5th Gear - S13 EP03 - 4th February, 2008 - Discussion

[vexor]

More motoring thrills and spills as Fifth Gear continues its 13th series with Vicki Butler-Henderson, Tom Ford, Tiff Needell, Jason Plato and Jonny Smith at the helm. Tonight, Jonny Smith stages a spectacular crash to find out what happens when children ride unrestrained in the back of taxis. Elsewhere, Jason Plato drives the Maserati Gran Turismo; Tom Ford and Jonny enter the Exeter Trial; and Vicki Butler-Henderson pits the 18-year-old Lotus Carlton against its modernday equivalent, the Vauxhall VXR8. Jonny Smith and Tom Ford have quite a challenge on their hands this week when they enter one of motor sport’s oldest and most gruelling events, the Exeter Trial. Equipped with a 1973 VW Beetle, the pair must tackle 14 special sections over 240 road miles throughout the South West of England, driving virtually non-stop. The special sections are designed to test the car and occupants to the limit, as they are rough, muddy and very steep. Will the car make it – and will Tom and Jonny survive nearly 24 hours trapped in a car together? Also this week, Jonny stages a dramatic crash to illustrate the importance of using child restraints in taxis. The law states that all children under 12, or below 135cm in height, must use a child restraint when travelling in a car. But there is one bizarre exception – a child under three can travel unrestrained in the back of a taxi or minicab. Using a London cab and a crash-test dummy, Jonny shows that the law should be changed. Elsewhere this week, Jason checks out the Maserati Gran Turismo. This stylish motor has exotic looks and a price tag to match – but it offers supercar performance and, unusually for a car of this type, can seat four. Even so, is the £78,000 asking price money well spent? Jason finds out. Tiff, meanwhile, is off to France to drive the new Audi A3 Cabriolet. Unlike most of the competition, Audi have gone down a more traditional route by fitting a cloth hood rather than a folding metal one, maximising luggage space while saving weight. Have they managed to pull off the double whammy of looks and practicality? Finally, Vicki pits the legendary Lotus Carlton against its modern day equivalent, the VXR8, in another Fifth Gear shoot-out. Which will be quicker on the track?

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[Carlos Fandango]

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[HeilSvenska]

My god, it sounds awful. They are running out of ideas, aren't they? Yet more crash tests, this time about bucking up your kids in a taxi. More of Jonny Smith, who underlines Fifth Gear's mediocrity. They have Tom Ford, can't they make that guy do everything? Although, the Gran Turismo, the VXR8 and Tiff in the gay luxury car gives me some hope.