Chris Harris Shows Off Top Gear’s New Reasonably Priced Car – the MINI Cooper
Good news! Everyone’s favorite Youtube automotive star Chris Harris has been drafted by Top Gear to co-host a program called “Extra Gear”. Never mind that the idea of an extra year seems technically like a bad idea, this is great news for car lovers as Harris is the real deal both in terms of driving and analyzing cars.
Good news #2! Everyone’s favorite car, the MINI Cooper, has also been drafted by the new Top Gear. It’s the program’s new “reasonably priced car” that celebrities will drive hot laps in. After years of horribly boring cars (granted that was the point) it’ll be interesting to see something as performance oriented as the Cooper attacking the Top Gear course.
Even better, that course has been modified to include a rally stage. So expect that Chili Red Cooper to get plenty dirty. And expect celebrities to generally make a hilarious mess of the whole thing.
Check it out above in a full 360 degrees.
<p>I really like Chris Harris, I’ve subsribed to his youtube channel (may it rest in peace as it’s gone dark since he joined BBC for Extra Gear), I’ve enjoyed him on /Drive and the other efforts he did for that network including the NBC SN shows.</p>
<p>This, unfortunately I don’t like. It feels overacted. I have heard good things about Extra Gear but haven’t had the opportunity to watch it yet. The new Top Gear was about what I expected, which is to say the chemistry isn’t there and didn’t feel like it was in the making even. Hopefully we can see Chris Harris being more himself and not a caricature like he was in this……just my 2 cents.</p>
<p>Pretty sure it’s “stars in a rally car” now… not so much about it being reasonably-priced anymore.</p>
<p>The first episode of the new Top Gear was shown on Sunday evening here in the UK.
In my opinion the lead presenter, Chris Evans, was not up to the job. He was nervously over excited and constantly shouted at the top of his voice. It was painful, as was the complete lack of chemistry between him and his co presenter Matt LeBlanc.</p>
<p>Matt, however, was good when he was on his own. His laid back style came over well and being an experienced actor, his timing was spot on and his jokes landed well. By all accounts, the producers of the new Top Gear were also impressed, and reportedly are now negotiating with Matt for him to take over as the lead presenter, for the second series.</p>
<p>I agree. Matt had a very tongue-in-cheek dour and put-upon attitude which reminded me a bit of a Yorkshireman that used to be on the show. He understands that Top Gear needs presenters to play a character, rather than themselves.</p>
<p>I did a “Star in a reasonably priced car” day there last year, using the old circuit and the Kia (1.44), and have another one booked up for next month. It will be interesting to see if I’m given the old circuit again or a Mini and the rally cross one (fingers crossed).</p>
<p>Any idea where you can get the seats shown on the top gear car? They look like official jcw seats but I can’t find where they are from.</p>