GM UK takes two Top Gear Awards

camaro5 · 11-30-2008, 09:18 PM

Posted Nov 30th 2008 12:38PM by Chris Tutor
Filed under: Sedans/Saloons, Supercars, Chevrolet, Vauxhall, Celebrities

Quote:

As much as Jeremy Clarkson complains about fat, uncool Americans and their crudely-made, overweight cars, General Motors managed to come out on top in two categories in Top Gear's annual awards.

If you said the Corvette ZR1 was a winner, you'd be totally correct. The 638-hp supercar was a shoo-in to win over the Top Gear team, just as we guessed when they were caught driving at at the Bonneville Salt Flats earlier this year. Chevrolet's baddest Vette ever sped off with top honors in Top Gear's Performance Car of the Year category.

The second award winner won't be quite as easy to guess, mostly because it's not sold in the U.S. Top Gear's Executive Car of the Year is the Vauxhall Insignia which is based on GM's Epsilon II platform. The magazine likes the car's looks and technology. We won't bother predicting whether we'll see it here eventually. For that to happen, Saturn will need to be around, and right now, we'll have to wait and see what happens on that front.

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/30/g...p-gear-awards/

Legend · 11-30-2008, 09:29 PM

That's a nice looking Vauxhall!! Dang nice looking!!

The Vette...expected that!

Good on GM...they are making some quality cars!

SS4EVER · 12-01-2008, 12:31 AM

Haha Jeremy Clarkson wants to hate the Corvette, but with the ZR1 you'd have to be a total hater to not like the Corvette for the value and performance that it delivers...

Yes, I also saw that the Insignia got another top honer for some other award in Europe...

willisit · 12-01-2008, 05:38 AM

The Insignia already has car of the year and it's not even on general sale yet (deliveries are from Jan '09 I believe).

Clarkson LOVES the ZR1. How could he not?

*DGthe3* · 12-01-2008, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willisit

How could he not?

The interior is 'rubbish'

gladiatoro · 12-01-2008, 11:00 AM

The ZR1 has the performance of a ENZO at on tenth the price how could they not love it

willisit · 12-01-2008, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DGthe3

The interior is 'rubbish'

He has a point there because the ZR1 is £109,000 here in the UK - at current rates that around $170,000 and for that money, it's not "the best". But it's kinda irrelevant given it's capabilities in that price range.

diddiyo · 12-01-2008, 11:11 AM

the Insignia is the best looking sedan I've seen in quite a while.

Speedy1975 · 12-01-2008, 02:33 PM

I'm not sure what the big deal is about a ZR1 when they cost $150K and you can twin turbo a C6 for MUCH less AND get 40MPG at the same time!

http://www.ststurbo.com/fuel_mileage

*The_Blur* · 12-01-2008, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Speedy1975

I'm not sure what the big deal is about a ZR1 when they cost $150K and you can twin turbo a C6 for MUCH less AND get 40MPG at the same time!

http://www.ststurbo.com/fuel_mileage

It's a big deal because it is a performer.

*Mr. Wyndham* · 12-01-2008, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Speedy1975

I'm not sure what the big deal is about a ZR1 when they cost $150K and you can twin turbo a C6 for MUCH less AND get 40MPG at the same time!

http://www.ststurbo.com/fuel_mileage

Not to take anything away from your post (that is impressive) but there's one word that can answer your question:

Factory.

That, and this thing handles like a Z06 with the comfort of a true luxury-coupe. It lists for ~$103,000, not 150, and again, it came from the factory like this.

EDIT: And the gtr couldn't beat it.

*Camaro_Corvette* · 12-01-2008, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Speedy1975

I'm not sure what the big deal is about a ZR1 when they cost $150K and you can twin turbo a C6 for MUCH less AND get 40MPG at the same time!

http://www.ststurbo.com/fuel_mileage

Well, you said it. Cuz it's a ZR1, limited edition models usually generate alot of buzz.

Speedy1975 · 12-01-2008, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dragoneye

Not to take anything away from your post (that is impressive) but there's one word that can answer your question:

Factory.

That, and this thing handles like a Z06 with the comfort of a true luxury-coupe. It lists for ~$103,000, not 150, and again, it came from the factory like this.

EDIT: And the gtr couldn't beat it.

Factory is cool. However, I've not heard of a single one going for the $103K MSRP

*Mr. Wyndham* · 12-01-2008, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Speedy1975

However, I've not heard of a single one going for the $103K MSRP

Doesn't matter...

That's the MSRP.

12-01-2008, 12:31 AM	#3
SS4EVER Camaro Convert... Drives: 2006 Cobalt SS Supercharged Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Metro Detroit, Mi Posts: 595 View My Garage	Haha Jeremy Clarkson wants to hate the Corvette, but with the ZR1 you'd have to be a total hater to not like the Corvette for the value and performance that it delivers... Yes, I also saw that the Insignia got another top honer for some other award in Europe... __________________ 4 life! Currently Driving: 2006 Cobalt SS Supercharged

12-01-2008, 05:38 AM	#4
willisit Drives: Vauxhall Monaro VXR Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Waterlooville, UK Posts: 314	The Insignia already has car of the year and it's not even on general sale yet (deliveries are from Jan '09 I believe). Clarkson LOVES the ZR1. How could he not? __________________ Dan 2005 Vauxhall Monaro VXR. Sport pac - Road Response Pac - Ripshifter 2005 Vauxhall Astra 1.6 Sport (ug) 2001 Honda CBR 600 F Last edited by willisit; 12-01-2008 at 05:38 AM. Reason: - wasn't needed

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11-30-2008, 09:29 PM	#2
Legend Hello! Drives: 2008 JSB Z06! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 2,624 View My Garage	That's a nice looking Vauxhall!! Dang nice looking!! The Vette...expected that! Good on GM...they are making some quality cars!

12-01-2008, 11:00 AM	#6
gladiatoro Drives: 1981 Z28 Camaro Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Kelowna B.C Canada Posts: 307	The ZR1 has the performance of a ENZO at on tenth the price how could they not love it

12-01-2008, 11:11 AM	#8
diddiyo Drives: . Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: . Posts: 3,048	the Insignia is the best looking sedan I've seen in quite a while.

12-01-2008, 02:33 PM	#9
Speedy1975 FASTER! Drives: Challenger Hellcat, 2SS Camaro Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Middle Tennessee Posts: 2,244	I'm not sure what the big deal is about a ZR1 when they cost $150K and you can twin turbo a C6 for MUCH less AND get 40MPG at the same time! http://www.ststurbo.com/fuel_mileage