The touring car segment was certainly a fun way to start the show. Brought in slowly, it had plenty of crashes to fill us with joy. I do agree entirely with what was said, too. The BTCC was the original best motorsport. And it is such a shame in the recent years it has fallen behind. I think the 80s and 90s were certainly something of a pinnacle for that motorsport. I laughed hard at the final crash too. The guy gets out after a monster crash then just stumbles a bit. A proper racing driver for sure.
The news was continuing the 'well on track' theme. Very funny, to the point, and full of amusing parts. Although maybe a tad too far with the final products. Not as good as the last 'Christmas gifts' section in series 10.
And the bringing back of the V8 was brilliant too. As soon as he started it it was clear that this application of such a motor was...not adequate to say the least. :lol:
SIARPC. Hmm. Now this was much worse for want of a better phrase. From the start Clarkson mentioned the CD, and that 'that was why he was here'. Now this has been the single reason why the SIARPC have been so good recently. NO PLUGGING. Frankly, they failed here. The interview was uninteresting, he was boring and the lap time was pretty bad too. We need more Kevin McClouds - unknown to some, unwanting of huge fame and a great guy. That is all we ask. Even if they don't like cars that much, they can still be brilliant.
The Tesla segment was much better. A nice car, and the review wasn't clouded by the fact it was an 'eco' car. An honest review, showing the reasons why it is such an important car, but also showing the points that you don't hear anywhere else, or think about. The tyres for instance - who thought they would be a problem? No-one. Because everyone else has tunnel vision towards the exhaust pipe. Or rather lack of it. Excellent videography too.
The stunt was a nice way to 'get it back' from 5th Gear. Or not. :lol: Sure they failed, but it was a hilarious way of doing it. Crashing cars (as proved in the touring car segment) is fun, and is always welcome. No worries about the consequences, and nice to see a controlled use of the stunt-man this time, not trying to instigate him into the show like the Stig is.
Finishing off with the FCX was a nice way to end. Like the Tesla, it wasn't stuck in 'lets hate the eco cars' mode, and in 'lets see what we can come up with about a new car' mode. Again as with the Tesla review, a nice honest review, with excellent videography, and some nice volleyballers too. And very nice to see Jay Leno's garage too. Some immense set up he has there! The phrase James used at the end tells it how it is I think. "The reason its the car of the future, is because its just like the car of today."
Overall, I'll give it an 8.5/10. Heading VERY close to a 10, but seriously let down by the SIARPC. Shame.