About this episode
Richard and Johnny dive into a lively Q&A session, tackling listener questions about car sound, insurance, and budget-friendly options for young drivers. They discuss the merits of various cars, including Subarus and Alfa Romeos, while sharing humorous anecdotes and personal experiences. The episode also touches on the potential for spikes in interest for niche cars like the Citroen BX, and even a brush with royalty when Prince Harry visited a Top Gear shoot. Expect a mix of practical advice and entertaining banter.
In another instalment of their On The Other Side Of Things spin-off show, Jonny and Richard answer listeners’ questions about a nice-sounding car for an 18-year-old, sorting the wheels on an old Fiesta, rare but nobody cares car search spikes, and the royal family and Top Gear.
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Mini One
"...currently, I have a mini one brackets are 56, which I've enjoyed trying to extract the maximum 96 brake horsepower from brilliant..."
The Mini One is a small car that's fun to drive and great for new drivers. It's known for its stylish design and good handling, making it a popular choice for young people.
The Mini One is a variant of the Mini hatchback, known for its compact size and fun driving dynamics. It typically features a smaller engine compared to other Mini models, making it a popular choice for first-time car buyers.
brake horsepower
"...I've enjoyed trying to extract the maximum 96 brake horsepower from brilliant..."
Brake horsepower is a way to measure how powerful an engine is. It tells you how much power the engine can produce without considering things like how much energy is lost in the car's parts.
Brake horsepower (BHP) is a measurement of an engine's power output before losses like friction and heat are taken into account. It provides a more accurate representation of an engine's performance compared to other measurements.
flat four
"Yeah, straight away, my mind went to flat four. Okay, nothing sounds like a flat four. So what does that mean?"
A flat four engine is a type of engine where the cylinders are arranged horizontally. This helps the car handle better because it keeps the weight low.
A flat four engine, also known as a boxer engine, features horizontally opposed cylinders that lie flat. This design lowers the center of gravity, improving handling and stability.
Alfa Romeo
"Okay, nothing sounds like a flat four. So what does that mean? Well, that could mean some kind of old Alfa Romeo. Oh, yeah, alpha boxy. Yes."
Alfa Romeo is a car brand from Italy that makes stylish and sporty cars. They are known for their unique designs and good performance.
Alfa Romeo is an Italian luxury car manufacturer known for its sporty vehicles and distinctive designs. The brand has a rich motorsport heritage and is recognized for its performance-oriented models.
Subaru
"So this leads me inexorably towards an avenue that we frequently drive down in this show, which is Subaru. Okay, if only Subaru were paying us to say this."
Subaru is a car brand from Japan that makes cars with all-wheel drive, which helps with traction. They are known for being reliable and good for outdoor activities.
Subaru is a Japanese automaker known for its all-wheel-drive vehicles and boxer engines. The brand has a strong reputation for reliability and is popular among outdoor enthusiasts and rally fans.
turbo
"But I was thinking that an impressive turbo may be a little hard to ensure and sort of want an older one, wouldn't you?"
A turbo is a part that helps an engine produce more power by pushing more air into it. This makes the car go faster without needing a bigger engine.
A turbo, or turbocharger, is a device that forces more air into an engine's combustion chamber, allowing it to burn more fuel and produce more power. This results in improved engine performance and efficiency.
Mini R56
"I was actually going to suggest this to him with his Mini R56."
The Mini R56 is a model of the Mini Cooper made between 2006 and 2013. It's small and fun to drive, making it popular among car enthusiasts.
The Mini R56 is a generation of the Mini Cooper produced from 2006 to 2013. It features a distinctive design and is known for its fun driving dynamics and compact size.
induction kit
"He's going to say, why don't you just keep the Mini and put a really good induction kit on it?"
An induction kit is a part that helps the engine get more air, which can make it run better and faster. It's often added to cars to improve performance.
An induction kit is an aftermarket component that replaces the factory air intake system to improve airflow to the engine. This can enhance engine performance and throttle response.
Alfa Romeo 147
"...whether a one, like a one four seven would be of interest. That'd be nice."
The Alfa Romeo 147 is a small car made by the Italian brand Alfa Romeo. It's known for being fun to drive and has a stylish design.
The Alfa Romeo 147 is a compact car that was produced from 2000 to 2010. Known for its sporty handling and distinctive Italian styling, it features a range of inline four engines that provide a fun driving experience.
Daihatsu Avanzato TX
"But tracking down a Daihatsu Avanzato TX. One came up for sale this week."
The Daihatsu Avanzato TX is a small car from Japan that's designed to be practical and efficient. It's part of a category of cars that are very popular in Japan because they are easy to drive and park in crowded cities.
The Daihatsu Avanzato TX is a compact car known for its unique styling and practicality, often favored in the Japanese market. It's a kei car, which means it adheres to specific size and engine displacement regulations in Japan, making it economical and easy to maneuver in urban settings.
K cars
"...Why are the three cylinder Japanese fruity cars? Apart from K cars, if you ignore Ks, is there anything that's bigger than a K..."
K cars are tiny cars in Japan that have to follow certain rules about how big they can be and how powerful their engines can be. They're great for saving money and fitting into small parking spaces.
K cars refer to a category of small, lightweight vehicles in Japan that are subject to specific regulations regarding size and engine displacement. These cars are known for their efficiency and affordability, making them popular in urban environments.
three-cylinder engine
"...the fastest three cylinder cars? I don't know."
A three-cylinder engine is a small engine with three parts that help it run. It's usually lighter and can save fuel, but it might not be as powerful as bigger engines.
A three-cylinder engine is a type of internal combustion engine that has three cylinders. These engines are often smaller and lighter, providing good fuel efficiency and a unique sound, but may lack the power of larger engines.
Toyota Aygo
"...if you just want an amusing three cylinder sound, then an old Aygo thrums away like a good one, but not very quick."
The Toyota Aygo is a small car that's easy to drive around town. It has a three-cylinder engine, which gives it a unique sound and helps it save fuel.
The Toyota Aygo is a compact city car known for its small size and efficient three-cylinder engine. It's designed for urban driving, offering good maneuverability and a fun driving experience.
Bmw I8
"Yeah, I mean, a BMW i8 is three cylinder, but I don't know if that's going to be particularly good for..."
The BMW i8 is a sporty car that uses both a small gasoline engine and an electric motor to drive, making it both powerful and fuel-efficient.
The BMW i8 is a plug-in hybrid sports car that combines a three-cylinder gasoline engine with an electric motor for enhanced performance and efficiency.
Honda NSX
"It sounds like sort of, you know, a baby NSX, like an NSX puppy."
The Honda NSX is a fast and advanced sports car that many car enthusiasts admire for its performance and technology.
The Honda NSX is a high-performance sports car known for its innovative design and engineering, often regarded as a benchmark for performance in its class.
Acura NSX
"...bulous. It sounds like sort of, you know, a baby NSX, like an NSX puppy. Didn't they do a three cylin..."
The Acura NSX is a fast and stylish sports car that was made to compete with much more expensive supercars. It’s known for being fun to drive while still being comfortable enough for everyday use. People talk about it because it combines great looks with impressive speed and technology.
The Acura NSX is a high-performance sports car that was first introduced in the early 1990s and is known for its innovative design and engineering. It features a mid-engine layout and was one of the first production cars to utilize an all-aluminum body, making it lightweight and agile. The NSX is significant for its blend of everyday usability and supercar performance, often discussed in the context of its influence on the automotive industry.
Mini Cooper
"Didn't they do a three cylinder Mini Cooper?"
The Mini Cooper is a small and stylish car that is fun to drive, and some newer versions have a small three-cylinder engine.
The Mini Cooper is a compact car known for its distinctive design and fun driving experience, with various engine options including a three-cylinder variant in later models.
Volkswagen Up Gti
"Volkswagen UP GTI? Oh, yes. I don't know if they're down to that level of money yet, though."
The Volkswagen UP GTI is a small car that has a sportier version called the GTI. It's designed to be fun to drive and is popular because it's affordable and has a peppy engine.
The Volkswagen UP GTI is a sporty variant of the compact UP model, designed to offer a fun driving experience in a small package. It features a turbocharged engine and sport-tuned suspension, making it popular among enthusiasts looking for an affordable performance car.
Toyota GT86
"What about a GT86, which has the Subaru-ish sound? Ding. We've alighted on the answer."
The Toyota GT86 is a fun sports car that is easy to drive and focuses on providing a good driving experience. It's designed to be lightweight and has a unique engine that helps it handle well.
The Toyota GT86 is a lightweight sports car known for its rear-wheel-drive layout and engaging driving dynamics. It was developed in collaboration with Subaru and features a boxer engine that contributes to its low center of gravity.
Mazda MX-5
"...we haven't even mentioned MX-5 because we just assumed"
The Mazda MX-5, or Miata, is a small and sporty convertible car that many people love for its fun driving experience. It's known for being light and easy to handle.
The Mazda MX-5, also known as the Miata, is a popular two-seater roadster celebrated for its lightweight design and exceptional handling. It has a strong enthusiast following and is often praised for its driving experience.
boxer engine
"...they do have a boxer engine. They do."
A boxer engine is a type of engine where the cylinders are arranged flat and move sideways. This helps the car handle better because it makes the car's weight lower.
A boxer engine, also known as a flat engine, has horizontally opposed cylinders that move in and out in a horizontal plane. This design lowers the center of gravity, improving handling and stability in vehicles.
Ford Fiesta
"Ford Fiesta, 25,000 miles, one family owner, Panther Black, as a first car for our 18-year-old."
The Ford Fiesta is a small, budget-friendly car that is great for new drivers. It's known for being easy to drive and economical on fuel.
The Ford Fiesta is a subcompact car known for its affordability and efficiency, making it a popular choice for first-time car buyers and young drivers.
wheel trims
"The wheel trims are lovely."
Wheel trims are the covers that go over the wheels of a car. They make the wheels look nicer and can help keep them safe from scratches.
Wheel trims are decorative covers that fit over the wheel rims of a vehicle. They can enhance the appearance of the wheels and protect them from damage.
tires
"I'm just looking at what tires they might have put on."
Tires are the round rubber parts that help a car move. They grip the road and keep the car stable while driving.
Tires are rubber coverings that fit around the wheels of a vehicle, providing traction and support for driving. They come in various types designed for different driving conditions.
Wind Force
"It looks like they're called Wind Force, Advanced Four."
Wind Force is a brand that makes tires for cars. They offer different types of tires for various driving needs.
Wind Force is a brand that manufactures tires, known for producing a range of tire types for different vehicles and driving conditions.
Advanced Four
"It looks like they're called Wind Force, Advanced Four."
Advanced Four is a type of tire made by Wind Force. It's designed to perform well in different weather and road conditions.
Advanced Four refers to a specific tire model from the Wind Force brand, designed to provide performance and safety in various driving conditions.
Citroen Bx
"...colleague at the late break show, Mark, with his Citroen BX, he has very rare trims and he doesn't drive wit..."
The Citroen BX is a small car that was made in France and is known for its unusual shape and very comfortable ride. It has a special system that helps keep the car smooth on the road, which makes it different from many other cars. People like to talk about it because it's unique and has some interesting features.
The Citroen BX is a compact car produced by the French manufacturer Citroen from the mid-1980s to the mid-1990s, known for its distinctive design and innovative hydropneumatic suspension system. It gained a reputation for its comfort and unique styling, making it a favorite among enthusiasts, especially in Europe. The BX is often discussed for its quirky features and as a representation of Citroen's innovative engineering during that era.
Citroën BX
"with his Citroen BX, he has very rare trims and he doesn't drive with them on most of the time."
The Citroën BX is a small car made by the French company Citroën. It was known for its unique look and was popular in Europe when it was sold.
The Citroën BX is a compact car produced by the French manufacturer Citroën from 1982 to 1994. Known for its distinctive design and innovative features, it was popular in Europe during its production run.
boot
"He has them in the boot in a bag. Does he pop them on at shows then?"
The 'boot' is the space at the back of a car where you can store things like bags or luggage. It's called the trunk in some places.
In automotive terminology, 'boot' refers to the trunk of a car, where luggage and other items can be stored. In some regions, it's commonly used in place of 'trunk'.
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