"Saracen" (manualdoucheelitist)
03/03/2014 at 02:17 • Filed to: None
2
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"Saracen" (manualdoucheelitist)
03/03/2014 at 02:17 • Filed to: None | 2
| 14 |
(Spoiler Alert).
The Porsche 918 looks gorgeous, and sounds gorgeous, but...
I really didn't like Hammond's segment on the 918. True to his overly competitive nature, he spends the entire damn film comparing with/defending from/attacking the McLaren P1, rather than evaluating an amazing, breathtaking hypercar on its own merits. Really ticked me off.
Hammond did the Porsche 918 a serious disservice with that film.
NinetyQ
> Saracen
03/03/2014 at 02:23 |
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I didn't get that vibe from it really. The two are genuinely similar hypercars, but with different ways of achieving their performance. It's a season-long bit to compare the two, because they're basically the biggest exotic car news of the year. I learned quite a bit about the 918 from that segment, more than just how it stacks up to the P1.
CRider
> Saracen
03/03/2014 at 02:37 |
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I just finished watching it and haven't had much time to digest the episode, but I'm inclined to agree. However I've (kind of... almost) come to terms with the fact that Top Gear is targeted toward a different audience than us. I do wish they would dedicate a special to the new supercars and just talk about them in full technical detail.
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Saracen
> NinetyQ
03/03/2014 at 02:40 |
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Well, of course, I learned a lot too, but the entire damn time it goes like this:
"Unlike the P1..."
"which is more than the P1..."
"Compared to the P1's middling...":
I just felt he did a half assed job of it.
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Saracen
> CRider
03/03/2014 at 02:49 |
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That's not the point.
It's typical Hammond. He always has to be better. Sore winner, etc. They should have done their films independently, side by side. Clearly Hammond saw Clarkson's segment first and decided he would just tout that the 918 is better.
Ironically, Clarkson's film on the P1 was mmmmuch much better.
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CRider
> Saracen
03/03/2014 at 03:03 |
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The script for both shows was written well before they drove either car, and months before the episodes aired. It's a show. They play characters- themselves, but they are scripted.
M54B30
> Saracen
03/03/2014 at 03:04 |
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That's because Top Gear isn't meant for hardcore enthusiasts. People tune in more for funny and witty commentary than actual comparisons. Sure there's an occasional serious test but the majority is fun stuff - Fiesta vs Tank, the Africa challenge with wagons, the bits where they compare cheap cars, etc.
Don't think of it as a car show like what you (and I) want it to be. It's entertainment with the occasional test or set of good facts.
Hoccy
> Saracen
03/03/2014 at 03:11 |
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I agree, it was a bit too much comparing it to the P1 and not the LaFerrari and other cars in the same genre. I did enjoy the segment though, but it wasn't that balanced as a standalone review could be.
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Saracen
> CRider
03/03/2014 at 03:13 |
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Even if it was, it was still lame.
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Saracen
> M54B30
03/03/2014 at 03:14 |
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Do you really think I don't know that? I've been watching Top Gear since inception.
My entire point is that he still just half assed it.
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CRider
> Saracen
03/03/2014 at 03:23 |
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Well about half of everything TG does nowadays qualifies as lame.
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M54B30
> Saracen
03/03/2014 at 03:29 |
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If you already knew that, then why did you expect otherwise?
I just said (paraphrasing here) that they don't do serious tests and you said you knew that but you're mad that they didn't do a serious test...
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M54B30
> Saracen
03/03/2014 at 03:29 |
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If you already knew that, then why did you expect otherwise?
I just said (paraphrasing here) that they don't do serious tests and you said you knew that but you're mad that they didn't do a serious test...
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Saracen
> M54B30
03/03/2014 at 03:37 |
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I never said I was mad that they didn't do a serious test, did I? Where did I say that?
Clarkson did a fantastic film, about one car. The P1. It was exciting and entertaining, as well as being education.
Hammond did a film talking not about the 918, but about why the 918 is better than the P1. It was a little entertaining, and education, but mostly irritating.
Why is this concept so difficult to grasp?!
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NinetyQ
> Saracen
03/03/2014 at 03:50 |
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I'll have to rewatch it tomorrow or something. The entire way through that segment I just kept thinking, "man, just when I thought Top Gear's cinematography couldn't get any better, this season comes along and blows the past stuff out of the water." The first segment that really caught my attention though was last week's Alfa Romeo Touring piece with Clarkson.