Troops deployed in Iraq have to deal with plenty of garbage when they’re over there, including the not insignificant people-constantly-trying to kill you thing. So in my opinion, if a soldier wants to bring an adopted puppy back to the States, they should be allowed to. Bring Ratchet home! Anyway, here’s the news:

• Top Gear has already headed to the Land Down Under, and is set to launch a Stateside show for us Yanks. So what’s next? A Russian version. And if the wild rides I’ve seen on English Russia are any indication, this show should make the insanity of the Britain-based original look like nap time in Kindergarten. Top Gear
• Ok, 007 is cool, and Aston Martins are even cooler. But how Bond crazy do you have to be to pay well over list price for a car that’s been ditched into the drink? Because that’s what some uber-fan shelled-out for the waterlogged remains of a DBS crashed during Quantum of Solace filming. Wow. WhatCar? via Autoblog
• So it turns out that loyal enthusiasts aren’t the only ones who think a merger between GM and Chrysler—General Mopar?—is a bad idea. United Auto Workers President Ron Gettelfinger doesn’t like the idea either, because he thinks the potential pairing means job cuts. Detroit News
• Tata has been on a buying streak lately, but it looks like the company isn’t looking to pick up Ford’s stake in Mazda. Hey, the Blue Oval can’t count on Tata to buy up everything it’s looking to unload. There’s still Jag and Land Rover to deal with, remember? Automotive News

There aren’t many details available, but Jeremy Clarkson has been hurt in a high-speed crash while filming a segment for Top Gear. Fortunately, his injuries were far less serious than the brain trauma suffered by colleague Richard Hammond last year, and he’s already recovering at home. Obviously, it takes more than little old car wreck to shut Clarkson up—here’s what he had to say about the state of his body after the incident: "My right index finger looked like a burst sausage, my left shin wasfatter than my thigh and my back felt like someone had driven over itwith a pile-driver." Yikes. Get well soon Mr. Clarkson, hopefully we’ll get some more info once the new Top Gear season starts in November. via The Mirror

While the blokes on Top Gear Australia don’t have the hilarious interplay of their British brethren, in all fairness, it takes time to develop such seasoned report. But judging from the ratings, the Aussies will have to shape up quick—or they might not get a the time to settle into their dressing rooms. Just under a million viewers caught the premiere, which isn’t bad, but a quarter of those choose not to tune in for the next episode, which is. Personally, I think this clip is just ok, but if I could watch this show in prime time, I totally would. What do you think? Will Top Gear fly in the Land Down Under? via Jalopnik

This is the most we’ve seen of the Aussie version of everyone’s favorite car show, and it looks like the producers have kept the hilarious spirit of the UK version intact. Given the—apparent—success they’ve had in the Land Down Under, I’m hoping the US version of Top Gear will be another triumph. Enjoy this clip—and keep your fingers crossed!

At the Chevron press junket in San Fran last week, I bumped into Justin Berkowitz from the the Truth About Cars. Justin was the guy who made some false claims last week about Jen’s expenses on One Lap of America, erroneously claiming that meals and lodging were provided, and that the event was therefore some kind of free ride for CarDomain. When I asked him where he got his info, he replied "some people." Sounds like solid reporting to me, Justin! To be perfectly honest, I was surprised to see a representative from TTAC—where navel-gazing and blathering about "integrity" are the uber-boring norm—on a Big Oil-funded trip to sunny California. Now, I’m happy to report I spent Chevron’s generous per diem on Maker’s Mark, beer, Mexican food and taxis, but I’m sure Justin’s "integrity"—while allowing him to totally fabricate stuff about my colleague—probably prevented him doing so. Too bad, buddy! Anyway, here’s the news:

• Top Gear has gotten a hold of the ZR1. In a piece entitled "Freak Power" the tester said the car’s "dynamics are better than an Aston DBS, but you don’t get the precision of a 599." Of course, both of those machines cost way more than the ‘Vette. What a nice 100th birthday surprise for the General! Top Gear
• Lambo released a teaser shot of a new supercar this morning, and the press release claims that  "It’s not just a new Lamborghini, it’s a new world." Now, while I don’t believe the company is actually terraforming any other planets, I do imagine the new Raging Bull will be pretty burly. Lamborghini via World Car Fans
• After catching a delivery driver doing 80MPH in a 50 zone, police in Sydney allowed the him to get the customer their pie before taking him downtown. The funniest thing about this story? Even though it was in Australia, the story doesn’t mention anything about intoxication or beer being secured with a seat belt. Reuters
• I imagined that the sporty new XF would spell the end of the XJ, but that’s not the case. The next-gen version of Jag’s venerable series has been spotted engine testing in Coventry. Car Magazine via Jalopnik

The first episode of Top Gear Australia isn’t set to debut until September 29th, but if you’re wondering  what to expect, this trailer should give you a pretty good idea. Judging from this clip, it looks like the Down Under edition should be a blast to watch—let’s hope the producers do as well with the US version.

Last week, Top Gear hosts Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May cruised through London in a tank to announce the launch of Top Gear Live. Of course, there were plenty of photos of that event  floating around the web, but this is the first video I’ve seen that shows the three Musketeers in action. And while this isn’t the most action-packed Top Gear related clip I’ve ever seen, it’s really fun to hear the guys talking about their plans for the—sure to be awesome—live show. How about a Seattle stop?

Even though I have cable, I don’t have the super-fancy, $200 a month package that comes with BBC America, so I’ve been forced to just watch whatever clips of Top Gear wind up on YouTube. And since the BBC has authorized anyone to post clips of Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May hamming it up, often times some of the coolest segments—like the trio’s notorious ride through the South—were removed before I could even watch them. But those dark days are over! Head over to Top Gear’s new YouTube channel, and check out what happens when the guys—along with ace test pilot the Stig—enter a 24-hour endurance race. As you’d expect, it’s brilliant.

Richard Hammond has make jokes about his perfect life, but it’s clear Top Gear’s "Hamster" has it pretty good. Case in point? Check out the four million dollar castle he just purchased in Herefordshire. Along with 20 acres of ground, the sweet pad includes an indoor pool and plenty of storage for Hammond’s predictably large car collection. While I think all the Top Gear presenters are worth every penny, given that the BBC is a publicly funded station—TVs are taxed at about $300 bucks per set per year in the UK—it seems like some of the viewing public might be less than thrilled about his ability to afford such palatial digs. Check out more pics at the Mail Online.

If this poster is real—and it looks legit—then it’s pretty clear who the next Batman villain will be. While it’s a shame that Heath Ledger won’t be around to reprise his role as the Joker, I think the filmmakers made a good choice as to who the Caped Crusader will battle next. Anyway, here’s the news:

• As fans of Top Gear know, ace test pilot the Stig doesn’t talk. So it was a little surprising to hear that a review of Nissan’s GT-R was posted under his name on TG’s blog. Of course, after seeing what he wrote, it’s not really that surprising. Top Gear
• With all the energy car companies are devoting to green technologies, it seems counter intuitive that Lotus would be developing a new two-stroke motor. But the "Omnivore"—a direct-injection, variable compression engine—will burn anything actually sounds like it might make two strokes a viable option for passenger cars. Jalopnik 
• Aston Martin makes some of the most gorgeous cars in the world, and now, the company is looking to build one of the fastest. Only 77 of the "One-77" will be built, and the car will reportedly top out at 220MPH. Auto Express
• Remember that Hertz Corvette which wound up crashing through the front of a Dallas restaurant? Well, as it turns out, it wasn’t the drivers fault. Seriously, the restaurant jumped right out in front of it. Just kidding. CarScoop
• Ma Mopar is closing one of its mini van plants, and the workers aren’t taking it lying down. Today, hundreds of folks showed up to Chrysler’s Auburn Hills complex to protest the move. Detroit News