you might know who's face this is. John Bishop is a comedian, one of the funniest comedians in the world actually. He's done comedy tours all around Britain. He started his automobile life with a Renault Van of which he liked. So, he's done all of this and more. What's bugging is me is how was he able to be the fastest man ever in the Reasonably Priced Car?
Bishop in the Kia Cee'd
The first episode of the 16th season of Top Gear, John Bishop came along and did a lap of 1:42.8, thrashing the 1:44.2 record time set by Tom Cruise. We are talking about a man with a Renault Van and some old fashioned British humor who beat a man with a Vyrus Sport Bike, a 1934 Indian Bike, a Saleen S281 Mustang, and is a stuntman. That's the fastest a celebrity has ever gone round the Top Gear track. Unbelievable. The episode isn't on YouTube at the moment, but it will soon be on iTunes next week. You're going to have to watch it for yourselves.
Another episode of Top Gear UK has been uploaded by an anonymous user on YouTube. This episode features Top Gear UK and Top Gear Australia going head to head in a game of bests. If you have watched Top Gear Australia, most of the faces you will see are pretty familiar. Then Jeremy takes the 2011 Ferrari 599 GTO for a spin summarizing that it is a complete animal. Boris Becker, former Tennis World Champion, is the star in the reasonably priced, who is a serious fan of the Silver Arrow (Mercedes-Benz). A very interesting fact about him: he bought a very exclusive Porsche 959 for about €150,000 at the age of, get this, 19!
1987 Porsche 959
How on earth was he able to buy that? Another interesting fact: throughout the years that he's owned that Porsche, he never crashed it. He managed to get it over 200 MPH on a highway, but he never smashed it up. He is a serious driver. He set a time of 1:45.9. That's faster than Peter Jones's time on a dry lap, all thanks to new STIG. Anyway, enough summaries. Just watch the show to see what happened.
Some say that he was found as a baby in a manger in Bethlehem, and that he's never once watched an episode of Top Gear because he was busy defending the Star Wars Republic from Darth Vader. All we know is, that's actually what he was doing. Top Gear's tame racing driver, the STIG went to a London Memorabilia fair back in November only to be involved in a stare-down fight with the Dark Lord himself. In the end, they both made up. Check out the stare-down below.
Now, normally I write posts on cars that are or may be available on our shores. This car, however, won't be available on our turf, but I really have to tell you about it. This car was initially built by 4 guys in some shed in the UK, but the outcome is certainly stunning. They call it the Noble M600 and despite being a supercar and costing well over $200,000, it's not what you call "noble".
Side View
This is by far the craziest supercar you will ever drive, that is if you live in the UK. It takes the 4.2-liter V8 engine from an old Volvo XC90 and adds two turbochargers to it. The output is a stratospheric 650 horsepower engine connected to a traditional Recaro 6-speed manual gearbox. Unlike most lightweight supercars that have bodies built with carbon fiber, the Noble's body was built with stainless steel, but the 4 guys in a shed managed to build it as light as possible. Therefore, this car weighs just 2,750 lb. Because of this weight, 0 to 60 MPH is done in 3 seconds flat on its way to a top speed of 225 MPH making it one very fast British supercar.
It Will Bite Your Foot Off
Achieving this speed and maintaing it in the corners is very hard work since Noble put no ABS in the brakes of this car. So, the wheels will easily lock up if you slam on the brakes. Also, in the corners, it is very precise. One tiny error, and you'll be spinning out or having a terrible crash. But, what makes this car better than most supercars is that it is both very hard and very easy to drive. There are three modes that you can have the car in when you're driving: Road, Track, and Race. In Road mode, the horsepower is decreased from 650 to 450, all the traction aids are on, and the suspension has been softened. When you're in Road mode, you'll feel so comfortable, it's like sitting on a fat cat. If you want to take it up a notch, you can push it up to Track mode where horsepower is increased to 550, traction aids are set to half, and the suspension gets much tighter. Then, if you want to go insane, there's Race mode, where you'll have the maximum amount of horsepower and the suspension is at its stiffest. This is truly an amazing car. It's a shame that it's only available in Britain.
Interior View
But, if you do live in Britain and have £200,000 in your pocket, you'll be able to drive one of these when it comes out in March. Before these pics were released though, Top Gear's car boar Jeremy Clarkson tested a prototype of this car on the Top Gear test track. The STIG got in it as well and set a lap time of 1:17.7 making it faster than a Pagani Zonda F. Check out the epic-ness below.
Some fantastic news for Top Gear UK fans from BBC America. Series 16 of the show will air on Monday, February 7th at 9 P.M. on BBC America. So, if you didn't like Top Gear US, then you'll probably adore the original series' new season which include more explosions, the destruction of a beetle, a moving helicopter pad, a new king of the Top Gear Test Track, and an all new STIG. Plus, all of the humor and butchered metaphors made by Jezza, Captain Slow, and Hamster. This series should be quite exciting. Share On Facebook
And this is it. Setting a record time of 1:15.1, thrashing the 1:16.8 set by the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport, the Ariel Atom 500 is now the new king of the Top Gear Test Track. It features an Ariel-built 3.0-liter Supercharged 500 horsepower V8 engine. 0 to 60 MPH is done in 2.5 seconds. Flat out, it will do over 200 MPH. Now, you might imagine that since this car originally had no mirrors or windshields, it would tear your face off, like it did Jeremy's. But, Ariel had kindly put one in so that your face will stay in tact at 200 MPH. What's also very interesting is that Clarkson did not test this car. In fact, this superbike-fast car was tested by the slowest man on earth, and we all know who that is. Also, you may have heard that the last STIG was sacked for writing his own book. Well, it turns out that Top Gear has retrieved a new STIG. We don't know who he is, but who is isn't is Tiff Needell. Anyway, watch the new King of the Top Gear Test Track race its way round with James May & New STIG behind the wheel.
2011 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport Interceptor (Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit)
Who ever said that police officers don't like fast, expensive cars? I mean, of course they want you to watch the speed limit when you're driving, but it doesn't hurt giving your slick exotic car a whirl sometimes. Some police officers have confessed that they themselves would do that if they had a fast car. In fact, Tonight Show host, Jay Leno, was on Top Gear a few years back giving a good example of how some cops like fast cars. Let's just say it involved a few undercover officers, the streets of LA, and Jay's McLaren F1. Take a look at the whole interview with Jeremy Clarkson below.
An all-new episode of Top Gear UK will be on this Sunday on BBC HD and BBC 2. Series 16 is here featuring all-new cars like the Pagani Zonda R, Ferrari 599 GTO, and Rolls-Royce Ghost, new challenges including running from the police in very expensive limousines, and an all-new STIG. Check out the trailer below.
Life is swell if you are a Jeremy Clarkson. First off, you're the most offensive person on the face of the earth and there's nothing anyone else can do about it. That must feel great. You can totally diss a religion, have them get angry at you, and do absolutely nothing about it. That's awesome! Next, you have a pretty awesome car collection including a Ford GT, an Aston Martin DBS, an Austin-Healey Sprite, a Caterham Seven R400, and many more. Then, you're the host of a popular motoring show known as Top Gear that's worth over $10 billion and is watch by over 350,000,000 people around the world. You're a very popular guy. And now, you've got an iPhone app on the AppStore with your name on it called iClarkson, showcasing your best car reviews from the Audi R8 to the Maserati Quattroporte. It costs $7.99 and you can get it now on the AppStore. Then again, if you are a Jeremy Clarkson, you've always been fond of the iPhone, as I will prove below with some videos.
If you watch Top Gear, you've probably heard that every time James May has an announcement featuring either the Dacia Sandero or this Dacia Duster. Well, I've got some news for you, James May. Dacia have launched an ad that's been banned for going way over the edge of inappropriate. It's quite funny and odd at the same time. But, I warn you; if you do not wish to feel sick at the moment, do not watch this video. For those of you who feel just fine, go ahead and watch and see why this ad was banned. How's that for news, Captain Slow?
There are over 90 cars featured in TDU 2. Here's one of them: the Lotus Evora. It might have the interior similar to that of a Porsche and an engine from a Toyota Camry, but this car makes those cars seem worth while. The Toyota engine is a 3.5-liter 275 horsepower V6. 0 to 60 is done in 5.1 seconds with a top speed of 163 MPH. But, that's not the important bit. What's important is that this car, like all the cars that Lotus makes, is very lightweight and quite comfortable. This was the Top Gear Sports Car of 2009 for being, as Clarkson quotes,
"...a killer attack dog and an old sofa...What a Car!!!" - Jeremy Clarkson, Top Gear Host
Well, now it's on Ibiza ready for you to run fast and look good in it. Prices start at about $70,000 making it quite expensive, but as you level up in the game, you'll be able to experience the light, cozy, and ferocious nature that this car delivers. Check out the close up to this car here.
If you watch Top Gear, you will know that they don't suggest you buy anything with a Toyota or a Prius or a Hybrid on it. But, right there, there's a problem. Most of the cars that they test are massive V8 to W16 monsters with 3 to 15 MPG ratings and over 300 CO2's developed per kilometer, making them terrible for the environment. So, what do they do? Improvise! Mr. headman himself, Jeremy Clarkson, thought it would be best to insert some biology and chemistry into the mix and try to make this Jaguar XFR the greenest sports saloon in the world. Although his ideas are a bit brash, he does end up with something reasonable. Take a look at the video below to see what on earth he thought about.
To date, we've seen the Land Rover Range Rover Sport as a sporty, luxurious SUV. However, it didn't turn out that way when Bowler got through with it. What you are looking at is a hardcore version of a Range Rover Sport Supercharged: the Bowler Nemesis EXR. Designed specifically for Dakar rally racing, this truck is road legal and can survive pretty much any terrain. The 5.0-liter Supercharged V8 engine has been upgraded from 510 horsepower to 600. Since it's lighter thanks to its two-seater arrangement and carbon fiber materials, 0 to 60 is now done in 4.2 seconds instead of 5.6 seconds. The top speed of this thing: 156 MPH. This speed is not only achievable on road. It is achievable anywhere: water, grass, mud, gravel, snow, you name it. This is probably the toughest Range Rover ever built, and Richard Hammond had a go in it in a special episode of Top Gear. Check it out below.
Two of the fastest cars in the world. A battle of power and sure speed. Only Top Gear had the ability to make this happen. If you have seen the battle between these two cars, then you know what the outcome is. However, if you haven't, I've posted it here so you can see just what happens between them. Top Gear host Richard Hammond wanted to find out if the old Fastest Car in the World, the McLaren F1, still had enough to take on the new Fastest Car in the World, the Bugatti Veyron, in a 1-mile straight drag race. Unfortunately, their airfield isn't as big and bad for these cars to duke it out. So, they sent them to the only place where speed is everything: Dubai. Hammond went behind the wheel of the Veyron, while his Stiggyness himself, The STIG, took the F1 for a whirl. Remember, the Veyron has more horsepower, torque, and traction than the F1. However, the F1 is much lighter, has no driving aids, and is somewhat more aerodynamic than the Veyron. I'm not gonna say anything more about this. Just Watch and see what happens!
I know that there's been some stig lately about girls being the worst drivers in the world because of their bad phone habits or nervousness behind the wheel. But, truth be told; there are some good feminine drivers out there. Danica Patrick is one of them, but there's another one that you probably haven't heard before. Her name is Sabine Schmitz and Germany has heard of her. Some drivers call her "The Queen of the Nürburgring", and I can see why. She's taken first place twice in the 24 Hour Nürburgring Race in a BMW M3 GT Racer in the 1990's. Now, she serves as the popular "Ring Taxi" Driver for BMW driving the BMW M5. She's appeared on Top Gear three times; once taking Clarkson around the Nürburgring, a second time racing the Audi R8 against The STIG in a Porsche 997 GT3, and a third time receiving the Top Gear Award for Coolest German. She's really done a lot with her career as a racer. Here are some videos of her in action.
2010 Bentley Continental Supersports (Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit)
Bentley is a very interesting car company. What they do is prove that old people still have the ability to be agile. Why do I say this? Unless you're Mark Zuckerberg, Ryan Seacrest, Rick Ross, or Wiz Khalifa, Bentleys are best owned by the rich, and most rich people are over 50 years of age. If you're in that age range, you may find some Bentleys rather favorable.
2010 Bentley Brooklands
Take the Bentley Brooklands for example. It might have ended its run a few months ago (limited to 550 units), but there are some used models still around with prices starting at $209,995 (based off of duPont REGISTRY). So, if you have that much money, love British luxury, are a successful businessman, and you're old, this car is for you. It contains all the luxury and detail that you can get in a Rolls-Royce Phantom, which is about $300,000 more than this. The seats are like the leather ones taken from the Queen of England's Bedroom. The center console is filled with gadgets and gizmos, but is easily understandable by anyone. The finish is done in walnut with some chrome attachments. So, this car is a Rolls-Royce Phantom with two less doors. However, the most interesting part about this Bentley, which is what makes this car rather ridiculous, is that it has a sport button. Why on earth would it have a sport button? I guess Bentley put it in to make old people excited again when they use it. And it's not like they're not going to use it. This car has a 6.7-liter Twin-Turbocharged V8 engine producing 530 horsepower. 0 to 60 is reached in 5.3 seconds, but this car will reach a top speed of 184 MPH. That's insanely fast for a car that weighs just about 3 tons (5853 lbs.), almost as much as my Range Rover. If they do use the sport button in this car, they're gonna have to be careful though. There is a slight chance they will shred their rear tires, like Jeremy Clarkson does in this video.
2010 Bentley Continental Supersports (Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit)
How about the Continental Supersports? It's much sportier and smaller than the Brooklands. It has all-wheel drive so it's much more composed in sport mode than the Brooklands. It has loads of more power (627 horsepower) than the Brooklands so it's faster (204 MPH). Isn't this car better? Yes and no. What this car is is Bentley's attempt to create a Porsche 911 GT3 RS; a purebred track day racer. They did manage to pull it off, but a track racer needs to be lightweight so that it can handle corners at high speeds and take turns on a dime. This car weighs 2.5 tons and feels very heavy to drive. They did manage to take out the rear seats, but they still left the luxury of a Bentley. The seats are leather ones similar to that of the Duke of Westminster's Smoking Jacket. The center console is carbon fiber, but with some chrome finishes in between them. So, this really isn't a track-ready race car. It's more of a track-ready ocean-liner. You can try to go drifting with it, but it's all-wheel drive and traction control systems won't help the drifting that much. If you do drift though, be careful. Like the Brooklands, you could shred the rear tires, as Jeremy, once again, does in this video.
So, in conclusion, Bentley has tried to liven up old souls with their luxurious big cars. But honestly, coming from me, some of them are just bonkers.
I hope you guys had a great Christmas and got everything on your list from Santa. Now it might be over, but the holidays aren't over yet. Today's Boxing Day in the UK making it the perfect day to watch an all new episode of Top Gear UK. In this episode, Jezz, Dick, and Jim journey to Iraq and act as the three wise men following a star in the sky looking for Baby Jesus. This time, however, the producers had an idea of having the wise men go modern and drive three cabriolets from Fiat, Mazda, and BMW from Iraq to Bethlehem to meet Jesus. Do you think these three are up to the challenge? Let's find out. The episode airs tonight in the UK, but it will be available on YouTube later today.
Edit: It's on YouTube right now!! Here's the video
