I'm hurting over the loss of TG but, when thinking objectively, I think it has run its course with both Clarkson & the BBC having about enough of each other. The past few seasons had been pretty poor in places, with too much silliness going on, but this season had seemed to turn a corner but still I think as shake up…

I never knew how advanced BL was until I saw this video of the TheFerrari and it's quartic steering wheel

The BBC is full of rich kids working fit peanuts, it is traditionally seen as a career choice fit upper class kids too stupid for the financial world and too wimpy fit the military.

The stuff he did, minus his chat show, between leaving old TG and starting new TG was really rather good. It would be great if he could build on that and do some more documentary style car shows, say each episode covering the history of various car makers.

I hate to be a pedant but he had not been fired

You and me both, I've been watching it since before you were an itch in your Dad's left nut

Now wasn't that a surprise. I wouldn't be surprise either if the 'Producer' involved was instructed to provoke Clarkson, thus giving the BBC an easy and cheap solution. As their contracts are up, the severence package would be minimal.

I'm guessing that as it was unvailed at the Bangkok Motor Show its going to be for the Asian market only. Saying that though, the car is so incredibly unsporty that this special edition certainly makes a mockery of things.

No but the design language at that time was different and neither Saturn version of the European Astra did well. THe new 2dr Astra may sell well now though, but I doubt it will come across the pond.

No one bought the 2 door Saturn Astra, which is the previous model, unlikely to get a 2 door Verano.

Pulled the trigger on a CX-5 today

I couldn't see those for the red leather gimp suit material, maybe it was my fruedian slip?!

Absolutely! Mine was a face lifted 'Jazz' version with horrific graphics. I remember being jealous of a colleague who had a pre-facelift AX GTI

Fruedian slip......................?

Never have I before seen such an 80's interior

Sure do, I had one back in the day. You could drive the thing with your right foot buried pretty much constantly. Unturbo'd with about 44hp, it was fun keeping momentum up.

Seems as though it will be a futile gesture though, Clarkson was reported to have talked about wanting to do one last run in the test track after being sacked.

thanks, cheque is in the mail

XCar is an excellent You Tube channel, really nice mix of 'normal' car reviews and features on vehicles, museums, people, etc.

I've driven them on the highway at speed and been passed by semi's and they are effect less than my old Bug would have been. None of things you mention would happen, what will happen is you will develop an instant loathing of the gearbox which ruins what could be a fun car to drive.