Fifth Gear is probably taken more seriously than Top Gear by petrolheads, but there's little to hate, or love, or feel strongly about in any way
I have two jobs on this newspaper: to write about television, and to write about cars. Sometimes I can combine them ? by watching television in a car, if it's a very posh one, or simply by watching television about cars. Like Fifth Gear (Channel 5), which is the one that isn't Top Gear.
I was quite interested in this one, because they're trying out the new McLaren. The people who make cars for Lewis and Jenson are now making cars for you and me ? well, if you happen to have a spare �168,500. It's called the MP4-12C, snappily. And this, we're told, is the first ever TV test.
Except it's not. Evan Davis, the BBC economics dude, was in one just the other day, on a programme about the economy. Admittedly he was more interested in the business side of things than its cornering ability, but he still got there first; beat Fifth Gear to it.
Anyway, it's rubbish, the car. Neither Tiff nor Jason like it; the Ferrari they've got is better in every way. Italy 1, England 0. So I've decided not to get the missus a McLaren for her birthday after all; looks like it's going to be another M&S voucher then.
As well as the feature on the McLaren, Vicki is taught how to roll a car not very impressively by a movie stuntman, and they go for a ride in a big Mercedes, which they all like. And it's all right, I suppose. But it's not Top Gear.
Now I loathe Top Gear with a passion. They're idiots, morons, oafs, etc ? and that's just the studio audience. Don't get me started on James, Richard and You Know Who. But at least you can hate them (and sometimes, against your better judgment, chuckle at them). This lot on Fifth Gear, and their show, are probably taken more seriously by proper petrolheads, but there's little to hate, or love, or feel strongly about in any way. It's just a bit bland, to be honest. Like a Vauxhall Vectra.
Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/tv-and-radio/2011/jun/24/fifth-gear-mclaren
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