On high-tech Top Gear, we got a glimpse of the future of car design,
Captain Jean Luc Picard flew by at warp factor 0.0001, and we looked at
the new Vauxhall family car.
As we're sure you're all aware by now, we have a track at the Top
Gear base which we use to test all the really quick stuff. This time it
was the S60R from Volvo. Volvo claims this is an M3 beater, but we
weren't so sure. Yes, it's nice inside, but it's not terribly quick.
Also in the studio was Mazda's new RX-8, literally straight off the
plane from Japan. It's the successor to the RX-7, which was possibly the
best looking car ever.
James went to Germany to drive an gadget-filled American car that
runs on air. The Hywire's the most high-tech vehicle ever. Not least
because it doesn't have a conventional engine, or a gearbox or even an
accelerator. But it's hydrogen power plant could change the way we buy
cars forever. And it's green too, pushing just steam out of its exhaust
pipe.
Our guest in the reasonably priced car was Patrick Stewart from Star
Trek. Patrick had a good go at commanding the Liana to go quickly, but
it wasn't to be He did however, manage a reasonable 1.50, the same as
Jeremy.
Finally, a new family car from Vauxhall called the Signum. A Vauxhall
with a difference, it's a car for a back-seat driver. And Jeremy proved
this, by driving it from the back. But don't tell Vauxhall, they'd be a
bit upset...
First shown on: 13/07/2003
