Top Gear Australia (series 1)

Top Gear (series 1)
Country of origin Australia
No. of episodes 8
Release
Original network SBS One
Original release 29 September 2008 (2008-09-29) – 17 November 2008 (2008-11-17)

The first series of the television series Top Gear Australia aired in Australia from 29 September 2008. The series included presenters Warren Brown, Charlie Cox and Steve Pizzati.

Episodes

# Production code Title Director Airdate
1 Series 1 Episode 1 Gary Deans 29 September 2008
Guest: Vince Colosimo
Review: The Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 is shown in the studio. It is claimed to be the world first studio appearance.

Cox reviews the Porsche 911 Carrera S with PDK gearbox. Although he loves the 911 and respects the gearbox, he's only really interested in cars with a manual gearbox claiming he'd buy the manual Carrera in a heartbeat. The Stig does the power lap of 1:11.69 in the Carrera S, and also does power laps in several "really fast, really interesting cars" (1:12.28 in the Lotus Elise, 1:13.40 in the BMW M3, 1:13.72 in the Mercedes Benz CLS 63 AMG and 1:09.46 in the Nissan GTR) and one "really stupid car" (1:44.66 in the Hummer H2 Stretch Limousine) to get some comparable times on the Power Lap board.

Brown reviews the Maybach 57S which he considers as utterly pointless as it is just an overblown Mercedes S Class.

Challenge: Soft roaders: The presenters test crossover vehicles on sand and snow. Brown tested the Subaru Forester, Cox the Toyota RAV4 and Pizzati the Nissan X-Trail. The first timed test was a circuit on sand dunes. Pizzati achieved a time of 2:06, Brown achieved a time of 1:47 despite losing his underside bumper and Cox achieved the shortest time of 1:22 but Pizzati kept timing when Cox failed to stop at the finish line and became airborne off the top of the dune. The vehicles were driven to Perisher Valley and tested on a circuit of soft snow with all three presenters in each vehicle. Pizzati achieved a time of, 2:04.03 Brown achieved a time of 2:10.73 Again Cox achieved the shortest lap time of 1:46.19. In the end Pizzati and Brown reluctantly agree that the RAV4 is the best soft roader. Winner: Cox

Shark cage: Brown takes a Mini Moke to Port Lincoln, South Australia and fits a shark cage to the chassis. Brown gets into the cage in scuba gear, and the car is lowered into the water from a fishing boat. A Great White Shark appears but is not interested in the car. To attract the shark, Brown wraps himself in sausages and chum is poured into the water.

News: Increase in the luxury car tax, Victoria Police driving Hummers, Citroën C5
What were they thinking?: Maybach 57S, Mitsubishi Legnum, Lightburn Zeta
Bog Standard Car: Vince Colosimo sets a time of 1:34.19.
# Production Code Title Director Airdate
2 Series 1 Episode 2 Gary Deans 6 October 2008
Guest: Steve Bisley
Review: Cox tests the new build Ford GT using unit RHD001, the first right hand drive GT ever built. He falls in love with the car due to its speed, handling, styling and 60s heritage. It sets the fastest benchmark time of 1:08.80 although Pizzati points out that the GTR had 180kph speed limiter and would have gone faster.

Cox and Pizzati test Ford vs Holden at Wakefield Park. Pizzati tests a Ford FPV F6 and Cox a Holden HSV E series with LS3 engine. The tests were a 400m standing start and a braking test. Before each test, Cox suggested they "warm up the tyres a bit". In the end both agree that both are great cars claiming that parts of the Ford would work better on the Holden and likewise parts of the Holden would work better on the Ford.

Challenge: The presenters go to the Super Pit gold mine to see if utes can move ore more efficiently than a mining truck. Cox chose a Nissan Navara due to its comfort and 4wd, Pizzati chose a Ford Falcon XR6 Turbo ute due to its speed and style and Brown chose a useless Proton Jumbuck due to its cheap cost. They raced against The Stig driving a 225t Caterpillar 793S. In the end Cox and Pizzati tied with 0.73cents and Brown came stone dead last with 0.50cents. Winner: Cox and Pizzati

Brown and Pizzati convert a Mercedes-Benz Smart into a hearse. Cox hates the idea claiming he'd put the picture on the What were they thinking board?

News: Brown suggests some Indian variations for Land Rover and Jaguar following Tata Motors' purchase of the British car manufacturers, Ford Australia considering converting the Falcon into a front wheel drive, Camille driving a Ford Ka in Quantum of Solace, Mini proposing to build an SUV, British drivers crashing two Bugatti Veyrons.
What were they thinking?: Leyland Force 7, Rinspeed sQuba, Valiant Charger E38
Bog Standard Car: Steve Bisley sets a time of 1:26.75.
# Production Code Title Director Airdate
3 Series 1 Episode 3 Gary Deans 13 October 2008
Guest: Julia Zemiro
Review: Pizatti reviews the Mercedes-Benz CLK 63 AMG Black Series. He finds it too stiff to be a GT Car, too slow and lurchy to be a race car and no where near as good Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class despite it costing more. He concludes by saying that it is a pointless car and would be more sensible to buy a Porsche GT3. Cox mainly dislikes the fact that it has the Automatic. Despite the criticism the CLK Black achieves a time of 1:10.44 making it the third fastest car round the track.

Brown tests the BMW X6 diesel. He hates the car as it is not good off road despite being a 4WD and not good looking despite being a Coupe.

Challenge: Each presenter is given $500 to buy a wrecked car and make it operable for driving tests. Cox buys a Holden Kingswood HT due to it being a car his parents used to own, Pizzati buys a Ford Falcon EA taxi due to Taxis having high mileage and Brown buys a 1989 Toyota Camry station wagon. Once they rejuvenated their cars they do some challenges to find out which is best. The first test is a time speed run, Brown's Camry achieves a time of 13.50, Pizzati's Falcon achieves a time 13.82 and Cox's Kingswood achieves the slowest time of 17.72. The second test is too see which one lasts the most amount of laps on a dirt track. Brown's Camry fails to star meaning that the race was between Cox and Pizzati. On the final lap Cox loses his wheel meaning it is only Pizzati who finishes. In the end they agree that the Falcon Taxi was the best buy. Winner: Pizzati
News: The presenters discussed the controversy surrounding Cox's use of the word "poofteenth" in his review of the Porsche 911 PDK from the first episode; Pizzati talks about the Nissan GT-R and the manufacturer's claim that it went faster round the Nürburgring than a Porsche 911; Brown mentions the battle for sales between the Toyota Corolla and the Holden Sportwagon; Cox discusses the road rules for multi-lane roundabouts.
What were they thinking?: Volvo 262 Coupé, Holden VC Commodore Starfire, Brown and Pizzati's Smart hearse conversion.
Bog Standard Car: Julia Zemiro sets a time of 1:37.41.
# Production Code Title Director Airdate
4 Series 1 Episode 4 Gary Deans 20 October 2008
Guest: Jack Thompson
Review: Pizzati tests the HSV W427 at the Lang Lang Vehicle Proving Ground. It sets a time of 1:12.56 faster than an M3.
Challenge: Global Positioning System is tested in the Kimberley. Cox and Pizzati find three waypoints in a TRD Toyota Hilux with GPS against Brown on a horse with an Australian Aboriginal guide finding the same locations by name. Brown wins first and Pizzati and Cox come last. Winner: Brown"'

The presenters play lawn bowls using Holden Astras rolled off a ramp towards a giant inflatable jack. Cox wins. Winner: Cox

News: Lightning Car Company, environmental impact of Ferrari vs Toyota, Volvo using locust navigation to avoid collisions, road rage.
What were they thinking?: Armstrong Siddeley ute, Ferrari 456 GT Venice
Bog Standard Car: Jack Thompson sets a time of 1:31.10.
# Production Code Title Director Airdate
5 Series 1 Episode 5 Gary Deans 27 October 2008
Guest: Shannon Noll
Review: Cox tests the Audi R8 on the runway at Hamilton Island Airport. He concludes it to be an excellent car due to its speed, handling, grip, price tag, equipment and build quality. He loves it but slightly prefers the 911 S and claims it to be not a super-car but a super car. Despite wet conditions the Stig set a time of 1:11.87 making it the fifth fastest car only 0.2 of a second behind the 911.

Pizzati tests the BMW 135i. He claims it to be an excellent car, with better handling, more thrills and more fun than with the more expensive BMW M3 claiming it reminds him of BMW's of old and says its more of an M car than the M3. Despite being initially deterred Cox agrees that he prefers it to the M3. The Stig sets a lap time of 1:14.90.

Challenge: The presenters convert an Audi 80 2.0E into a yacht and enter it in the Hamilton Island Race Week regatta. It failed to get to the start line before the race started so the crew returned to shore, surprised that the engine started and it drove itself back up the boat ramp.

Brown and Pizzati test the practicality of a "Toorak Tractor", a pejorative label in Australia for luxury SUVs, by driving a Massey Ferguson tractor through Toorak, Victoria. They also run over a Saab.

News: Major manufacturers not attending Australian motor shows, second generation Honda Insight, second generation Cadillac CTS.
What were they thinking?: Renault Vel Satis, SsangYong Stavic, Ford Festiva
Bog Standard Car: Shannon Noll sets a time of 1:27.44 on a wet track.
# Production Code Title Director Airdate
6 Series 1 Episode 6 Gary Deans 3 November 2008
Guest: James Morrison
Review: Cox tests the Mercedes Benz SL63 AMG. Although he admits it Is not that brilliant to drive, the noise, speed and creature comforts easily make that up. It sets a time of 1:14.08.
Challenge: Trip from Alice Springs to Daintree in luxury 4 wheel drives. Pizzati chooses an Audi Q7, Brown a Range Rover TDV8 Vogue & Cox a Lexus LX 570. Cox and Pizzati hate the Road trip and Brown despite initially being positive later said that he would never do the road trip again. All three agree that the Lexus was the disappointment due to the fact it was very poor off-road, being the least fuel efficient and sucking up loads of dust which nearly choked Cox. They were all pleasantly surprised by the Audi due to it not having as many off-road gadgets as the other two but performed well. In the end all three agreed that as an all rounder for luxury 4 wheel drives which could last the outback and they would use every day, they all picked the Range Rover as it was the most impressive. Cox was stunned that they all unanimously agreed. Winner: Brown
News: New Holden Barina, revival of the Volkswagen Kombi, Mazda Kiyora.
What were they thinking?: Parking police, Lotus Elan Mk. II
Bog Standard Car: Future host James Morrison sets a time of 1:26.46.
# Production Code Title Director Airdate
7 Series 1 Episode 7 Gary Deans 10 November 2008
Guest: James Courtney & Greg Murphy
Review: Pizzati tests the Nissan GTR. He concludes it to be an excellent car, due to the fact that it costs less than half the price of most supercars yet is faster, has more grip and has more technology. As they've already sent a GTR round which achieved a 1:09.46, Cox decides to put Nissan's claim up to the test by sending round a Porsche 911 GT2, his favourite supercar, which Nissan reckon they can beat. The GT2 sets the new benchmark time of 1:06.92.
Challenge: Pizzati and Brown race a Subaru Impreza WRX STI from the Oakey Army Aviation Centre to a nearby high hill while being chased by a Tiger helicopter.

Cox and Brown test petrol and diesel versions of the Volkswagen Golf to find which is better. Cox uses a Golf FSI Pacific and Brown chooses a Golf TDI Pacific. In the end both agree the diesel is better as it Is faster and better on fuel economy.

News: Statue of Peter Brock at the National Motor Racing Museum in Bathurst, Citroën Picasso, Intelligent speed adaptation being tested in Australia.
What were they thinking?: Wheels magazine's Car of the Year, in particular the Renault 12, Mitsubishi Nimbus, withholding the award on 3 occasions, Holden Camira & split decision between the Honda NSX and the Nissan Pulsar.
Bog Standard Car: James Courtney sets a time of 1:23.53 and Greg Murphy sets a time of 1:23.60.
# Production Code Title Director Airdate
8 Series 1 Episode 8 Gary Deans 17 November 2008
Guest: Claudia Karvan
Review: Cox drives the Jaguar XF gets its turn on the test track. He loves the handling, noise, comfort and speed. Both him and Pizzati agree that it is the first Jag they'd actually buy. It sets a time of 1:14.22.
Challenge: The trio goes to Tasmania with Brown choosing a Aston Martin DB9 due to its style and comfort, Pizzati a Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera due to its style and speed and Cox a Porsche 911 Turbo due to its comfort and speed to find out "the best driving road in Australia". The second part of the show takes place on closed roads as used in the Targa Tasmania. All three love their cars and when asked to do the challenge again, Brown claims he'd bring the Aston Martin DBS, Pizzati claims he'd bring the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 and Cox claims he'd bring the Porsche 911 GT2.

Ford FG Falcon XT vs Holden VE Commodore Omega. Cox and Pizzati agree that the Ford is easily better as it Is faster, more comfortable and nicer to drive. The Holden sets a time of 1:22.06 and the Ford sets a time of 1:20.41. Cox ends by saying that people should buy both as their world class cars.

News: The BMW claim that their new car was able to read road signs, the New South Wales Government "promise" that they would confiscate cars that their drivers kept using their horns; the dwindle of V8 sales and the adaption of "stripes" on those cars by Holden and Ford.
What were they thinking?: The people of Babylon and their invention of toll roads, and the three hosts of the British version of Top Gear.
Bog Standard Car: Claudia Karvan sets a time of 1:31.22.

Weekly ratings

Episode Original Airdate Timeslot Viewers1 Nightly Rank (#) Weekly Rank (#)
#1 29 September 2008 Monday
7:30 P.M.		 940,000 [1] 13 [1] 53 [1]
#2 6 October 2008 669,000 [2] 26 [3] 95 [2]
#3 13 October 2008 668,000 [4] 26 [5] 99 [4]
#4 20 October 2008 598,000 [6] 29 [7] ---2
#5 27 October 2008 435,000 [8] 32 [9] ---2
#6 3 November 2008 647,000 [10] 24 [11] 94 [10]
#7 10 November 2008 609,000 [12] 27 [13] 93 [12]
#8 17 November 2008 662,000 [14] 25 [15] 92 [14]
Series Average --- --- 654,000 25 ---
1 Viewer numbers are based on OzTAM data for Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth combined.
2 Did not make top 100

References

  1. 1 2 3 TV Ratings: Week 40
  2. 1 2 TV Ratings: Week 41
  3. ↑ Aussie Top Gear ratings slump
  4. 1 2 TV Ratings: Week 42
  5. ↑ The Who We Are update: Week 42
  6. ↑ TV Ratings: Week 43
  7. ↑ The Who We Are update: Week 43
  8. ↑ TV Ratings: Week 44
  9. ↑ The Who We Are update: Week 44
  10. 1 2 TV Ratings: Week 45
  11. ↑ The Who We Are update: Week 45
  12. 1 2 TV Ratings: Week 46
  13. ↑ The Who We Are update: Week 46
  14. 1 2 TV Ratings: Week 47
  15. ↑ The Who We Are update: Week 47
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Saturday, November 07, 2015. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.