Top Gear Head to New Zealand By John Smith At Isnare.com Ezine Articles

Britain's long-running television programme about cars is apparently heading over to New Zealand. It's not certain that the country's local communities will be entirely thrilled by this selection of gifts from the 'home country', but Top Gear is definitely coming; and they plan to do a series of live programmes, which are to be held between February 12th and February 15th.

While in New Zealand, it's pretty safe to say that Clarkson and co will continue the programme's long-running tradition of wowing and surprising fans with mad jokes, crazy stunts and even the odd driving sequence or two. Indeed, the programme's many unusual reviews could be considered as television gifts to the general public in their own right.

During one such unusual review, the Top Gear team subjected a Toyota Hilux to a toughness test. With a history going back to 1935, the Toyota Hilux is arguably one beast of a vehicle, and quite possibly one of Toyota's greatest gifts to the world of motoring. After developing a reputation for being pretty tough cars, the team at Top Gear decided to test that claim in an intriguing and bizarre series of tests. Despite being driven down the steps that run behind Bristol Cathedral, being subjected to seawater after being tied to a jetty, being driven into a tree and more, the Toyota Hilux could still be driven. However, a test in 2007 found that one particular Hilux had some difficulty with swerving to avoid a moose. Who would have known that a moose would be the car's downfall!

So, given the tendency for Top Gear's producers to opt for high-thrill and high-octane enjoyment, what types of gifts are they most likely to enjoy? While it's safe to say that driving or car-related events are probably the most popular, some things are likely to be more successful than others.

Fans of the Hilux review might like to get their hands behind the wheel of a 4x4 and take part in an extreme challenge at Silverstone. Tipped as a the ultimate off-road driving experience in a 4x4 vehicle, this event is one of those gifts that's perfect for anyone who's ever wanted to get behind the wheel of a Land Rover Defender and see how it handles any number of big drops, water entries and even steep gradients. Unlike the Hilux test, it won't be driven into a tree, and there will be no animals to avoid, but it'll still be a blast!

Alternatively, if a fast-paced driving challenge is more their thing, why not opt for one of many gifts that make it possible to travel blistering speeds in a vehicle that's usually far too sexy for driving along Britain's crowded roads. One such gift, the Lotus Exige Driving at Silverstone experience day, is the perfect choice for anyone who wants to get behind the wheel of a beautiful British sports car. This real wheel drive, 6-geared beauty is more than capable of reaching a top speed of 155mph, depending upon the exact model. A Lamborghini Thrill Experience Day, or even the Rally Driving Experience could also make outstanding gifts.

And to finish the day, fans of Top Gear may well be content to watch some of the programme's reruns, just to reminisce over some of the other crazy challenges the show's hosts have presented to us in the past as gifts. In addition to that incredibly hardcore Hilux test, the programme has also played ice hockey with cars, attempted to evade snipers whilst driving a Mercedes SLK55 AMG and a Porsche Boxster S, and they've even tried to keep out of the way of a helicopter gunship whilst behind the wheel of a Lotus Exige.

For any drivers keen to recreate at least one of these zany challenges, inspiration could perhaps be taken from the Top Gear team's test to drive a lap of the M25. And, because this is a test of fuel efficiency over speed, any money saved can be spent freely at any service stations of their choice, either on or near the M25.

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