Both are abominations in the eyes of the one true manual stickshift. Honestly though I have no idea. I gather they're preferable for supercars (doesn't the Buggati Veyron have one?) but I don't know if that's accurate or why that would be. Maybe sequential gearing is just easier at those sorts of speeds?
Well, Clarkson doesn't seem too enamoured of them. But, not being able to drive myself, apart from one or two lessons when I was 16, I think automatic is just lazy, and the the engine sounding like it was over-revving annoyed me, so count me in on your holy war for the One True Manual.
Finally saw the episode last night. That was bloody fantastic. Coupled with the bullet train race episode, these two episodes are easily up there with the best of Top Gear. The fact that they both focused on the GT-R also didn't hurt any--I was a nonbeliever at first, but that car's SERIOUSLY impressive. I was concerned that Clarkson was really going to hurt himself between his neck injury in the GT-R (which I don't think was faked; if it was, he's sure got his injured schtick down like no one else) and bumping his head several times in the foxmobile. Guy's not exactly a spring chicken and we know he's had back problems in the past (as mentioned on the show numerous times). Oh, and best line of the night courtesy of James May: "Die like Elvis trying to get 500 cheeseburgers out of your poop chute!"
I loved the loudest horn ever made. Clarkson: "Alright, if you want a horn war, you've got one! *HHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNKKKK!!!!!!!!!!!!!*
Finally caught up with the latest Top Gear earlier tonight and these last 3 episodes have definitely been a great improvement over the first two. That may or may not have anything to do with the mysterious disappearance of "Top Gear Stuntman".
Yes, Less of the Top Gear Stunt Man and more of The Cool Wall! Oh, and sorry to be late on the comment, but Kate Silverton and Fiona Bruce...very beautiful, and fairly decent on the TG Test track. I've seen the eps, and it does feel like something is off, but I think they'll be fine. Need another Epic Race, though...
The season finale started off well, and just got better as it went on. I almost died laughing at the way the boys arrived at the Belgian track to face Ze Germans - and them being so clearly thrilled and delighted about it only made it funnier. Also, James watching Where Eagles Dare (one of my favourite films) on his laptop while being utterly disinterested in Richard and The Accountant's Bowler Wildcat race was pure class.
I recon they dumped the stuntman when they realised it wasnt working well, I find it hard to beleive they only ever planned on two segments, and both near the begging of the series. The german peice was excellent, I could have done with more of that, and less of Jay Kay.
That was one of the funnier episodes of this season. The only time I think I laughed harder was watching the Alpha race when Clarkson welded those spikes to his wheels.
I have to say that I find the German driver-woman very saucy. *ahem* Sorry. Oh - and Jay Kay wants kicking to within an inch of his life for being an annoying twat. Please. Just kick him if you see him. A lot.
Ah, Sabine Schmitt. The highlight of her appearances on TG has to be using a diesel Transit van to over take bikers on the Nurburgring
She did, er, rev my engine somewhat. I wouldn't mind a spot of clinically efficient sexual intercourse with her. Ahem.
I just watched the ep and I loved it. I can't remember the last time I laughed as hard as when the guys arrived at the circuit with the planes.
Utterly brilliant. Could see the 'replace May with Stig' bit coming a mile away, but they made up for it with that brilliant 'if any Germans have some complaints, send them to...' bit that managed to make an address out of every typical Eng v Ger jibe. Great series once again! And nuts to that crappy stuntman, I want, no DEMAND more of the the one-armed techie!