Jeremy Clarkson takes on the Reva G-Wiz
Host of the British car show Top Gear might reasonably called the John C Dvorak of automotive journalism. Love him or hate him, he's never dull. He can be something of a curmudgeon and he's usually controversial. Clarkson is a gentleman of considerable height and he recently had the misfortune of testing a Reva G-Wiz.
We've written about the Reva on several occasions including our own Xavier who had an opportunity to drive one recently. Aside from being battery powered, it doesn't really seem to have much to recommend it. Clarkson doesn't hold back in his assessment for the Times of London. About the best thing he has to say about it is that it does have a radio. Clarkson sums up the performance and size with "this is the first car I've driven that seems to have no top speed at all. It's like walking, only less comfortable." Check out the rest of his review at the Read link.
[Source: Times of London]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Keith Wakeham 7:01PM (8/07/2007)
Every time i see this i want to kick myself, or someone, the g-wiz guys, etc.
Thanks for taking a "genre" of car, re electric, and making it look like the Simpson's episode where the auto industry makes fun of the electric car
http://youtube.com/watch?v=F09lG7U5bIs
Good thing Tesla exists, They are doing the right thing. Now if only we can make a Bugatti veyron killer thats electric
Reply
Don 2:50PM (8/07/2007)
Clarkson's an idiot.
Reply
Kardax 5:20PM (8/07/2007)
Clarkson's funny :)
Reply
Tim Russell 6:39PM (8/07/2007)
Clarkson is funny, the G-Wiz is dangerous.
Reply
Tim Russell 6:43PM (8/07/2007)
I should add I have seen crash test footage separate from Top Gear and Clarkson. I have also seen crash test footage of a smart car. The smart car comes off as quite safe but the G-Wiz is fragle.
Reply
Owain Ozymandias Buck 7:45AM (8/08/2007)
Hear, Hear!
Damn good point about science education.
Clarkson is an ass, but he's an intelligent ass who brings much appreciated commentary.
I've almost forgiven him for the Top Gear Southern Road Trip episode! ;)
Reply
rgseidl 4:19PM (8/11/2007)
The whole spiel about the G-Wheeze being a quadricycle and therefore exempt from crash testing is a cop-out. Modern Britain isn't full of dainty rickshaws, it's full of modern cars. Bicycles and motorbikes are easily identified as highly vulnerable participants in traffic, so responsible drivers will act accordingly.
By contrast, the G-Wheeze looks like a very tiny car (cp. Robin Reliant), just like the ICE-powered contraptions German authorities now allow 16-year olds to drive on their streets. Their occupants may realize they are not in fact inside a safety cell, but the drivers of other cars may not. Arguably, the primary line of defense of quadricycles appears to be their sheer hideosity, prompting other drivers to give them a wide berth.
@ Keith -
there's no need for EVs to compete with the Veyron, which is a ludicrous automotive confection. Of course, that hasn't stopped the makers of the Lightning GT from trying. The Venturi Fetish looks a little like the Veyron but its performance numbers resemble those of a Tesla at a much higher price.
@ Owain -
if you haven't seen it yet, the Top Gear Polar Special is available on YouTube now.
Reply