Author Topic: Jeremy Clarkson-The Good The Bad The Ugly (Read 10240 times)

Neubob · « **Reply #285 on:** January 14, 2007, 12:45:19 PM »

I don't know a whole lot about drag coeffecients, so I can't tell you much about how one compares to the other aerodynamically. I do know that often, what you'd think is better ends up not being so.

The biggest difference, I suspect, is a combination of weight and gearing, though. Notice the 0-60 times for the W8 as compared to the WX3. ALmost a second off.

Either that or the stats on the site are way off--which is possible. I've heard drastically-differing top speeds quoted by varying sources for the elite super exotics.

Neubob · « **Reply #286 on:** January 14, 2007, 12:51:00 PM »

Lol, here's a real economy car:

2700 lbs, 1180 HP
They're quoting a potential top speed of 273!!!
We're gonna have to wait until May to find out for sure.

ssc Aero

eskimo2 · « **Reply #287 on:** January 14, 2007, 12:52:30 PM »

If there's one American car that could out perform any Euro-car, this is it:

1K3 · « **Reply #288 on:** January 14, 2007, 02:37:11 PM »

Hey guys checkout the Top Gear footage of Roush Mustang.

JC loved it

http://youtube.com/watch?v=iq06eUNlyzI

DiabloTX · « **Reply #289 on:** January 14, 2007, 09:43:08 PM »

Viking · « **Reply #290 on:** January 15, 2007, 02:50:24 AM »

That new Camaro looks so good I don't care what they put in it. I wan't one bad!

Viking · « **Reply #291 on:** January 15, 2007, 02:54:30 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by 1K3
Hey guys checkout the Top Gear footage of Roush Mustang.

JC loved it

http://youtube.com/watch?v=iq06eUNlyzI

That's not from Top Gear. It's from the Clarkson show that bears this thread's name.

Nilsen · « **Reply #292 on:** January 15, 2007, 02:59:27 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by DiabloTX

that is one good looking car

DiabloTX · « **Reply #293 on:** January 15, 2007, 03:05:37 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Viking
That new Camaro looks so good I don't care what they put in it. I wan't one bad!

I've been saying that about the Camaro/Firebird since 1977...when I was 10 years old.

Carmen Electra ain't bad either!

As a personal annecdote, my father told me that back then I would count the number of Camaros/Firebirds I saw no matter where we went. He said he got really tired of it but understood my passion. Here I am, about to turn 40, and I still am a fan. I guess that's brand loyalty for ya.

FastFwd · « **Reply #294 on:** January 15, 2007, 04:30:55 AM »

Hmmm... seems unlikely that eurocar and ricer makers would strive for such tags as "muscle car" or "hot rod", for various reasons

- those traits would be known as something else in their language(s) and there would be no exact translation

- why would they want to build a car designed for an American market when it's to be sold in their own country?

The Euros have said it, and shown evidence of their twisting roads. The American muscle car would not be much use on roads like those, especially with japanese/euro fuel prices.

john9001 · « **Reply #295 on:** January 15, 2007, 08:17:00 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by FastFwd

The Euros have said it, and shown evidence of their twisting roads. The American muscle car would not be much use on roads like those, especially with japanese/euro fuel prices.

autobahn?

FastFwd · « **Reply #296 on:** January 15, 2007, 10:37:54 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by john9001
autobahn?

What, Germany? They have no speed limit in many places, and there are plenty of German cars (eg. Merc, BMW) that can do 150+ mph. I was explaining to Lazs2 further up ^ that these high spec euro cars are speed limited to 155, but could do more... Even 3.0 V6 eurodiesels can nudge 150. A 4.0 V8 will romp past 150 and then top out at 155.

The difference is that these cars can average ~35mpg. How many American muscle cars/hot rods can average that? How many can average even 20mpg?

Oh yeah, then there's "chipping". Chipping is a process in which an engine is connected to a computer (a normal PC) through its diagnostic port. The computer "reprograms" or "remaps" the engine management chip to optimize performance. I knew someone who had this done, and he said the PC beeped 3 times - job done! His car instantly had an extra 25% hp. That was a gasoline car - he figures the boost for diesels can be 30% with a cut in fuel consumption thrown in. OK, maybe not the kind of engine mods that guys like Lazs2 do, but this is 2007...

lazs2 · « **Reply #297 on:** January 15, 2007, 10:47:39 AM »

ftfwd... the zo6 will do about 200mph and gets 26 mpg.. it is the champ.

most of the 150 mph cars here will get in the mid twenties.

But... what do you drive? You seem to have strong opinions. What is it that you like to drive on a daily basis?

many cars if not the majority here are limited by the computer. If you knew anything about the scene you would know that chips are a big seller. We have hot rod diesels here too but most are trucks.

diesel costs more than premium here and would in your-up if they cared about pollution... our standards for sulfur are way lower now. soon..... smog control devices will be required for diesel rigs and have to be inspected every 2 years... free ride is over for diesels for a while.

but fwd... what do you drive? what are you basing all your opinion on? I bet you have never driven or ridden in a pumped up big block vette or chevelle with hotchkiss or global west suspension... I bet you have never wrenched on a 30's ford roadster or hot rod.

Hell... I bet you don't even own one of those high dollar eurotrash supercars.

I bet you are just trying to justify driving a civic or prius.

lazs

Skuzzy · « **Reply #298 on:** January 15, 2007, 10:54:24 AM »

Uhmm,..who gives a rat's tush about the gas mileage of a muscle car or hot rod anyway. I do not know any wrench-heads who even think about the gas mileage (including myself) when tweaking up thier ride.

And tweaking an engine with a computer is pretty easy, but a lot less fun than the old fashion way. And it is also less about the mechanic/driver as well. Today's engines and all the micro-managment with the various computers have really removed the mechanic from the equation and a large part of the *mystique* in tweaking an engine.

Now, anyone with enough money can buy thier horsepower in a nice tidy package. That's not hot-rodding, in the traditional sense.

Dowding · « **Reply #299 on:** January 15, 2007, 01:49:37 PM »

I like the Ford GT bit.

The best the US has to offer is European in all but name.

P.S. I don't think you are meant to take Jeremy Clarkson so seriously. And he does make a point about the differences between US and European roads. My drive to work is like a rally stage and alot of fun. How many Americans can say the same? My little supercharged 1.6l engine is all I need and would beat any leaf-sprung, under-engineered muscle car on my particular route.

As they say, it is horses for courses.