Feel free to read that headline as many times as necessary, but yes, it’s true: Clarkson-san wrote “Out of nowhere, my car of the year,” the Corvette ZR1. The man who pooped on the spearhead of electric cars has given an American high horsepower pushrod V8 the gold and glory. And this is after comparing the ZR1’s predecessors to Big Macs: “Cheap, plastic and at the right time, and in the right place, sort of just what you want.”
Not only that, but to put the ZR1 on its pedestal, Clarkson went so far as to remove the Caterham 500 he had previously placed there. On the show, he said that the Caterham was the best of the year, but in his article writes, “However, if you broaden the search engine and look simply for the best car of the year, the Caterham isn’t in with a shout because it’s ugly and geeky and I wouldn’t have one even if the option was the loss of my right testicle.”
And so the ZR1 reigns, even though “it’s not built very well.” In Clarkson’s words, it is “both docile and extraordinarily savage,” looks good, goes fast in a straight line and around corners, “most of the time bumbles about like a forgetful uncle,” and costs “lots for a Corvette” but is a bargain for the performance. His only lament about the car was this: “unless the healthcare and pensions company that makes it can be turned around, it will be the last of the breed.” The ZR1 - winning hearts and minds… Hat tip to Pdexter!
[Monday December 29, 2008 12:50 am | One Comment | 697 views]
Lawrence Tomlinson bought historic British car maker Ginetta in 2005, and in just three years his team has hit it over the wall with the maker’s first car under his tenure: the Ginetta G50, has taken Autosport’s number one slot in its Top 10 Cars of the Year.
The G50’s attractions are obvious: It is light (1,750 lbs), powerful (300 horsepower six-cylinder), and relatively inexpensive (£35,000-or around $51,000 USD). It comes in three flavors for now: Roadgoing coupe, G50 Cup Car, and a GT4 model for the FIA GT4 series. The Cup Car had its own one-make race series in Britain, and that was so successful it also won an award in Motorsport News. Coming in 2009 for Ginetta: a G50Z for GT3 competition, an electric Ginetta G50, and expansion onto the Continent with a one-make series in Spain fielding the Ginetta G20.
[Monday December 29, 2008 12:46 am | No Comment | 589 views]
Jeremy Clarkson finally got his chance to thrash a Tesla Roadster on the Top Gear test track during the most recent episode and things definitely went better than his time with the G-Wiz. Clarkson pitted the Tesla against its chassis progenitor, the Lotus Elise and the results were… mixed. The Roadster, with the new drivetrain 1.5 featuring the final version of the single speed gearbox and torquier motor, ran away from the Elise in a drag race. However, when it came to going around corners, the extra 1,000 lbs of lithium ion batteries didn’t help. As good as the Tesla handles, weight is always the enemy and the Lotus easily beat the Roadster around the corners. On the straights though, the electric torque won the day, for a while anyway.
As we all know, the range of electric cars depends on driving style and the EPA cycle doesn’t evaluate a car like the Roadster the way it’s meant to be driven. When we tested the Roadster last January, we estimated the range on our drive to be about 120-130 miles. Clarkson managed to exceed the G-Wiz’s 40 mile range, but not by much. He got a mere 55 miles before the battery was flat. See it all in the video after the jump.
[Monday December 15, 2008 4:28 pm | No Comment | 492 views]
We started our monthly calendar of events last month and learned almost immediately that we will never be able to make it as comprehensive as everyone would like, but that’s where you come in. Take a look at the list we’ve put together for December after the jump, and if you see changes that need to be made or events you’d like to add, leave a comment with event info and a link. Once again we’ve used two of our favorite resources: the New York Times automotive calendar for national and international stuff, and for local stuff here in Southern California, our buddy Dave Lindsay’s SoCalCarCulture pages. Dave’s photos from these local events are fantastic.
So check out the December event calendar we put together for you after the jump and start adding to it. And please note the large number of Toys 4 Tots drives being put on by local car clubs. With tough economic times it’s important to remember that every child deserves a toy. Happy Holidays everyone!
[Sunday November 30, 2008 1:35 am | No Comment | 520 views]
Ever since the Z4 went bigger, rumors have been circulating that BMW is considering building a smaller Z2 roadster. The time may be ripe now for the Bavarian automaker to introduce a compact sportscar based on the underpinnings from the 1 Series.
Reports suggest it would likely have a folding soft top instead of a collapsible tin roof like the upcoming Z4 replacement and a small trunk capable of swallowing just a weekend bag. Sources also hint that the Z2 would come exclusively with four-cylinder power, which could discourage BMW from bringing the vehicle to the United States where the assumption is that customers are not prepared to pay for premium cars with four-bangers. However, the development of new four-cylinder turbos potentially destined for American shores could make the Z2 a reality. Still, with the 1 Series cabrio available with the twin-turbo six, the Z2 could have its legs cut out from under it before it even materializes.
[Thursday September 18, 2008 12:12 pm | No Comment | 598 views]
(4 out of 5)