List of Top Gear (2002 TV series) episodes

Last updated

Top Gear is a British television series that focuses on various motor vehicles, primarily cars, in which its hosts conduct reviews on new models and vintage classics, as well as tackling various motoring related challenges, and inviting celebrities to set a time on their specially designed race-course. The programme is a relaunched version of the original 1977 show of the same name.

Contents

For its first series, the show was presented by Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and Jason Dawe, with support from an anonymous race driver, The Stig. The format of the first series was more similar to the original show than later series and had interviews with guests outside of the Star in a Reasonably Priced Car segment. Dawe was replaced by James May for the second series, where the show chose to focus only on car reviews, guest laps in the Reasonably Priced Car, the Cool Wall, and the Greatest Car Ever segment (exclusive to this series), with each episode also having a single short challenge. This strict format was later relaxed, with the third series showing more challenges; these challenges became longer from the fourth series as the races and the cheap car challenges were introduced. By series 7, there were fewer reviews of "affordable" cars that were the main focus of the original show, and the show became almost entirely focused on longer and partially-scripted challenges, with one or two car reviews (usually only featuring performance cars) per episode. Regular roadtrip-style special episodes were also introduced from series 9, often aired as a Christmas special.

This new format remained unchanged until the line-up was changed after the departure of Clarkson, Hammond and May at the end of the twenty-second series. Chris Evans and Matt LeBlanc took over as the main hosts, with a team of co-presenters consisting of Chris Harris, Rory Reid, Eddie Jordan and Sabine Schmitz. [1] [2] [3] After the twenty-third series, Evans departed from the show, leading to LeBlanc being joined by Harris and Reid as the main hosts, with occasional appearances from Jordan and Schmitz. [4] LeBlanc departed the show following the twenty-sixth series in 2019, [5] and was replaced by new hosts Paddy McGuiness and Freddie Flintoff for the twenty-seventh series later that year. [6]

The following is a list of episodes, listed in order of their original UK air date along with featured cars, challenges, and guests. For more information on features and challenges included in each series, visit each series' respective page. Comprehensive lists of challenges and races can be found at Top Gear challenges and Top Gear races. The list does not include shorter spin-off episodes produced for charity ( Top Gear of the Pops , produced for Red Nose Day; Top Ground Gear Force and Stars in Fast Cars , produced for Sport Relief; and an Ashes to Ashes parody and Children in Need does Star in a Reasonably Priced Car for Children in Need), 'Best of' special episodes, and some other specials, such as 50 Years of Bond Cars , An Evening with Top Gear, and A Tribute To Sabine Schmitz .

During the course of the programme, 240 episodes of Top Gear aired, including three specials over thirty-three series, between 20 October 2002 and 18 December 2022.

Series overview

SeriesEpisodesOriginally airedAverage UK viewers
(in millions)
First airedLast airedNetwork
1 1020 October 2002 (2002-10-20)29 December 2002 (2002-12-29) BBC Two 3.30
2 1011 May 2003 (2003-05-11)20 July 2003 (2003-07-20)3.16
3 926 October 2003 (2003-10-26)28 December 2003 (2003-12-28)4.03
4 109 May 2004 (2004-05-09)1 August 2004 (2004-08-01)3.48
5 924 October 2004 (2004-10-24)26 December 2004 (2004-12-26)4.15
6 1122 May 2005 (2005-05-22)7 August 2005 (2005-08-07)4.21
7 713 November 2005 (2005-11-13)12 February 2006 (2006-02-12)4.61
8 87 May 2006 (2006-05-07)30 July 2006 (2006-07-30)4.45
9 628 January 2007 (2007-01-28)4 March 2007 (2007-03-04)7.45
Special 125 July 2007 (2007-07-25)4.50
10 107 October 2007 (2007-10-07)23 December 2007 (2007-12-23)7.01
11 622 June 2008 (2008-06-22)27 July 2008 (2008-07-27)5.94
12 82 November 2008 (2008-11-02)28 December 2008 (2008-12-28)7.32
13 721 June 2009 (2009-06-21)2 August 2009 (2009-08-02)7.17
14 715 November 2009 (2009-11-15)3 January 2010 (2010-01-03)6.69
15 627 June 2010 (2010-06-27)1 August 2010 (2010-08-01)6.25
16 821 December 2010 (2010-12-21)27 February 2011 (2011-02-27)7.19
17 626 June 2011 (2011-06-26)31 July 2011 (2011-07-31)6.42
18 828 December 2011 (2011-12-28)11 March 2012 (2012-03-11)6.07
19 727 January 2013 (2013-01-27)10 March 2013 (2013-03-10)6.58
20 630 June 2013 (2013-06-30)4 August 2013 (2013-08-04)5.31
21 72 February 2014 (2014-02-02)16 March 2014 (2014-03-16)6.49
22 10 [lower-alpha 1] 27 December 2014 (2014-12-27)28 June 2015 (2015-06-28)6.49
Specials 226 December 2015 (2015-12-26)30 December 2015 (2015-12-30)1.79
23 629 May 2016 (2016-05-29)3 July 2016 (2016-07-03)3.89
24 75 March 2017 (2017-03-05)23 April 2017 (2017-04-23)3.15
25 625 February 2018 (2018-02-25)1 April 2018 (2018-04-01)3.11
26 517 February 2019 (2019-02-17)17 March 2019 (2019-03-17)2.35
27 516 June 2019 (2019-06-16)14 July 2019 (2019-07-14)4.46
28 729 December 2019 (2019-12-29)1 March 2020 (2020-03-01)4.76
29 54 October 2020 (2020-10-04)1 November 2020 (2020-11-01) BBC One 5.68
30 414 March 2021 (2021-03-14)4 April 2021 (2021-04-04)6.42
31 614 November 2021 (2021-11-14)24 December 2021 (2021-12-24)5.72
32 55 June 2022 (2022-06-05)3 July 2022 (2022-07-03)3.93
33 530 October 2022 (2022-10-30)18 December 2022 (2022-12-18)4.39

Episodes

Series 1 (2002)

No.
overall
No. in
series
ReviewsFeatures/challengesGuest(s)Original air dateUK viewers
(millions) [7]
1 [8] 1 Citroën Berlingo MultispacePagani Zonda SLamborghini Murciélago [ broken anchor ]Mazda6 Ford GT40 concept • Beating a speed camera • Running a car on vegetable oil Harry Enfield 20 October 2002 (2002-10-20)2.43
2 [8] 2 Ford Focus RSNoble M12 GTOFord Escort RS1800 Bus jumping over bikes Jay Kay 27 October 2002 (2002-10-27)3.54
3 [8] 3 Mini OneToyota Yaris VersoCitroën DSAston Martin DB7Westfield XTR2 How car designers Peter Horbury and Ian Callum style cars • Grannies doing donuts with a Honda S2000 Ross Kemp 3 November 2002 (2002-11-03)3.30
4 [8] 4 Aston Martin VanquishFerrari 575M Maranello • Family saloons: (Ford MondeoToyota AvensisJaguar X-TypeMercedes-Benz C-ClassBMW 3 SeriesHonda Accord)Interview with Richard BurnsNissan Skyline R34 GT-R used car buying guide • James Bond cars for the movie Die Another Day Steve Coogan 10 November 2002 (2002-11-10)2.90
5 [8] 5 Mercedes-Benz S-ClassAudi A8Maybach 62Bentley Arnage T Jaguar XJ concept • Peugeot 206 used car buying guide • Budget James Bond car Jonathan Ross 17 November 2002 (2002-11-17)3.43
6 [8] 6 Renault Vel SatisBMW Z4Mercedes-Benz SL55 AMG Honda NSX power lap • Grannies handbrake-parking a MiniVW Golf used car buying guide Tara Palmer-Tomkinson 24 November 2002 (2002-11-24)3.10
7 [8] 7 Saab 9-3Lotus Elise 111S M4 bus lane investigation • Religion race I • Environmentally-friendly cars (Peugeot RCToyota PriusFord TH!NK) • Children's favourite supercars Rick Parfitt 1 December 2002 (2002-12-01)3.61
8 [8] 8 Audi RS6Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG • Superminis: (Ford FiestaCitroën C3Honda JazzNissan MicraMG ZR)Maserati Coupé Tuning a Lada Riva • White van man race Sir Michael Gambon 8 December 2002 (2002-12-08)3.43
9 [8] 9Cars for the school run: (Renault EspaceToyota Land CruiserVolvo XC90)Subaru ForesterVolkswagen Golf R32 MG XPower SV concept • Stripping down a Jaguar XJ-SRadical SR3 vs an aerobatic plane Gordon Ramsay 22 December 2002 (2002-12-22)3.67
10 [8] 10Offroaders in the countryside: (Toyota Land Cruiser AmazonBMW X5Jeep Grand CherokeeRange Rover)Lotus Esprit V8TVR T350CTop Gear Awards 2002 • Tuned German cars: (AS One • Audi TT MTM Bimoto) • Cheap used cars (Nissan PrimeraNissan 300CVauxhall Astra CDi) • Religion race IINone29 December 2002 (2002-12-29)3.59

Series 2 (2003)

No.
overall
No. in
series
ReviewsFeatures/challengesGuest(s)Original air dateUK viewers
(millions) [9]
111 Smart RoadsterBowler WildcatBentley T2McLaren F1 Drag racer jet engine incinerates Nissan Sunny Vinnie Jones 11 May 2003 (2003-05-11)3.15
122 Rolls-Royce PhantomRover 3½ Litre (P5B) • BMW M3Audi S4Jaguar E-Type Fastest political party Jamie Oliver 18 May 2003 (2003-05-18)3.28
133 Volkswagen TouaregLexus SC430Hyundai CoupeBMW Z8Perodua KelisaFord Mustang Country with fastest supercar David Soul 25 May 2003 (2003-05-25)2.98
144Jaguar R Coupe • Jaguar Mk IIJaguar XJRJaguar XKR-RAston Martin DB7 GTBlack Cab (Austin FX4)How far can you drive until you become bored in a Jaguar XJR? Boris Johnson 1 June 2003 (2003-06-01)3.23
155 Porsche 911 TurboFord Street KaTriumph TR6Renault Clio V6Land Rover Rally pit crew vs. women getting ready for a night out Anne Robinson 8 June 2003 (2003-06-08)3.33
166 Subaru Impreza WRX STIMitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIIIVauxhall VX220 TurboPeugeot 206 GTIFiat 500 Land speed record for caravan towing Richard Whiteley 15 June 2003 (2003-06-15)2.46
177 Koenigsegg CC8SRenault MéganeHummer H1Hummer H2Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud Crash testing the Megane with a real driver Neil Morrissey 22 June 2003 (2003-06-22)3.61
188 Nissan 350ZAlfa Romeo 147 GTACitroën DS • Convertibles: (Citroën C3 PlurielMercedes-Benz CLK500 ConvertibleAudi A4 CabrioletDaihatsu CopenVolkswagen Beetle Cabriolet)The Race for the Universe Jodie Kidd 6 July 2003 (2003-07-06)3.76
199 Vandenbrink CarverVolvo S60 RGM HyWireAudi Quattro Drive Vauxhall Signum from the rear seat Patrick Stewart 13 July 2003 (2003-07-13)2.91
2010 TVR T350COverfinch Range RoverCadillac SixteenVolkswagen Phaeton Fastest disabled driver Alan Davies 20 July 2003 (2003-07-20)2.92

Series 3 (2003)

No.
overall
No. in
series
ReviewsFeatures/challengesGuest(s)Original air dateUK viewers
(millions) [10]
211 Ford GTBMW 5 SeriesPorsche 911 GT3 Can the diesel Volkswagen Lupo get better mpg than the petrol version? • Can The Stig reach 100 mph on an aircraft carrier? Martin Kemp 26 October 2003 (2003-10-26)3.32
222 BMW M3 CSLBMW M1BMW M3BMW M5 Volvo 240 attempts to jump four caravans • Best 2 seater sportscar: (Porsche BoxsterBMW Z4Honda S2000) Stephen Fry 2 November 2003 (2003-11-02)3.41
233 Bentley Continental GTSubaru Legacy Outback Saab 9-5 Aero versus a BAe Sea Harrier • How to Escape from a Sinking Car • Top Gear Survey Rob Brydon 9 November 2003 (2003-11-09)4.02
244 Lamborghini MiuraLamborghini CountachMini Cooper S WorksLamborghini Gallardo Lamborghini Tribute Rich Hall 16 November 2003 (2003-11-16)4.59
255 Mazda RX-8Fiat Panda Is the Toyota Hilux really indestructible? • Hammond searches for future classic cars Simon Cowell 23 November 2003 (2003-11-23)4.80
266 Citroën C2Renault Mégane CCPeugeot 307 CCAston Martin V8 Vantage (1977)Holden Monaro Is a Toyota Hilux really indestructible? – Part 2 Sanjeev Bhaskar 7 December 2003 (2003-12-07)5.40
277 MG XPower SVPorsche Cayenne TurboMercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Which professor can do the best burn-out • What is the best British car: (Rover 75Morgan Plus 8Noble M12) Rory Bremner 14 December 2003 (2003-12-14)3.35
288 Mercedes-Benz 280SLNissan MicraAston Martin LagondaAudi TT Top Gear Generation Game Johnny Vegas 21 December 2003 (2003-12-21)3.15
299 Chrysler CrossfireSmart Roadster (Brabus V6 Bi-Turbo)Jaguar XJ6Honda Civic Type RHonda NSX Type R Top Gear Awards 2003 Carol Vorderman 28 December 2003 (2003-12-28)4.24

Series 4 (2004)

No.
overall
No. in
series
ReviewsFeatures/challengesGuest(s)Original air dateUK viewers
(millions) [11]
301 Lotus ExigeRover CityRoverAston Martin DB9 Epic race: Aston Martin DB9 vs. Eurostar and TGV fast trains – Surrey to Monte CarloApache Gunship helicopter vs. Lotus Exige – can the helicopter get missile lock? Fay Ripley 9 May 2004 (2004-05-09)3.28
312 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLarenAlfa Romeo 166Cadillac EscaladeFord FAB-1 A nun in a monster truck • Hammond gets hypnotised Paul McKenna 16 May 2004 (2004-05-16)3.31
323 Porsche 911 GT3 RSFerrari 360 Challenge StradaleDodge Charger R/T £100 car challenge. (Volvo 760Audi 80Rover 416GTi) Jordan 23 May 2004 (2004-05-23)3.36
334 Porsche Carrera GTAudi A8 4.0 TDIFord SportKa 'Car darts' • Audi A8 4.0 TDI endurance challenge (London to Edinburgh and back on one tank) • Ford SportKa vs. racing pigeonsEvo vs. STi battle revised Ronnie O'Sullivan 30 May 2004 (2004-05-30)3.24
345 MG ZT 260 • Hatchbacks: (Vauxhall AstraMazda3Volkswagen Golf)Shootout: Performance sport coupes (Jaguar XK-RBMW 645CiPorsche 911 Carrera 2) on the Pendine SandsVolkswagen Golf gets electrocuted Johnny VaughanDenise van Outen 6 June 2004 (2004-06-06)3.39
356 Renault Clio RenaultSportJaguar XJSCadillac CTSNissan Cube Can you run a car on poo? Hammond Investigates. Sir Terry Wogan 13 June 2004 (2004-06-13)3.19
367 Spyker C8 SpyderMercedes-Benz CL 65 AMG MPVs as minicabs: (Renault ScénicFord C-Max) Lionel Richie 11 July 2004 (2004-07-11)3.47
378 Ford GTMaserati Quattroporte Diesel versus Petrol hot hatch race • Blowing over cars using Boeing 747 jetblast • Tribute to the Rover V8 engine Martin Clunes 18 July 2004 (2004-07-18)4.01
389Two Seater Roadsters: (Mazda MX-5Toyota MR2Fiat BarchettaMercedes-Benz SL600) • Convertibles: (Mini Cooper CabrioletVauxhall TigraMercedes-Benz SLK350Audi S4 Cabriolet)Jaguar X-Type Estate Can you parachute into a moving car? Sir Ranulph Fiennes 25 July 2004 (2004-07-25)4.01
3910 Volvo V50Peugeot 407BMW X3Chevrolet Corvette Hammond drives the Peugeot 407 as a pace car Patrick Kielty 1 August 2004 (2004-08-01)3.54

Series 5 (2004)

No.
overall
No. in
series
ReviewsFeatures/challengesGuest(s)Original air dateUK viewers
(millions) [12]
401 Porsche 911 Carrera S Can an ice cream van jump a bouncy castle? Best Muscle Car on sale (Chrysler 300CVauxhall Monaro VX-RJaguar S-Type R) Bill Bailey 24 October 2004 (2004-10-24)3.35
412Hatchbacks: (Ford FocusVauxhall AstraVolkswagen Golf)Enzo Ferrari • Supercars: (Jaguar XJ220Pagani ZondaFerrari F40McLaren F1Porsche Carrera GT)Mountainboarder versus a rally car Geri Halliwell 31 October 2004 (2004-10-31)3.81
423 Dodge Viper SRT-10 Drive a Land Rover Discovery to the top of Cnoc an Fhreiceadain in Scotland • Find the craziest car in the world • Top Gear survey 2004 results Joanna Lumley 7 November 2004 (2004-11-07)4.41
434 Pagani Zonda S RoadsterAston Martin Vanquish SFerrari 575M Maranello GTC 24 hours in a Smart Forfour • Playing conkers with caravans. Jimmy CarrSteve Coogan 14 November 2004 (2004-11-14)4.44
445 Morgan Aero 8 GTNMercedes-Benz 300SL People carrier racing • Break 10:00 around the Nürburgring Nordschleife in a diesel car Christian SlaterSabine Schmitz 21 November 2004 (2004-11-21)4.69
456 Volkswagen Golf V GTI How much Porsche can you get for £1,500? (Porsche 928 SPorsche 944Porsche 924) • Blind man doing a power lap Cliff RichardBilly Baxter 5 December 2004 (2004-12-05)4.87
467 Toyota PriusFord MustangMitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII MR FQ400 A four-door Evo goes head-to-head with a Lamborghini. Top Gear Awards 2004 Roger DaltreyJames Kaye 12 December 2004 (2004-12-12)3.39
478 Ferrari 612 Scaglietti Epic race: Ferrari 612 Scaglietti vs Jet Plane to Verbier • Showroom cars vs old race cars • Mitsubishi Evo vs bobsleigh • The Stig attempts a sub-1:00 power lap of the test track in a Renault F1 car Eddie Izzard 19 December 2004 (2004-12-19)5.06
489 Ariel AtomBMW 1 SeriesMercedes-Benz G55 AMG Find a 'pearl' among a collection of cars from the Pacific Rim Trinny WoodallSusannah Constantine 26 December 2004 (2004-12-26)3.30

Series 6 (2005)

No.
overall
No. in
series
ReviewsFeatures/challengesGuest(s)Original air dateUK viewers
(millions) [13]
491 Mercedes-Benz CLS55 AMGHonda ElementToyota AygoRange Rover Sport Toyota Aygo Football • Range Rover Sport vs Challenger 2 Tank James Nesbitt 22 May 2005 (2005-05-22)4.51
502 Maserati MC12 Two-door coupé for less than £1,500 that isn't a Porsche (Mitsubishi StarionBMW 635CSiJaguar XJ-S) Jack Dee 29 May 2005 (2005-05-29)3.67
513 Aston Martin DB9 VolanteMaserati BoraWiesmann MF 3TVR Tuscan Clarkson opens a public pool with a Rolls-Royce Christopher Eccleston 12 June 2005 (2005-06-12)3.96
524 Cadillac CTS-VBMW 320d Presenters' mums help evaluate cars: (Peugeot 1007Renault ModusHonda Jazz) • Can a stretch limo jump over the wedding party? Omid Djalili 19 June 2005 (2005-06-19)3.45
535 Aston Martin DB5Jaguar E-TypeNissan MuranoMaserati GranSportPorsche Boxster SMercedes-Benz SLK 55 AMG Soldiers shoot at Clarkson while he drives the Boxster S and the SLK 55 AMG to see which one is best avoiding bullets • Hammond sees if he can beat a time set by Maserati's Chief Test Driver in the GranSport Damon Hill 26 June 2005 (2005-06-26)3.66
546 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Epic race to Oslo: Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren vs. a boat • Aston Martin DBR9 lap time David Dimbleby 3 July 2005 (2005-07-03)4.55
557 TVR SagarisFiat Panda 4x4 Fiat Panda against a marathon runner • Sabine Schmitz attempts to beat 9:59 around the Nürburgring in a Ford Transit Justin HawkinsSabine Schmitz 10 July 2005 (2005-07-10)3.75
568 Ferrari F430 Convertible versions of existing coupes in Iceland (Audi TTNissan 350ZChrysler Crossfire) Tim Rice 17 July 2005 (2005-07-17)4.10
579 BMW M5 • Hot Hatches: (Vauxhall Astra VXRRenault Mégane Sport 225 TrophyVolkswagen Golf GTI)"Road Test Russian Roulette" • World record attempt for number of times a car has rolled at high speed Chris Evans 24 July 2005 (2005-07-24)5.18
5810 BMW 535dBentley Continental Flying Spur Driving over a lake in Iceland • What is the most fun off-road toy? Davina McCallMark Webber 31 July 2005 (2005-07-31)4.92
5911 Ford F150 SVT LightningVauxhall Monaro VXRLamborghini Murciélago Roadster [ broken anchor ]Recreate Top Gear Theme Song using engine noises Yasuyuki KazamaTimothy Spall 7 August 2005 (2005-08-07)4.58

Series 7 (2005–06)

No.
overall
No. in
series
ReviewsFeatures/challengesGuest(s)Original air dateUK viewers
(millions) [14]
601 Ascari KZ1 Shootout: Performance sports coupes (Aston Martin V8 VantageBMW M6Porsche 911 Carrera S) on the Isle of Man • Top Gear survey 2005 results Trevor Eve 13 November 2005 (2005-11-13)3.74
612 Porsche Cayman SAudi RS4 Life-sized RC cars • History of British racing green • Audi RS4 vs Speed Climbers race Ian Wright 20 November 2005 (2005-11-20)4.48
623 Ford Focus ST Supercar road trip to Millau Viaduct, France (Ford GTPagani Zonda SFerrari F430 Spider) Stephen Ladyman 27 November 2005 (2005-11-27)4.61
634 Pagani Zonda FRenault Clio Italian mid-engine supercars for less than £10,000 (Maserati MerakFerrari 308 GT4Lamborghini Urraco)Renault Clio vs. downhill cyclist race in Lisbon Dame Ellen MacArthur 4 December 2005 (2005-12-04)4.88
645 Marcos TSOBugatti Veyron Epic race: Bugatti Veyron versus Cessna 182 light airplane from Alba, Italy to London • RWD vs. AWD Porsches debate: Porsche 911 Carrera 4 vs Porsche 911 Carrera 2 Nigel Mansell 11 December 2005 (2005-12-11)4.76
656 Volkswagen Golf R32BMW 130iMazda MX-5Honda NSX Old generation vs. New generation car culture • Lap times from a video game vs. Real life in the Honda NSXMazda MX-5 vs. Greyhound race • Top Gear Awards 2005 David WalliamsJimmy Carr 27 December 2005 (2005-12-27)4.52
66None – Special Top Gear Winter Olympics None12 February 2006 (2006-02-12)5.22

Series 8 (2006)

No.
overall
No. in
series
ReviewsFeatures/challengesGuest(s)Original air dateUK viewers
(millions) [15]
671 Koenigsegg CCXHonda CivicNissan Micra C+C The Convertible People Carrier: (Renault Espace) Well-spoken manAlan DaviesTrevor EveJimmy CarrJustin HawkinsRick WakemanLes Ferdinand 7 May 2006 (2006-05-07)4.75
682 Chevrolet Corvette Z06Jaguar XK vs. Germans: (Mercedes-Benz SL 350BMW 650i)Tomcat 4WD vs. Motor powered kayak race in Iceland • Presenting a drive time radio showThe Stig does a farewell lap for the Suzuki Liana Gordon Ramsay 14 May 2006 (2006-05-14)4.47
693 Lotus Exige S Amphibious cars challenge: (Toyota HiluxVolkswagen T3Triumph Herald) Philip Glenister 21 May 2006 (2006-05-21)4.75
704 BMW Z4 MPorsche Boxster SMercedes-Benz S500Porsche Cayenne Turbo S Koenigsegg CCX With Top Gear Wing • Designing "Anne Hathaway's Cottage" in a Mercedes S280 • Porsche Cayenne vs. parachutist Ewan McGregor 28 May 2006 (2006-05-28)3.83
715 Prodrive P2Citroën C6 Car football game II • Time-trial challenge with Sir Jackie Stewart Sir Michael Gambon 4 June 2006 (2006-06-04)5.01
726Cheap Saloons: (Ford Mondeo ST220Mazda 6 MPSVauxhall Vectra VXR)Caravan holiday • Indoor speed record in an F1 racer Brian Cox 16 July 2006 (2006-07-16)3.66
737 Lamborghini Gallardo SpyderPeugeot 207 1.6L Diesel • Sporty People Carriers: (Ford S-Max 2.5L 200 PSMercedes-Benz B200 TurboVauxhall Zafira VXR) Caterham Seven kit car race • Peugeot 207 vs. parkour masters race in Liverpool Steve Coogan 23 July 2006 (2006-07-23)3.89
748 Noble M15 Being van roadies with The Who: (Volkswagen T30 TDI 174 SportlineFord TransitRenault Master) • £1,000 Van Man challenge: (Ford TransitSuzuki Super CarryLDV Convoy) Jenson ButtonRay Winstone 30 July 2006 (2006-07-30)5.27

Series 9 (2007)

No.
overall
No. in
series
ReviewsFeatures/challengesGuest(s)Original air dateUK viewers
(millions) [16]
751 Jaguar XKRAston Martin V8 Vantage Roadworks in 24 hours • Hammond's Vampire dragster crash aftermath Jamie Oliver 28 January 2007 (2007-01-28)8.13
762None Bugatti Veyron to top speed at Ehra-Lessien • Shootout: Golf and Art in Coupes costing less than £25,000 (Audi TTMazda RX-8Alfa Romeo Brera). Hugh Grant 4 February 2007 (2007-02-04)7.20
773None – US Special US Special: (Chevrolet Camaro RSDodge Ram 150Cadillac Brougham)None11 February 2007 (2007-02-11)6.18
784 Brabus S Biturbo roadster (based on a Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG) • Porsche 911 Turbo Reliant Robin Space Shuttle challenge Simon Pegg 18 February 2007 (2007-02-18)7.51
795 Lamborghini Murciélago LP640 [ broken anchor ]Railway crossing hazard video • Tractor challenge (JCB Fastrac 8250Case STX Steiger 530Fendt 930 Vario): Home-made biofuel • Top Gear survey 2006 results Kristin Scott Thomas 25 February 2007 (2007-02-25)7.58
806 Shelby Mustang GT500 Stretch limos from ordinary cars (Fiat PandaMG FAlfa Romeo 164 & Saab 9000) Billie PiperChris MoylesJameliaLemar 4 March 2007 (2007-03-04)8.12

Special (2007)

No.
overall
No. in
series
TitleFeatures/challengesOriginal air dateUK viewers
(millions)
81 Top Gear: Polar Special Polar Special (Toyota Hilux)25 July 2007 (2007-07-25)4.50 [ citation needed ]

Series 10 (2007)

No.
overall
No. in
series
ReviewsFeatures/challengesGuest(s)Original air dateUK viewers
(millions) [17]
821 Volkswagen Golf GTI W12 Road trip to find the greatest driving road in the world: (Lamborghini Gallardo SuperleggeraPorsche 911 GT3 RSAston Martin V8 Vantage N24) Dame Helen Mirren 7 October 2007 (2007-10-07)6.27
832 Audi R8Porsche 911 Carrera S Amphibious Cars Challenge II: (Nissan NavaraVolkswagen T3 TransporterTriumph Herald) Jools Holland 14 October 2007 (2007-10-14)5.53
843 Ferrari 599 GTB FioranoFerrari 275 GTSRolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupé Bugatti Veyron vs Eurofighter Typhoon race • Peel P50 around the BBC officeLexus LS600 Auto-Parking System Ronnie WoodFiona BruceDermot MurnaghanJohn Humphrys 28 October 2007 (2007-10-28)6.73
854N/A – Botswana Special Botswana Special: (Lancia Beta CoupéOpel KadettMercedes-Benz 230E)None4 November 2007 (2007-11-04)6.84
865 Caparo T1Aston Martin V8 Vantage RoadsterMercedes-Benz GL500 London race Simon Cowell 11 November 2007 (2007-11-11)7.74
876 Honda Civic Type RMercedes-Benz E63 AMG EstateBMW M5 TouringAlfa Romeo 159 Motorhome racing • Alfa Romeo 159 vs. tall man across the Humber estuary Lawrence Dallaglio 18 November 2007 (2007-11-18)7.24
887 Aston Martin DBS £1,200 British Leyland cheap-car challenge: (Rover 3500 SETriumph Dolomite SprintPrincess 2200) Jennifer Saunders 25 November 2007 (2007-11-25)6.86
898 Vauxhall VXR8 Renault R25 Formula One Car • Automobile history investigation • GPS satellite self-controlled BMW 330i James BluntLewis Hamilton 2 December 2007 (2007-12-02)8.35
909 Daihatsu MateriaAscari A10Fiat 500 Britcar 24 Hour Endurance RaceRace: Fiat 500 vs. BMX riders through Budapest Keith Allen 9 December 2007 (2007-12-09)7.38
9110 Jaguar XF (X250) German Performance Saloon cars: (Mercedes-Benz C63 AMGBMW M3Audi RS4) • Top Gear Awards 2007 David Tennant 23 December 2007 (2007-12-23)7.15

Series 11 (2008)

No.
overall
No. in
series
ReviewsFeatures/challengesGuest(s)Original air dateUK viewers
(millions) [18]
921 Ferrari 430 Scuderia £1,000 Police Car Challenge (Fiat Coupé 20v TurboLexus LS400Suzuki Vitara) • TG Stuntman: Austin Allegro jump in reverse world record • Investigating fuel economy: 5 supercars race and BMW M3 vs Prius Alan CarrJustin Lee Collins 22 June 2008 (2008-06-22)6.72
932 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution XSubaru Impreza WRX STIAudi RS6Mercedes-Benz CLK63 AMG Black Series Race: Audi RS6 vs French Skiers • TG Stuntman: MG Maestro Cork-screw Jump Rupert Penry-JonesPeter Firth 29 June 2008 (2008-06-29)5.21
943 Bentley Brooklands Cheap Car Challenge: Alfa Romeos for £1,000 (Alfa Romeo 75 3.0 V6Alfa Romeo GTV 2.0Alfa Romeo Spider) James CordenRob Brydon 6 July 2008 (2008-07-06)5.78
954 Alfa Romeo 8C CompetizioneNissan GT-R Epic race: Nissan GT-R vs Japanese Bullet Train Fiona BruceKate Silverton 13 July 2008 (2008-07-13)5.70
965 Nissan GT-R Classic luxury limousines: (Mercedes-Benz 600 GrosserRolls-Royce Corniche)Daihatsu Terios fox hunting challenge Peter JonesTheo Paphitis 20 July 2008 (2008-07-20)6.65
976 Gumpert ApolloMitsuoka OrochiMitsuoka Galue III Showdown: The British (Top Gear) vs. The Germans (D Motor) Jay KaySabine SchmitzTim Schrick • Carsten van Ryssen27 July 2008 (2008-07-27)5.59

Series 12 (2008)

No.
overall
No. in
series
ReviewsFeatures/challengesGuest(s)Original air dateUK viewers
(millions) [17]
981 Porsche 911 GT2Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 £5,000 Lorry challenge (ERF EC11 • Renault MagnumScania P94D) Michael Parkinson 2 November 2008 (2008-11-02)7.74
992 Abarth 500 Esseesse Muscle Car Challenge: (Dodge Challenger SRT8Chevrolet Corvette ZR1Cadillac CTS-V) Will Young 9 November 2008 (2008-11-09)7.57
1003 Toyota i-REAL Tuning challenge: Renault Avantime • Finnish folk racing • Corvette V-8 engine blender-made smoothie Mark WahlbergMika Häkkinen 16 November 2008 (2008-11-16)6.98
1014 Pagani Zonda Roadster FBugatti Veyron Economy race from Basel to Blackpool Illuminations (Volkswagen Polo BlueMotionJaguar XJ DieselSubaru Legacy Diesel) Harry Enfield 23 November 2008 (2008-11-23)7.15
1025 Lexus IS FBMW M3 Portofino to Saint-Tropez Race: Powerboat vs. Ferrari Daytona • Best bus for British city streets Kevin McCloudTom Chilton 30 November 2008 (2008-11-30)7.51
1036 Veritas RS IIICaterham Seven Superlight R500Ford Fiesta Did the communists make a good car? • Ford Fiesta with the Royal Marines Boris Johnson 7 December 2008 (2008-12-07)7.33
1047 Tesla RoadsterHonda FCX Clarity 50 years of British Touring Car racing • TG Stuntman takes on Fifth Gear's caravan jump record • V8 Powered Rocking Chair for the elderly • Top Gear Awards 2008 Sir Tom JonesJay Kay 14 December 2008 (2008-12-14)7.54
105N/A – Vietnam Special Vietnam Special: (MinskPiaggio VespaHonda Super Cub)None28 December 2008 (2008-12-28)6.70

Series 13 (2009)

No.
overall
No. in
series
ReviewsFeatures/challengesGuest(s)Original air dateUK viewers
(millions) [19]
1061 Lotus Evora Race to the North: (LNER Peppercorn Class A1 60163 Tornado steam train • Jaguar XK120Vincent Black Shadow)Ferrari FXX Lap Time Michael Schumacher (disguised as The Stig)21 June 2009 (2009-06-21)7.86
1072 Lamborghini Murciélago LP 670-4 SV Perfect £2,500 car for 17-year-olds: (Volvo 940 Turbo EstateVolkswagen Golf Mk IIIHyundai Scoupe) • Drag Race: (Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 Edition vs. Lamborghini Murciélago LP 670-4 SV) • Drag Race II: (Bugatti Veyron vs. McLaren F1) Stephen Fry 28 June 2009 (2009-06-28)7.00
1083 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series Cheap and Cheerful car I: (Perodua MyviChevrolet AveoProton Satria Neo) • Cheap and Cheerful car II: (Škoda RoomsterToyota iQAlfa Romeo MiToFiat 500) • Gymkhana rallying on the airfield (Subaru Impreza WRX STI) Michael McIntyreKen BlockRicky Carmichael 5 July 2009 (2009-07-05)6.38
1094 Ford Focus RSRenault Mégane R26.RPorsche Panamera Race: Porsche Panamera vs. the Royal Mail service • Playing British Bulldog with live fire against the British Army in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VII Usain Bolt 12 July 2009 (2009-07-12)6.80
1105 Jaguar XFRBMW M5 Proof of three £1,500 rear-wheel drive coupés better than front-wheel drive: (Porsche 944 S2Ford Capri 2.8iNissan 300ZXMorris Marina) • Clarkson's inspired greenhouse trailer design to save the world Sienna MillerOlivier Panis 19 July 2009 (2009-07-19)7.38
1116 BMW Z4 sDrive35iNissan 370Z Pre-1982 £3,000 classic cars for a TSD rally in Mallorca: (Austin-Healey SpriteCitroën AmiLanchester LJ 200) Brian JohnsonMadison Welch • Brian Wheeler26 July 2009 (2009-07-26)7.69
1127 Vauxhall VXR8 BathurstHSV MalooAudi S4Aston Martin V12 Vantage Producing Volkswagen Scirocco adverts Jay Leno 2 August 2009 (2009-08-02)7.11

Series 14 (2009–10)

-

No.
overall
No. in
series
ReviewsFeatures/challengesGuest(s)Original air dateUK viewers
(millions) [17]
1131 BMW 760LiMercedes-Benz S63 AMG Romanian GT road trip to find the Transfăgărăşan highway: (Aston Martin DBS VolanteFerrari CaliforniaLamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 SpyderDacia Sandero) Eric Bana 15 November 2009 (2009-11-15)6.70 [nb 1]
1142 Audi R8 V10Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Build an electric car better than a G-Wiz Michael Sheen 22 November 2009 (2009-11-22)6.48 [nb 2]
1153 Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2 Valentino BalboniHawk HF3000 Fly an Airship caravan with a Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2 Valentino Balboni • Why Lancia has made greatest number of great cars Chris Evans 29 November 2009 (2009-11-29)6.51 [nb 3]
1164Off Roaders: (BMW X5 MAudi Q7 V12 TDIRange Rover (2010MY))Renault Twingo 133 Airport vehicle motorsport Guy RitchieRoss Kemp 6 December 2009 (2009-12-06)6.29 [nb 4]
1175 Noble M600 Make an automotive art gallery to prove cars are more popular than traditional art Jenson ButtonDavid CoulthardRupert Maas 20 December 2009 (2009-12-20)6.90 [nb 5]
1186N/A – Bolivia Special Bolivia Special: (Range RoverToyota Land Cruiser • Suzuki Samurai)None27 December 2009 (2009-12-27)7.45 [nb 6]
1197 Lexus LFABMW X6Vauxhall Insignia VXR 'Low-budget' worldwide review of the BMW X6 • May and Margaret Calvert reflect on the evolution of UK road signs • Top Gear Awards 2009 Seasick Steve 3 January 2010 (2010-01-03)6.52 [nb 7]

Series 15 (2010)

No.
overall
No. in
series
ReviewsFeatures/challengesGuest(s)Original air dateUK viewers
(millions) [17]
1201 Bentley Continental Supersports Toyota Hilux Invincible up an Icelandic volcano • Farewell to the former reasonably priced car, the Chevrolet Lacetti • A history of the Reliant 3-wheeler: (Reliant Robin) Nick RobinsonAl MurrayPeter JonesPeta 23 from EssexJohnny VaughanBill BaileyLouie SpenceAmy Williams 27 June 2010 (2010-06-27)5.60
1212 Porsche 911 Sport ClassicPorsche Boxster Spyder Find a £5,000 everyday second-hand sports saloon for track days: (Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16 CosworthBMW M3Ford Sierra Sapphire RS Cosworth) Alastair Campbell 4 July 2010 (2010-07-04)6.60 [nb 8]
1223 Chevrolet Camaro SSMercedes-Benz E63 AMG Find the greatest four-door supercar: (Maserati Quattroporte GTSAston Martin RapidePorsche Panamera Turbo) Rupert GrintRubens Barrichello 11 July 2010 (2010-07-11)4.58 [nb 9]
1234 Audi R8 V10 SpyderPorsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet Building motorhomes: (Lotus ExcelLand Rover 110Citroën CX) Andy García • Lauren McAvoy18 July 2010 (2010-07-18)7.05 [nb 10]
1245 Volkswagen TouaregBugatti Veyron Super Sport Volkswagen Touareg vs Swedish snowmobilers • Reach 258mph (415 km/h) in the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport • Commemorating racing driver Ayrton Senna, Lewis Hamilton drives Senna's 1988 F1 racing car. Tom CruiseCameron Diaz 25 July 2010 (2010-07-25)7.48 [nb 11]
1256 Ferrari 458 Italia Old British roadsters for £5,000: (TVR S2Lotus ElanJensen-Healey) Jeff Goldblum 1 August 2010 (2010-08-01)6.19 [nb 12]

Series 16 (2010–11)

No.
overall
No. in
series
ReviewsFeatures/challengesGuest(s)Original air dateUK viewers
(millions) [17]
126None"East Coast Road Trip": (Ferrari 458 ItaliaMercedes-Benz SLS AMGPorsche 911 GT3 RS) Danny Boyle 21 December 2010 (2010-12-21)7.13 [nb 13]
127N/A – Middle East Special Middle East Special: (BMW Z3Mazda MX-5Fiat Barchetta)None26 December 2010 (2010-12-26)7.68 [nb 14]
1281 Ariel Atom V8Škoda Yeti History of the Porsche 911: Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabriolet vs Volkswagen Beetle John BishopSienna MillerTiff Needell 23 January 2011 (2011-01-23)7.38 [nb 15]
1292 Ferrari 599 GTO "Top Gear Ashes": British Hosts vs Top Gear Australia Hosts Boris BeckerJodie KiddDarryn LyonsSteve PizzatiEwen PageShane Jacobson 30 January 2011 (2011-01-30)7.31 [nb 16]
1303Super Hatchbacks: (Cosworth Impreza STI CS400Ford Focus RS500Volvo C30 PCP)"Albania Road Trip": (Rolls-Royce GhostYugo (substituting for a Bentley Mulsanne) • Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG) Jonathan Ross 6 February 2011 (2011-02-06)7.33 [nb 17]
1314 Pagani Zonda RPagani Zonda Tricolore Second-hand, four seater convertibles for £2,000: (BMW 325i Convertible) Simon PeggNick Frost 13 February 2011 (2011-02-13)7.28 [nb 18]
1325 BMW M3 Competition PackAudi RS5 Convert a combine harvester into a snow plough Amber Heard 20 February 2011 (2011-02-20)6.87 [nb 19]
1336 Porsche 959Ferrari F40Jaguar XJ 5.0 V8 Supersport Sunset to sunrise race in a Jaguar XJ 5.0 V8 Supersport across England • NASA's latest Space Exploration Vehicle John Prescott 27 February 2011 (2011-02-27)6.53 [nb 20]

Series 17 (2011)

No.
overall
No. in
series
ReviewsFeatures/challengesGuest(s)Original air dateUK viewers
(millions) [20]
1341 MarauderBMW 1 Series M Coupe 50th Birthday of the Jaguar E-TypeMini John Cooper Works WRC with Amy Williams Alice CooperAmy WilliamsKris Meeke 26 June 2011 (2011-06-26)6.22 [nb 21]
1352 Aston Martin Virage High-performance hatchbacks in Lucca and around the Monaco Grand Prix track: (Citroën DS3 RacingFiat 500 Abarth ConvertibleRenault Sport Clio 200 Cup) Ross NobleFlavio BriatoreChristian HornerBernie Ecclestone 3 July 2011 (2011-07-03)5.72 [nb 22]
1363 McLaren MP4-12CRange Rover Evoque Examine toughness of the Range Rover Evoque in Las Vegas • Second-hand bargains for the price of the Nissan Pixo (Mercedes CL600BMW 850Ci) Sebastian Vettel 10 July 2011 (2011-07-10)6.55 [nb 23]
1374 Jaguar XKR-SNissan GT-R Make a train out of a specially modified car and caravans as carriages: (Jaguar XJ-S ConvertibleAudi S8) Rowan Atkinson 17 July 2011 (2011-07-17)7.14 [nb 24]
1385 Lotus T125Jensen Interceptor Demolish a house with second-hand military equipment vs demolition experts Bob Geldof 24 July 2011 (2011-07-24)6.13 [nb 25]
1396 Lamborghini Aventador Electric cars for the seaside: (Nissan LeafPeugeot iOn) • Extraordinary rally team of amputee military veterans Louis Walsh • Race2Recovery Team • Ben Collins 31 July 2011 (2011-07-31)6.76 [nb 26]

Series 18 (2011–12)

No.
overall
No. in
series
ReviewsFeatures/challengesGuest(s)Original air dateUK viewers
(millions) [17]
140N/A – India Special India Special: (Jaguar XJSRolls-Royce Silver ShadowMini Cooper) David Cameron (uncredited)28 December 2011 (2011-12-28)6.61 [nb 27]
1411None"Supercars Across Italy": (Lamborghini AventadorMcLaren MP4-12CNoble M600) will.i.am 29 January 2012 (2012-01-29)6.21 [nb 28]
1422 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster Clarkson and May examine China's car industry in Beijing • Hammond learns about NASCAR racing in Texas [21] Matt LeBlancJimmie JohnsonJeff GordonJuan Pablo MontoyaKyle Petty 5 February 2012 (2012-02-05)6.25 [nb 29]
1433 Vauxhall Corsa VXR NürburgringFiat Panda Creating the climactic car chase for The Sweeney (Jaguar XFRFord Focus) [22] Ryan ReynoldsRay WinstonePlan BNick LovePaul Anderson • Kevin Michaels12 February 2012 (2012-02-12)6.16 [nb 30]
1444 Fisker KarmaFerrari FFBentley Continental GT V8 Build and test off-road mobility scooters in the countryside Michael FassbenderBrian Johnson 19 February 2012 (2012-02-19)5.28 [nb 31]
1455 Maserati GranTurismo MC StradaleMercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe Black Series Retrospective on Swedish car maker SaabRally-spec Škoda vs jet-powered flying man Matt SmithYves RossyToni Gardemeister 26 February 2012 (2012-02-26)6.12 [nb 32]
1466"Aero-engined" Bentley, Brutus Test of three stripped track cars: (KTM X-BowCaterham R500Morgan Three Wheeler) Alex James 4 March 2012 (2012-03-04)5.81 [nb 33]
1477 BMW M5 Rallycross cheaper than playing golf? (BMW 328iToyota MR2Citroën Saxo VTS) • May's childhood dream car: Ferrari 250 GT California. SlashKimi RäikkönenChris Evans 11 March 2012 (2012-03-11)6.15 [nb 34]

Series 19 (2013)

No.
overall
No. in
series
ReviewsFeatures/challengesGuest(s)Original air dateUK viewers
(millions) [17]
1481 Pagani HuayraBentley Continental GT Speed Take the Bentley Continental GT Speed to a Welsh Rally stage. • Build a car smaller than a Peel P50 (Clarkson's "P45") Damian LewisKris Meeke • The Cast of Dragons' Den (Theo PaphitisDuncan BannatynePeter JonesDeborah Meaden)27 January 2013 (2013-01-27)6.65 [nb 35]
1492NoneSupercar road trip from Las Vegas, Nevada to Calexico, California: (Lexus LFASRT ViperAston Martin Vanquish) Mick Fleetwood 3 February 2013 (2013-02-03)6.42 [nb 36]
1503 Toyota GT86 / Subaru BRZShelby Mustang GT500 Epic race from Wembley to the San Siro stadium in Milan: Shelby Mustang GT500 vs. the pan-European rail network Amy Macdonald 10 February 2013 (2013-02-10)6.36 [nb 37]
1514 Mastretta MXTKia Cee'd • Hot hatchbacks: (Ford Focus STRenault Megane RenaultSport Cup 265Vauxhall Astra VXR)Rugby match with Kia Cee'ds at Twickenham Lewis HamiltonMatt LeBlancEric ClaptonBruce Willis 17 February 2013 (2013-02-17)5.39 [nb 38]
1525 Range Rover Design a vehicle for the elderly ("Rover James"/Fiat Multipla) • Range Rover vs an autonomous military machine James McAvoy 24 February 2013 (2013-02-24)6.45 [nb 39]
153N/A – Africa Special: Part 1Find source of the Nile: (BMW 528i TouringSubaru Impreza WRX EstateVolvo 850R Estate)None3 March 2013 (2013-03-03)7.33 [nb 40]
154N/A – Africa Special: Part 2Find source of the Nile: (BMW 528i TouringSubaru Impreza WRX EstateVolvo 850R Estate)None10 March 2013 (2013-03-10)7.48 [nb 41]

Series 20 (2013)

No.
overall
No. in
series
ReviewsFeatures/challengesGuest(s)Original air dateUK viewers
(millions) [17]
1551Hot hatchbacks: (Renaultsport Clio 200Peugeot 208 GTiFord Fiesta ST) AC45 Racing Yacht vs Toyota Corolla • Introduction of the new Reasonably Priced Car: Vauxhall Astra Brian JohnsonCharles DanceWarwick DavisJoss StoneJimmy CarrDavid HayeRachel RileyMike RutherfordSir Ben Ainslie 30 June 2013 (2013-06-30)5.55
1562 Ferrari F12 BerlinettaBAC Mono Best taxi • Tribute to BBC Television Centre Ron Howard 7 July 2013 (2013-07-07)5.31
1573NoneSpanish road trip in "budget" convertibles: (McLaren MP4-12C SpiderFerrari 458 SpiderAudi R8 V10 Spyder) Benedict Cumberbatch 14 July 2013 (2013-07-14)4.83
1584 Mercedes SLS AMG Black SeriesMercedes SLS AMG Electric Drive Ford Transit hovervan Hugh Jackman 21 July 2013 (2013-07-21)5.36
1595 Porsche 911 Carrera SSinger 911Lamborghini Aventador RoadsterLamborghini Sesto Elemento Best crossovers for caravanners: (Mazda CX-5Volkswagen Tiguan) Steven Tyler 28 July 2013 (2013-07-28)5.29
1606 Range Rover SportNew RoutemasterJaguar F-Type Tribute to British automobile manufacturing Mark Webber 4 August 2013 (2013-08-04)5.49

Series 21 (2014)

No.
overall
No. in
series
ReviewsFeatures/challengesGuest(s)Original air dateUK viewers
(millions) [17]
1611NoneProving that the hot hatchbacks of the presenters' youth were better than their modern equivalents: (Volkswagen Golf Mk2 GTIVauxhall Nova SRiFord Fiesta XR2i2S1 Gvozdika ) Hugh Bonneville 2 February 2014 (2014-02-02)6.12
1622 Alfa Romeo 4CMcLaren P1 Alfa Romeo 4C vs Gibbs Quadski • May visits Camp Bastion in Afghanistan Tom Hiddleston 9 February 2014 (2014-02-09)6.97
1633 Zenvo ST1 Trip through Ukraine in three-cylinder city cars: (Volkswagen Up!Ford FiestaDacia Sandero) James Blunt 16 February 2014 (2014-02-16)6.87
1644 Caterham 7 160Caterham 7 620RAlfa Romeo Disco Volante by TouringMercedes Benz G63 AMG 6x6 Proving that cars are better than motorbikes Jack Whitehall 23 February 2014 (2014-02-23)6.53
1655 BMW M135iVW Golf GTI Mk7Porsche 918 Spyder Making a public information film on cycle safety Aaron Paul 2 March 2014 (2014-03-02)5.64
166N/A – Burma Special Part 1Build a bridge over the River Kwai: (Isuzu TX • Isuzu TX • Hino FB110)None9 March 2014 (2014-03-09)6.29
167N/A – Burma Special Part 2Build a bridge over the River Kwai: (Isuzu TX • Isuzu TX • Hino FB110)None16 March 2014 (2014-03-16)7.01

Series 22 (2014–15)

No.
overall
No. in
series
ReviewsFeatures/challengesGuest(s)Original air dateUK viewers
(millions) [17]
168N/A – Patagonia Special Drive from Bariloche to Ushuaia: (Porsche 928 GTLotus Esprit V8Ford Mustang Mach 1) None27 December 2014 (2014-12-27)7.21
169N/A – Patagonia SpecialDrive from Bariloche to Ushuaia: (Porsche 928 GTLotus Esprit V8Ford Mustang Mach 1)None28 December 2014 (2014-12-28)7.38
1701 Lamborghini HuracánRenault Twizy Race across the urban landscape of St Petersburg Ed Sheeran 25 January 2015 (2015-01-25)6.41
1712NoneAustralian Northern Territory road trip in GT cars: (BMW M6 Gran CoupeNissan GT-RBentley Continental GT V8S) Kiefer Sutherland 1 February 2015 (2015-02-01)6.56
1723NoneHomemade ambulance challenge: (Porsche 944 TurboFord Scorpio CardinalChevrolet G20) Daniel Ricciardo 8 February 2015 (2015-02-08)6.14
1734 Mercedes-AMG GT SBMW M3BMW i8 Hammond pays homage to the Land Rover Defender Margot RobbieWill Smith 15 February 2015 (2015-02-15)6.24
1745 Chevrolet Corvette StingrayPorsche Cayman GTSLaFerrari May and Clarkson look at the weird and wonderful history of Peugeot Olly Murs 22 February 2015 (2015-02-22)6.04
1756 Lexus RC FLexus LFA Hammond is dropped into British Columbia, Canada to test a watch with a built-in emergency beacon: (Ford F-150 Hennessey VelociRaptorChevrolet Silverado HD) Gillian Anderson 1 March 2015 (2015-03-01)6.15
1767 Jaguar F-Type R • Eagle Low Drag GT • Mazda MX-5 May competes in a world rallycross race alongside Tanner Foust (U.S. Top Gear host). Nicholas HoultTanner Foust 8 March 2015 (2015-03-08)5.84
1778NoneFind a cheap car that still lives up to the title of classic: (Fiat 124 SpiderPeugeot 304 S CabrioletMGB GT) • Living the sports utility vehicle lifestyle for less than £250: (Vauxhall Frontera Sport RSMitsubishi Shogun PininJeep Cherokee)None28 June 2015 (2015-06-28)6.92

Specials (2015)

In November 2015, the BBC announced "Top Gear: From A-Z", described as a "two-part extravaganza" in the form of a clip show composed of material from the previous twenty-two series of Top Gear. [23] It is narrated by comedian John Bishop with celebrities presenting their favourite highlights from the show; [24] the programme did not use the Top Gear studio. [24]

No.
overall
No.
special
TitleFeatures/challengesOriginal air dateUK viewers
(millions) [17]
1781"From A-Z Part 1"Top Gear clip-show introduced by celebrities26 December 2015 (2015-12-26)1.91
1792"From A-Z Part 2"Top Gear clip-show introduced by celebrities30 December 2015 (2015-12-30)1.67

Series 23 (2016)

No.
overall
No. in
series
ReviewsFeatures/challengesGuest(s)Original air dateUK viewers
(millions) [17]
1801 Ariel NomadChevrolet Corvette Z06Dodge Viper ACR UK vs USA Challenge: (Reliant RialtoLand Rover Mk1Willys Jeep) Jesse EisenbergGordon RamsayAlistair BrownleeJonathan Brownlee [25] 29 May 2016 (2016-05-29)6.42
1812 McLaren 675LT Ultimate SUV test: (Jaguar F-PacePorsche MacanMercedes-Benz GLC) Jenson ButtonDamian LewisSeasick SteveTinie TempahSharleen Spiteri 5 June 2016 (2016-06-05)4.06
1823 Audi R8Ferrari F12 TDF • SuperHatches: (Ford Focus RSHonda Civic Type RMercedes AMG A45) London tour in Ken Block's Hoonicorn Ken BlockAnthony JoshuaKevin Hart 12 June 2016 (2016-06-12)3.44
1834 Tesla Model XAston Martin Vulcan Venice "cheap car vs. luxury train" race: (Jaguar XJ ExecHonda Gold WingAudi A8) Darren TurnerTom KerridgeTom Kitchin • Ollie Dabbous • Oliver PeytonIndia FisherBear GryllsBrian Cox 19 June 2016 (2016-06-19)3.22
1845 BMW M2Zenos E10 SRolls-Royce DawnJaguar F-Type SVR Modern Rolls vs. Classic Rolls: People of Dingle vote on best: (Rolls-Royce CornicheRolls-Royce Dawn) • Delivering the F-Type SVR to the Geneva Motor Show Jennifer SaundersPaul HollywoodNorman Dewis 26 June 2016 (2016-06-26)3.57
1856 Ford Mustang GTFord Mustang EcoBoostHonda NSXPorsche 911 R Classic cars with modern technology (Aston Martin DB5Eagle E-TypeMGB Roadster) Patrick DempseyGreg Davies 3 July 2016 (2016-07-03)2.64

Series 24 (2017)

No.
overall
No. in
series
ReviewsFeatures/challengesGuest(s)Original air dateUK viewers
(millions) [17]
1861 Ferrari FXX-K Race across Kazakhstan in three high-mileage cars: (Volvo V70Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W210)Black Cab) James McAvoy 5 March 2017 (2017-03-05)3.77
1872 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio US road trip in two convertible supercars: (Porsche 911 Turbo S CabrioletLamborghini Huracán Spyder) David Tennant 12 March 2017 (2017-03-12)3.60
1883 Aston Martin DB11Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport SAbarth 124 Spider DB11 vs Mercedes-AMG S63 Coupé Bond Style • Clubsport S: "Supercar hunting" at the Nürburgring Tamsin Greig 19 March 2017 (2017-03-19)3.13
1894 Bugatti ChironRenault Twingo GT Epic race across Arabian Peninsula: Chiron vs. alternative "money-no-object" transportation • Twingo arcade game challenge Tinie Tempah 26 March 2017 (2017-03-26)3.17
1905 Ford GT Extreme off-road buggy race on the California desert Chris Hoy 2 April 2017 (2017-04-02)3.27
1916 Mercedes-AMG GT R Road trip across Cuba with second-hand sports cars: (Maserati BiturboChevrolet Camaro) Ross Noble 16 April 2017 (2017-04-16)2.40
1927 Porsche 718 Cayman SAvtoros Shaman Turning a SsangYong Rodius into a luxury yacht Jay Kay 23 April 2017 (2017-04-23)2.69

Series 25 (2018)

No.
overall
No. in
series
ReviewsFeatures/challengesGuest(s)Original air dateUK viewers
(millions) [17]
1931NoneRoad trip across Utah's Wild West in V8 sports cars: (Hennessey Ford Shelby Mustang GT350 RJaguar F-Type SVRMcLaren 570GT) Rob BrydonKen Block 25 February 2018 (2018-02-25)3.50
1942 McLaren 720S 720S v. McLaren P1 • Off road toys in California to find Bigfoot • Racing in Reverse Lee Mack 4 March 2018 (2018-03-04)3.04
1953 Lexus LC500Honda Civic Type R Second-hand sports cars across Honshu: (Nissan Skyline GTTMazda RX-7) • Weirdest Japanese car cultureNone11 March 2018 (2018-03-11)2.93
1964 Dodge Challenger DemonKia Stinger GT-SHyundai i30N Harris' tribute to the Citroën 2CV Dara Ó BriainEd Byrne 18 March 2018 (2018-03-18)3.26
1975 Ferrari 812 SuperfastChevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE Building the world's fastest tractor Vicky McClure 25 March 2018 (2018-03-25)2.97
1986 Alpine A110 Best Modern SUV: (Alfa Romeo StelvioRange Rover VelarVolvo XC60) Jason Manford 1 April 2018 (2018-04-01)2.97

Series 26 (2019)

No.
overall
No. in
series
ReviewsFeatures/challengesGuest(s)Original air dateUK viewers
(millions) [26]
1991 Suzuki Ignis Fast Estate Cars in Norway: (Porsche Panamera Turbo Sport TurismoFerrari GTC4Lusso) • Ignis vs Fiat Panda Cross up Gurlet Hill James Marsden 17 February 2019 (2019-02-17)2.61
2002 BMW M5Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG S Tuk-Tuk Trip across Sri Lanka Professor Green 24 February 2019 (2019-02-24)2.27
2013 Bentley Continental GTMégane Renault SportPorsche 911 GT2 RS Continental GT vs Speed 8 Gregory Porter 3 March 2019 (2019-03-03)2.28
2024NoneSecond Hand Luxury Car Challenge: (Rolls-Royce Silver ShadowMercedes-Benz 600SELBentley Turbo R) Matt Baker 10 March 2019 (2019-03-10)2.20
2035 Aston Martin V8 VantageRolls-Royce PhantomFord Fiesta ST Fiesta ST vs. Lamborghini Aventador S • Automatic Brake Testing Stephen Mangan 17 March 2019 (2019-03-17)2.40

Series 27 (2019)

No.
overall
No. in
series
ReviewsFeatures/challengesGuest(s)Original air dateUK viewers
(millions) [27]
2041 Ferrari 488 PistaMcLaren 600LT Ethiopian adventure in the presenters' first cars (MiniPorsche BoxsterFord Escort Mk2)None16 June 2019 (2019-06-16)4.81
2052 Tesla Model 3 Building budget battery powered sports cars (Triumph SpitfireSubaru BratNissan Leaf) Danny BoyleHimesh Patel 23 June 2019 (2019-06-23)4.64
2063 Dallara Stradale Turning a Daimler Hearse into the ultimate family car Damon HillZara TindallMike Tindall 30 June 2019 (2019-06-30)4.44
2074 Rolls-Royce Cullinan Rare cheap cars across Borneo (Austin AllegroMatra Bagheera) Bob Mortimer 7 July 2019 (2019-07-07)4.63
2085 Toyota Supra Iceland's Formula Off Road • Tribute to the Lotus 79 Will Young • Peter Wright • Mario Andretti • Clive Chapman14 July 2019 (2019-07-14)3.77

Series 28 (2019–20)

No.
overall
No. in
series
ReviewsFeatures/challengesGuest(s)Original air dateUK viewers
(millions) [28]
209N/A – Nepal SpecialDriving from Kathmandu to Lo Manthang (Peugeot 106 RallyeRenault 4Hulas Mustang)None29 December 2019 (2019-12-29)3.72
2101 Ariel Atom 4 Best Convertibles for less than £600 (Ford Escort CabrioletMercedes-Benz SLKChrysler LeBaron)Bungee jumping a Rover Metro None26 January 2020 (2020-01-26)5.22
2112 McLaren Speedtail Building a Cheap Off-Roader to compete with the Land Rover DefenderMcLaren Speedtail vs RAF F-35B Romesh Ranganathan 2 February 2020 (2020-02-02)4.90
2123 Porsche Taycan American Cars in Peru (Pontiac FirebirdDodge DartVolkswagen CampervanOldsmobile Cutlass)None9 February 2020 (2020-02-09)5.24
2134 Renault Mégane RS Trophy RPorsche 718 Cayman GT4Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder Racing the Baja 1000 Emilia FoxLaurence Fox 16 February 2020 (2020-02-16)4.45
2145 Volkswagen I.D. R Best Exotic European Sports Car (Ferrari PortofinoPorsche 911 Carrera SAston Martin V8 Vantage) KSIDamon Hill 23 February 2020 (2020-02-23)5.11
2156 BMW M8 Tribute to Colin McRae • Fastest Emergency service Tom AllenJimmy McRaeDavid RichardsCarlos Sainz 1 March 2020 (2020-03-01)4.68

Series 29 (2020)

No.
overall
No. in
series
ReviewsFeatures/challengesOriginal air dateUK viewers
(millions) [29]
2161 Ferrari SF90 Stradale Spending 24 Hours in Company Saloons (Volvo S60Tesla Model 3BMW 3 Series)4 October 2020 (2020-10-04)5.40
2172NoneOriginal 200mph Supercars in Yorkshire (Jaguar XJ220Lamborghini DiabloFerrari F40) • Performance Insurance Write Offs (Maserati QuattroportePorsche Cayman SFord Focus RS)11 October 2020 (2020-10-11)5.05
2183 Lamborghini UrusAudi RS6 Cheap Hire Cars in Cyprus (Suzuki JimnyFord Focus CCKia Picanto)18 October 2020 (2020-10-18)6.04
2194None Welsh roadtrip in New British GTs (McLaren GTAston Martin DBXBentley Flying Spur) • Tribute to Stirling Moss 25 October 2020 (2020-10-25)5.85
2205 Mini ElectricVauxhall Corsa-eHonda e Building an Electric All-Terrain Ice cream van 1 November 2020 (2020-11-01)6.06

Series 30 (2021)

No.
overall
No. in
series
ReviewsFeatures/challengesOriginal air dateUK viewers
(millions) [30]
2211 Lamborghini Sián FKP 37 Second-Hand Dad's Cars in the Lake District (Ford CortinaBMW 3 SeriesFord Fiesta)14 March 2021 (2021-03-14)6.33
2222 Ferrari RomaAlfaholics GTA-R Budget James Bond Cars (Sunbeam AlpineAlfa Romeo GTV6 • Renault 5 1/2 (See Renault 11) • Lotus EspritToyota 2000GTAston Martin DB5)Spark ODYSSEY 21 vs. Jet Pack Man21 March 2021 (2021-03-21)7.03
2233None Off-Roaders in the Scottish Highlands (Ariel Nomad RLand Rover DefenderMercedes-AMG G63)28 March 2021 (2021-03-28)6.30
2244 Toyota GR Yaris Second-Hand Sports Cars for a Midlife crisis (TVR ChimaeraVauxhall MonaroFerrari F355/Toyota MR2 Kit car)4 April 2021 (2021-04-04)6.00

Series 31 (2021)

No.
overall
No. in
series
ReviewsFeatures/challengesOriginal air dateUK viewers
(millions) [30]
2251None British Grand Prix showdown in F1-inspired track day cars (McLaren 765LTAlfa Romeo Giulia GTAmAston Martin Vantage F1 Edition) • Tribute to Eddie Kidd 14 November 2021 (2021-11-14)6.22
2262 Lamborghini Huracán STO Futuristic Caravans with electric SUVs (Audi e-Tron SportbackMercedes-Benz EQCPolestar 2)21 November 2021 (2021-11-21)5.85
2273 Chevrolet Corvette Icelandic rally expedition in second-hand British cars (Vauxhall ChevetteRolls-Royce Silver ShadowRange RoverFord F-150 Arctic Trucks) Note: Freddie was absent during the Iceland trip due to him being forced to self isolate due to covid 19.28 November 2021 (2021-11-28)6.14
2284 Aston Martin Victor Flintoff becomes a qualified racing driver • History of the DMC DeLorean 5 December 2021 (2021-12-05)5.63
2295NoneOld cars for new drivers (Lada NivaMGB GTVolkswagen Beetle) • Tribute to the Lamborghini Miura 12 December 2021 (2021-12-12)6.30
230N/A – "Driving Home for Christmas" SpecialDriving from Bethlehem, Wales to the Top Gear test track (Citroen BX 4x4 GTiFord Escort XR3iRange Rover)24 December 2021 (2021-12-24)4.15

Series 32 (2022)

No.
overall
No. in
series
ReviewsFeatures/challengesOriginal air dateUK viewers
(millions) [30]
2311NoneMotorsport road trip across Florida 5 June 2022 (2022-06-05)4.45
2322NoneClassic and future TV cop cars (Ford Gran TorinoFerrari 308 GTSJaguar Mark 2Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat WidebodyFord F-150 RaptorAudi RS 3) • Turning a Sinclair C5 into a bobsleigh12 June 2022 (2022-06-12)3.86
2333 Lotus Emira The presenters become HGV drivers (Scania 770SMercedes-Benz ActrosDAF XG+)19 June 2022 (2022-06-19)4.09
2344 Maserati MC20Rivian R1T Reliable used cars for less than £500 (Mini CooperVolvo V70Mercedes C220 CDIHonda CivicToyota CelicaMazda 323F)26 June 2022 (2022-06-26)3.96
2355 Ford Puma STFord Puma Rally1 1920s-style motorsport • History of BMW M cars • The future of fuel3 July 2022 (2022-07-03)3.30

Series 33 (2022)

No.
overall
No. in
series
ReviewsFeatures/challengesOriginal air dateUK viewers
(millions) [30]
2361 Rimac Nevera Road trip across Thailand in old pickup trucks (Toyota HiluxIsuzu D-MaxBMW E30)30 October 2022 (2022-10-30)4.86
2372NoneSupercars on the German autobahn (Ferrari 296 GTBPorsche 718 Cayman GT4 RSPagani Huayra Roadster BC) • Treasure hunt around Paris in microcars (Citroen AmiCarver • City Transformer)6 November 2022 (2022-11-06)4.49
2383 Mercedes-AMG ONERange Rover F1 stock car racing 13 November 2022 (2022-11-13)4.57
2394 Honda Civic Type-RPeugeot 205 GTI Team Top Gear at the GT Cup 20 November 2022 (2022-11-20)4.40
2405 Ferrari Daytona SP3 Best delivery van for less than £3000 (Ford TransitVauxhall AstraVolkswagen Caddy) • Best family car to buy today18 December 2022 (2022-12-18)3.59

Ratings

Top Gear: UK viewers per episode (millions)
Audience measurement performed by Broadcasters' Audience Research Board [31]

Notes

  1. Episode count includes the two-episode Patagonia special which preceded the series. Out of ten originally planned episodes for the twenty-second series itself, only seven episodes were produced and broadcast before Clarkson's suspension; an eighth episode was aired months later.
  1. 6.41 million on BBC Two, 286,000 on BBC HD
  2. 6.19 million on BBC Two, 285,000 on BBC HD
  3. 6.10 million on BBC Two, 412,000 on BBC HD
  4. 6.09 million on BBC Two, 196,000 on BBC HD
  5. 6.35 million on BBC Two, 550,000 on BBC HD
  6. 7.07 million on BBC Two, 378,000 on BBC HD
  7. 6.05 million on BBC Two, 472,000 on BBC HD
  8. 6.00 million on BBC Two, 602,000 on BBC HD.
  9. 4.03 million on BBC Two, 549,000 on BBC HD.
  10. 6.47 million on BBC Two, 575,000 on BBC HD.
  11. 6.65 million on BBC Two, 827,000 on BBC HD.
  12. 5.81 million on BBC Two, 379,000 on BBC HD.
  13. 6.62 million on BBC Two, 506,000 on BBC HD.
  14. 6.84 million on BBC Two, 836,000 on BBC HD.
  15. 6.48 million on BBC Two, 903,000 on BBC HD.
  16. 6.38 million on BBC Two, 925,000 on BBC HD.
  17. 6.42 million on BBC Two, 912,000 on BBC HD.
  18. 6.39 million on BBC Two, 893,000 on BBC HD.
  19. 5.88 million on BBC Two, 989,000 on BBC HD.
  20. 5.63 million on BBC Two, 902,000 on BBC HD.
  21. 5.27 million on BBC Two, 950,000 on BBC HD.
  22. 4.84 million on BBC Two, 880,000 on BBC HD.
  23. 5.41 million on BBC Two, 1.14 million on BBC HD.
  24. 6.07 million on BBC Two, 1.07 million on BBC HD.
  25. 5.01 million on BBC Two, 1.12 million on BBC HD.
  26. 5.68 million on BBC Two, 1.08 million on BBC HD.
  27. 5.76 million on BBC Two, 849,000 on BBC HD.
  28. 5.18 million on BBC Two, 1.03 million on BBC HD.
  29. 5.29 million on BBC Two, 963,000 on BBC HD.
  30. 5.13 million on BBC Two, 1.03 million on BBC HD.
  31. 4.30 million on BBC Two, 982,000 on BBC HD.
  32. 5.25 million on BBC Two, 872,000 on BBC HD.
  33. 4.83 million on BBC Two, 978,000 on BBC HD.
  34. 5.13 million on BBC Two, 1.02 million on BBC HD.
  35. 5.47 million on BBC Two, 1.18 million on BBC HD
  36. 5.02 million on BBC Two, 1.4 million on BBC HD.
  37. 5.01 million on BBC Two, 1.35 million on BBC HD.
  38. 3.92 million on BBC Two, 1.39 million on BBC HD.
  39. 5.00 million on BBC Two, 1.45 million on BBC HD.
  40. 5.85 million on BBC Two, 1.48 million on BBC HD.
  41. 5.89 million on BBC Two, 1.59 million on BBC HD.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sabine Schmitz</span> German racing driver and television personality (1969–2021)

Sabine Schmitz was a German professional motor racing driver and television personality. She was born in Adenau to a family in the hotel and catering business, and raised in one of the villages nestled within the Nürburgring. She initially trained to join the same profession as her parents before choosing to begin a career in racing, working as a driver for BMW and Porsche.

<i>Lewis</i> (TV series) British television detective series (2006–2015)

Lewis is a British television detective drama produced for ITV, first airing in 2006 (pilot) then 2007. It is a spin-off from Inspector Morse and, like that series, it is set in Oxford. Kevin Whately reprises his character Robert "Robbie" Lewis, who was Morse's sergeant in the original series. Lewis has now been promoted to detective inspector and is assisted by DS James Hathaway, portrayed by Laurence Fox, who was promoted to inspector before the eighth series. The series also stars Clare Holman as forensic pathologist Dr. Laura Hobson, likewise reprising her role from Inspector Morse; and, from the eighth season, Angela Griffin as DS Lizzie Maddox.

Series 1 of Top Gear, a British motoring magazine and factual television programme, was broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC Two during 2002, consisting of ten episodes that were aired between 20 October and 29 December. This series was the first to feature Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond as the main hosts of the programme, a role they would both maintain until the twenty-second series, but the only series to feature Jason Dawe as their co-presenter before he was replaced for the second series.

Series 8 of Top Gear, a British motoring magazine and factual television programme, was broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC Two during 2006, consisting of eight episodes that were aired between 7 May and 30 July; because of the 2006 FIFA World Cup, the series took a month-long hiatus between its fifth and sixth episodes. This series saw the programme receive a brand new opening title sequence, a brand new studio, and a brand new car for the "Star in a Reasonably Priced Car". Throughout the series, the show also saw Richard Hammond bringing along one of his dogs for episodes, which would have small appearances in films in the following series.

<i>Top Gear</i> series 12 Season of television series

Series 12 of Top Gear, a British motoring magazine and factual television programme, was broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC Two during 2008, consisting of seven episodes that were aired between 2 November and 14 December. This series' highlights included the presenters tackling the task of driving lorries, investigating car-tuning, a fuel-economy race, the first power test by James May, and a review of cars made during the Cold War era. After the series concluded, a feature-length special for Christmas, titled Top Gear: Vietnam Special, was aired on 28 December 2008, focusing on the presenters travelling across Vietnam with motorcycles.

<i>Top Gear</i> series 13 Season of television series

Series 13 of Top Gear, a British motoring magazine and factual television programme, was broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC Two during 2009, consisting of seven episodes that were aired between 21 June and 2 August. As a publicity stunt, the series also had Michael Schumacher disguise himself as "The Stig", primarily due to the fact that a car they reviewed could not be driven by anyone but Schumacher for a timed lap of the programme's test track. Alongside this, this series' highlights included a 1940s styled race, a motoring challenge involving rear-wheeled cars, and the presenters entering a classic car rally. The thirteenth series received criticism over two elements - one for an advert designed by Jeremy Clarkson as part of a film for an episode; the other for the use of a word deemed offensive.

<i>Top Gear</i> series 14 Season of television series

Series 14 of Top Gear, a British motoring magazine and factual television programme, was broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC Two, consisting of seven episodes that were aired between 15 November 2009 to 3 January 2010. It is the first series that was also aired in high-definition. This series' highlights included the presenters making their own electric car, hosting a car-themed art exhibition, and a tribute to the car manufacturer Lancia. The sixth episode of the series was dedicated to a feature-length special, titled Top Gear: Bolivia Special, focused on a road trip with off-road vehicles.

<i>Top Gear</i> series 15 Season of television series

Series 15 of Top Gear, a British motoring magazine and factual television programme, was broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC Two and BBC HD during 2010, consisting of six episodes that were aired between 27 June and 1 August; the new series was promoted with a special trailer that made use of a clip published on YouTube. This series saw the replacement of the Chevrolet Lacetti by the Kia Cee'd as the Reasonably Priced Car.

<i>Top Gear</i> series 16 Season of television series

Series 16 of Top Gear, a British motoring magazine and factual television programme, was broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC Two during 2011, consisting of six episodes that were aired between 23 January and 27 February. Following the previous series, the BBC discontinued their involvement with Ben Collins on the programme, after he breached an agreement in his contract that forbid him disclosing his role as "The Stig" with the publication of his autobiography, The Man in the White Suit, in August 2010. His departure led to his replacement by a new driver by the beginning of the first episode.

<i>Top Gear</i> series 17 Season of television series

Series 17 of Top Gear, a British motoring magazine and factual television programme, was broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC Two during 2011, consisting of six episodes that were aired between 26 June and 31 July. This series' highlights included the presenters making their own trains with cars and caravans, and using second-hand military vehicles to demolish houses. The seventeenth series faced criticism over its review of electric cars by attempting to mislead viewers.

<i>Top Gear</i> series 18 Season of television series

Series 18 of Top Gear, a British motoring magazine and factual television programme, was broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC Two during 2012, consisting of seven episodes that were aired between 29 January and 11 March; a feature-length special focused on the presenters doing a road trip across India, titled Top Gear: India Special, preceded the series' first episode, and was aired on 28 December 2011. This series' highlights included the presenters being involved in the filming of a car chase sequence, reviewing the Chinese car industry, making home-made mobility scooters, and examining the cars made by manufacturer Saab.

<i>Top Gear</i> series 19 Season of television series

Series 19 of Top Gear, a British motoring magazine and factual television programme, was broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC Two and BBC HD during 2013, consisting of five episodes between 29 January and 24 February, and a two-part feature-length special involving a road trip in Africa, titled "Africa Special", aired on 3–10 March. This series' highlights included the presenters race from London to Milan, a supercar road trip across California, and the creation of a home-made car for the elderly. The nineteenth series received criticism for one of its episodes' early filming featuring Jeremy Clarkson seeming to use a racial slur during a car review film.

Top Gear is a British motoring magazine and entertainment television programme. It is a revival by Jeremy Clarkson and Andy Wilman of the 1977–2001 show of the same name for the BBC, and premiered on 20 October 2002. The programme focuses on the examination and reviewing of motor vehicles, primarily cars, though this was expanded upon after the broadcast of its earlier series to incorporate films featuring motoring-based challenges, special races, timed laps of notable cars, and celebrity timed laps on a course specially-designed for the relaunched programme. The programme drew acclaim for its visual and presentation style since its launch, which focused on being generally entertaining to viewers, as well as criticism over the controversial nature of its content. The show was also praised for its occasionally controversial humour and lore existing in not just the automotive community but in the form of internet memes and jokes. The programme was aired on BBC Two until it was moved to BBC One for its twenty-ninth series in 2020.

<i>Top Gear</i> series 23 Season of television series

Series 23 of Top Gear, a British motoring magazine and factual television programme, was broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC Two during 2016, consisting of six episodes between 29 May and 3 July; an additional four episodes were planned but not produced. Following the dismissal of Jeremy Clarkson, and the subsequent departures of Richard Hammond and James May in the previous series, the BBC hired Chris Evans and Matt LeBlanc as the new hosts, with Sabine Schmitz, Chris Harris, Rory Reid and Eddie Jordan as their co-presenters, but appearing only when required for an episode.

Series 24 of Top Gear, a British motoring magazine and factual television programme, was broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC Two during 2017, consisting of seven episodes between 5 March and 23 April; due to the BBC's live coverage of the Masters Tournament on 9 April, the series took a break between its fifth and sixth episodes. This series' highlights included road trip across Kazakhstan in high-mileage cars, a race between a car and several high-value forms of transportation, and the presenters converting a car into a yacht.

Series 25 of Top Gear, a British motoring magazine and factual television programme, was broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC Two during 2018, consisting of six episodes between 25 February and 1 April. No changes were made to the line-up, which was considered an appropriate success to improving the programme, despite the series' viewing figures not averaging more than 3.15 million viewers. This series' highlights included a road trip across Japan in second-hand sports car, the presenters making their own home-made tractor, and a tribute to the Citroën 2CV.

Series 26 of Top Gear, a British motoring magazine and factual television programme, was broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC Two during 2019, consisting of five episodes between 17 February and 17 March. Although Sabine Schmitz would continue to make appearances as a guest star, Eddie Jordan discontinued his involvement following the previous series. This series' highlights included a journey across Sri Lanka in a Tuk-Tuk, presenters conducting challenges with second-hand luxury cars and a compilation of outtakes in the final episode. The twenty-sixth series attracted the lowest viewing figures in the programme's history, achieving an average of 2.35 million viewers during its broadcast.

Series 27 of Top Gear, a British motoring magazine and factual television programme, was broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC Two during 2019, consisting of five episodes between 16 June and 14 July. Following the previous series, production staff discontinued Extra Gear, while both Matt LeBlanc and Rory Reid left the programme, leaving Chris Harris to be joined by two new co-hosts: Paddy McGuinness and Freddie Flintoff. The new line-up proved popular with viewers, effectively improving the programme's viewing figures after the previous two series. This series' highlights included a road trip across Ethiopia, converting a hearse into a family car, and the presenters creating their own budget electric sports cars.

Series 28 of Top Gear, a British motoring magazine and factual television programme, was broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC Two during 2020, consisting of six episodes between 26 January and 1 March; the series' studio segments were filmed prior to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK. The series was preceded by a feature-length special, involving a road trip by the presenters across Nepal, that was aired on 29 December 2019.

Series 30 of Top Gear, a British motoring magazine and factual television programme, was broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC One and BBC One HD during early 2021. It was the fourth series to feature the presenting lineup of Chris Harris, Paddy McGuinness, and Freddie Flintoff, and the second to be broadcast on BBC One. As with the previous series, the COVID-19 pandemic affected production and filming of this series, with several changes made as a result; studio segments were filmed on an outdoor set with no full audience.

References

  1. Christopher Hooton (23 December 2015). "Top Gear presenters: Relative unknowns Sabine Schmitz and Chris Harris join Chris Evans". The Independent. Retrieved 5 January 2016.
  2. Boyle, Danny (23 December 2015). "Top Gear presenters: Virtually unknown Chris Harris and Sabine Schmitz 'to be Chris Evans' sidekicks'". Telegraph. Retrieved 5 January 2016.
  3. "Chris Evans unveils new team for Top Gear to rival Clarkson and Co". Theweek.co.uk. 24 December 2015. Retrieved 5 January 2016.
  4. "Top Gear: Matt LeBlanc signs two-series deal – BBC News". BBC News Online . 26 September 2016. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
  5. "Matt LeBlanc to leave Top Gear". BBC News. 31 May 2018.
  6. "Two random guys are joining Top Gear next year". Sean McKellar. 22 October 2018. Retrieved 10 June 2019.
  7. "Weekly Top 10 Programmes". Broadcasters' Audience Research Board.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Search – BBC Programme Index". BBC Genome Project. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
  9. "Weekly Top 10 Programmes". Broadcasters' Audience Research Board.
  10. "Weekly Top 10 Programmes". Broadcasters' Audience Research Board.
  11. "Weekly Top 10 Programmes". Broadcasters' Audience Research Board.
  12. "Weekly Top 30 Programmes". Broadcasters' Audience Research Board.
  13. "Weekly Top 10 Programmes". Broadcasters' Audience Research Board.
  14. "Weekly Top 10 Programmes". Broadcasters' Audience Research Board.
  15. "Weekly Top 10 Programmes". Broadcasters' Audience Research Board.
  16. "Weekly Top 10 Programmes". Broadcasters' Audience Research Board.
  17. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 "Weekly Top 10 Programmes". Broadcasters' Audience Research Board.
  18. "Weekly Top 10 Programmes". Broadcasters' Audience Research Board.
  19. "Weekly Top 10 Programmes". Broadcasters' Audience Research Board.
  20. "Weekly Top 10 Programmes". Broadcasters' Audience Research Board.
  21. Red Carpet – Events – BBC Top Gear Richard Hammond
  22. "The Sweeney (2012)". Kent Film office.
  23. Martinson, Jane; Conlan, Tara (24 November 2015). "Jeremy Clarkson's Top Gear years to feature in BBC special". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 May 2016. Jeremy Clarkson's Top Gear years are to feature in a "two‐part extravaganza" on the BBC this Christmas, with star guests presenting highlights of the motoring show
  24. 1 2 "BBC Two – Top Gear, From A-Z, Part 2". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 21 January 2016.
  25. Gordon Ramsay and Jesse Eisenberg confirmed as Top Gear's first studio guests Radio Times 19 May 2016
  26. "Four-screen dashboard". Broadcasters' Audience Research Board . Retrieved 5 March 2019.
  27. "Four-screen dashboard". Broadcasters' Audience Research Board . Retrieved 5 March 2019.
  28. "Four-screen dashboard". Broadcasters' Audience Research Board . Retrieved 5 March 2019.
  29. "Four-screen dashboard". Broadcasters' Audience Research Board . Retrieved 5 March 2019.
  30. 1 2 3 4 "Four-screen dashboard". Broadcasters' Audience Research Board . Retrieved 5 March 2019.
  31. "Most viewed programmes | BARB".