On Sat, Mar 30, 2013 at 01:30:00PM +0000, Chris Barker wrote:
> I don't think that performance can be a real test, David. You surely
> just put a bigger engine in the thing, without worrying about economy or
> emissions.
> But, Clarkson doesn't get paid for his taste but for his
> showmanship. Have you seen the awful US spin-off, though?
Chris,
Performance is a useful yardstick out here, especially when the nearest
delicatessen is over 10km away. That said, our factories still have to
meet the same emissions and economy standards that your car
manufacturers do- and all that AFTER they've shoehorned the performace
donk into the family car, otherwise we can't sell into your market- as
ugly as they are they do sell - as Vauxhalls and Opels.
Never mind the awful US TopGear spinoff, there was a local Australian
spinoff that was far, Far, FAR worse.
Holden (GM) and Ford are our acceptable brands, but we grudgingly put up
with asian import junk like Mitsubishi, Hyundai, Daewoo. and Toyota.
There is a whole subculture of Skyline/Soarer/Lancer drivers that buy
worn-out Japanese cast-off import vehicles made of snot-glued tinfoil
that attach turbo blowoff valves and a subwoofer only slightly less
powerful than AC/DC's current touring rig that play doof-doof noises al
night long.
Mercs, Beemers and Volvos out here are only driven by people with hats,
with the centre of the car over the lane lines, at about 60% of the
speed limit. and oddly, all have their corners smashed in.
davidt
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