04-07-2025
Everything you asked the internet about British cars, answered by Top Gear
Top Gear Advice
You put some questions into infinite digital space, and TG came to the rescue. You're very welcome Skip 1 photos in the image carousel and continue reading
Does the Pope still pray? Is The Traitors still entirely nonsensical when you really stop to think about it? Of course! Though the UK automotive industry has declined somewhat in recent years, our proud shores still produce many unique and idiosyncratic cars, including the Beauchamp Trunnion, Nether-Frotting Type G, Digby Wimble Sport and Riversimple Rasa. OK we made the last one up. Why do British cars have the steering wheel on the right?
Because it's tricky to drive a car with no steering wheel.
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How very dare you? You're thinking of spineless, timorous German cars, which have been limited to a piffling 250kph since a 'gentlemen's agreement' of the 1970s. British cars, on the other hand, aren't artificially constrained by some overzealous health and safety fat cats, and are free to run to their very limit. Which, in the case of a performance machine like the Vauxhall Combo Life Electric, can be as high as a searing 81mph. Why do British cars lose so much money?
Forgetfulness and an overly trusting nature. You might like
Yes, but we've not had to use it since that freak heatwave of 1996, when temperatures in some parts of the country rose to a sizzling 19°C. Why do British cars leak oil?
To create a fiendish slick on the road behind, upon which the car containing the gaggle of pursuing baddies shall skid, leave the road, plunge over a convenient cliff and burst inexplicably into flames. No, you've been watching too many old Bond films.
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We're assuming this question is mostly asked by Americans? In which case, Americans, it's not that our cars are small, it's that you're a long way away from them. Come a bit closer. Closer. Scooch more... there you go. See? Totally normal size. Can British cars drive in Europe?
They can, but frankly why would you bother? What's Europe got that Britain doesn't? Apart from pain au chocolat. And siestas. And proper mountains. And tiramisu. And autobahns. And... hang on, just checking last minute LeShuttle prices, give us a tick...
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