Other Motoring-related News
SMMT – 2012 British Motor Show will not happen
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders or SMMT has officially announced that the 2012 British Motor Show will not take place. SMMT chief executive Paul Everitt said that the British Motor Show has been successful in showcasing UK’s motor industry but the motor show is losing its power of influencing new car buyers hence the importance of the motor show is on a decline.
Auto manufacturers are also spending less on motor shows and prefer to spend money on events and activities that have a more direct impact on brand awareness and consumer decisions. This year’s British Motor Show was also cancelled, no thanks to the recent economic melt down. The press release did not mention anything on the possibilities of future British Motor Shows.
5th installment of Fast and Furious in the works
Looks like we will see both Vin Diesel and Paul Walker in another sequel to the Fast and Furious franchise. Expected to be called the Fast Five, this fifth installment to the successful petrol head franchise is set to have it’s production initiated before the end of the year in time for a 2011 release.
As with the fourth installment, Fast Five will retain Vin Diesel and Paul Walker and they will be joined by Ludacris, Tyrese Gibson as well as Sung Kang who played Han in Tokyo Drift. Sung Kang’s involvement points us to think that Fast Fast would be a prequel to Tokyo Drift but a sequel to the fourth film. This is also strengthened with the absence of Michelle Rodriguez.
Also joining the line up is Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, which would make this sequel feature the highest number of superstars compared to the previous films. Production will be carried out in Puerto Rico and Brazil, among other countries.
Had enough with Top Gear or Fifth Gear? What about Driven – Malaysia’s own auto review show
For petrol heads out there watching a motoring television program or looking at a Red Bull crossing the finish line in Monte Carlo is a perfect way to spend a lazy Sunday and when we talk about motoring television shows, specifically auto review programs two definitely come to mind.
Yes I am talking about Fifth Gear and of course Top Gear, both British shows. For our neighboring motor heads in Malaysia they can finally watch something that isn’t British thanks to the guys at Driven.
Driven is the country’s latest auto review program (in English) that made its season premiere last month. The half-hour show airs on local television station 8TV every Sunday at 10.30pm. Singaporeans can get the station’s reception but thats only limited to certain areas. For the rest of you, you can head to www.driven.com.my and watch the episodes online.
The show is fronted by local singing sensation Sharizan Borhan and motorsport junkie from the opposite sex Nurul Alis. They are joined by local motoring journalist Harvinder Singh Sidhu. The trio test out various cars that hit the market ranging from the modest Proton Exora to exotics like the Ferrari California. The team also went as far as Portugal to shoot the brand new F10 5-Series from BMW. Instead of carrying out reviews just with cold-hard facts the creators of the show have opted to add certain entertainment values to each segment.
Other than unbiased auto reviews Driven also has a segment called The Insider Review where established automotive blogger Paul Tan gives his insight on all things motoring. Nostalgic fans will also find the program relevant with certain classic or vintage car reviews.
In recent episodes the team put both the Proton Exora and the Perodua Alza head to head in the show’s first shootout and also reviewed BMW’s first superbike the S1000RR. The latest Mercedes E-Class, the Ford Fiesta, the Kia Forte and the Alfa Romeo 159 were also featured, among others. Driven has aired up to Episode 6 thus far and you can head to Driven.com.my to watch it and previous ones as well.
Fifth Gear is coming back to your TV set in spring!
Although there is no official press release regarding this matter but very recent ‘Tweets’ from Tiff Needell and Jonny Smith, presenters of Fifth Gear can be considered as solid sources which indicate that Top Gear’s rival is coming back to your television sets. News first broke a couple of months back that Fifth Gear will be shelved by UK’s channel Five, apparently because the show failed to make it into channel’s top 30 most-watched list.
“Home to the news that, after much negotiatiing Fifth Gear looks like it will after all be returning to your screens sometime in the Spring!” revealed Needell on his Tweeter profile. This subsequent Tweet by the show’s leading man indicates that either the show might not be aired on channel Five or that it is changing its content format which I think works perfectly fine: “Glad so many of you are delighted by the Fifth Gear news – and, yes the format will be moving away from the stupid … but still having fun!.” – If my interpretation is accurate that is.
Needell’s co-host Jonny Smith also revealed the following on his Tweeter profile: “Breaking news: Fifth Gear IS coming back. When more factual gossip emerges I will let you know.” All I have to say is, fantastic!
BMW Museum in Munich: 37 images for your viewing pleasure
Earlier this year I was up in Europe and on my way back, I had to make a quick 3-hour transit stop in Munich, Germany. I took the opportunity to visit the BMW Museum which is located near the automaker’s headquarters. It was a quick visit, 15 minutes to be exact as the last thing I needed was a missed flight.
I would like to share the experience with you through a nice not-to-fat report but since the visit was rather short and rushed, I can’t think of where to start from. So the next best thing I have to offer is an image gallery of the museum which you can find after the jump. The museum showcases various BMW’s ranging from classic bikes to the BMW Sauber F1 car.
Anyway my fear turned into reality as I actually missed my flight because the train to the airport got delayed due to a false bomb scare, so much for enthusiasm but it was actually worth it! During my time in Germany I also visited Porsche’s brand new museum in Stuttgart. Read the rest of this entry.
Fifth Gear may be rescued by other stations
TIff Needle, the leading male on the highly-rated British auto review show revealed via his Twitter profile that he is still hoping to get the show resurrected on another television channel and did not rule out the possibility of having his own show. Replying when asked about the future of the show, Needle revealed, “Thanks for the support. We’re still hoping Fifth Gear might be resurrected on another channel otherwise why not my own show?”
Fifth Gear, a program that was regarded as a rival to BBC’s Top Gear program was cancelled by channel Five after numerous seasons. Apparently, it was cancelled because it failed to make it into channel Five’s top 30 most-watched list.
If the show is resurrected on another channel, it may not be called Fifth Gear due to some possible copyright issues with channel Five. It would be great if the show makes a comeback even with a different name, as long as it carries the same DNA. The show was treated to a different angle compared to the more flamboyant Top Gear. Lets hope it gets back on air!
Channel Five’s Fifth Gear television show cancelled?
Reports have emerged that the highly-rated Fifth Gear television show has been cancelled. Apparently, the UK motoring program that is often regarded as the rival to BBC’s Top Gear show has been cancelled because it failed to make it into channel Five’s top 30 most-watched list and not because there is not enough budget.
The show first aired in 2002 and the channel is looking for something new. In my honest opinion, I would go for the Fifth Gear instead of Top Gear if I had to choose. The former is little more “down to earth” and is definitely more informative, although there is no other motoring show out that can beat Top Gear’s ‘entertainment’ factor.
Presenters of the show, Tiff Needle and Jonny Smith declined to comment further via their Twitter accounts regarding the cancellation. Up to now, Five has yet to release an official word concerning the matter.
