Top Gear USA’s First Sneak Peak

By | August 7, 2010

What do you get when you take the most successful automotive TV show in the world, deep fry it, add a pinch of Tokyo Drift, a dash of Nascar pit lane, and a hint of Night at the Improv? Top Gear USA, that’s what.

The good people at the History Channel have finally given us a glimpse of what the highly touted Americanized version of Top Gear will look like in the freshly released “intertubes” trailer.  The producers overlooked some extremely qualified local talent and decided to go with Formula Drift champion driver Tanner Foust, Nascar reporter Rutledge Wood, and comedian Adam Ferrara to play the role of hosts.

We noticed three things in the trailer we thought poignant:

  • First is the quality of the cinematography. It looks to be on par with the high benchmark set by the UK original complete with swooping cross car shots and slow motion roll by’s.
  • Second are the cars. It’s quite obvious that Top Gear USA will not disappoint, providing a healthy dose of supercar porn with the likes of Lamborghini, Viper and many more.
  • Third are the challenges. Top Gear UK has set the standard when it comes to automotive hoonery. Surprisingly enough the U.S. version looks to carry that hooning torch quite handily by launching a 5000lbs Cadillac over a dirt jump. Yeeehaaaw!

The one thing we have yet to see is if this trio can create the same chemistry and stir the same emotion that the UK hosts are famous for. If the trailer is any indication, we might be pleasantly surprised (unless they wear matching lumber jack shirts throughout the entire season)! If they can’t produce, however, we know of 3 talented and willing Utahns ready to take the reins!

[Jalopnik, Brandon Christiansen]

  • http://www.0-to-60.com/ AJ

    Heck yeah! I saw this trailer and thought that once we get to know the new hosts a bit, I think we’ll really like their chemistry. Then I saw an article out there that said it was low quality. I have to disagree – I think this is going to rock. The only question in my mind is whether or not it will be able to rival the UK version.