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LONDON - American electric automaker Tesla said it is sueing the BBC's hit motoring show Top Gear for allegedly faking a race between its electric sports car and a petrol-fuelledLotus Elise.
The firm said it issued a writ in London's High Court claiming defamation and malicious falsehood over a show, aired two years ago, that supposedly tested its Roadster Sport.
It is the latest row to engulf the often controversial programme whose presenters were at the centre of a diplomatic spat last month for making disparaging remarks about Mexico.
THE REAL WORLD
Tesla said it was taking action against the broadcaster for what it calls "lies and misinformation about the Roadster's performance, behaviour and reliability".
The drag race between the Lotus and the Tesla - the world's fastest battery car with a top speed of 201km/h - appeared to show the car slowing and running out of charge. It is later seen being pushed into a garage.
In the episode, presenter Jeremy Clarkson says: "It's just a shame that in the real world it doesn't seem to work."
The company says the car's ability was grossly misrepresented and alleges the scenes were rigged to fit a pre-written script that one of its employees had seen.
In the writ, Tesla challenges the broadcaster over what it says was a string of inaccuracies, including telling viewers the car's range was only 88km instead of 339km.
SHOW 'MISLED'
The company alleges the show "intentionally and/or recklessly, grossly misled potential purchasers of the Roadsters".
The BBC said in a statement it had received notification of proceedings relating to the episode adding that it "stands by the programme and will be vigorously defending this claim".
Tesla said it had been forced to take action after the episode was featured in a repeat broadcast around the world and was included in a DVD - despite the inaccuracies having been flagged.
In February the BBC was forced to apologise to Mexico's ambassador to Britain after Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond jokingly described Mexicans as lazy and feckless.
The firm said it issued a writ in London's High Court claiming defamation and malicious falsehood over a show, aired two years ago, that supposedly tested its Roadster Sport.
It is the latest row to engulf the often controversial programme whose presenters were at the centre of a diplomatic spat last month for making disparaging remarks about Mexico.
THE REAL WORLD
Tesla said it was taking action against the broadcaster for what it calls "lies and misinformation about the Roadster's performance, behaviour and reliability".
The drag race between the Lotus and the Tesla - the world's fastest battery car with a top speed of 201km/h - appeared to show the car slowing and running out of charge. It is later seen being pushed into a garage.
In the episode, presenter Jeremy Clarkson says: "It's just a shame that in the real world it doesn't seem to work."
The company says the car's ability was grossly misrepresented and alleges the scenes were rigged to fit a pre-written script that one of its employees had seen.
In the writ, Tesla challenges the broadcaster over what it says was a string of inaccuracies, including telling viewers the car's range was only 88km instead of 339km.
SHOW 'MISLED'
The company alleges the show "intentionally and/or recklessly, grossly misled potential purchasers of the Roadsters".
The BBC said in a statement it had received notification of proceedings relating to the episode adding that it "stands by the programme and will be vigorously defending this claim".
Tesla said it had been forced to take action after the episode was featured in a repeat broadcast around the world and was included in a DVD - despite the inaccuracies having been flagged.
In February the BBC was forced to apologise to Mexico's ambassador to Britain after Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond jokingly described Mexicans as lazy and feckless.
