OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

- Dr. Joachim Schmidt: “We will continue this positive trend, and we expect sales in the fourth quarter to be above last year’s level.”
- Record sales in China – Schmidt: “We expect Mercedes-Benz Cars to increase its sales in China by more than 50 percent in full-year 2009.”
- Mercedes-Benz USA posts best monthly result since the beginning of the year, with sales up by 21 percent in October
- E- and S-Class sedans maintain market leadership

Stuttgart, Germany, Nov 06, 2009 – In October, global sales were up at Mercedes-Benz for the first time this year. Mercedes-Benz was able to increase sales significantly in October by seven percent to 88,400 units (October 2008: 82,500. The smart brand sold 9,300 (October 2008: 11,300) units (minus 18 percent). With the delivery of 97,700 passenger cars (October 2008: 93,800), total sales at Mercedes-Benz Cars increased by four percent. The October sales increase was due to the E-Class and the new generation of the S-Class as well as to high growth rates in many regions such as North America and Asia/Pacific. Sales of Mercedes-Benz vehicles were also above last year’s level in Western Europe.

“We will continue this positive trend in the coming months, and we expect sales in the fourth quarter to be above the level of the same period of last year,” said Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Head of Sales and Marketing, Mercedes-Benz Cars. Contributing to this development will be the new E-Class and the new generation S-Class, as well as the ongoing strong growth rates in the Asia/Pacific region, particularly in China. By the end of September, Mercedes-Benz had already sold more vehicles in China than in all of last year. Says Schmidt: “Mercedes-Benz Cars will continue to grow at a dynamic rate in China, and we expect the increase for 2009 as a whole to amount to more than 50 percent.”

In October Mercedes-Benz once again set a sales record in China, with sales rising by 78 percent to 6,600 units (October 2008: 3,700). As a result, since the start of the year, Mercedes-Benz has been the fastest-growing premium brand in China. In October, Mercedes-Benz Cars also delivered more vehicles than ever before to the Asia/Pacific region as a whole, handing over 14,100 passenger vehicles to customers (October 2008: 10,500) for an increase of 34 percent. High growth rates were also posted in October in Australia (up 22 percent) and South Korea (up 63 percent).

In the United States, October was the best month of the year so far for Mercedes-Benz. Sales bucked the general market trend, rising by 21 percentto 18,200 units (October 2008: 15,000). This was the first time this year that sales were substantially higher than in 2008, and ensured that Mercedes-Benz remains the strongest German premium brand in the U.S. Contributing factors here included the E-Class, deliveries of which tripled to 6,100 units, and the GLK, which was once again the best-selling vehicle in its class in October, with deliveries of 1,800 units. Meanwhile, Mercedes-Benz posted another sales record in Canada in October, increasing customer deliveries by 28 percent to 2,200 passenger vehicles (October 2008: 1,700).

In the Western Europe region (not including Germany), Mercedes-Benz increased its sales by seven percent in October, thanks in particular to the high increases for the new E-Class. The brand enjoyed strong growth amounting to 55 percent in the UK, with a total of 5,800 units sold.

Sales of new E-Class continued to develop positively in the past month, with worldwide deliveries doubling in October to 17,100 units. Double-digit sales increases were registered in almost all markets. That made it once again the clear market leader in its segment. The company expects the launch of the new station wagon, which can be seen at dealerships starting on November 21, to give an additional positive boost to the E-Class family.

The new generation of the S-Class also got off to a successful start. Worldwide sales of the S-Class sedan were slightly above the previous year's level. Since the beginning of this year, the sedan has been the best-selling sedan in its segment. In China, which is now the biggest market for the S-Class, 1,100 luxury sedans were delivered to customers in October alone, which represents an increase of 12 percent. The sedan also sold very well in Germany, with an increase of 42 percent, and in Japan, where October sales increased by 13 percent. Mercedes-Benz sold 15,100 units of its SUVs worldwide (2008: 14,800), with an increase of two percent. The GLK, which was especially popular, enjoyed mainly double-digit growth rates in the Western European markets.

Overview of Sales by Mercedes-Benz Cars

Copyright © 2009, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

Stuttgart, Germany, Nov 06, 2009 – In October, global sales were up at Mercedes-Benz for the first time this year. Mercedes-Benz was able to increase sales significantly in October by seven percent to 88,400 units (October 2008: 82,500. The smart brand sold 9,300 (October 2008: 11,300) units (minus 18 percent). With the delivery of 97,700 passenger cars (October 2008: 93,800), total sales at Mercedes-Benz Cars increased by four percent. The October sales increase was due to the E-Class and the new generation of the S-Class as well as to high growth rates in many regions such as North America and Asia/Pacific. Sales of Mercedes-Benz vehicles were also above last year’s level in Western Europe.

“We will continue this positive trend in the coming months, and we expect sales in the fourth quarter to be above the level of the same period of last year,” said Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Head of Sales and Marketing, Mercedes-Benz Cars. Contributing to this development will be the new E-Class and the new generation S-Class, as well as the ongoing strong growth rates in the Asia/Pacific region, particularly in China. By the end of September, Mercedes-Benz had already sold more vehicles in China than in all of last year. Says Schmidt: “Mercedes-Benz Cars will continue to grow at a dynamic rate in China, and we expect the increase for 2009 as a whole to amount to more than 50 percent.”

In October Mercedes-Benz once again set a sales record in China, with sales rising by 78 percent to 6,600 units (October 2008: 3,700). As a result, since the start of the year, Mercedes-Benz has been the fastest-growing premium brand in China. In October, Mercedes-Benz Cars also delivered more vehicles than ever before to the Asia/Pacific region as a whole, handing over 14,100 passenger vehicles to customers (October 2008: 10,500) for an increase of 34 percent. High growth rates were also posted in October in Australia (up 22 percent) and South Korea (up 63 percent).

In the United States, October was the best month of the year so far for Mercedes-Benz. Sales bucked the general market trend, rising by 21 percentto 18,200 units (October 2008: 15,000). This was the first time this year that sales were substantially higher than in 2008, and ensured that Mercedes-Benz remains the strongest German premium brand in the U.S. Contributing factors here included the E-Class, deliveries of which tripled to 6,100 units, and the GLK, which was once again the best-selling vehicle in its class in October, with deliveries of 1,800 units. Meanwhile, Mercedes-Benz posted another sales record in Canada in October, increasing customer deliveries by 28 percent to 2,200 passenger vehicles (October 2008: 1,700).

In the Western Europe region (not including Germany), Mercedes-Benz increased its sales by seven percent in October, thanks in particular to the high increases for the new E-Class. The brand enjoyed strong growth amounting to 55 percent in the UK, with a total of 5,800 units sold.

Sales of new E-Class continued to develop positively in the past month, with worldwide deliveries doubling in October to 17,100 units. Double-digit sales increases were registered in almost all markets. That made it once again the clear market leader in its segment. The company expects the launch of the new station wagon, which can be seen at dealerships starting on November 21, to give an additional positive boost to the E-Class family.

The new generation of the S-Class also got off to a successful start. Worldwide sales of the S-Class sedan were slightly above the previous year's level. Since the beginning of this year, the sedan has been the best-selling sedan in its segment. In China, which is now the biggest market for the S-Class, 1,100 luxury sedans were delivered to customers in October alone, which represents an increase of 12 percent. The sedan also sold very well in Germany, with an increase of 42 percent, and in Japan, where October sales increased by 13 percent. Mercedes-Benz sold 15,100 units of its SUVs worldwide (2008: 14,800), with an increase of two percent. The GLK, which was especially popular, enjoyed mainly double-digit growth rates in the Western European markets.

Overview of Sales by Mercedes-Benz Cars

Source >> Mercedes-Benz-Blog — Unmistakable. Unique. Classy. Mercedes-Benz. – Mercedes-Benz Boosts Sales by Seven Percent
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For 2010 the Legacy looks more aggressive and sporty. The headlights are angled more, the character lines create a more muscular look, along with bigger wheel arches. The Legacy has a more modern, mainstream, Japanese appearance. It will be more competitive in the midsize sedan segment, but it's aggressive styling wouldn't look at home in a forest carrying mountain bikes like the old Legacy did.

While the exterior doesn't give thoughts of the usual Subaru activities of hiking and kayaking, the interior gives impressions of a more mainstream midsize sedan at home in mall parking lots. Comfortably designed for the driver and passenger with easy to use controls, soft cream leather seats, and class leading passenger space. Steering wheel controls are standard on the 2.5i Limited are well laid out and easy for the driver to use. Subaru's shortcomings in quality with their use of hard plastic, flimsy door panels, and cheap wood trim left me disappointed, while the previous generation Legacy excelled in quality.

Subaru has used it's new Lineartronic CVT transmission in the new Legacy. It provides a very smooth drive with gearshifts that are as smooth as a hot knife through butter. The paddle shifters are possibly the easiest I've ever used for manual shifting and coupled with the CVT provide a smooth ride. The base 2.5 liter engine feels very underpowered. Subaru's have been known to have a tighter suspension and this Legacy is completely different. The drive feels more like an everyday sedan focused more on driver comfort than a Subaru has ever been. Everyday driving is more polished and tranquilizing than the previous generation Legacy. I took the Legacy through some winding country roads where Subarus usually shine, and was very surprised. Clumsiness and body roll plagued the Legacy like an old woman without her walker. The 2.5 liter 170 hp engine made the Legacy feel underpowered and heavy. The other two optional 256 or 265 hp engines would make the Legacy feel more capable for everyday driving. Even with Subaru's all wheel drive system it felt as though it lacked Subaru's willingness to go off road, instead focusing on a smooth and comfortable drive for those city folk.

The redesigned Legacy is a Subaru aimed more towards a mainstream market. It's comfortable ride and cabin make for a pleasing highway and city drive. Aggressive styling coupled with it's soft ride may scare away some loyal Subaru owners and attract a different buyer. The Legacy lacks what makes Subaru a Subaru. It has evolved into a mainstream car, one that won't be found driving through dirt trails or going on camping trips, instead will be at home on highways and city streets.

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All day, everyday, I don’t know what else to say?

ASTON MARTIN VOLARE CONCEPT

Tras del reciente fin del acuerdo entre la empresa Audi y varios de los principales estudios cinematográficos, BMW está pronta a cubrir ese espacio, ofreciendo su línea de vehículos para diversas cintas. Básicamente, la compañía presta autos de primer nivel para las cintas que se estén filmando, a cambio de dar presencia de imagen. Aunque en su momento buscó tener la exclusiva, esta postura resultó imposible, pues algunas otras empresas tienen acuerdos particulares con ciertas franquicias, como la GMC con Transformers y Aston Martin con James Bond.

Carsale

O mercado norte-americano já deu sinais de recuperação da crise econômica nos últimos meses. Mas ainda não será esse ano que as grandes festas da indústria automobilística local terão seu prestígio resgatado. De acordo com o The Detroit Bureau, website gerenciado por jornalistas do meio automotivo, o tradicional Salão do Automóvel de Los Angeles, nos Estados Unidos, aberto entre os dias 4 e 13 de dezembro, terá ausências importantes entre as fabricantes de modelos de alto luxo.

Segundo a publicação, a britânica Bentley e as italianas Ferrari, Maserati e Lamborghini não participarão da feira em 2009. A justificativa é a mesma que tirou diversas marcas do Salão de Detroit, em janeiro: redução de custos. Uma das únicas confirmadas na mostra é a Aston Martin, que deve ter um estande discreto feito em parceria com os concessionários da marca inglesa localizados na região da costa oeste ianque. O êxodo das fabricantes de alto luxo também pegou os organizadores de surpresa. Los Angeles é uma das cidades que mais consomem veículos do gênero naquele país.

Fonte: Carsale | www.carsale.uol.com.br

Sadly not mine.

Este es el ultimo coche de Aston Martin del cual solo seran fabricados 77 unidades y los afortunados podran conducirlo para finales del 2009. tendra un precio alrededor de 1.320.000 euros!!!. Para ello cuenta con unos datos espectaculares como van a ser sus 700 CV, motor V12 de 7,3 litors y

Volkswagen L1 Concept

Volkswagen e-Up

Volkswagen Polo

Lexus LF-Ch

Audi R8 Spyder

Rolls-Royce Ghost

Lamborghini Reventon

Toyota Auris Hybrid

Bentley Mulsanne

General Motors Ampera

Maserati GranCabrio

Aston Martin Rapide

Peugeot BB1 Concept

More Auto news coming up soon. Keep checking this space for latest updates…

Est. 300 bhp at 6,000 rpm, 3,670 cc twin plug, dual overhead camshaft alloy engine with two distributors and three Weber 45 DCOE carburetors, four-speed synchromesh alloy-cased, close ratio gearbox, monocoque steel “punt-type” chassis with four-wheel coil-spring suspension, independent to the front, solid axle rear with trailing arms and Watt’s linkage lateral location, four-wheel Girling disc brakes. Wheelbase: 95″

The Aston Martin DB4 was unveiled at the 1958 Paris Salon. A totally new car, the introduction of the DB4 was a significant achievement for a small British manufacturer. The specification included a completely new steel platform chassis with disc brakes all around and a freshly developed alloy twin-cam 3.7 liter straight six engine, all clothed in an elegantly-proportioned fastback aluminum body designed by Touring of Milan. Overall, the DB4 was state-of-the art for its time, a masterpiece of robust British engineering in combination with exquisite Italian styling. Of all the postwar Aston Martins, Sir David Brown’s gracefully sleek DB4 is certainly one of the most admired.

The chassis was engineered under the watchful eye of Harold Beech and features independent front suspension and a live rear axle well-located by trailing arms and a Watt’s linkage. The body construction utilizes the vaunted Touring Superleggera process, which consists of a skeleton made up from small diameter steel tubing covered by hand-formed aluminum alloy body panels. The coachwork was constructed by Aston Martin under license from Touring at its newly deployed facility in Newport Pagnell.

HISTORY OF ASTON MARTIN DB4 GT # 0175/L

The GT we have the pleasure of offering here was the last DB4 GT built and sold by Aston’s Newport Pagnell Factory. (All the chassis numbers after # 0175, beginning with # 0176 were assigned to the 19 Zagato-bodied DB4 GTs.) The factory build sheet shows that after receiving the UK Registration plate “934 CGT,” it was shipped to first owner A.G. Medawar of Switzerland via agent Joseph Saouda.

Sometime in the late 1960s it was sold to an R.S. Simpson with the address P.O. Box 7210, Beirut, Lebanon. Simpson, thought to be a petroleum engineer, later shipped the car back to Holland. Simpson sold the car to Aston Dealer and ex-Chairman of the Club Charlie Turner of Atlanta, Georgia in 1976. Turner loved his GTs, buying, owning and selling several examples during a three decade period beginning in the mid-1960s.

Turner was awarded a third place trophy in the 1976 Aston Martin Owners Club Concours held at Lime Rock Park, CT before selling 0175/L to Lt. Col. Boone Crowe of California. Crowe campaigned 0175/L in West Coast vintage racing, including several Monterey Historic events in the 1980s. During Crow’s last visit to Laguna Seca, he managed to excessively prang the nose of the car, after which it was laid up. When Boone Crowe passed on, his widow Kim eventually gave the car to a shop in Utah for repairs and restoration work which was never completed.

In the spring of 1994, California Aston broker and parts dealer Ken Boyd brokered a sale of the now partially disassembled GT from Kim Crowe to a vintage racer and former AMOC Chairman. A total “A-to-Z” restoration and race preparation was carried out on his behalf by the father and son team of Robert & Jon Clerk of Performance Tuning & Restoration in Pompano Beach, Florida. The quality of the work was well-proven as the owner scored multiple first places at Lime Rock, Road Atlanta, Watkins Glen and Laguna Seca over the next two racing seasons. In the fall of 1997, fellow AMOC board member Richard Sirota talked the owner out of the GT.

After several road rallies with Sirota, including the Colorado Grand and the New England 1000, it was sold to the previous California-based owner in 1999. Further West Coast tours ensued, including the Copperstate and the California Mille, before 0175/L was sold to its current Arizona-based owner, a respected collector who has maintained the car in climate controlled storage ever since.

If you like the concept of a rare alloy-bodied Grand Touring Coupe that looks sensational, goes 150 mph, handles like a race car, spoils you with its Connolly hides and Wilton wool carpeting AND is eligible for the world’s best driving events, you must consider the acquisition of this Aston Martin DB4 GT.

Estimate:
$950,000-$1,000,000 US

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION COURTESY RM AUCTIONS

2010 Aston Martin V8 Vantage vs 2010 Jaguar XKR

Super Cars

www.autorivals.net

Aston Martin DB4 GT Lightweight

Nu in fiecare zi ai ocazia sa vezi pe strada un Aston Martin DB4, daramite o versiune GT care, intre 1959 si 1963, a fost produsa in doar 75 de exemplare.

Dar chiar si un DB4 GT poate fi considerat un model popular pe langa editia speciala “lightweight”, care a presupus existenta a doar sase masini. Iar una dintre acestea isi va cauta un nou stapan…

Afla pretul unui Aston Martin DB4 GT Lightweight de pe auto.ro.

I received an email from an online diecast dealer that they were liquidating their inventory and marked a lot of items down 60%. I headed over to their site and grabbed a few items for a fairly good price. These DB9R’s are gorgeous. One happened to get broken up pretty bad during shipment, but with a steady hand and some monster monkey super glue I got it back together. It looks great from far but closeup inspection will tell the tale. These both are hand made ,resin built, 1:24 scale models by Spark. Not only is the detail superb but the weight it AMAZINGLY HEAVY!Terrific additions to my collection!

This was the one that I received broken to pieces

We must have the British automaker on the mind today- here’s the DBR9’s little brother at the ‘Ring.

A bit of background on the N24:

While essentially much like the existing coupé, the N24 had a front splitter and extended door sills for aerodynamic efficiency, a full roll cage, a racing fuel tank, and other modifications necessary to make the car race worthy. Other modifications include the removal of most of the interior, including all seats, replaced by a lone Recaro drivers seat.

Later in 2006, Aston Martin confirmed that they would offer the V8 Vantage N24 to customers as a track car similar to a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup… Contrary to Porsche however, Dr. Bez announced that they will not be putting a premium price on the N24 and that, while it will only be produced in limited numbers, will cost just about as much as a regular V8 Vantage…

The N24 was featured in the British TV series Top Gear and driven by James May in a quest to find the best road for driving in Europe. The decision to use the “racing version” for this kind of drive was mocked by Richard Hammond and Jeremy Clarkson as the car lacked air conditioning and other comforts. May eventually had to drive naked, while pouring bottles of cold water over himself (source).

The episode in question:

Enjoy!

Photo credit: Mark Nauta

- Gyro

Oldie but a goodie. Love that noise!

(via ColdTrackDays)

- Gyro

More bases just fresh and out of the oven. Remember to ask permission from base makers to use them

Volkswagen Passat B3 By Lukas23/Bart

Renault Megane, Vw Bora & Ford Sierra By Kamill

Peugeot 406 99-03 By Ziemek

Audi TT By Lukash

2010 Aston Martin Rapide By snejki

we are very serious remember to ask permission from base makers to use them

Top Gear is most assuredly back! In the 14^th series opener, the boys went on a journey to Romania to try and find the best road in the world, there was a test between a Mercedes S63 AMG and a BMW 760LI and the actor Eric Bana dropped in.

I think the surprise of the night came when I found out that Eric Bana is Australian! I had no idea that he wasn’t an American actor. Well, I suppose that just goes to show how good he is. Also, he is a giant fan of motorsport and races GT cars regularly. It even came out that he has not taken a movie project because he would rather go racing. His prowess on the track really came through when it came to his lap in the reasonably priced Suzuki Liana. Even though it was extremely wet and even though he missed a gear change, he still managed to put in the fastest wet lap of all time, which is damn impressive. All of his lines were spot on and you could tell from the video that he was going to be fast. All in all, a very good lap from a surprisingly Australian person.

The test round the track that took place involved James, for once, testing out some hot super sedans. The Mercedes S63 AMG and the BMW 760LI both feature huge engines, a 6.2 liter V8 in the Merc and a 6.0 liter, twin-turbo V12 in the BMW. Both make generous amounts of power and torque, but the BMW is faster in both a straight line and around a track. This surprised me because I would have thought that the BMW would have been the softer of the two, given that the AMG is usually thought to be a brutish sort of car, and the BMW 7 series generally isn’t thought to be all that sporty. But the Bimmer was better able to put the power to the ground without completely lighting up the back tires around every corner like the AMG. And though the BMW won the battle, it was still decided that both cars were wastes of time and money because they are overpriced and overpowered and don’t know what they really are. They are supposed to be luxury limos, but also try to be sports cars, and that just dilutes them from being truly one or the other. And I have to say, I agree with their verdict on this one. If I want a sports car, I’ll go buy a Porsche or something and if I want a big luxury saloon, I’ll get a Jag, but I don’t need them to be put together and then pay more than I would for both of them combined with the one car.

On to the main event now. In what can only be described as a hair-brained scheme to find a road they could have simply gone to right off the bat, the boys traveled through the country or Romania in search of the Transfagarasan Highway. This is the highest, and most dramatic paved road in the country and looks very similar to the Stelvio Pass that they visited a few series ago. Of course, it wasn’t just about the road though. The cars that they brought were supposed to be the best grand touring roadsters in the world, and so Clarkson brought an Aston Martin Volante, Hammond showed up in a Ferrari California and James brought a Lamborghini LP560-4 Spyder. They then bickered and did what they do best by driving around, getting lost and competing in challenges that don’t really settle anything at all. Of course, since they were in Romania, it was only natural that they should see a ton of Dacia Sanderos. For those who don’t know, James is obsessed with this car. He feels it is a cheap car with no frills that is actually pretty good. So, Clarkson bought him one. And, as happens with all their gifts, you just knew that it had to get ruined somehow. This time, a large semi-truck backed into it and completely destroyed it after James had parked it “conveniently.” I know it was set up, but it was still great to see, because I think that James actually did like that car. After that, the boys followed May and, of course, got lost out in the Romanian countryside where James had a fender bender with his Lambo. But, after all of that nonsense and tomfoolery, they finally reached the road, and it turned out to be an epic thing. Clarkson even commented that the road was a combination of all the best corners of all the best race tracks in the world, and there is no greater compliment than that.

Overall, the episode was a good one for the start of the series and it can, hopefully, only go up from here. I wish I knew what was coming up on the show next Sunday, but they did not tell the audience. I’m assuming that it will be a big surprise. I will say that the one car I am hoping to see on this series is the new Noble M600. I want to see what it can do around the track, because it is supposed to be devastatingly fast.

José Pedro Fontes / António Costa e o Aston Martin DBRS9 GT3 vão estar à partida para o Rallye Casinos do Algarve.
O Vodafone Wedo Samsung Team vai aproveitar a última prova do Campeonato de Portugal de Ralis 2009 para continuar o desenvolvimento do carro inglês, que este ano participou em Vila Verde e na Marinha Grande. Ler mais>>>

José Pedro Fontes / António Costa e o Aston Martin DBRS9 GT3 vão estar à partida para o Rallye Casinos do Algarve.
O Vodafone Wedo Samsung Team vai aproveitar a última prova do Campeonato de Portugal de Ralis 2009 para continuar o desenvolvimento do carro inglês, que este ano participou em Vila Verde e na Marinha Grande. “É mais uma boa oportunidade para rodarmos com o Aston Martin, ganharmos experiência para o seu desenvolvimento e levarmos um carro tão espectacular como este para perto do público”, disse Fontes. Com esta participação no Algarve, Fontes vai também poder festejar novamente o título alcançado no Campeonato de Portugal de Circuitos / PTCC, ganho há pouco mais de uma semana pelo Vodafone Wedo Samsung Team. “É bom voltarmos a estar todos juntos depois do título que vencemos na Velocidade. Vamos voltar a celebrar, mas com a consciência de que agora estamos numa outra competição. Queremos satisfazer o público e dar espectáculo, mas o objectivo principal, como já dissemos, é o desenvolvimento do projecto”, disse ainda o piloto.
O Rallye Casinos do Algarve vai-se disputar este fim-de-semana, sábado e domingo. A Super-Especial de Portimão corre-se no primeiro dia de rali, às 21 horas, enquanto no segundo dia os pilotos percorrerão as restantes sete especiais cronometradas. O final da prova está previsto para as 17h05, na Praia da Rocha.

COMUNICADO DE IMPRENSA – XIKANE

Asta vara toata mass-media a vuit de vestea ca echipa emisiunii Top Gear filmeaza un episod in Romania. Ziaristii s-au strans ca in fata unui mesia in jurul celor trei prezentatori: Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond si James May, s-a zvonit ceva de niste filmari, undeva pe transfagarasan si in jurul Casei Poporului, publicul s-a extaziat de ideea ca un episod din cea mai vizionata emisiune auto se va filma in Romania, promisiunile unei editii interesante a Top Gear existau.

Cum a aratat Romania in viziunea celor de la Top Gear?
1. Clarkson: “You would imagine that coming here in a car that costs 168.000 pounds is like turning up in Sudan in a suit that’s entirely made of food”. 0-1 pentru Top Gear
2. Calatoria celor 3 incepe in Mamaia. Unde englezii raman inmarmuriti de colectia de masini de fitze din fata hotelului Rex. Scorul ramane acelasi.
3. Pe o harta aproximativa a Romaniei este aratat traseul pe care il au de urmat cei 3. Cateva orase principale sunt prezentate pe harta: Constanta, Bucuresti, Pitesti si destinatia… Transilvaniei. “Transilvaniei ce?” veti intreba. Ei bine, se pare ca englezilor le-a scapat din vedere si existenta genitivului din gramatica limbii romane. Scor egal: Romania – Top Gear, 1-1.
4. O dacia sandero intrece pe autostrada soarelui bolizii celor 3, un Aston Martin DBS Volante, un Ferrari California si un Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder. Romania 2 – Top Gear 1.
5. Pe sistemul GPS al masinii lui James May nu exista harta Romaniei. May se opreste sa afle indicatii de la cativa trecatori romani. Engleza acestora este execrabila. 2-2.
6. Nici romana lui May,invatata dintr-un ghid de conversatie englez-roman nu este prea recognoscibila. 3-2.
7. Clarkson si Hammond, ajunsi primii – evident – in fata Casei Poporului raman fara cuvinte la vederea Casei Poporului. 4-2. Reuniti cu May profita de ocazie ca sa faca niste ture cu masinile prin tunelele de sub edificiu.
8. Ajunsi intr-un bar, dupa prima zi de calatorie, cei trei vizioneaza la un ecran ceea ce ei denumesc “a local version of Top Gear”. Versiunea autohtona prezinta, din nou, Dacia Sandero, si este in limba bulgara ( ?!?!?! ). 4-3. In plus gagica care o prezinta e cam naspa si e imbracata prost. 4-4.
9. In ziua a doua, cei 3 englezi strabat si autostrada Bucuresti – Pitesti. Dupa care raman fara autostrada. 4-5 si felicitari pentru Ministerul Transporturilor!
10. Caravana opreste pentru ca Clarkson ii face cadou lui May o Dacia Sandero. Cadoul e apreciat foarte mult de May: “This is the essence of a car. That’s a superb gift!” Scor egal: 5-5!
11. Un tir face Sandero-ul nou al lui May praf. May intra intr-o discutie cu soferul tirului. “I don’t know what he’s telling me in hungarian ( ?!?!?! ) or whatever…” 5-6 pentru Top Gear.
12. Clarkson descopera un caine maidanez la cinci pasi de piciorul lui. 5-7.
13. Cei trei pasesc in “gipsy country”, dupa vorbele lui Hammond. Totul in jur devine rustic inapoiat ca in filmul Borat: carute, cai, șatre de țigani, drumuri neasfaltate, praf. 5-8.
14. Puradeii si localnicii inconjoara masinile de parca n-ar fi vazut una in viata lor. Brusc, comparatia cu Sudan-ul pare justificata. Clarkson li se adreseaza direct: “Gipsies, did you hit that man in the back?” 5-9 si mi-e rusine.
15. Dupa o noapte petrecuta in masini, pentru ca n-au gasit niciun motel sau pensiune ( sau asa pretind ), englezii strabat un drum plin de gropi si hartoape spre Transfagarasanul mult asteptat. Masinile trepideaza ingrozitor. 5-10 si inca o data multumiri Ministerului Transporturilor.
16. Cei 3 ajung in final la Transfagarasan. Imaginea ii copleseste. “This is the most amazing road I’ve ever seen”, exclama Clarkson. “It looks like every great corner from every great racetrack in the world has been knitted together to create one unbroken great ribbon of automotive perfection.” 6-10.
17. Cursa intre britanici incepe, totul in panorama impresionanta a transfagarasanului. Un “Oh, that’s havenly!” sincer iese din gura lui Clarkson. 7-10.
18. Soseaua e impecabila. “This road is getting better and better. THIS is the best road in the world!”
19. Clarkson incheie finalul traseului montan: “Romania! Thank you for having us. And can we stay… for ever?” 8-10.

Per total, Romania a iesit cu o imagine corecta, pe alocuri distorsionata voit, intr-o ignoranta sau nepasare fortata ( vorbim maghiara si slavona, suntem pe aceeasi pozitie cu Sudanul ), pe alocuri fiind accentuate partile negative ( tigani, comune uitate de tehnologie, gropi in mijlocul soselelor, carute cu fiare vechi, maidanezi – dar pe toate astea le avem, cu astea defilam in Europa ), pe alocuri fiind omise niste parti bune care ar fi meritat sa fie mentionate: peisajele care-ti taie rasuflarea, cladirile vechi ale Bucurestilor, romancele , etc.

Cu toate astea, e clar ca cei trei s-au simtit bine, si au facut pana la urma un lobby macar interesant, daca nu pozitiv, Romaniei. Astept acum cu interes sa vad cum o sa le strice Elena Udrea &co toata munca.

PS: cel mai tare m-a deranjat, in final, nu prezentarea facuta de emisiune Romaniei, ci un moment pe care cred ca am si vrut sa-l uit la modul subconstient. In timp ce Hammond si Clarkson stateau pe treptele Casei Poporului, un roman i-a anuntat ca in curand se vor intalni cu un demnitar roman, secretarul general al Camerei Deputatilor. Indiferent ca secretarul general era sau nu un pasionat de masini, ceea ce reiese din filmare este un alt “romanism”: un demnitar important roman ii primeste pe niste gazetarasi doar pentru ca sunt straini, atractia pentru straini a tuturor politicienilor romani fiind comparabila doar cu cea a nepotelului al carui unchi vine din strainatate cu cadouri. Cersetoria.

Daca s-ar duce Cristian Tudor Popescu in Marea Britanie l-ar gazdui prim-ministrul sau Regina? I-ar durea in fund de el.

Britanicii de la Top Gear aveau cateva idei despre Romania inainte de a intra in tara prin Mamaia, insa acolo au ramas surprinsi vazand numai masini luxoase. Vazand o Dacia Sandero, au spus: “Uitasem ca e masina romaneasca!” Apoi au luat’o catre munte, prin Bucuresti, unde s’au plimbat prin si pe langa Casa Poporului. Pe drumurile de tara si’au adus aminte de tiganii atat de reprezentativi Romaniei spunand ca este “tara lui Borat”, insa muntele i’a fermecat facandu’i sa exclame: “Acesta’i cel mai frumos drum din lume. Romania, vrem sa ramanem…definitiv!”

Acest filmulet mi’a adus aminte de mica noastra excursie pe Transfagarasan de anul acesta. Am mai scris despre aceste minunate locuri si anul trecut, insa acum am postat si acest video, pentru a intari cele spuse de mine. Apropos de masini, pot spune ca merita vazut si dintr’o Dacie, atat de spectaculos este.

Noi am fost cu frumusica prietenului nostru. Daca mi’as permite Opel mi’as lua. E o masina buna din toate punctele de vedere. Imi place mult, insa nu neg ca as conduce si una din cele trei prezentate la Top Gear ). Pot doar sa presupun cat de emotionant a fost drumul pentru ei.

Pe criza asta, cand eu imi caut de lucru, imi arde de masini fitoase sau “vrabia malai viseaza”. In fine, atata timp cat mai pot sa ma bucur e bine, nu!?

“Absolutul motaie in pietre, respira in plante, se misca in animale si trezeste in oameni.”

Tot drumul a fost soare si frumos iar aproape de Balea Lac a inceput sa ploua foarte tare dintr’o data, mergeam mai incet iar la un moment dat ne’au aparut in fata masinii o ursoaica cu puiul ei. A fost un moment frumos. Ei stateau si se uitau la noi din mijlocul drumului iar noi le faceam poze si filmulet.

Filmuletul merita vazut pana la sfarsit:

Raeka