Season 25 of Top Gear, with Matt Le Blanc, Chris Harris and Rory Reid as hosts has been packed with loads of cars and entertainment. BBC BRIT (DStv channel 120), the home of all things Top Gear, asked me to watch the first 5 episodes of Season 25 and let them know what I learnt. With the perfect excuse for lying in bed and watching series, I got to work.
On episode 1, Matt, Chris and Rory had to choose their favourite V8 car. If you are asked to choose the best V8 car to drive for a day and have the choice between a Ford Mustang GT350 Hennessey with 850 horse power, a Jaguar F-Type SVR with 575 horse power and a McLaren 570GT with 562 horsepower, you should choose the 570GT. The Mclaren 570GT will give you the fastest speed and quickest acceleration. Though, if you will be driving on dirt roads, you may want the Mustang after all just like Matt.
On episode 2, I learnt that if you had to place the McLaren 720S and the McLaren P1 on the race track, the quickest of the two is the P1 but only by a slit second. While the 720S costs a mere R5.5 Million, the P1 costs R21 Million! So you should probably save a load of cash and just go with the 720S, I mean it can’t be too bad can it. 😉
Furthermore, I also learnt that using the reverse camera only while having a reverse race is a bad idea. If you go looking for big foot, you are going to need a bunch of expensive but fun toys, one which can even fly. You may still not find big foot, sorry Matt.
On episode 3 I learnt that the Lexus LC500 and the Honda Civic Type-R are too quick performance vehicles. Both are available in South Africa! If you are looking for the fastest front wheel drive hot hatch, then the Civic Type-R is the car to choose.
I also learnt that Japan is the best place to buy old and cool sports cars. Japan is also the only place you will see LED lights all over a Lamborghini!
On episode 4 I learnt something that you may not believe. Dodge made the Demon, a R1.5 Million muscle car, that for an extra R15 is quicker than a Lamborghini. You see, for R15 you get a box of goodies, tools, thinner tires and together with some settings, you can get from 0 to 100km/h in just over 2 seconds. This makes the Dodge Demon the fastest accelerating road car to date!
I also learnt that South Korea can make cars that are loads of fun to drive in the form of the KIA Stinger and the Hyundai i30N. The Stinger is definitely coming to South Africa but the i30N is not confirmed yet for South Africa. I hope the i30N comes to South Africa as it is a major competitor to the popular Volkswagen Golf GTI. I already see VW fanboys getting scared on Social Media!
On episode 5 I learnt that there is a Ferrari that is super fast, so Ferrari have called it the 812 Superfast. The Ferrari 812 Superfast is a 2 seater rear wheel drive super car with 588 kW and 718 Nm of torque. It has a 6L V12 engine which is the most powerful naturally aspirated engine in a road car. With top speeds around 340km/h and 0 to 100 in 2.9 seconds, the Superfast definitely deserves its name.
Lastly, I learnt that there is a car so sinister and menacing, it has been banned in Europe. The Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE with 650 horse power, a top speed of 305km/h and 0 to 100km/h in 3.5 seconds, is the car you use for drag racing. But this is not the reason it was banned in the UK. The aerodynamic bodywork is too dangerous for pedestrians. At the front there are splitters and dive planes which improve down force and cooling but are also even more dangerous, if you knock a pedestrian. I think I know someone who owns a ZL1, to America I shall go!
Whoever said you can’t learn anything from watching television needs to watch better shows, like Top Gear. Episode 6 airs tonight (Wednesday 4th of April) from 8pm on BBC Brit (Dstv Channel 120) where Chris Harris and guest, former motorsport team boss,Eddie Jordan got an explosive drive in the new Alpine A110. I can’t wait to watch more!
Here is a teaser for Season 25:
This post has been sponsored by BBC BRIT, DStv channel 120
