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USEFUL LINKS:
Official Top Gear Web Site
Top Gear on BBC2
Stig Laptimes!
Celeb Laptimes!
PICS from Season 7.
Top Gear according to Wikipedia!
Top Gear Carbage!
Introducing TOP GEAR Flash Games: Mazda vs. Greyhound & Lotus vs. Apache!
WEEKLY EPISODE INFORMATION:
May 7, 2006 (S08E01):
Yes, it's true, Top Gear will be back on your telly Sunday night. We know, 'cos we watched them film the first programme of the new series this week.
And they've got a few surprises for you - the show has been refreshed, reinvented and reinvigorated. The problem is, if we spill too many of the beans they'll break all our legs. Really.
What we can reveal, though, is that there are new titles, a much slicker studio (see pic above) and a slightly bigger wardrobe budget for the boys. But not by much.
The bigger news is the new Reasonably Priced Car - the old Liana has been retired in favour of a new model and they've dreamt up a genius plan to avoid having to bin the old celeb leaderboard.
Along with the new studio (littered with some favourite TG cars from previous series), there's also a new member of the Top Gear team. Again, you'll have to wait until Sunday to find out who it is, but if you want a clue, think Blue Peter...
Series 8 Preview!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
May 14, 2006 (S08E02):
OK, Top Gear may not have won a BAFTA, but we don't care because we've got a Top Gear dog. Although he may not do a lot, he's very cute and maybe we deserve an award for that.
As you may remember, we weren't allowed to reveal much about the first show. But this week, we can get away with letting you in on a few of the highlights without getting too many limbs broken.
Jeremy blasts around the track in the new Corvette Z06 and despite getting from 0-175mph in one gear, and managing to keep up with a line of flames, he's none too impressed. Then, undeterred from last week's trip into the countryside, the Stig (some say...) takes the 'vette for a spin while practising his language skills.
The news this week was interrupted on more than one occasion, due to Jeremy being distracted by a nice lady standing behind him. In between this, however, they did manage to natter about a tank limo, a stolen Mercedes SLR McLaren and the new Dodge Caliber.
Richard drives a stupidly fast Tom Cat rally car in Iceland and narrowly avoids messing his pants when he hits a rock during a race with a jet-propelled kayak.
Elsewhere, Jeremy, Richard and James all go on a jolly to Brighton in a Cadillac - only it turns out not to be quite so jolly when they have to spend three hours presenting the live drivetime show on Southern Counties Radio... and end up making a hilarious hash of it.
They've tested it on ice, but now it's time to take Jaguar's new XK on a real drive and put the Great Brit through its paces on the Yorkshire Dales. The Jag is pitted against two Germans - BMW's 650i and the Mercedes SL 350.
This week's star in the Reasonably Priced Car happens to be one Gordon Ramsay. Expect the odd swear word or two.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
May 21, 2006 (S08E03):
In the news this week...
If you own a dog that likes sticking its head out of moving vehicles then you'll need to get a pair of Doggles (really), which Richard demonstrates on the Top Gear dog.
The boys say hello to the new Vauxhall Corsa - and goodbye to the Hummer H1. Sob. Meanwhile, Jeremy reveals his mum doesn't like the new Honda Civic and Richard suggests she drives a Noble M15 instead.
Lotus Exige S
In the last series of Top Gear Jeremy managed to avoid missile lock from an Apache helicopter in a Lotus Exige (want to try this yourself?), but now there's a new supercharged Exige S. To see how good this one is they lined up the Stig and, er, a Mustang. Yup, it's the battle of sushi v hamburger when they go head-to-head in a two-lap race around the track.
Amphibious Cars
This week the lads were set a challenge to build their own amphibious car, drive to a reservoir and get across a two mile stretch of water.
Sounds simple enough... except that they all chose ridiculous cars that'll probably never float - James went all nautical and opted to make a triumph herald into a sailing dingy, Jeremy decided on an indestructable Hilux and Richard bought along a camper van to turn into a house boat.
We've seen what happens, but you'll have to wait until Sunday to find out who wins and who ends up with pondweed between their teeth. It's well worth a watch.
Also this week...
The return of the cool wall, which as usual there are yelps of 'cool' and 'rubbish' (and a few words they'll edit out for Sunday). Plus, Philip Glenister (the hard-bitten DCI in BBC One's Life on Mars) as the star in a reasonably priced car.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
May 28, 2006 (S08E04):
If you're not left feeling bloated from your Sunday roast, then Top Gear will definitely fill you up - this week's show is packed full of features.
In the news this week...
BMW's Z4 M Coupe, Lexus's GS450h, Mercedes' C-Class Coupe, Richard shows us some naughty numberplates, Jeremy talks about his brush with royalty at Beckingham Palace, and some fool puts a bashed-up Peugeot on eBay.
BMW Z4 M Roadster v Porsche Boxster S
Richard takes the Porsche for a spin on the track, then gets to grips with BMW's new Z4 M Roadster. With a 3.2-litre V6 engine producing 338bhp and a 0-60mph time of five seconds, can the Z4 wipe the smug smile off the Boxster? If anyone can make it sweat it's the Stig, who gives it a good thrashing around the track.
Porsche Cayenne Turbo S v Red Devil
This week, Richard gets shipped off to Cyprus, along with a Porsche Cayenne Turbo S. But he wasn't just there for the scenery, oh no - he was racing a flying squirrel. And not just any old squirrel either; this one was being dropped from a height of 10,000 feet. Confused? Watch the programme and it'll all become clear.
Mercedes S-Class
Jeremy indulges in a bit of luxury with the S-Class and it all looks very nice, apart from the interior. Jeremy thought the car should look more like his house and should have, er, house things in it, like a stone-flagged floor, lamps, a fireplace and some nice Wingback chairs, and that's exactly what it got.
Also this week...
There's always someone complaining that Top Gear never features any normal, practical cars and this week is no exception. The Caparo T1 is in the studio and with a 2.4-litre supercharged V8 firing out 480bhp, it's obviously a nice sensible motor and a snip at £150,000.
You may remember a few weeks ago the Stig crashed the Koenigsegg CCX spectacularly into a tyre wall. Well, now the Swedish manufacturer has stuck a rear wing on the car and the Stig shows us how 800bhp should really go around the track, while listening to his favourite language tape, of course.
This week's Star in a Reasonably Priced Car is Ewan McGregor, who we knew was a big star because he was transported by a helicopter.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
June 4, 2006 (S08E05):
Spin, doctor!
Racing car company Prodrive is normally associated with Subaru World Rally cars, but the firm has put all of its talents on show in a two-seat sports car, called the P2. Jeremy puts the pint-sized pretender through its paces on the track, but the big man is left feeling sick as a parrot as he takes one turn too many...
And here is the news...
As you'd expect, Jeremy, Richard and James have plenty to say about this week's hottest topics. Suffering from severe nicotine withdrawal symptoms, Jeremy lays into everyone and everything, while the team look at the latest new models from Ford and Audi. Oh, and the biggest independent car satisfaction survey is back - but the boys need your help.
When James met Jackie
Top Gear decided to make Captain Slow into Captain Quick with the aid of Formula One legend Sir Jackie Stewart. And the three-time world champ has just one day to give James the tips he needs to lop 20 seconds off his pace around Oulton Park in a TVR Tuscan.
Pottering about
Sir Michael Gambon, aka Dumbledore, is this week's Star in a Reasonably Priced Car (sadly, it's not a flying Ford Anglia). Will the actor enchant the crowds with a, er, magic performance? Tune in on Sunday to find out.
Odds-on favourite
For years, the BBC used an old Citroen CX to film all its horse racing coverage. To find out if the new C6 is as soft riding, Jeremy took it to a race meeting and strapped a camera to the roof. Let's hope the punters aren't put out by this French thoroughbred.
Style counsel
The Citroen C6, Porsche's 911 Turbo, Aston's V8 and the new Peugeot 207 all make an appearance on the Cool Wall this week. All French superminis are cool, says Jeremy, but will the new Pug make the grade?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
July 16, 2006 (S08E06)
Sunday nights haven't been the same since the footie started, but now all the blood, sweat, diving and headbutts are finished Top Gear is back to entertain you.
This week Jeremy tests some hot boring saloons, the Stig drives an F1 car (indoors), Hollywood actor Brian Cox is let loose in the Lacetti and the boys go, er, on a caravanning holiday to Dorset. Here's some more info:
In the news...
Jeremy and Richard spend a long time arguing about American muscle cars - no prizes for guessing which corner Clarkson's in...
The lads also discuss the recent influx of folding metal drop-tops and how Volvo managed to get an endorsement from Jesus (well, kind of - the pope has just bought himself an XC90).
And finally, a new survey has revealed that people who have speed indicators in their cars receive less penalty points - couldn't have predicted that one, could you?
Rep Race...
Jeremy starts the show this week with three family saloons - but don't switch off, they've got over 700bhp between them. His mission is to find out which beefed-up boring saloon is best - Mondeo ST200, Mazda6 MPS or Vectra VXR.
We're all going on a miserable holiday...
Three men in boat may work but three in a caravan doesn't. TG is not famed for its love of caravans, but the boys decided if you can't beat them, join them - at least for a weekend.
Dorset was their destination, but with Captain Slow at the wheel things go from bad to worse and then really bad. James has an encounter with a bollard, Richard gets kidnapped and the TG dog chucks up in the van. Oh, and then Jeremy decides to cook...
Star in a reasonably priced car...
This week's star in a reasonably priced car is Hollywood actor Brian Cox - think Troy, Bourne Identity and the original Hannibal Lector).
The Stig stays indoors...
The British International Motor Show starts next week at the ExCel exhibition centre (we'll be there - find out who else is in our preview), but before they started to jam it full of shiny cars it was a big empty space crying out for a TG experiment. Cue the Stig in a F1 car (and the Lacetti for practice)
Top Gear is back this Sunday at 8:00pm on BBC2 - the perfect excuse not to do the dishes.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
July 23, 2006 (S08E07)
You know the drill: Sunday night, 8pm, BBC Two. This week, Steve Coogan returns in the reasonably priced car, Jeremy drives a Lambo and all three boys have a go at building a kit car... in eight hours. Here are the full behind-the-scenes details:
People carriers
The show kicks off with people carriers, but that isn't necessarily your cue to switch off. Vauxhall's Zafria, Mercedes' B-class and Ford's new S-Max are all trying to put the fun back into driving - and James and Richard were keen to see whether it's all just marketing waffle. The only way to find out - naturally - is to thrash them round the track, leaving Jeremy to look at the boring practicality stuff back in the studio.
And now the sensible stuff is out of the way...
After all that practical family car stuff, Jeremy needed an antidote - cue the Lamborghini Gallardo. OK, the seats squeak a bit and the steering wheel appears to be covered in a bath mat, but with a 5.0-litre engine belching out 512bhp it certainly goes some.
In the news...
The boys decided that folding metal roofs are a bad idea - especially when people think they have enough time to drop it down at traffic lights, when they clearly don't.
New cars unveiled this week at the British motor show included the Chrysler Sebring and the Land Rover Freelander 2. Talking of Land Rover, Richard has just bought himself a limited edition one in yellow and had a little accident with the touch-up paint pot...
Nissan, meanwhile, has unveiled yet another special version of the Micra C+C, this time designed by Sebastian Conran, when will it end?
And finally, the Top Gear survey is underway and we want your views. Check out our survey page for details on how to take part (and win a year's supply of fuel in the process).
Star in a reasonably priced car...
This week's star in a reasonably priced car is actor and all-round funny man Steve Coogan, who has come back to beat the 1.53 he clocked in the Liana. That, and to beat the time set by buddy Rob Brydon in the Chevrolet Lacetti.
Parkour what?
Nothing to do with dodgy anoraks, this one. It's a French sport which involves lots of running and jumping - and from some pretty spectacular heights (we call it free running). Top Gear thought this would be a good idea for a race - and that James was the bloke to do it (although obviously not the running part). Our Captain Slow jumped in Peugoet's new 207 and is leaving the energetic stuff to two teenagers who know what they're doing.
Caterham chaos...
Even the Stig's tiny brain is tired of constant Top Gear track lapping, so we decided to let him out on public roads. Some said this was a bad idea and that the Stig wouldn't survive outside his usual habitat, but it was such a good excuse to have a race nobody really questioned it.
The Stig set off from Caterham's factory in Surrey and headed for the Knock Hill circuit outside Edinburgh. Meanwhile the lads, who were already at Knock Hill, had 8 hours to build a Caterham kit car from scratch then drive it over the start line before the Stig. Simple, eh?
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July 30, 2006 (S08E08)
This week's show is the last in the current series, but don't start sobbing just yet because it's going out with a bang, or a thud, as Richard discovers.
This week they've got two guests for the price of one, plus the Noble M15 is given the once-over, and the lads get all excited about... vans.
Van man...
Some 320,000 vans are sold in the UK each year, making them more popular than the Ford Focus. So the boys decide to find out what's all the fuss about. James opts for a Renault Master, Jeremy chooses a VW Transporter, and Richard takes a Transit. But what to do with them? Well, vans are for transporting stuff, so the lads become roadies for the day for one of the world's biggest bands, The Who.
When Jeremy met Jenson...
Yes, this week sees the Top Gear studio graced with let another Formula One driver, Jenson Button. In the name of fairness, the old Liana is dusted off and wheeled onto the track, so Jenson can be pitted against his fellow F1 drivers. Jeremy then offers him some advice on how to make F1 more interesting (it involves mounting guns on the front of the cars) before Button is whisked off to the British motor show in his helicopter. Oh, the life of an F1 driver...
Meanwhile, back in the Lacetti...
Sexy Beast Ray Winstone shows Jenson how it's done in the Chevrolet - tune in on Sunday to see how he fared on the track.
In the news this week...
Er, there isn't any news because everyone's on holiday, so instead the boys take a look at the Rolls-Royce 101EX. This Roller is a bit special because it has lights in its roof and a Spirit of Ecstasy on the front that glows. Nice. But Jeremy has his own opinions...
A Noble cause
First there was the M10, then the M2, and now Noble has unleashed its latest beauty, the M15. With 450bhp, a 0-60mph time of 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 196mph, the M15 is certainly no slouch, and it leaves Hammond grinning from ear to ear after he takes it on the track. Then it's handed over to the Stig, but we'll never know if he was smiling...
And now for some more vans...
Having not learnt enough about vans from their roadie trip, the lads want to test some proper vans, well-used ones with old food ground into the seats. So they are set a number of challenges including a drag race, driving really close behind the car in front, van maintenance and the finale, a cops and robbers race.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
USEFUL LINKS:
Official Top Gear Web Site
Top Gear on BBC2
Stig Laptimes!
Celeb Laptimes!
PICS from Season 7.
Top Gear according to Wikipedia!
Top Gear Carbage!
Introducing TOP GEAR Flash Games: Mazda vs. Greyhound & Lotus vs. Apache!
WEEKLY EPISODE INFORMATION:
May 7, 2006 (S08E01):
Yes, it's true, Top Gear will be back on your telly Sunday night. We know, 'cos we watched them film the first programme of the new series this week.
And they've got a few surprises for you - the show has been refreshed, reinvented and reinvigorated. The problem is, if we spill too many of the beans they'll break all our legs. Really.
What we can reveal, though, is that there are new titles, a much slicker studio (see pic above) and a slightly bigger wardrobe budget for the boys. But not by much.
The bigger news is the new Reasonably Priced Car - the old Liana has been retired in favour of a new model and they've dreamt up a genius plan to avoid having to bin the old celeb leaderboard.
Along with the new studio (littered with some favourite TG cars from previous series), there's also a new member of the Top Gear team. Again, you'll have to wait until Sunday to find out who it is, but if you want a clue, think Blue Peter...
Series 8 Preview!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
May 14, 2006 (S08E02):
OK, Top Gear may not have won a BAFTA, but we don't care because we've got a Top Gear dog. Although he may not do a lot, he's very cute and maybe we deserve an award for that.
As you may remember, we weren't allowed to reveal much about the first show. But this week, we can get away with letting you in on a few of the highlights without getting too many limbs broken.
Jeremy blasts around the track in the new Corvette Z06 and despite getting from 0-175mph in one gear, and managing to keep up with a line of flames, he's none too impressed. Then, undeterred from last week's trip into the countryside, the Stig (some say...) takes the 'vette for a spin while practising his language skills.
The news this week was interrupted on more than one occasion, due to Jeremy being distracted by a nice lady standing behind him. In between this, however, they did manage to natter about a tank limo, a stolen Mercedes SLR McLaren and the new Dodge Caliber.
Richard drives a stupidly fast Tom Cat rally car in Iceland and narrowly avoids messing his pants when he hits a rock during a race with a jet-propelled kayak.
Elsewhere, Jeremy, Richard and James all go on a jolly to Brighton in a Cadillac - only it turns out not to be quite so jolly when they have to spend three hours presenting the live drivetime show on Southern Counties Radio... and end up making a hilarious hash of it.
They've tested it on ice, but now it's time to take Jaguar's new XK on a real drive and put the Great Brit through its paces on the Yorkshire Dales. The Jag is pitted against two Germans - BMW's 650i and the Mercedes SL 350.
This week's star in the Reasonably Priced Car happens to be one Gordon Ramsay. Expect the odd swear word or two.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
May 21, 2006 (S08E03):
In the news this week...
If you own a dog that likes sticking its head out of moving vehicles then you'll need to get a pair of Doggles (really), which Richard demonstrates on the Top Gear dog.
The boys say hello to the new Vauxhall Corsa - and goodbye to the Hummer H1. Sob. Meanwhile, Jeremy reveals his mum doesn't like the new Honda Civic and Richard suggests she drives a Noble M15 instead.
Lotus Exige S
In the last series of Top Gear Jeremy managed to avoid missile lock from an Apache helicopter in a Lotus Exige (want to try this yourself?), but now there's a new supercharged Exige S. To see how good this one is they lined up the Stig and, er, a Mustang. Yup, it's the battle of sushi v hamburger when they go head-to-head in a two-lap race around the track.
Amphibious Cars
This week the lads were set a challenge to build their own amphibious car, drive to a reservoir and get across a two mile stretch of water.
Sounds simple enough... except that they all chose ridiculous cars that'll probably never float - James went all nautical and opted to make a triumph herald into a sailing dingy, Jeremy decided on an indestructable Hilux and Richard bought along a camper van to turn into a house boat.
We've seen what happens, but you'll have to wait until Sunday to find out who wins and who ends up with pondweed between their teeth. It's well worth a watch.
Also this week...
The return of the cool wall, which as usual there are yelps of 'cool' and 'rubbish' (and a few words they'll edit out for Sunday). Plus, Philip Glenister (the hard-bitten DCI in BBC One's Life on Mars) as the star in a reasonably priced car.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
May 28, 2006 (S08E04):
If you're not left feeling bloated from your Sunday roast, then Top Gear will definitely fill you up - this week's show is packed full of features.
In the news this week...
BMW's Z4 M Coupe, Lexus's GS450h, Mercedes' C-Class Coupe, Richard shows us some naughty numberplates, Jeremy talks about his brush with royalty at Beckingham Palace, and some fool puts a bashed-up Peugeot on eBay.
BMW Z4 M Roadster v Porsche Boxster S
Richard takes the Porsche for a spin on the track, then gets to grips with BMW's new Z4 M Roadster. With a 3.2-litre V6 engine producing 338bhp and a 0-60mph time of five seconds, can the Z4 wipe the smug smile off the Boxster? If anyone can make it sweat it's the Stig, who gives it a good thrashing around the track.
Porsche Cayenne Turbo S v Red Devil
This week, Richard gets shipped off to Cyprus, along with a Porsche Cayenne Turbo S. But he wasn't just there for the scenery, oh no - he was racing a flying squirrel. And not just any old squirrel either; this one was being dropped from a height of 10,000 feet. Confused? Watch the programme and it'll all become clear.
Mercedes S-Class
Jeremy indulges in a bit of luxury with the S-Class and it all looks very nice, apart from the interior. Jeremy thought the car should look more like his house and should have, er, house things in it, like a stone-flagged floor, lamps, a fireplace and some nice Wingback chairs, and that's exactly what it got.
Also this week...
There's always someone complaining that Top Gear never features any normal, practical cars and this week is no exception. The Caparo T1 is in the studio and with a 2.4-litre supercharged V8 firing out 480bhp, it's obviously a nice sensible motor and a snip at £150,000.
You may remember a few weeks ago the Stig crashed the Koenigsegg CCX spectacularly into a tyre wall. Well, now the Swedish manufacturer has stuck a rear wing on the car and the Stig shows us how 800bhp should really go around the track, while listening to his favourite language tape, of course.
This week's Star in a Reasonably Priced Car is Ewan McGregor, who we knew was a big star because he was transported by a helicopter.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
June 4, 2006 (S08E05):
Spin, doctor!
Racing car company Prodrive is normally associated with Subaru World Rally cars, but the firm has put all of its talents on show in a two-seat sports car, called the P2. Jeremy puts the pint-sized pretender through its paces on the track, but the big man is left feeling sick as a parrot as he takes one turn too many...
And here is the news...
As you'd expect, Jeremy, Richard and James have plenty to say about this week's hottest topics. Suffering from severe nicotine withdrawal symptoms, Jeremy lays into everyone and everything, while the team look at the latest new models from Ford and Audi. Oh, and the biggest independent car satisfaction survey is back - but the boys need your help.
When James met Jackie
Top Gear decided to make Captain Slow into Captain Quick with the aid of Formula One legend Sir Jackie Stewart. And the three-time world champ has just one day to give James the tips he needs to lop 20 seconds off his pace around Oulton Park in a TVR Tuscan.
Pottering about
Sir Michael Gambon, aka Dumbledore, is this week's Star in a Reasonably Priced Car (sadly, it's not a flying Ford Anglia). Will the actor enchant the crowds with a, er, magic performance? Tune in on Sunday to find out.
Odds-on favourite
For years, the BBC used an old Citroen CX to film all its horse racing coverage. To find out if the new C6 is as soft riding, Jeremy took it to a race meeting and strapped a camera to the roof. Let's hope the punters aren't put out by this French thoroughbred.
Style counsel
The Citroen C6, Porsche's 911 Turbo, Aston's V8 and the new Peugeot 207 all make an appearance on the Cool Wall this week. All French superminis are cool, says Jeremy, but will the new Pug make the grade?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
July 16, 2006 (S08E06)
Sunday nights haven't been the same since the footie started, but now all the blood, sweat, diving and headbutts are finished Top Gear is back to entertain you.
This week Jeremy tests some hot boring saloons, the Stig drives an F1 car (indoors), Hollywood actor Brian Cox is let loose in the Lacetti and the boys go, er, on a caravanning holiday to Dorset. Here's some more info:
In the news...
Jeremy and Richard spend a long time arguing about American muscle cars - no prizes for guessing which corner Clarkson's in...
The lads also discuss the recent influx of folding metal drop-tops and how Volvo managed to get an endorsement from Jesus (well, kind of - the pope has just bought himself an XC90).
And finally, a new survey has revealed that people who have speed indicators in their cars receive less penalty points - couldn't have predicted that one, could you?
Rep Race...
Jeremy starts the show this week with three family saloons - but don't switch off, they've got over 700bhp between them. His mission is to find out which beefed-up boring saloon is best - Mondeo ST200, Mazda6 MPS or Vectra VXR.
We're all going on a miserable holiday...
Three men in boat may work but three in a caravan doesn't. TG is not famed for its love of caravans, but the boys decided if you can't beat them, join them - at least for a weekend.
Dorset was their destination, but with Captain Slow at the wheel things go from bad to worse and then really bad. James has an encounter with a bollard, Richard gets kidnapped and the TG dog chucks up in the van. Oh, and then Jeremy decides to cook...
Star in a reasonably priced car...
This week's star in a reasonably priced car is Hollywood actor Brian Cox - think Troy, Bourne Identity and the original Hannibal Lector).
The Stig stays indoors...
The British International Motor Show starts next week at the ExCel exhibition centre (we'll be there - find out who else is in our preview), but before they started to jam it full of shiny cars it was a big empty space crying out for a TG experiment. Cue the Stig in a F1 car (and the Lacetti for practice)
Top Gear is back this Sunday at 8:00pm on BBC2 - the perfect excuse not to do the dishes.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
July 23, 2006 (S08E07)
You know the drill: Sunday night, 8pm, BBC Two. This week, Steve Coogan returns in the reasonably priced car, Jeremy drives a Lambo and all three boys have a go at building a kit car... in eight hours. Here are the full behind-the-scenes details:
People carriers
The show kicks off with people carriers, but that isn't necessarily your cue to switch off. Vauxhall's Zafria, Mercedes' B-class and Ford's new S-Max are all trying to put the fun back into driving - and James and Richard were keen to see whether it's all just marketing waffle. The only way to find out - naturally - is to thrash them round the track, leaving Jeremy to look at the boring practicality stuff back in the studio.
And now the sensible stuff is out of the way...
After all that practical family car stuff, Jeremy needed an antidote - cue the Lamborghini Gallardo. OK, the seats squeak a bit and the steering wheel appears to be covered in a bath mat, but with a 5.0-litre engine belching out 512bhp it certainly goes some.
In the news...
The boys decided that folding metal roofs are a bad idea - especially when people think they have enough time to drop it down at traffic lights, when they clearly don't.
New cars unveiled this week at the British motor show included the Chrysler Sebring and the Land Rover Freelander 2. Talking of Land Rover, Richard has just bought himself a limited edition one in yellow and had a little accident with the touch-up paint pot...
Nissan, meanwhile, has unveiled yet another special version of the Micra C+C, this time designed by Sebastian Conran, when will it end?
And finally, the Top Gear survey is underway and we want your views. Check out our survey page for details on how to take part (and win a year's supply of fuel in the process).
Star in a reasonably priced car...
This week's star in a reasonably priced car is actor and all-round funny man Steve Coogan, who has come back to beat the 1.53 he clocked in the Liana. That, and to beat the time set by buddy Rob Brydon in the Chevrolet Lacetti.
Parkour what?
Nothing to do with dodgy anoraks, this one. It's a French sport which involves lots of running and jumping - and from some pretty spectacular heights (we call it free running). Top Gear thought this would be a good idea for a race - and that James was the bloke to do it (although obviously not the running part). Our Captain Slow jumped in Peugoet's new 207 and is leaving the energetic stuff to two teenagers who know what they're doing.
Caterham chaos...
Even the Stig's tiny brain is tired of constant Top Gear track lapping, so we decided to let him out on public roads. Some said this was a bad idea and that the Stig wouldn't survive outside his usual habitat, but it was such a good excuse to have a race nobody really questioned it.
The Stig set off from Caterham's factory in Surrey and headed for the Knock Hill circuit outside Edinburgh. Meanwhile the lads, who were already at Knock Hill, had 8 hours to build a Caterham kit car from scratch then drive it over the start line before the Stig. Simple, eh?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
July 30, 2006 (S08E08)
This week's show is the last in the current series, but don't start sobbing just yet because it's going out with a bang, or a thud, as Richard discovers.
This week they've got two guests for the price of one, plus the Noble M15 is given the once-over, and the lads get all excited about... vans.
Van man...
Some 320,000 vans are sold in the UK each year, making them more popular than the Ford Focus. So the boys decide to find out what's all the fuss about. James opts for a Renault Master, Jeremy chooses a VW Transporter, and Richard takes a Transit. But what to do with them? Well, vans are for transporting stuff, so the lads become roadies for the day for one of the world's biggest bands, The Who.
When Jeremy met Jenson...
Yes, this week sees the Top Gear studio graced with let another Formula One driver, Jenson Button. In the name of fairness, the old Liana is dusted off and wheeled onto the track, so Jenson can be pitted against his fellow F1 drivers. Jeremy then offers him some advice on how to make F1 more interesting (it involves mounting guns on the front of the cars) before Button is whisked off to the British motor show in his helicopter. Oh, the life of an F1 driver...
Meanwhile, back in the Lacetti...
Sexy Beast Ray Winstone shows Jenson how it's done in the Chevrolet - tune in on Sunday to see how he fared on the track.
In the news this week...
Er, there isn't any news because everyone's on holiday, so instead the boys take a look at the Rolls-Royce 101EX. This Roller is a bit special because it has lights in its roof and a Spirit of Ecstasy on the front that glows. Nice. But Jeremy has his own opinions...
A Noble cause
First there was the M10, then the M2, and now Noble has unleashed its latest beauty, the M15. With 450bhp, a 0-60mph time of 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 196mph, the M15 is certainly no slouch, and it leaves Hammond grinning from ear to ear after he takes it on the track. Then it's handed over to the Stig, but we'll never know if he was smiling...
And now for some more vans...
Having not learnt enough about vans from their roadie trip, the lads want to test some proper vans, well-used ones with old food ground into the seats. So they are set a number of challenges including a drag race, driving really close behind the car in front, van maintenance and the finale, a cops and robbers race.
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