The Volvo, parked silently between a Land Rover and a skip, displayed a final reading of .
Tailgating, failure to use indicators, and "middle-lane hogging" were seen as symptoms of the car’s influence on the driver. top gear cockometer
“No, James,” Richard Hammond grinned, bouncing on his heels. “It stands for exactly what you think it stands for. And look—there’s a needle. Zero to ten.” The Volvo, parked silently between a Land Rover
The Cockometer remains a fan-favorite memory because it was brutally honest. It wasn't about how fast the car went or how well it cornered; it was about the social pecking order. It forced viewers to ask the question: Do I want this car because it’s good, or do I want it because I want people to look at me? “It stands for exactly what you think it stands for
However, in a classic Top Gear subversion, the team eventually declared that the "cocks" had moved on. They argued that the "cock-focus" had shifted toward the , effectively "clearing" BMW owners and making the 3 Series socially acceptable again. This demonstrated the fluid, trend-based nature of the meter. Cultural Impact and Critique The Cockometer served several purposes for the show:
The gag arose during the mid-2000s, a time when the UK saw a massive surge in the popularity of luxury SUVs and "Chelsea Tractors." Jeremy Clarkson, in particular, took issue with cars that were purchased solely for status rather than function.
If the answer was the latter, the Cockometer had already done its job.