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Think Steve Carell, and what's the first character you immediately associate with him? ‘Brick Tamland' from Anchorman? ‘Andy Stitzer' from The 40-Year-Old Virgin? ‘Evan Baxter' from Bruce Almighty? ‘Gru' from Despicable Me? ‘Michael Scott' from The Office?

Probably all of the above, and more. This is because Steve Carell is a modern American comedy legend who, it turns out, not only has the acting chops to match (we're looking at you, Little Miss Sunshine) but is also really into his cars. Don't forget, in Date Night, he adds his own personal touch to the fine pantheon of movie car chases with an Audi R8. To top it all off, he's a genuinely nice human being, too.

He's in town promoting new Disney live-action flick Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, where he plays a dad who's having, um, a really bad day. He has to drive a beaten-up Chrysler Grand Voyager for starters, so give him some sympathy.

TG managed to grab a few minutes with him...

In your new film, Alexander and the... you drive a Grand Voyager in some state of disrepair. Is this the worst car you've ever driven?

Without a door, and with rickety wheels, it tends not to handle well in that state. So yes, this is probably the worst thing I've driven.

But, boy, I can tell you one of the cars I loved the most.

What's that?

A Volkswagen Rabbit. It was one of the early ones - you call it a VW Golf over here - but it was a Rabbit back in the day. It was orange - like a pumpkin colour - that stood out in a crowd. You could always find it in a parking lot. That was my first car, and it was quick, fast, it handled great... I've been pretty lucky with cars. At the time I just sort of loved the fact I had a car. That was a big deal for me.

Why?

Well, there was no way I was not going to pass my driving test the first time around; I wanted my license and my car so badly. The test itself was very straightforward - no suspicious hands on my knees during the test or any heavy breathing. I just remember I was incredibly focused and concentrated. I think I got it on the exact day that you're legal to get your driver's license - so 16 and a half I think.

I passed, and then that afternoon I was bombing around in my mother's Ford Country Squire station wagon. It was so much fun.

So after that I got the Rabbit, which didn't fall to pieces. Actually my dad's car broke down a lot and so he took my car, loved it and didn't want to give it back.

So you're a petrolhead - or ‘gearhead' - then?

Definitely. Are you familiar with a show called Mecum Auto Auctions? [TG nods head delicately] It's a show in the States - essentially you just watch an auction of cars for about four hours, and I just love it. I've always liked cars and fantasised about cars... what the new technologies coming out are.

What's caught your eye at the moment?

The new BMW hybrid sportscar - the i8 - and the same for the Porsche, the hybrid 918. How they're crossing performance with economy is, for me, really interesting.

So what do you drive at the moment then?

I drive an Audi, the A8. I love it. It's a beautiful car, it's powerful enough - I mean I don't have the S8 or anything like that - but it's comfortable and safe, and great for the kids.

Are you a fan of Top Gear then?

I love Top Gear. I'd love to come on the show and do the - what do you call it, the ride in the affordable car?

It's the Star In A Reasonably Priced Car.

Yes, that. I would love to do that, anytime. I don't know how well I'd do, but I did a similar thing on Jay Leno's Tonight Show, and I came in second of all the celebrities, only behind Drew Barrymore. Only Drew got a faster time.

We'll see what we can do. Thanks Steve!

Nice to meet you, it was a pleasure.

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day releases across the UK on Friday 24 October 2014

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Think Steve Carell, and what's the first character you immediately associate with him? ‘Brick Tamland' from Anchorman? ‘Andy Stitzer' from The 40-Year-Old Virgin? ‘Evan Baxter' from Bruce Almighty? ‘Gru' from Despicable Me? ‘Michael Scott' from The Office?

Probably all of the above, and more. This is because Steve Carell is a modern American comedy legend who, it turns out, not only has the acting chops to match (we're looking at you, Little Miss Sunshine) but is also really into his cars. Don't forget, in Date Night, he adds his own personal touch to the fine pantheon of movie car chases with an Audi R8. To top it all off, he's a genuinely nice human being, too.

He's in town promoting new Disney live-action flick Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, where he plays a dad who's having, um, a really bad day. He has to drive a beaten-up Chrysler Grand Voyager for starters, so give him some sympathy.

TG managed to grab a few minutes with him...

In your new film, Alexander and the... you drive a Grand Voyager in some state of disrepair. Is this the worst car you've ever driven?

Without a door, and with rickety wheels, it tends not to handle well in that state. So yes, this is probably the worst thing I've driven.

But, boy, I can tell you one of the cars I loved the most.

What's that?

A Volkswagen Rabbit. It was one of the early ones - you call it a VW Golf over here - but it was a Rabbit back in the day. It was orange - like a pumpkin colour - that stood out in a crowd. You could always find it in a parking lot. That was my first car, and it was quick, fast, it handled great... I've been pretty lucky with cars. At the time I just sort of loved the fact I had a car. That was a big deal for me.

Why?

Well, there was no way I was not going to pass my driving test the first time around; I wanted my license and my car so badly. The test itself was very straightforward - no suspicious hands on my knees during the test or any heavy breathing. I just remember I was incredibly focused and concentrated. I think I got it on the exact day that you're legal to get your driver's license - so 16 and a half I think.

I passed, and then that afternoon I was bombing around in my mother's Ford Country Squire station wagon. It was so much fun.

So after that I got the Rabbit, which didn't fall to pieces. Actually my dad's car broke down a lot and so he took my car, loved it and didn't want to give it back.

So you're a petrolhead - or ‘gearhead' - then?

Definitely. Are you familiar with a show called Mecum Auto Auctions? [TG nods head delicately] It's a show in the States - essentially you just watch an auction of cars for about four hours, and I just love it. I've always liked cars and fantasised about cars... what the new technologies coming out are.

What's caught your eye at the moment?

The new BMW hybrid sportscar - the i8 - and the same for the Porsche, the hybrid 918. How they're crossing performance with economy is, for me, really interesting.

So what do you drive at the moment then?

I drive an Audi, the A8. I love it. It's a beautiful car, it's powerful enough - I mean I don't have the S8 or anything like that - but it's comfortable and safe, and great for the kids.

Are you a fan of Top Gear then?

I love Top Gear. I'd love to come on the show and do the - what do you call it, the ride in the affordable car?

It's the Star In A Reasonably Priced Car.

Yes, that. I would love to do that, anytime. I don't know how well I'd do, but I did a similar thing on Jay Leno's Tonight Show, and I came in second of all the celebrities, only behind Drew Barrymore. Only Drew got a faster time.

We'll see what we can do. Thanks Steve!

Nice to meet you, it was a pleasure.

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day releases across the UK on Friday 24 October 2014

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We talk hybrids, Rabbits and Top Gear with Hollywood's nicest funnyman