Top Gear series 3

Last updated

Top Gear
Series 3
Starring
No. of episodes9
Release
Original network BBC Two
Original release26 October (2003-10-26) –
28 December 2003 (2003-12-28)
Series chronology
← Previous
Series 2
Next →
Series 4
List of episodes

Series 3 of Top Gear , a British motoring magazine and factual television programme, was broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC Two during 2003, consisting of nine episodes between 26 October and 28 December; [1] a compilation episode featuring the best moments of the series, titled "Best of Top Gear", was aired on 4 January 2004. [2]

Contents

This series saw racing driver Ben Collins replace Perry McCarthy - which included a change of clothing to create White Stig - with McCarthy performing his last role in the first episode. [3] It is also notable for a feature involving the fourth generation Toyota Hilux being put through a series of destructive tests of its engineering strength; this later garnered criticism from a local council for the damage it caused during filming of the segment.

Episodes

No.
overall		No. in
series		ReviewsFeatures/challengesGuest(s)Original air dateUK viewers
(millions)  [4]
211 Ford GT • BMW 5 Series • Porsche 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

Clarkson reviews the heavily anticipated Ford GT against its competitors in Detroit, before racing a diesel Volkswagen Lupo against its petrol version on fuel economy with a lap of the M25. Hammond tests out the Porsche 911 GT3, May reviews the BMW 5 Series, and singer Martin Kemp performs a lap in the Liana. Finally, the Stig attempts to reach 100mph in the programme's modified Jaguar XJS on board HMS Invincible with disastrous results.

Note: The final appearance of the original Stig, portrayed by Perry McCarthy, was a scripted scene by the production staff.
222 BMW M3 CSL • BMW M1 • BMW M3 • BMW M5 • Volvo 240 attempts to jump four caravans • Best 2 seater sportscar: (Porsche Boxster • BMW Z4 • Honda S2000) Stephen Fry 2 November 2003 (2003-11-02)3.41
The trio head to the Isle of Man to compare three old BMW sports cars, as well as find the best three two seater convertibles - the BMW Z4, the Porsche Boxster and the Honda S2000. Elsewhere, the BMW M3 CSL is road-tested before Top Gear's new White Stig puts in a power lap with it, while a Volvo 240 tries to jump five caravans side-by-side. Finally, Stephen Fry talks about his London Taxi before seeing how he fared in the Liana.
233 Bentley Continental GT • Subaru 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
Hammond investigates the dangers of being in a car that is sinking in water and the best way to escape such a scenario. Meanwhile, Clarkson reviews the Bentley Continental GT and Saab 9-5 Aero, the latter raced by Stig against a Harrier jump jet, May questions if the aristocracy will go for the Subaru Legacy Outback, and the results of Top Gear Survey are unveiled. Finally, Rob Brydon becomes the first Welshman to do a lap in the Liana.
244 Lamborghini Miura • Lamborghini Countach • Mini Cooper S Works • Lamborghini Gallardo Lamborghini Tribute Rich Hall 16 November 2003 (2003-11-16)4.59
To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Lamborghini, the presenters take a look back at some classics - the 1967 Lamborghini Miura, an improved 1971 SV, and the Lamborghini Countach - while Clarkson road tests the Lamborghini Gallardo. Elsewhere, Hammond reviews several versions of the Mini Cooper S, while American comedian Rich Hall sees how he fares in the reasonably priced car.
255 Mazda RX-8 • Fiat Panda Is the Toyota Hilux really indestructible? • Hammond searches for future classic cars Simon Cowell 23 November 2003 (2003-11-23)4.80
Clarkson determines how tough a Toyota Hilux pick-up truck truly is by putting it through a series of destructive tests around Bristol and the Test Track. Meanwhile, there are reviews of the Mazda RX-8, may takes the Fiat Panda for a drive in Hertfordshire, while Hammond looks up potential future 'classic' cars. Finally, Simon Cowell judges how well he fared in a lap with the Liana.
266 Citroën C2 • Renault Mégane CC • Peugeot 307 CC • Aston Martin V8 Vantage (1977) • Holden Monaro Is a Toyota Hilux really indestructible? – Part 2 Sanjeev Bhaskar 7 December 2003 (2003-12-07)5.40
May continues Clarkson's testing of the Toyota Hilux's toughness by seeing if it can survive on top of a tower block due for demolition. Meanwhile, Hammond reviews the Renault Mégane CC and the Peugeot 307 CC convertibles, Clarkson tests out the Citroën C2 and the Holden Monaro, and May tries out the Aston Martin V8 Vantage. Finally Sanjeev Bhaskar is the latest star to drive in the reasonably priced car.
277 MG XPower SV • Porsche Cayenne Turbo • Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Which professor can do the best burn-out • What is the best British car: (Rover 75 • Morgan Plus 8 • Noble M12) Rory Bremner 14 December 2003 (2003-12-14)3.35
The trio argue over which British car is the best in their eyes from amongst the Noble M12, the Morgan Plus 8 and the Rover 75. Meanwhile, Clarkson reviews the unimpressive MG XPower SV and tests the off-road abilities of the Porsche Cayenne Turbo, Hammond road tests the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren in South Africa, and three professors compete in a burn-out contest. Finally, comic impersonator Rory Bremner does a lap in the Liana.
288 Mercedes-Benz 280SL • Nissan Micra • Aston Martin Lagonda • Audi TT Top Gear Generation Game Johnny Vegas 21 December 2003 (2003-12-21)3.15
Hammond and Clarkson argue over modern cars and classic cars and settle the matter with a drag-out drag race between five of each group. Meanwhile, there are reviews of the Nissan Micra and the Audi TT V6, an investigation into car design with a '60s Mercedes-Benz 280SL, and May drives the bold 1970s Aston Martin Lagonda. Finally, comedian Johnny Vegas proves he can drive fast in the Liana without a driving licence.
299 Chrysler Crossfire • Smart Roadster (Brabus V6 Bi-Turbo) • Jaguar XJ6 • Honda Civic Type R • Honda NSX Type R Top Gear Awards 2003 Carol Vorderman 28 December 2003 (2003-12-28)4.24
With the budget exhausted for the final episode, the trio shoulder on by conducting reviews of the Chrysler Crossfire, a Smart Roadster Brabus V6 Bi-Turbo, the Honda Civic Type-R, the Honda NSX Type R, and the Jaguar XJ6. Meanwhile, the presenters hosts the Top Gear Awards for 2003, and Carol Vorderman sees if she can be fast when she does a lap in the Liana.

Best-of episodes

TotalNo.TitleFeatureOriginal air date
S2CEThe Best of Top Gear: 2003Best moments from Series 34 January 2004 (2004-01-04)
A look back at some of the best moments from Series 3, including how much was done to the Indestructible Toyota Hilux, and the demise of the Original Stig.

Criticism

Following the broadcast of the fifth episode of the 3rd series, the BBC was contacted by the Churchill Parish in Somerset in regards to the tree that featured in the segment where Clarkson was proving the sturdiness and reliability of the Toyota Hilux. Up until the episode had been broadcast, villagers had presumed that the damage had been done accidentally or by vandals, until they watched what had happened on the show. After the BBC was contacted, the director of Top Gear admitted guilt and the broadcaster paid compensation. [5]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James May</span> English television presenter and journalist

James Daniel May is an English television presenter and journalist. He is best known as a co-presenter, alongside Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond, of the motoring programme Top Gear from 2003 until 2015 and the television series The Grand Tour for Amazon Prime Video from 2016 to 2024. He also served as a director of the production company W. Chump & Sons, which has since ceased operating.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Stig</span> Mysterious driver in TV motoring show Top Gear

The Stig is a character from the British motoring television show Top Gear. Created by former Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson and producer Andy Wilman, the character is a play on the anonymity of racing drivers' full-face helmets, with the running joke that nobody knows who or what is inside the Stig's racing suit. The Stig's primary role is setting lap times for cars tested on the show. Previously, he would also instruct celebrity guests, off-camera, for the show's "Star in a Reasonably Priced Car" segment.

<i>Fifth Gear</i> Television series

Fifth Gear is a British motoring television magazine series which has been broadcast since 2002. Originally shown on Channel 5 from 2002 to 2011, it began as a continuation of the original version of the BBC show Top Gear, which ran from 1977 until being cancelled in 2001. It moved to the Discovery Channel in 2012, then in 2015 to History; since 2018 it has been broadcast on Quest. Following a 2021 relaunch, with an emphasis on electric cars, it has been branded as Fifth Gear Recharged. The show is currently presented by Vicki Butler-Henderson, Sid North, Karun Chandhok and Jason Plato with Grace Webb and engineer Jimmy de Ville also involved in reports. Its former presenters include Quentin Willson, Adrian Simpson, Rory Reid, Jonny Smith, former racing driver Tiff Needell and Car SOS host Tim Shaw.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ben Collins (racing driver)</span> British racing driver (born 1975)

Benjamin Lievesley Immi Collins is a British racing driver from Bristol. He has competed in motor racing since 1994 in many categories, from Formula Three and Indy Lights to sportscars, GT racing and stock cars.

<i>Top Gear</i> (magazine) British car magazine

Top Gear is a British automobile magazine, owned by BBC Worldwide, and published under contract by Immediate Media Company. It is named after the BBC's Top Gear television show. It was first published in October 1993 and is published monthly at a price of £5.99. As of December 2022, there have been a total of 360 issues published in the UK. The major presenters of the rebooted television series — Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May — were regular contributors, along with the series' production staff. "Tame racing driver" The Stig also regularly features in their car tests, though only communicates his thoughts and feelings through the articles of others. It is Britain's leading general interest car magazine in sales terms, with over 150,000 copies distributed each month in 2012, a drop of 50,000 from 2007. Previous columnists have included former Top Gear presenters Quentin Willson, Tiff Needell and Vicki Butler-Henderson.

<i>Top Gear: Polar Special</i> Special Episode of Top Gear

Top Gear: Polar Special, also known as the Polar Challenge, is a special edition episode of BBC motoring programme Top Gear that was first broadcast on 25 July 2007 on BBC Two. The episode follows presenters Jeremy Clarkson and James May in their successful attempt to be the first people to reach the 1996 position of the North Magnetic Pole in a motor vehicle. They did not, however, reach the actual position of the North Magnetic Pole at the time which in 2007 was 150 miles away. They were also 1200 miles away from the geographical North Pole. For added drama and competition, they raced against presenter Richard Hammond who travelled by dog sled, the traditional means of transport around the Arctic. This was the first episode ever aired in HDTV.

<i>Top Gear</i> test track Car test track in Surrey, United Kingdom

The Top Gear test track located at Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey, United Kingdom was used by the BBC automotive television programme Top Gear. The track was designed by Lotus Cars as a testing facility, with many of its Formula One cars tested there. It was used to test both cars and drivers seen on the programme, mainly in Power Laps and Star in a ... Car.

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 2 of Top Gear, a British motoring magazine and factual television programme, was broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC Two during 2003, consisting of ten episodes between 11 May and 20 July; a compilation episode, titled "Best of Top Gear", was broadcast after the series concluded on 27 July, featuring the best moments of the previous two series. It was the first series to feature James May, who was brought in to replace Jason Dawe following the first series, and the first to credit the programme's anonymous driver, "The Stig", as an additional presenter; though not under their actual indentity.

Series 9 of Top Gear, a British motoring magazine and factual television programme, was broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC Two during 2007, and consisted of six episodes that were aired between 28 January and 4 March. Production on the series was delayed by several months when Richard Hammond was seriously injured after crashing the Vampire dragster racer whilst filming for the show; the first episode, which welcomed him back, showed the footage of this crash. This series was the first to introduce feature-length specials focused on road trips with motoring challenges, with other highlights including the presenters attempting to build a Space Shuttle with a Reliant Robin, creating home-made stretch limos, and reaching top speed in the Bugatti Veyron.

<i>Top Gear</i> series 10 Season of television series

Series 10 of Top Gear, a British motoring magazine and factual television programme, was broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC Two during 2007, consisting of ten episodes that were aired between 7 October and 23 December. This series saw the props used on the programme being changed from car-based seating and a wide-screen monitor in the main set space, to wingback chairs and an old TV screen; although attributed to a fire caused by Top Gear's rival programme, it later was exposed as a publicity stunt, with the props replaced the following series. This series' highlights included the presenters crossing Botswana on a road trip, a race between a car and a fighter jet, fording amphibious cars across the English Channel, and competing in a 24-hour endurance race using home-made bio-diesel.

Top Gear challenges is a segment of the Top Gear television programme where the presenters are tasked by the producers, or each other, to prove or accomplish various tasks related to vehicles.

The British motoring-themed television programme Top Gear was often the focus of criticism. The criticism has ranged from minor viewer complaints to serious complaints where broadcasting watchdogs such as Ofcom have been involved.

<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 22 Season of television series

Series 22 of Top Gear, a British motoring magazine and factual television programme, was broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC Two during 2015, consisting of eight episodes - seven of these were aired between 25 January and 8 March, while the eighth was aired on 28 June following a disruption in production; two additional episodes were planned but never produced. The series was preceded by a two-part special focused on the presenters conducting a road trip across Argentina, titled Top Gear: Patagonia Special, and aired during 2014 on 27–28 December. This series' highlights included the presenters conducting a race across St. Petersburg, creating home-made ambulances, a recreation of a famous Land Rover Defender advert, and a road trip across Australia in GT cars.

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.

References

  1. ↑ "Top Gear Series 3". topgearbox.com. 20 October 2003.
  2. ↑ "Best of Series 3". BBC. 25 January 2004.
  3. ↑ "Top Gear Black Stig". motor1.com. 20 October 2003.
  4. ↑ "Weekly Top 10 Programmes". Broadcasters' Audience Research Board.
  5. ↑ "BBC stumps up for tree stunt". BBC. 21 February 2004. Retrieved 9 January 2006.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.