This week on Top Gear (July 25, 2004)

[evoWalo]

# The Stig power laps the Mercedes CL65

# Jeremy goes skiing - behind a Jaguar X-Type estate

# With the sun finally making an appearance, it's time to look at the latest crop of cabrios, including the Mini, Audi S4, Mercedes SLK and Vauxhall Tigra

# Not enough drop-tops for you yet? Then check out the Top Gear roadster review, featuring the Mazda MX-5, Toyota MR2 and Fiat Barchetta

# Learn how to parachute - into the back seat of a Mercedes CLK55 cabrio as it moves along at 60mph

# This week's start in the reasonably priced car is Sir Ranulph Fiennes

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Lots of gimmicks must be a slow time for new cars.

[T-Bird]

Jeremy does the skiing don't they usually make Richard do that kind of stuff? :shock:

[AlienDB7]

Finally got to see the lap time for the CL65. The merc beat both the DB9 and Continental GT in drag race, wonder how they compare in handling.

[crazidude]

I don't think the CL will go very fast around a track. In a straight line its gonna go damn fast, but I doubt its massive amount of torque and weight will do it much good around a corner. They didn't do a lap for the DB9 right?

[dingo]

I think it might beat the Bentley around the track but the DB9 will be too fast for it.

[nejcdolinsek]

The Cl will probably be only a few seconds faster than the Arnage... I'm guessing 1:38 s...

I thought Top Gear was gonna test the 612??

[Ghostbat]

Originally Posted by nejcdolinsek The Cl will probably be only a few seconds faster than the Arnage... I'm guessing 1:38 s... I thought Top Gear was gonna test the 612??

My guess is under 1:35s. Don't underestimate torque..

[Ford Capri 2.8i]

i see people a bit of pessimist when getting the lap of the merc....we have to remember that the SL55 AMG, although the weight of it, it was very quiclk indeed.....i think that the CL65 must be quicker than the SL at least....and in my opinion, the CL65 will get a very good time...at least a 1.25...although the weight of the car, the engine has a lot of power in low revs, it has a very good chasis, a very good suspension setting, and some good brakes as well.....see what happens tonight

[BADMIHAI]

The C65 might not be faster than the SL55 around the track. The SL65 will be faster than the SL55.

[nejcdolinsek]

1000 Nm of torque is huge, but so is its 2.2 tons. It my be fast on the straights, but through the corners, it'll suffer big time.

[philios55]

Great stuff,can't wait for that episode espesially the part with the power lap of the awesome CL65AMG!

[jorge]

IMO it will easilly lap under 1:30 m.

[AlienDB7]

Originally Posted by dingo21 I think it might beat the Bentley around the track but the DB9 will be too fast for it.

Exactly what I'm thinking. Given the DB9 (58.82s) is *only* 1.37 sec slower than the SLR (57.45s) on the AMS handling test and 2.84 sec faster than the Bentley (61.66). It maybe a different track but it should serve as a good reference.

[Daggernite]

Well the mercedes was pretty crap I dint exspect that. I had a lil laugh at the women who dint have a car, the new tigra aint too bad either.

[stradale]

It was a very funny episode again! I laughed a lot. Sir Ranulph Fiennes was quite an extraordinary character! The Cool wall discussions were hilarious as well. Excellent episode, even if it didn't feature too many exotic extreme cars. And yeah, the Merc was crap, contrary to Daggernite I very much expected (and hoped) it would be.