Jeremy Clarkson Reveals His Top 10 ‘Star Cars’

Published: Tuesday, August 16, 2016, 16:42 [IST]

Jeremy Clarkson is known for his passion and love for cars, also known for controversies. His taste for cars is fabulous and an inspiration for many to embrace the world of automobiles.

Clarkson says "A car must have something to elevate it from the norm. It may be speed, or cleverness, or the fizz, or styling to die for. But there must be something. Something that makes you excited every time you climb inside. Because if it doesn't, then it's just a tool. And if it's just a tool, you may as well use the bus."

Here is Jeremy Clarkson's list of 2016 top 10 'star cars'.

Mazda MX-5 2.0 Sport Recaro

Jeremy finds the Mazda MX-5 to be organic, raw and simple and finds this car to be like how a sports car should be. He goes on to say that ‘you can't be in a bad mood when you are driving it'.

The Mazda MX-5 has been world's best-selling sports car for almost 25 years and Clarkson summarises it as "Blows the blues away".

Engine: 2.0-litre, four cylinders, petrol
Power: 158bhp @6000rpm
Acceleration - 0-62mph in 7.3seconds
Top Speed - 133nph

Alfa Romeo 4C Coupe

Jeremy says that not many mainstream road cars have impressed him so much as the Alfa Romeo 4C Coupe. However, he did find some issues like the rear view as there was no visibility, the nose design, and draught from the bottom of the doors.

He finds the car to be simple, sporty, and interesting and different; however, not threatening. Jeremy goes on to say, that the Alfa feels human with its flaws and tendencies.

Engine - 1.8-litre, four-cylinder, turbocharged
Power - 237bhp @6000rpm
Acceleration - 0-62mph in 4.5seconds
Top Speed - 160mph

Mercedes-AMG GT S

Calling it the modern day muscle car, Clarkson says it as raw and it could be his choice of car on this list. The GT comes with the same chassis as the SLS and almost 50,000 pounds lesser in terms of cost.

Clarkson calls the GT as Mercedes Mustang and finds the front bonnet big and small.

Engine - 4.0-litre, V8
Power - 503bhp @ 3250rpm
Acceleration - 0-62moh in 3.8seconds
Top Speed - 193mph

Ford Focus RS

The Ford Focus RS is special for Clarkson as he finds it to have the most advanced four-wheel systems fitted to any car at any given price. He even goes to say that this as the half prince of Nissan GT-R.

Also, the kind of specifications Ford Focus boasts off that it can keep up with supercars which costfive or six times more the Focus RS.

Engine - 2.3-litre, four-cylinder, turbocharged, petrol
Power - 345bhp @ 6000rpm
Acceleration - 0-62mph in 4.7seconds
Top Speed - 165mph

Ford Mustang Fastback 5.0 V8 GT

Clarkson finds the car to be a sports car but, too heavy. Now, Ford is offering the Mustang as aright-hand drive which makes it easier to drive in the UK.

The Ford Mustang has made its way to India and is the best-selling sports car in the country. Within two months of launch, Ford has sold more than 30 units of the Mustang.

Engine - 5.0-litre, V8, turbocharged
Power - 410bhp @ 6500rpm
Acceleration - 0-62mph in 4.8seconds
Top Speed - 155mph

Volvo XC90 D5 AWD

The second generation Volvo XC90 was given to Clarkson for his take on the car. He finds it to be big and really big. However, the bigger cabin has given way to a boot and even the third row of seats.

Clarkson finds the interiors to be the best and compares the controls like that of an Apple iPad, also, the quieter 2.0-litre is impressive compared to the previous model.

Engine - 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, diesel engine
Power - 222bhp @ 4250rpm
Acceleration - 0-62mph in 7.8seconds
Top Speed - 137mph

Vauxhall Zafira Tourer 1.6 CDTi Tech Line

When Clarkson had the chance to drive the Zafira owned by Bono, U2 band member, and frontman, he was surprised by the reduction of cabin sound and compares it to Rolls Royce Phantom.

Also, the previous model engine is not as refined the current unit doing the duty of power to the Zafira from Vauxhall.

Engine - 1.6-litre, four-cylinder, turbodiesel
Power - 134bhp @ 3500rpm
Acceleration - 0-60mph in 10.4seconds
Top Speed - 120mph

BMW M2

The BMW M5, Porsche 911 GTS, and the Aston Martin DB9 brought exhilaration to Clarkson with its sheer performance and power; however, the new BMW M2 has captured his imagination and find the list of the star cars for the former Top Gear host.

He goes on to confirm that the BMW M2 is his favorite M car.

Engine - 3.0-litre, six-cylinder, turbo petrol
Power - 365bhp @ 6500rpm
Acceleration - 0-60mph in 4.5seconds
Top Speed - 155mph

Ferrari 488 GTB

Many find the Ferrari 488 GTB, not a distinctive Ferrari simply because it is turbocharged. However, for Clarkson, turbochargers are necessary and finds the 488 GTB to be easy to drive given the thought that something so highly strung, highly tuned and powerful yet it behaves like a pussy cat.

Clarkson finds the old 458 was not up to the mark as the McLaren 12C;however, the 488 GTB puts Ferrari on top.

Engine - 4.0-litre, V8, twin turbo, petrol
Power - 661bhp @ 8000rpm
Acceleration - 0-62mph in 3.0seconds
Top Speed - 205mph

Lamborghini Aventador

The former Top Gear host goes on explain the thrill of driving the solid and raw power Aventador. It might have lost to the hybrid hypercars, but he finds it to be the car to buy compared to ‘a clever and sophisticated electronic robot' of hypercars.