The only other television based credible motoring journalist is Tiff Needell (http://www.celebagents.co.uk/html/Tiff_Needell.html) who did not slate the car.

Jeremy is a funny, watchable guy who commands an army of car lovers across the country because of his anti speed camera and policing views. He's been around for ever and writes for magazines and newspapers, too.

Tiff was a prefessional racing driver and can really make anything dance on a track. Watching him get an Aston Martin Vanquish off the ground over the top of a hill and land it on a private test track is something I'll never forget.

I have downloaded his review and his only realy gripe is that the car's looks outpace the power. He also felt that the SLK was never a handling machine and that this characteristic would be mirrored in the xfire. Preferred the gearbox over the SLK though, thinking it had been tweaked somehow.

He pointed out that the car was only ever really designed for the American market and would no doubt be very well recieved there, however the UK market would be tougher to crack. People were likely to want a Nissan or a TT here.

Interesting to note that the xfire was designed by a british man.