During a recent fan event for the final episode of The Grand Tour, Jeremy Clarkson made one of his trademark provocative remarks, declaring that modern cars are “all crap.” His statement came as he reflected on the evolution of the automotive industry, with a particular fondness for the simpler, lighter cars of the past.
Clarkson, never one to mince words, answered audience questions bluntly, expressing a sense of detachment from the current car market.
“I don’t even recognize 80 or 90 percent of the cars out there today,” he said. “And I don’t care. ‘We’ve got a new hybrid system,’ I couldn’t care less.”
As an example of what he believes cars should be, Clarkson referenced the Lancia Montecarlo, the classic car he drove in the latest episode. He praised the vehicle for its simplicity and lightness, contrasting it with today’s bloated and tech-heavy models.
“It’s incredible how, when you drive an old car like that, you realize how much better they are than modern cars because they’re light. It’s truly an epic experience,” he commented.
In typical Clarkson style, he took the comparison further, describing driving the Montecarlo as “like driving a ballerina” – a metaphor open to various interpretations but clearly meant to convey a sense of agility and grace.
This isn’t the first time Clarkson has criticized modern cars and the direction the car industry has taken. His views often resonate with a portion of car enthusiasts and online communities, who frequently lament how today’s vehicles have become overly heavy, too reliant on technology, and unnecessarily complex.
