How long before TopGear gets a run at the C7
06-30-2013, 11:54 AM
#1
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
Member Since: Feb 2011
Location: Paoli, IN
Posts: 5,799
Received 398 Likes
on
264 Posts
St. Jude Donor '17, '19
How long before TopGear gets a run at the C7
Hey guys,
Just curious if anyone has any idea how long after the car is released that we can see it on TopGear (british one, American TopGear is terrible).
I enjoy their reviews and the jokes about the cars they are testing. Even if I don't agree with some of their reviews, you still get a good walk around regardless.
Thanks.
Just curious if anyone has any idea how long after the car is released that we can see it on TopGear (british one, American TopGear is terrible).
I enjoy their reviews and the jokes about the cars they are testing. Even if I don't agree with some of their reviews, you still get a good walk around regardless.
Thanks.
06-30-2013, 12:26 PM
#2
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Jul 2009
Location: Los Angeles California
Posts: 9,526
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes
on
10 Posts
Someone would have to ship them their car. Europe isn't going to get them before us.
If they wanted to pay for the shipping and my plane tickets and expenses, I'd totally loan them my car. LOL
If they wanted to pay for the shipping and my plane tickets and expenses, I'd totally loan them my car. LOL
06-30-2013, 12:31 PM
#3
Team Owner
Member Since: Jun 2005
Location: Northern, VA
Posts: 46,111
Received 2,485 Likes
on
1,947 Posts
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
I don't care what they think. Their show is entertainment and to me, not fact based. Click and Clack were much better, and they were entertaining.
06-30-2013, 12:40 PM
#5
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Apr 2013
Posts: 6,657
Received 4,116 Likes
on
1,470 Posts
2020 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Top gear UK? 2 years.
06-30-2013, 12:49 PM
#6
Safety Car
07-02-2013, 10:59 PM
#8
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
Member Since: Feb 2011
Location: Paoli, IN
Posts: 5,799
Received 398 Likes
on
264 Posts
St. Jude Donor '17, '19
Well yes, they have to be entertaining. They do exaggerate things, but I still enjoy it. But I would not say they were completely fictional.
07-02-2013, 11:04 PM
#9
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Apr 2013
Posts: 6,657
Received 4,116 Likes
on
1,470 Posts
2020 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
07-02-2013, 11:35 PM
#11
Le Mans Master
GM would do well to get Top Gear a first-year car. The review will haunt YouTube for years, so get it in while everything is at its freshest relative to the competition.
We already know the lads will joke about the leaf springs and the plastic butt; let them have those harmless jabs. But they'll likely say flattering if not effusive things about the interior, and The Stig will post a gonzo lap time, and that will sell some cars overseas.
Honestly GM can't NOT have a car on Top Gear and expect to be taken seriously, given the way previous Corvettes have been judged. And if it doesn't go well, there's a chance to fix it with the next Zed Ah Won.
We already know the lads will joke about the leaf springs and the plastic butt; let them have those harmless jabs. But they'll likely say flattering if not effusive things about the interior, and The Stig will post a gonzo lap time, and that will sell some cars overseas.
Honestly GM can't NOT have a car on Top Gear and expect to be taken seriously, given the way previous Corvettes have been judged. And if it doesn't go well, there's a chance to fix it with the next Zed Ah Won.
07-03-2013, 01:51 AM
#12
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Apr 2013
Posts: 6,657
Received 4,116 Likes
on
1,470 Posts
2020 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Nothing to gain, everything to lose.
I can see 5th gear as they are more of a real car show. Topgear is more entertainment with clever snide remarks and a general prejudice (well, actual disdain) against American cars.
What TG did to Telsa was a complete fabrication -- and Tesla took them to task about it.
BTW: I think they will like the Vette because it has a manual, is inexpensive, reasonably fast, handles well enough, and makes the right noises. But, overall they will say it's not ready for prime time, cheaply made compared to European cars, the dash is overly fussy, the HUD silly as is the hidden compartment behind the TFT, the colors and details vulgar, the driver control switch options too limiting, the TFT screen graphics too "playstation", and it's not designed for the Euro market (no steering wheel on the right side). Oh, and they won't like the styling as it's not "pretty".
It's a guess and I'm sure they will say it's a better car than before but it won't be good enough for them IMO. I can't see what's to gain from GM's perspective.
I can see 5th gear as they are more of a real car show. Topgear is more entertainment with clever snide remarks and a general prejudice (well, actual disdain) against American cars.
What TG did to Telsa was a complete fabrication -- and Tesla took them to task about it.
BTW: I think they will like the Vette because it has a manual, is inexpensive, reasonably fast, handles well enough, and makes the right noises. But, overall they will say it's not ready for prime time, cheaply made compared to European cars, the dash is overly fussy, the HUD silly as is the hidden compartment behind the TFT, the colors and details vulgar, the driver control switch options too limiting, the TFT screen graphics too "playstation", and it's not designed for the Euro market (no steering wheel on the right side). Oh, and they won't like the styling as it's not "pretty".
It's a guess and I'm sure they will say it's a better car than before but it won't be good enough for them IMO. I can't see what's to gain from GM's perspective.
Last edited by Sin City; 07-03-2013 at 01:59 AM.
07-03-2013, 03:33 AM
#13
Melting Slicks
Member Since: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,488
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
GM would do well to get Top Gear a first-year car. The review will haunt YouTube for years, so get it in while everything is at its freshest relative to the competition.
We already know the lads will joke about the leaf springs and the plastic butt; let them have those harmless jabs. But they'll likely say flattering if not effusive things about the interior, and The Stig will post a gonzo lap time, and that will sell some cars overseas.
Honestly GM can't NOT have a car on Top Gear and expect to be taken seriously, given the way previous Corvettes have been judged. And if it doesn't go well, there's a chance to fix it with the next Zed Ah Won.
We already know the lads will joke about the leaf springs and the plastic butt; let them have those harmless jabs. But they'll likely say flattering if not effusive things about the interior, and The Stig will post a gonzo lap time, and that will sell some cars overseas.
Honestly GM can't NOT have a car on Top Gear and expect to be taken seriously, given the way previous Corvettes have been judged. And if it doesn't go well, there's a chance to fix it with the next Zed Ah Won.
07-03-2013, 07:50 AM
#14
Top Gear is broadcast all over the world with an absolutely MASSIVE audience and GM is taking this generation of the Corvette global. It would be very foolish for GM not to get this car in Jeremy's hands to advertise it to the world as soon as possible after the car is available.
07-03-2013, 08:07 AM
#15
I'm wondering if anyone at any of these recent events pushed the rear with their hand to see if it flexes like the C6 did on Top Gear.
I suspect the TG boys will like it but will continue to make fun of it nonetheless. They will go on about the Corvette's 60th birthday and how the C7 is the culmination of all those previous cars and yet it is still the "Plastic Fantastic'.
I suspect the TG boys will like it but will continue to make fun of it nonetheless. They will go on about the Corvette's 60th birthday and how the C7 is the culmination of all those previous cars and yet it is still the "Plastic Fantastic'.
07-03-2013, 09:04 AM
#16
Le Mans Master
I'm wondering if anyone at any of these recent events pushed the rear with their hand to see if it flexes like the C6 did on Top Gear.
I suspect the TG boys will like it but will continue to make fun of it nonetheless. They will go on about the Corvette's 60th birthday and how the C7 is the culmination of all those previous cars and yet it is still the "Plastic Fantastic'.
I suspect the TG boys will like it but will continue to make fun of it nonetheless. They will go on about the Corvette's 60th birthday and how the C7 is the culmination of all those previous cars and yet it is still the "Plastic Fantastic'.
07-03-2013, 10:14 AM
#17
Tech Contributor
Member Since: Mar 1999
Location: Northern VA
Posts: 10,086
Received 3,835 Likes
on
1,156 Posts
"Ask Tadge" Producer
Hardly. You're absolutely right that TG is mostly entertainment and car ****, less actual information and reviews. The part that gets serious is Stig's driving. As someone else pointed out: TG is one of the most watched show on television, literally in the world. That's coverage GM's own advertising organization couldn't match.
GM would gain eyeballs. No one pays any attention to the "objective" (note the quotes) reviews the guys give cars. They do pay attention to what the Stig is able to accomplish with it.
...annnnd lost. Someone forgot to tell Mr. Musk that TG was entertainment. He took it way too seriously. GM knows better and they won't do the same thing.
GM would gain eyeballs. No one pays any attention to the "objective" (note the quotes) reviews the guys give cars. They do pay attention to what the Stig is able to accomplish with it.
What TG did to Telsa was a complete fabrication -- and Tesla took them to task about it.
07-03-2013, 10:22 AM
#18
Instructor
As I recall they lambasted the base C6, but they loved the Z06 and ZR1 variants. Jeremy couldn't get enough of all the power that they had. (Remember the 5th gear standing start test?)
We will probably see the C7 review on the fall season.
We will probably see the C7 review on the fall season.
07-03-2013, 11:28 PM
#19
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
Member Since: Feb 2011
Location: Paoli, IN
Posts: 5,799
Received 398 Likes
on
264 Posts
St. Jude Donor '17, '19
Sin City does have a point. And I think his suggestion of what the review will be will be close to theirs. At the same time, JVP makes a good point on the advertising perspective.
But like the Tesla, you don't want completely bad press. I agree it is entertainment, but what TG to the Tesla was wrong. And I totally side with Musk on flipping out about it. The thing is, even if TG was playing around, electric cars are still in the infant stage and don't need any more bad press. The joke was easily being seen as true information. So I could see why GM would be hesitant since they have no idea what TG will say. However, does GM have to give them a car in order for them to review it? We really don't think they will get their hands one any other way?
TomcatMF is right. Jeremy loved the Z06 and the ZR1. He loved how you could put it in 5th and get to full speed without any issues. But he didn't like the plastic body on any of them. But who cares if it is plastic. I would prefer it. Its lighter and if someone happens to bump or tap the back end, you don't have to take it to the shop to get the fender fixed from a dent.
But like the Tesla, you don't want completely bad press. I agree it is entertainment, but what TG to the Tesla was wrong. And I totally side with Musk on flipping out about it. The thing is, even if TG was playing around, electric cars are still in the infant stage and don't need any more bad press. The joke was easily being seen as true information. So I could see why GM would be hesitant since they have no idea what TG will say. However, does GM have to give them a car in order for them to review it? We really don't think they will get their hands one any other way?
TomcatMF is right. Jeremy loved the Z06 and the ZR1. He loved how you could put it in 5th and get to full speed without any issues. But he didn't like the plastic body on any of them. But who cares if it is plastic. I would prefer it. Its lighter and if someone happens to bump or tap the back end, you don't have to take it to the shop to get the fender fixed from a dent.
07-03-2013, 11:51 PM
#20
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Apr 2013
Posts: 6,657
Received 4,116 Likes
on
1,470 Posts
2020 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I just don't see what they have to gain. Everyone in the US will already know about this car before TG does something.
When it comes to the Europeans, maybe the sales will go from 50 to 75.
Seriously...if you want Euro's to like this car, have Evo test it and like it. Then you may have something. Just make sure you send them a manual because unless its a POS gearbox they will like it.
I don't know what we are sending to Europe but I know they are all Z51's. Hopefully some manual boxes in there.
I can see them giving TG the new Z06 because it's not a daily driver kind a thing. It's unique, brutal, and probably exciting enough for them to overlook their British snobbishness for just a few minutes.
5 gear.. yes. Top Gear... I don't think so.
When it comes to the Europeans, maybe the sales will go from 50 to 75.
Seriously...if you want Euro's to like this car, have Evo test it and like it. Then you may have something. Just make sure you send them a manual because unless its a POS gearbox they will like it.I don't know what we are sending to Europe but I know they are all Z51's. Hopefully some manual boxes in there.
I can see them giving TG the new Z06 because it's not a daily driver kind a thing. It's unique, brutal, and probably exciting enough for them to overlook their British snobbishness for just a few minutes.
5 gear.. yes. Top Gear... I don't think so.
Last edited by Sin City; 07-04-2013 at 12:00 AM.