Tesla Roadster – AUSmotive.com

Honda FCX Clarity - Hydrogen powered car

Bit of a meat and three veg episode of Top Gear this week. Richard opened the show with a piece on the British Touring Car Championship which is celebrating its 50th year in 2008. The lads then went through the news, which was rather entertaining again.

There was reference to a Morris Marina that James and Jeremy torched last week. The team also showed a range of Christmas gift ideas, including a remote control car that can drive up walls. They showed a clip of the car in action, and can someone please confirm what the nice lady said she did with her pennies? Humour also ensued when the Top Gear Awards were announced. The Caterham R500 got the top gong, and I have to say, it looks like a cracking car. Raw, uncompromising and brutal in its simplicity. Just like a track focused car should be.

Jeremy tested a Tesla Roadster. This is an electric powered car, based on a Lotus Elise, and can reach 100km/h in under 4 seconds. It’s good, but is it the future? Not really. It was James’ review of the Honda FCX Clarity that showed the way of the future. James, pictured above chewing the fat with Jay Leno, explained the Clarity’s strength lies in its hydrogen power. I think he was right, this is the car of the future, because it is like the car of today.

Apologies for the late update to this week’s show. Jason Platoâ€”AUSmotive’s preferred Fifth Gear presenterâ€”started the show comparing the JDM Honda Civic Mugen RR v the UK spec 2000 GT. The Japanese Civic was the quickest around their test track, and by some margin, plus it sounds bloody good, too.

I didn’t want to mention Tim Shaw this week, but given he covered the revised CO2 taxes UK residents will be paying shortly, I thought it would be worth raising, given our federal government’s recent issues with its proposed Luxury Car Tax increases. I’m guessing it won’t be long until we’re paying taxes based on emissions here in Australia too. They highlighted a Volkswagen Golf 1.6 and a Citroen C4 XS, the French car expels 13 grams less in CO2 emissions, but when the new tax laws are introduced, the Citroen will cost almost AU$200 less to register. I daren’t mention the funky and frugal MINI John Cooper Works again (6.9l/100km, 165 g/km), but, well I just did.