Top Gear Australia – Episode 4

As I write this the fourth episode of Top Gear's local franchise has finished.

This week, Steve thrashed the HSV W427 around Lang Lang (although Charlie seemed to think it was a Holden creation).

Warren trekked through the bush with a rather subdued Aboriginal tracker named Diesel, taking on the TRD HiLux and its satellite navigation system. Charlie as usual did his best to trash the HiLux.

Jack Thompson took to the track as the star in a bog standard Proton and the W427, piloted by The Stig, pipped the BMW M3 on the hot lap.

They topped it all off by denting a bunch of Holden Astras in an exercise loosely based on a game of lawn bowls.

Feedback to-date on the Aussie version of Top Gear, is best described as subdued, although most agree they want to see it work. Much like the big man himself, Jeremy Clarkson.

Jezza recently picked up the phone after watching the show and gave it the 'Clarkson' stamp of approval.

"Massive congratulations from the Top Gear boys in England on your Australian version. We're loving it, even though your funny accents make you hard to understand,” said Clarkson.

After viewing the first episode, Jezza commented on the 'great chemistry' between the three hosts, how good the set looked and the program’s great camera work.

“And Warren the cartoonist, his face underwater was an absolute peach,” said Clarkson.

SBS has been quick to make the most of the phone call with Clarkson, claiming that it "reinforces the network's confidence in Top Gear Australia, being a continuing, long term success for SBS".

But we all know, at the end of the day, the spin from Clarkson and SBS matters little: people will vote with their remotes. I doubt I'll ever get used to Charlie's puffed out chest and odd arm movements, but I'll be tuning in for episode 5.