Mastretta MXT 2012

The BBC is defending Top Gear's jokes about Mexicans being "lazy" and "flatulent" during a recent review of the Mastretta, a Mexican sports car. The remarks have caused an outrage in Mexico, where lawmakers are considering a motion of censure against the popular British car show.

In a statement, the BBC said the comments may have been "rude" and "mischievous," but there was no "vindictiveness" behind them

"Our own comedians make jokes about the British being terrible cooks and terrible romantics, and we in turn make jokes about the Italians being disorganised and over-dramatic, the French being arrogant and the Germans being over-organized," the BBC said.

The retaliation over the remarks has extended to YouTube, where an unidentified person posted a video of a fictitious U.K. version of the Mastretta with bad teeth. In stereotypical portrayals of the British, they are sometimes described as having dental problems.

Top Gear's comments, which were called "offensive, xenophobic and humiliating" by Mexico's ambassador in London, were made during a discussion of the Mastretta.

Richard Hammond, a Top Gear presenter, said vehicles reflected national characteristics, so "Mexican cars are just going to be lazy."

"Mexican cars are just going to be lazy, feckless, flatulent, overweight, leaning against a fence asleep looking at a cactus with a blanket with a hole in the middle on as a coat," he said.

The presenters then called Mexican food "refried sick."

Later, Jeremy Clarkson said he was confident he would not receive any complaints about the comments because the Mexican ambassador would be asleep.

This is not the first time that Top Gear remarks have ignited a controversy.

Last fall, the BBC received complaints after Top Gear host Clarkson described a car as "special needs." It was said to be a play on the name of the Ferrari F430 Speciale. The BBC hurried to explain that the description was a "lighthearted reference to the look of the car (the front of which has the appearance of a broad smile) in contrast to a newer model, which was praised by Mr. Clarkson."

The BBC also fielded complaints about another joke by Clarkson before that, about lorry drivers killing prostitutes. The show also was criticized in 2009 for depicting a graphic — albeit fake &mdsah; suicide.