The Chris Harris thread

[MonkeyKnifeFight]

That Delta Wing thing is insane!!

 

[Owen]

Here's the vid from 31/10/12:

 

[MarkCup]

Wow. Incredible machine.

Surprising how capable it is on bicycle tyres. Makes perfect sense though...in real terms they do have so little to do. Amazing. Want one.

 

[Wick]

That is so cool! Can't believe they let him lose in it tbh!

 

[welshname]

That's amazing.

It goes against everything you've ever known about cars, but then at the same time, when he explains it, it makes you feel like general car manufacturers have been doing it wrong for all this time.

Awesome bit of kit.

 

[Munson]

Incredible machine. I can see all bespoke racing cars eventually adopting this approach. Not sure about general car manufacturers though, Wales. I don't think the packaging would really fit in an Astra.

 

[Matt Cup]

Only a short one this time.

Oh and the DeltaWing from last week is an incredible piece of machinery

 

[kpowell911]

Doesnt the Delta Wing have the same engine as the new 2013 Renaultsport Clio? Obviously in a different tuned state!

 

[MarkCup]

LOL at 'win' for the porka.

 

[Mr Burns]

I've never been a fan of comparing car to bikes, it's like comparing men to women... You're just fighting a battle you're never going to win.

 

[Sam@NP]

That GT2 RS is some bit of kit. The rate of acceleration above 150mph is incredible.

I dont mind comparing cars v bikes as long at its round a track

 

[Cookie]

I'd still have the GT2 RS! Have sat on a Panigale and it was facking sexual though. Looks fast even sat still.

 

[jam.]

Fabby!

 

[sbridgey]

Llandow!!!

 

[Mr Burns]

Love it when they test cars that you could potentially own, even better when they're tested on a track you know too...

 

[Al_G]

Fabby!

Brilliant vid!

VXR drives much better than expected.

CH makes a valid point at the end regarding the M135i. I know where I'd be spending my money .

 

[JoeyD]

I actually do quite like the look of the Vauxhall. I just don't think I could EVER own one.

 

[Munson]

Good vid. I was expecting the Ford to post the slowest lapt time, but I didn't think the all mighty Megane would get beaten by the Astra.

 

[Mr Burns]

I took the Astra around Rockingham earlier in the year and was pleasantly surprised too, although I couldn't get over how huge hatchbacks feel these days. I still hated the gearnob though.

 

[JoeyD]

Agree on the size thing. I saw an old Toyota Corolla parked up next to a new shape Ford Ka a couple of days ago, the Ford looked bigger in Every dimension. It's mental! I know which I'd rather have a crash in, but still...

 

[Mr Burns]

Surely though, if the Ka and Twingo etc can achieve 5-star NCAP ratings then why does an Astra/Clio have to be the size of a tank? I know they have more equipment and more legroom, boot space etc but cars seem much bigger than necessary... All with tiny windows and poor visibility too.

 

[Sam@NP]

Its a fix.

 

[Mr Burns]

Its a fix.

So long as it's not one of Jim's...

 

[JoeyD]

Yeah, the size of pillars in cars is getting a bit ridiculous. That Astra for example, you see inside when he's out on track that there's an absolutely Massive blind spot created by the A-pillar. Surely that's not safe? Quite distracting I should imagine..

 

[Mr Burns]

Exactly my thoughts when I drove it, same applies to many modern cars. Women have no hope.

 

[Munson]

Although at the same time we want chassis rigidity and also to have the ability to barrel roll into a field with at least some chance of survival.

I think I'll stick with chunky pillars personally. Anyone else is welcome to trade-in their horrible modern car for a Nova.

 

[Mr Burns]

Although at the same time we want chassis rigidity and also to have the ability to barrel roll into a field with at least some chance of survival.

I think I'll stick with chunky pillars personally. Anyone else is welcome to trade-in their horrible modern car for a Nova.

I think you're exaggerating our opinions, Royston. I'd happily have any of the cars in the review, it's just a shame that cars are getting so lardy these days.

 

[JoeyD]

I think you're exaggerating our opinions, Royston. I'd happily have any of the cars in the review, it's just a shame that cars are getting so lardy these days.

+1

I'm most surprised by the Astra, having hated Vauxhalls all my life. But I'd happily own this:

Top Gear Hot Hatch Test by Rowan Horncastle, on Flickr

Maybe.

 

[Ian_182]

That white astra looks good tbh.

 

[Daz_RT_04]

Astra or Megane....Astra or Megane....

Astra for me tbh.

The Focus can GTFO.

 

[NoahRobinson07]

I'd actually get the Focus, I prefer the looks.

I agree with the whole pillar thing on modern cars, they do create massive blind spots. But they have also started designing windscreens to be more aerodynamic, which is great except it means the are stretch backwards and to carry that them on inside they put a huge dash in that you can't see over, so you have no clue where the end of the car is.

 

[Jay Payne]

^my Mondeo is like that. Its a new shape one. Its a big old barge anyway but really hard to see/judge where the front of the car is

 

[Gally]

One week we compare the Focus RS with the meg and Astra then the next it's the ST.

I think even the journos have missed the whole point of this ST. I need to watch the video again.

 

[Jay Payne]

Llandow!!!

With the weather set to 'Default'

 

[Owen]

SLS GT AMG video from 28 Nov, can't find anything from the week just gone though?

 

[joe18two]

Imagine how insane the black series will be

 

[Mr Burns]

I love how he effortlessly gets everything sideways.

 

[mini_nick]

Whats happened recently with the Harris Drive videos? There hasn't really been a proper one since the hot hatch shootout. Didn't see one last night...

 

[Turkish]

 

[jam.]

Was just about to post that.


Glorious.