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Jeremy Clarkson Names 2009 Corvette ZR1 Best Car of 2008

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Cranky Brit auto-journalist extraordinaire Jeremy Clarkson has, shockingly, named the 2009 Corvette ZR1 the best car of this past year. Of course, he also selected an American car as one of the worst.

When Jeremy Clarkson first reviewed the ZR1 he claimed love for the American-made supercar despite the propensity for it to disintegrate. In his year-end retrospective for the Sunday Times he essentially repeats this claim but says, despite this, it was the best car of the year.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeremy Clarkson

And then out of nowhere came the ZR1, which has a supercharged V8 that manages to be both docile and extraordinarily savage all at the same time. I’ve been trying to think of a dog that pulls off a similar trick, but there isn’t one. And anyway, this car is not a dog.

Oh, it’s not built very well. After just three days in my care, the boot lock disintegrated and the keyless go system refused to acknowledge the keys were in the car, but I didn’t mind because there is simply no other car that looks this good, goes this fast – in a straight line and around corners – and that most of the time bumbles about like a forgetful uncle. And when you throw in the price tag of just £106,690 – lots for a Corvette but modest next to a similarly powerful Ferrari – the case for the defence can sit down and put up its feet knowing that the prosecutor simply has nowhere to go.

It is an epic car and I’m only sad that unless the healthcare and pensions company that makes it can be turned around, it will be the last of the breed.

By selecting the new Corvette ZR1 as the best car of this past year Clarkson is agreeing with our ZR1 review, in which we stated it was "the best car ever made" and had an Amerigasm so massive the earth shook. He also seconds our fear of the Carpocalypse halting the return of the great American car.

Of course, he has some bad things to say about the Chrysler Sebring but, c'mon, who doesn't hate the Sebring?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeremy Clarkson

The Sebring is an extraordinary car. Ugly to behold and hateful to drive, it is not cheap, elegant, comfortable, practical, prestigious, clever, economical, luxurious, well designed, well thought out or, if the rental car I drove in America this year is anything to go by, especially well made either.

Source: Jeremy Clarkson: Jeremy Clarkson Names 2009 Corvette ZR1 Best Car Of 2008

Clarkson has always had an affinity for the Vette. I think he will slam the 370Z and call it a cheap ugly roadster. Oh well, thats fathead for ya'.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BanningZ (Post 13644)

Clarkson has always had an affinity for the Vette. I think he will slam the 370Z and call it a cheap ugly roadster. Oh well, thats fathead for ya'.

He really liked the GTR. So, I am just thinking positive. Him liking the new 370Z is about 50/50.

Wow! I didn't expect he was going to choose an American car as best car of the year, not because could be bad or something, it is just because he is very rough with American cars. He, as a lot of us, prejudge American cars is many ways, but cool, ZR1 is a great car though.

With respect to the 370z, I don't expect much of him, he will make a point on the synchro auto rev. trans. he will put his personal opinion between the 370z and a Porsche cayman, BMW 135, Audi TT's, any other car in his category, he will talk about crappy material used in the car. The high expectations between the GT-R and 370z, etc... I think that his opinions will be more based on the transmission and new design.

I'm surprised he actually liked that car. Usually he whines about every little thing about American cars.

Does anyone remember the episode when Hammond test drove the base C6? He absolutely hated the suspension. To make a point he put a coin on the road and drove over it and pretended that it hurt his back. I must admit it, they're a funny bunch of guys.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tranceformer (Post 13757)

I'm surprised he actually liked that car. Usually he whines about every little thing about American cars.

Does anyone remember the episode when Hammond test drove the base C6? He absolutely hated the suspension. To make a point he put a coin on the road and drove over it and pretended that it hurt his back. I must admit it, they're a funny bunch of guys.

Yeah, but Jeremy actually bought an American car, the Ford GT. He loved it but he had all kinds of problems and got rid of it for a Gallardo Spyder. Richard Hammond loves muscle cars. He has an classic Challenger, classic Mustang, and he bought a new Challenger too. So they don't hate all American cars.