I thought it pretty funny that this episode of Top Gear ( UK ) that featured a race inside a shopping centre came out at about the same time as automotive websites published news that manufacturers weren’t happy with Top Gear Australia’s treatment of their cars.

Video and quotes after the jump.

Top Gear – Fiesta vs. Corvette inside a shopping centre

Click here to view the embedded video.

Probably the best Top Gear “Review” I’ve seen to date ( good thing too since I didn’t find the commie car segment very entertaining, having just 2 of the presenters never works for me ). Imagine the insurance they had to provide. After seeing that, I’ve absolutely no hope for Top Gear AUS. 

Car manufacturers speak out

“We have no appetite for automotive Jackass,” the spokesman for one of the damaged brands said.

“All we will say is that it turned out to be a very expensive test drive,” said Holden spokeswoman Kate Lonsdale of the Astra bowls stunt.

One manufacturer went so far as to suggest that the organisers of Top Gear Australia will “encounter a lot of shut doors” when filming begins for series two.

It seems that Top Gear AUS will be having a hard time getting cars for season 2, let alone permission to race them anywhere with obstacles. According to the reports, Top Gear Australia has inflicted around $200,000 worth of damages to the test cars that they “reviewed”. Damages ranged from stone chipping to full out destroyed bumpers. Was it worth it in the end? If it was supposed to entertain, it certainly failed for me.

After the stories came out, Top Gear AUS host Warren Brown attempted to defend their actions with a few comments of his own:

Newspaper reports have this week suggested that Top Gear Australia has racked up a significant figure in car repair bills as a result of “eager driving” and “wild and silly stunts”. 

Anyone who knows anything about either the UK or Australian versions of Top Gear knows the basic premise of these programs is pretty much about “eager driving and wild and silly stunts”.

Then again, anyone who knows anything about Top Gear will recognise that this is actually a program about a passion for motoring – and not about a suggested disregard, disrespect nor wilful destruction of motor vehicles.

But let’s get this straight. I’m a host on Top Gear Australia and can tell you that like its UK sibling, it is not the kind of cardigan-wearing motoring program that will simply embrace a car and go on to say what a lovely radio it has and what scrumptious colours it comes in and how it will reduce whatever hole in the ozone layer that happens to hover above it. 

If Top Gear Australia loves a car, then the presenters will say so. But if they don’t – well that’s how it goes.

And, one of the reasons the UK version has climbed toward the 500 million (yes, half a billion viewer mark) is because they pull no punches. The same for Top Gear Australia.

Certainly, car manufacturers and dealers in Australia might not have seen their products displayed on local television in such a manner before – like the example of using six Holden Astras in a lawn bowls segment. 

Watching the stunt on video screens during a studio filming, an astonished audience of 800 cheered the Astras, which meandered their way to an inflatable jack, ultimately receiving damage to their chin-spoilers, but accruing far less damage as compared to the UK version’s soccer challenge where two teams of cars belted a gigantic soccer ball around a paddock.

The Astras came out as terrific little cars, as Youtube favourites and as a great story for Top Gear fans. What more could a manufacturer want as an advertisement?

Okay, so what he’s saying is that they’re trying to be like Top Gear UK who sometimes they damage cars as well. Sure, manufacturers don’t mind if they’re being viewed by half a billion people. But the Top Gear AUS audience doesn’t even reach 1 million, so it’s understandable they’re not happy having to completely re-spray their cars for questionable marketing, since people watching 3 old dudes ( one even has a moustache!! ) damage their cars won’t necessarily mean a sale.

I must also point out his “YouTube Favourites” comment. I’m not sure what YouTube he’s talking about, but if you check out the clip, it doesn’t seem that too many people are impressed. With a three-and-a-half star rating and only around 7,000 views, it’s not exactly top dog. Gee, an Aussie-Asian girl just ranting gets more popularity than the Top Gear AUS videos. Maybe Holden should give her an Astra? It’s cheaper than the $30,000 worth of damages Top Gear AUS inflicted during that video.