Top Gear Magazine #196 was the issue of the magazine cover-dated October 2009. Published by BBC Worldwide, it was edited by the magazine's acting editor-in-chief, Charlie Turner. It was the final issue produced by Turner during his initial stint as editor-in-chief, turning full time from Issue #207 after Conor McNicholas left his position after less than a year.
Cover[]
Issue 196's cover contained three significant British cars for the year 2009; the McLaren MP4-12C, which was the first road car produced by the Formula 1 team since the final F1 rolled off the production lines in 1998, the Brawn BGP-001, which helped to win Jenson Button's sole Formula 1 Driver's Championship, and the Rolls-Royce Ghost, the first "small" car produced by the company since Silver Seraph production concluded in 2002. The cover photo was captured by Joe Windsor-Williams and edited by Midas Retouching.
Contents[]
- McLaren MP4-12C: Possibly the most hotly anticipated launch of next year, the McLaren 12C promises shrieking performance for Ferrari F430 money. Top Gear gives you the blood and guts of the car that you'll sell unwanted children just to drive.
- Mugen Type R: Mugen is to Honda what M Sport is to BMW - or at least that's what it wants to be. The Type R Concept is Mugen's first foray into the UK market, a toe in the tuning water. But is this 240bhp, 8,300rpm screamer any good?
- Brawn Star: Brawn GP has proved that if you put enough bits together in one place, they will make something world-beating. But how has a team consisting mainly of reserved Englishmen come to the F1 fore so quickly? TG finds out.
- Flying Hy(brids): Most magazines would test ultra-frugal hybrids by being all feather-footed and consciencious [sic]. Top Gear hands them to The Stig, who tries to make them oversteer, and then jumps them over a humpbacked bridge. Childish? Us?
- Ghost Machine: The Rolls-Royce ghost is supposed to be a more dynamic, cooler Roller for people who would prefer to drive themselves. It's also supposed to be cheaper and smaller than the brilliant Phantom. Which it is. But only just.
- Pebble dash: A quick scout around the richest, most exclusive car show anywhere in the world; the Pebble Beach Concours D'Elegance. Where luxury car makers reveal their latest confection in front of billionaires and their 18-year-old PAs.
- Mulsanity: Bentley's first all-new car since 1841 is called the Mulsanne. Revealed at Pebble Beach, the reputed reaction from the crowd was 'My God, that's ugly.' Possibly not a PR dream, then.
- Petty minded: Richard Petty joins Bill Thomas in a Final Edition, last-of-line Bentley Arnage to investigate the birth of NASCAR. Old-school British vs old-school American. Except that Bill is actually from Australia. Which means he is a criminal.
- Beach party: Need a four-seat drop-top? OK, maybe need is the wrong word. Want a four-seat drop-top? Then you'll need to read what Matt 'WAGedition' Master thinks about the cabrio versions of the 3-Series A5, IS and G37.