Jeremy Clarkson on the GT86 in the Sunday Times

[frs23]

>>Frankly, I wouldn’t change a thing about the GT86. Because it’s so bland, it doesn’t attract too much attention. You can therefore have fun without being marked out by passers-by as an anorak.

But changing things can be fun and it was made to embrace a ecosystem of tuning options

[yormaX]

"Frankly, I wouldn’t change a thing about the GT86. Because it’s so bland, it doesn’t attract too much attention. You can therefore have fun without being marked out by passers-by as an anorak."

[TheRipler]

Originally Posted by TuxedoCartman

Or.... he's like 99.9% of the world, and doesn't actually know what the speed of sound is. Which is cool; I freely admit I'm a nerd, so no big whoop.

Still highly entertained by this editorial, and by the man himself usually (even if we do clash on some political views now and then).

What if he purposefully used hyperbole to mess with the pocket protector crowd?

http://xkcd.com/356/

[Captain Insano]

I like the review and agree with the same reasons he likes the car.

For people that don't think the FRS/BRZ is low enough... Huh? Really, are you joking??? The first thing I noticed bout this car when I first sat in the driver seat to get ready for the test drive was, "WHOA, the seating and stance of this car is sooo LOW... This is stock? So cool. I'm in love...". That was before I even drove it and fell in love again.

[Draco-REX]

I can't say how much it makes me grin that Jeremy "POWAAHHH!!" Clarkson likes the FT so much.

[einzlr]

Originally Posted by TheRipler

What if he purposefully used hyperbole to mess with the pocket protector crowd?

http://xkcd.com/356/

hmmm... seems mathematicians are the bigger challenge... (why does this forum not have the little devil smiley?!)

[Marrk]

Originally Posted by switchlanez

Not sure if being sarcastic or just trolling?

1) Fender bulge is functional for driver to place car on road as @SubieNate mentioned.

2) Fender bulge is functional for suspension clearance. Just like the Porsche 911 and Cayman, the FR-S uses an inboard strut/spring layout (as opposed to most other cars where the spring seats hover over the top of the tire). So the struts are already placed lower than normal. But because the flat engine is mounted so low, the strut towers look tall in comparison and require the bulges:


The Veloster doesn't look particularly tall compared to other cars on the road. But when next to my car (stock height)...


Need I comment on Boxster height?

Disagree. And your pics support what I'm saying.

1) The engine sits inches below the hood (hood when closed).

2) "Fender bulge is functional for suspension clearance." Not a chance. Those strut tops are below the fender line and inboard of the entirely decorative wheel humps. But I'd like to buy you a beer and argue about this with an FR-S in front of us. I could be missing something.

3) You all need wheel humps to "place" the car? How about a downward sloping hood, so that you could actually see the front of the car, the corners, the front bumper?

4) I was never talking about the roof height of the car, but now that you mention it, it wouldn't break my heart if it were lower. R8 is at 49.3. Evora is at 48.3. McLaren F1 is at 44.9.

Moto-P told me that they originally designed the front of the car to be lower, but structurally it couldn't pass impact tests. The added height of the fenders is there to add structural rigidity.


Note 1: The Veloster looks like a big, fat, tall lump to me.

Note 2: I'm not "hating on" the FR-S. I'm just saying that it seems big to me. I'm 6'1" and I have to jack up the driver's seat until my head touches the roof just to see where I'm going. But maybe this will change over time and I will adjust to the car.

[Asterisked Accolade]

As i read his whole review, and even as the compliments came down the conveyer belt-- i kept asking myself, "He thinks it's ugly?"

[The Robot Cow]

To me in stock form it has a pretty good stance(don't get this confused with hellaflush yo!) to it. The overall size of the car is amazing.

I also read this in Clarkson's voice and it made it that much better.

[switchlanez]

Originally Posted by Marrk

1) The engine sits inches below the hood (hood when closed).

And? It needs clearance else engine bay temps become unreliably hot.

Originally Posted by Marrk

2) "Fender bulge is functional for suspension clearance." Not a chance. Those struts tops are below the fender line and inboard of the entirely decorative wheel humps. But I'd like to buy you a beer and argue about this with an FR-S in front of us. I could be missing something.

Look at the engine bay picture again.

The components need space overhead for efficient heat dissipation. With the towers being among the highest points; bulges are a result of the hood being draped tightly over a nearly uniform sized layer of air. Also note the thick crash structure beams fit neatly in that air gap (which also add to rigidity).

Originally Posted by Marrk

3) You all need wheel humps to "place" the car? How about a downward sloping hood, so that you could actually see the front of the car, the corners, the front bumper?

Not necessary but highly practical even when parking. Better with than without. Contributes to the car's driver-centric theme.

Originally Posted by Marrk

4) I was never talking about the roof height of the car, but now that you mention it, it wouldn't break my heart if it were lower. R8 is at 49.3. Evora is at 48.3. McLaren F1 is at 44.9.

The pagoda roof structure is stronger yet thin for a lower height than normal whilst accommodating tall people wearing helmets. And allows for vertical space to stack wheels. It's as low is it could be without compromising practicality for the enthusiast; unlike those other cars.

Originally Posted by Marrk

Moto-P told me that they originally designed the front of the car to be lower, but structurally it couldn't pass impact tests. The added height of the fenders is there to add structural rigidity.

Exactly (I touched on this in item #2).

Originally Posted by Marrk

Note 1: The Veloster looks like a big, fat, tall lump to me.

Note 2: I'm not "hating on" the FR-S. I'm just saying that it seems big to me. I'm 6'1" and I have to jack up the driver's seat until my head touches the roof just to see where I'm going. But maybe this will change over time and I will adjust to the car.

Really? I've seen people on this forum complain about how high the seating position is. Do you really always need to see all the way to the front of the car? To me, the fender bulges are a godsend; way more than what I'm used to... with all other cars I've owned I'd see nothing but the windshield; not even the hood.

[Captain Insano]

I agree. And maybe I'm weird, but I am 6' 0" and as soon as I got in for my test drive, I cranked the seat all the way down to the lowest setting... I hate sitting high and not only does this car feel super low, but if you crank that seat all the way down it feels like you are sitting on the freakin ground. I love it. Maybe I'm weird.

PS - visibility is not a problem for me sitting low. I have never curb rashed wheels. I've never hit anything in front or backed into anything (knock on wood please).

[LSxJunkie]

Originally Posted by coyote

Both evolved from the Holden Commodore though, didn't they?

Nope. That was the G8. The hot version of that was the G8 GXP, came with an LS3 and was available in stick. Also, unfortunately, was still plagued by

Originally Posted by SubieNate

The one they had in the episode was the CTS-V.

I don't think the CTS or the STS were based off of Holdens.

The only Holden based cars I know of are the GTO, the G8, the Camaro, and the upcoming Chevy sport sedan.

Nathan

This. The CTS and STS were both designed in-house here. One look at the front suspension and you can tell. No stupid radius rods. Upper and lower control arms.

[usptwins]

My most favorite part of the review... lmfao

"if you do make a mess of it and you’re heading for a tree, you can open the door and get out."

[Marrk]

@switchlanez: "efficient heat dissipation"? You're killing me, man. What's next? The astrology chart of the car said it had to be this high?

You are impossible to argue with. But I'd still like to buy you a beer.