The Australian version Top Gear Magazine knows the perfect combination to generate some buzz in this day and age. Mix a little YouTube, with Kenny from the Block, The Stig being his non-emotional self and burnouts in a 335-hp Ford Falcon FPV Boss.

The video you’re about to watch is for the cover shoot for the November 2011 issue of Top Gear Magazine Australia.

Check it out after the jump.

- By: Omar Rana

The new Top Gear magazine is out and this month, The Stig meets the new 2012 BMW M5.

Click here for more news on the BMW M5.

“But forced induction remains a theme; every car on the cover sports a turbo. Including – whisper it – the new BMW M5. It may have incensed the purists, but is it still a legend? We hand the keys to James, and then Ollie Marriage referees the title bout: new BMW M5 vs Mercedes E63 AMG. Stigness ensues.”

Refresher: The 2012 BMW M5  is powered by a 4.4L V8 engine with M TwinPower Turbo (consisting of Twin Scroll Twin Turbo Technology) making 560-hp between 6,000 and 7,000 rpm with a maximum torque of 502 lb-ft from 1,500 rpm. Mated to a 7-speed M Double Clutch Transmission Drivelogic (with steering wheel mounted paddle shifters), the 2012 BMW M5 goes from 0 to 62 mph in 4.4 seconds, 0 to 124 mph in 13 seconds with a top speed of 155 mph or 190 mph with M Driver’s Package.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Top Gear

BBC has released the trailer for Top Gear Season 17, which will air on June 26. What can we expect?

According to Top Gear Blog: “Well, there’s some affordable performance cars, some electric cars, some actual racing, some proper demolition, some silly cars, and Top Gear’s attempt to improve public transport, which I think is going to be absolutely brilliant. Did you see some of the clips on the Formula One last Sunday of us in the hot hatches going round the Monaco Grand Prix Circuit? That’s part of the new series, and that was great, very intimidating.”

Hit the jump for the trailer.

- By: Roman Bronfenbrener

Source: Final Gear

The Stig

Being The Stig on Top Gear has its privileges but the best perk that comes along with the job is driving every single vehicle that hits the Top Gear track. Writing over at Drive.com.au, former Stig Ben Collins listed the five worst cars he’s ever driven:

• Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione: “…the worst supercar I ever drove, which was also one of the most beautiful.”
• Fiat Multipla: “It took 12 seconds to reach 100km/h, whereupon it didn’t handle too badly but you looked daft behind the wheel.”
• Cadillac Escalade: “When we did point it at the most modest of trenches, the axle shook like blancmange before the Caddy bottomed out and got stuck.”
• Dodge Charger: “The new Charger appeared in 2005 and underwhelmed with its heavy weight, modest power and woeful automatic gearbox. When it comes to classic remakes, the only manufacturer that seemed to get it right was Chevrolet with the Camaro SS.”
• TVR Sagaris: “It had no door handles. To open the door you pressed a button under the wing mirror and prayed the electrics worked, because on many TVRs they don’t. The seating was invented by Houdini and changing gear required you to dislocate a shoulder.”

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Drive

Earlier this week it was reported that Top Gear offended Muslim viewers by wearing burkhas to cheer up co-presenter James May after he was injured. Apparently, Muslims weren’t the only one offended the show’s special “Three Wise Men” Christmas edition.

Christians were also offended by the Christmas episode. What was so offensive? According to reports, the scene showed Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May stepping into the manger where the Lord Jesus lays in order to present him with gifts.

While that is how the story goes in the Bible when the Three Kings arrive to the manger, during the episode, baby Jesus was replaced by a baby in a helmet jumpsuit – the traditional clothing of the Stig.

We honestly found it pretty hilarious.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Digital Journal

The Stig - Tiff Needell

Earlier this year, BBC and Top Gear lost a court battle with former Stig Ben Collins, which ended up revealing his identity as the Stig. After revealing himself as the race car driver in the white suite. Collins went on to publish an autobiography and co-host Five’s Fifth Gear – a competitor of Top Gear.

As ironic as it sounds, another Fifth Gear host, Tiff Needell, has replaced Collins as the Stig on Top Gear for the time being. Needell returns to the show after a 9-year absence to teach Slumdog Millionaire director Danny Boyle through his paces on the track in a segment called “Star in a Reasonably Priced Car.”

“The Stig has gone of course so they have this other guy Tiff Needell who used to front the original Top Gear,” Boyle said. “He was a terrific teacher, no nonsense. It was good.”

A Top Gear spokesman said that Tiff may not be the long-term replacement for Stig.

“We needed someone to teach Danny Boyle how to drive the track, which would normally be Stig,” he said. “Tiff, being an old friend of the show, offered to help out.”

Needell, 59, co-presented Top Gear from 1987 until it was cancelled in 2001.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Mirror

Top Gear's new Stig

Last week, we saw picture of what is known as “the Stig breeding farm.” Jeremy Clarkson and the Top Gear crew have been hard at work picking out the new Stig as the former race car driver for the show ousted himself as Ben Collins.

We now have a video of what goes on inside the Stig farm with a voiceover from Clarkson. The video ends with saying that a new Stig has been chosen but the question still remains if he’ll make it to the new season of Top Gear.

Click here for more news on the Stig.

“One big question does remain: will “˜touring Stig” make it to the new series of Top Gear when it returns at the end of the year?” said Top Gear.com “Who knows. As James has so diligently been telling everyone, ‘anything can happen in Stig world’. You”ll just have to wait and see.”

Click through for the video.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Top Gear

Top Gear Stig Farm

BBC’s Top Gear is working hard to find a replacement for the third Stig, who recently ousted himself as Ben Collins.

Top Gear presenter and Sun columnist Jeremy Clarkson recently joined fellow presenters of the show to inspect a herd of carefully bred of the show’s tame race car drivers. A source said: “Fans don’t know there is a secret farm where we breed lots of different Stigs. We’ve found just the one.”

As you can tell from the pic, Top Gear breeds Stigs in all different color – which one would you chose? How about pink or red?

- By: Omar Rana

Source: The Sun (via Top Gear)

The Stig

The white helmet worn by the Stig on Top Gear fetched a surprising £3,400 ($5,388 USD). The helmet was sold by Sophia Vaizey, 30, of Hove, who worked on Top Gear for 18 months as a production coordinator. She received the helmet as a gift from the Top Gear crew as her departing gift.

The helmet, which was worn by the Stig from 2002 to 2005, was also worn by Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May.

“The Stig wore that one on the show for quite a while. He then got a new one for safety reasons, so it got stored away in the Top Gear office,” Vaizey said. “I was quite surprised when they gave it to me but also I felt honored.”

The BBC recently took legal action against the Stig, who revealed himself as Ben Collins, over wanting to publish an autobiography about his life as the Stig. BBC obviously lost the battle.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Telegraph

As car enthusiasts, you and I can do nothing but lament the lack of exposure and coverage of Top Gear UK in the US of Americaland. Sure there are ways to view full episodes of Top Gear over the Internetz. And yes there”s Top Gear USA on the way in November but some of us can”t imagine it being all that good. But of course, I personally am giving it the benefit of doubt. Either way, the most successful program in US television history, or the one that”s home to Dan Rather, Walter Cronkite, and Christiane Amanpour, will be featuring Top Gear UK.

Nothing went uncovered as Steve Kroft and the crew explores things while season 15 was being filmed, such as Jezza”s house, to the production office, a ride with the Stig (who I guess we all know is Ben Collins now”¦), an interview with Top Gear UK boss Andy Wilman and much more.

Tune in to 60 Minutes on Sunday, 10/24/10 at 7pm EST on CBS, grab your popcorn/coffee/dinner/beer/whiskey/girlfriend/friends/laptop/hooker”¦ok you get the idea”¦and watch as 60 Minutes uncovers some secrets and behind the scenes to Jezza, Hamster, Captain Slow and the most famous motoring show in the world.

- By: Chris Chin

Source: Top Gear

Top Gear: Donut Trailer

The folks at the History Channel have just confirmed that that Top Gear USA will be officially airing on Nov. 21. So set your Tivos, DVRs or just be home in front of the TV by 10 p.m./9C.

Of course, many have doubts that hosts Tanner Foust, Rutledge Wood and Adam Ferrara will be able to live up to their British counterparts (Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May), but if you check out the two new trailers that the History Channel just dropped – you just might change your mind.

Oh, and we’ll have our own Stig as well.

Hit the jump for the two trailers and let us know in the poll below if you’re excited about Top Gear USA – and if you really want to vent, hit the jump for the comments section.

Click here to learn more about the Top Gear USA team.

Top Gear: Theater:

Top Gear: Donut:

- By: Omar Rana

Ben Collins drives the 2011 Nissan LEAF

Some say he’s from Bristol – others say that he’s hated by Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, James May and Top Gear all together. All we know is, he’s called the Stig… well, no, he’s just Ben Collins.

Here is a video review of Ben Collins getting behind the new Nissan LEAF EV. Basically, we’re watching two things the guys hosts at Top Gear hate – electric-cars and Ben Collins.

Click here for more news on the Nissan LEAF.

Refresher: Power for the Nissan LEAF comes from a 107-hp electric-motor that runs on power supplied by lithium-ion cells. On a full-charge, the Nissan LEAF allows for a driving range of 100 miles with a top speed of 87 mph. A full charge takes up to 8 hours on a standard 200V outlet. Buyers can opt for the DC 50kW quick-charger, which recharges the battery up to 80 percent in under 30 minutes. Prices for the 2011 Nissan LEAF will start at $32,780 but with a federal tax-credit prices will come in as low as $25,280, or for a lease payment of $349 a month.

2011 Nissan LEAF:

Ben Collins drives the 2011 Nissan LEAF:

2011 Nissan LEAF:

- By: Omar Rana

Source: The Sun (via AutoblogGreen)

The Stig

Since leaving, BBC Ben Collins, the former Stig on Top Gear, has been busy publishing his book “The Man in the White Suit: The Stig, Le Mans, The Fast Lane And Me.” It was rumored last week that Ben Collins is looking to start his own show that would rival Top Gear.

It is now reported that Channel 5 has hired Ben Collins to appear on Fifth Gear. Collins will make his debut on the show next Friday night. The show’s current hosts also include former Top Gear presenters Tiff Needell and Vicki Butler-Henderson.

Collins will take on the Stig-like role but will also appear as host on Fifth Gear.

“I’m delighted to be joining the Fifth Gear team,” said Collins. “And I am looking forward to a new set of exciting challenges, apparently with and without the helmet.”

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Guardian

Ben Collins is probably starting to get on the nerves of BBC and the Top Gear team. Collins, who recently revealed himself as The Stig, says he’s eager to have his own show in which he would be the host. Collins recently revealed himself as The Stig after winning a court case brought forward by BBC to prevent the release of his autobiography. The Man in the White Suit: The Stig, Le Mans, The Fast Lane And Me is on its way to be published by Harper Collins.

Before Collins, race car driver Perry McCarthy, The Black Stig, revealed himself and was killed off in the program in 2003.

Would you watch a Collins hosted car show over Top Gear? Let us know in the comments section after the jump.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Inside Line

The Stig

Now that everyone knows that the Stig is none other than Ben Collins, James May says that the popular Top Gear character “will be viciously killed off – then replaced by a new driver.” Things might even go so far as to Richard Hammond and Jeremy Clarkson beating the Stig first. James has vowed to take back the famous white overalls, helmet and gloves.

James said that the ‘white’ Stig will be killed off in the same manner as his predecessor. The ‘black’ Stig, who was played by racing driver Perry McCarthy, was last seen driving off a cliff in 2003.

So who will be the next Stig? Bookies have made a girl 4/1 favorite to take over the role of the Stig, ahead of ex-Formula 1 stars like Damon Hill and David Coulthard. Some bookies are also betting on odds of 5/1 that the next Stig suit is pink.

We’ll have to wait and see.

- By: Kap Shah

Source: The Sun

'The Man in the White Suit' book cover

Ben Collins has won a legal battle against BBC, which was threatening to sue him if he released an autobiography revealing himself as The Stig. Mr. Justice Morgan declined to give BBC a “temporary injunction preventing publication of the HarperCollins book on the second day of the hearing, after weighing up legal arguments from both sides in private.”

Shortly after the hearing, Ben Collins left the high court and was bombarded by photographers and the media. Collins remained pretty quiet while leaving court but exchanged a couple of word with the media who asked him if he was the Stig. When asked whether he had his trademark white helmet with him, he replied: “You’re trying to tempt me into saying something I shouldn’t.”

No word on whether Collins will stay on at BBC as The Stig – but we highly doubt it.

Hit the jump for the video explaining the fiasco.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Guardian

Ben Collins

Ben Collins, who was recently revealed as The Stig on Top Gear, has apparently been fired by BBC and has already been replaced, according to the Mirror. The move comes shortly after BBC has threatened to take legal action against the anonymous driver to prevent him from publishing an autobiography.

The Mirror has published two photos, one of The Stig at an even at Top Gear Live, while the other photo shows Ben Collins playing with his kids… 1,100 miles away.

According to the Mirror:

Our exclusive pictures show the new Stig ““ the show”s “tame racing driver” ““ in trademark white jumpsuit and crash helmet at a Top Gear Live event at the Nürburgring racing circuit in Germany on ­Friday.

Meanwhile, 1,100 miles away, Collins was snapped pushing his daughters Izzy, three, and Scarlett, 18 months, in toy cars near their home in the West ­Country.

Either we believe this report or believe that there is more than one Stig.

- By: Stephen Calogera

Source: Mirror

The Stig

Former Formula Three driver and owner of Collins Autosport, Ben Collins, has been reported to be one of the many individuals that pose as The Stig on BBC’s Top Gear program. His company Collins Autosport made significantly more money after taking on work to provide” driving services for BBC, mainly on Top Gear in 2003, according to Sunday Times.

It is reported that the increased revenue for Collins Autosport came just a month after the first appearance of The Stig in a white suit. Prior to that, The Stig dressed in black.

Sunday Times contacted Collins, 35, many times about his connection to Top Gear and The Stig. He answered the phone to the latest question on Saturday but said that he was in Hungary.

“I can’t speak to you. I’m going into a tunnel” Collins said. Very classy.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Telegraph