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http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/2/AmericanFlag.jpg "If we are going to stop terrorists, rebuild the polar bears' igloos and somehow turn on the global air conditioner, we're going to need much more impressive mileage and, more important, something that's actually worth driving," says David Coleman" (blog.wired.com/cars/2009/02/top-gear-plans.html)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/top_gear_01.jpgBen Mack - Wired Autopia (blog.wired.com) – Feb. 20, 2009

At CleanMPG, we've been thinking that for quite some time... I like that some 'main stream' automotive types are seeing the light. -- Ed.

The moto-fanatics at Top Gear America are fed up with fuel-efficient cars that look like "lumps of cold mashed potatoes" and offer about that much excitement, so they're building a car that they say will get 70 mpg, do zero to 60 in a respectable 7 seconds and cost just $7,000.

"If we are going to stop terrorists, rebuild the polar bears' igloos and somehow turn on the global air conditioner, we're going to need much more impressive mileage and, more important, something that's actually worth driving," says David Coleman of Top Gear America.com.

No word yet on whether the car will cure cancer and bring world peace, but it's still early in the project.

Now the guys at Top Gear have access to some mighty impressive machinery, so what are they using as the basis for this project? You might be surprised to hear they'll work some magic on a - get ready for it - 1981 Volkswagen Rabbit diesel.

Huh? ... http://blog.wired.com/cars/2009/02/top-gear-plans.html

Did The Stig drive it?

Of course we will never see his face....after all the last Stig that revealed his identity "walked the plank" :p (advance to 55 seconds in the video)

http://www.youtube.com/v/ZzZVEH377BA&hl=en&fs=1

We have Top Gear America now? Last I heard NBC declined and they were looking for another network to give it a shot. I hope it doesn't turn out like Top Gear Australia...

TOP GEAR AMERICA is an official website catering to the US audience (via BBC-America) of the UK Top Gear.

There were plans for an American edition of Top Gear, but NBC declined it after they'd filmed a pilot. Clarkson stated in an interview that the idea was dead.

Probably just as well. I was thinking to myself about what I would come up with as a Top Gear America producer and how I would feel about it as a presenter. The silly parts are easy, as there is no end of ridiculous challenges that one can come up with using the giant playground that is the USA. But then you have to drive American cars around a track making commentary that would appeal to an American audience in a way that doesn't **** off your sponsors which, in all probability, would include American car companies who don't want to see me fall over laughing when I have to describe the merits of a Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8. I think that's what the Brits would call "madness." Oh well.

I must take exception to that, my Prius looks like a lump of
*warm* mashed potatoes thankyouverymuch.
.
_H*

Already thought of a "Basjoos" eposide. Inter Basjoos and his AeroCivic, then have the Top Gear team get a couple of pickups - one as is, and the other with absure air effects....in other words don't just aeromod it - do it in a way it would get some one arrested, just like what happened to Top Gear's trolled-out pickup in Alabama. :D

Probably just as well. I was thinking to myself about what I would come up with as a Top Gear America producer and how I would feel about it as a presenter. The silly parts are easy, as there is no end of ridiculous challenges that one can come up with using the giant playground that is the USA. But then you have to drive American cars around a track making commentary that would appeal to an American audience in a way that doesn't **** off your sponsors which, in all probability, would include American car companies who don't want to see me fall over laughing when I have to describe the merits of a Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8. I think that's what the Brits would call "madness." Oh well.

I agree. Instead of a US Top Gear, I think I'd rather see an occasional "Top Gear America" segment on the UK show - maybe like this diesel thing is going to be?