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Top Gear

1978 Ended

8.0/10 130 votes

Documentary

Motoring programme featuring reviews of and reports about cars of all types.

Created by:: Derek Smith
Cast:: Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, James May, Ben Collins
Language:: English
Country:: United Kingdom
Network:: BBC Two

Episode guide

Seasons

45 available

Season 39

Episodes

Episode 1 selected

E01

Episode 1

1998-02-19 · 30m

Jeremy Clarkson looks at the new Volkswagen Beetle. Will its combination of retro styling and new technology gain it the same cult status as its older brother? We also see Tiff Needell pit a pair of uncompromising sports cars against each other as the latest BMW Z3, with a more powerful engine than an earlier model, meets Britain's TVR Griffith.

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E02

Episode 2

1998-02-26 · 29m

The VW Golf continues to be one of the most popular small cars as Quentin Willson assesses how it fares in the second-hand market. Plus Jeremy Clarkson preaching the virtues and vices of the new BMW 3 series, and Tiff Needell trying his hand at ice racing at Isola in France.

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E03

Episode 3

1998-03-05

The new Toyota Avensis enters a fiercely competitive market where sales reps and families are the main customers. Jeremy Clarkson asks whether the Avensis is good enough to win a share of this sector, and looks at the other contenders. And Vicki Butler-Henderson tries out the Peugeot 106 Rallye.

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E04

Episode 4

1998-03-12

Jeremy Clarkson test-drives the star of the Geneva Motorshow the new Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph — and, accompanied by Quentin Willson, analyses the pros and cons of the latest debutantes and concept cars.

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E05

Episode 5

1998-03-19

Tiff Needell takes to the track to test road cars with a racing heritage, such as the Porsche 911, Nissan Skyline and Honda NSX. Jeremy Clarkson reports on Vauxhall’s new Astra — can it continue to attract customers despite growing competition?

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E06

Episode 6

1998-03-26

Jeremy Clarkson attempts to prove his assertion that fast cars are the safest, Quentin Willson looks at prices for a second-hand Saab 900, plus a guide to Swedish car-buying.

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E07

Episode 7

1998-04-02

Jeremy Clarkson test-drives America’s 170 mph Vector, which boasts a powerful 5.7 litre V12 engine. Has it got what it takes, though, to beat the might of Ferrari and Lamborghini? Meanwhile, Quentin Willson discovers which cars offer credibility and practicality for the young driver on a tight budget.

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E08

Episode 8

1998-04-09

Quentin Willson discovers the people’s choice in terms of performance, reliability, economy and customer care with the announcement of the results in the fifth annual survey gauging customer satisfaction. In Europe, motor-racing grew on road circuits. In America its home is the oval, where fans are treated to the incredible sight of nose-to-tail racing at speeds of 200 miles per hour. Tiff Needell travels to the US to find out what it takes to be a Nascar racer.

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E09

Episode 9

1998-04-16

Jeremy Clarkson squeezes inside the sleek MX5 to find out whether Mazda have improved their modern-day sports classic. In an item postponed from last week, Tiff Needell tries his hand at Nascar racing, and Tony Mason discovers one of the most extraordinary car collections in the world.

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E10

Episode 10

1998-04-23

One-third of the half-a-million cars stolen annually in England and Wales are never recovered. Quentin Willson reports on evidence that suggests that many are being given the identities of legitimately owned vehicles. How well does the latest Lotus Esprit compare with its illustrious predecessors? Tiff Needell tests the new supercar. And Jeremy Clarkson sees how the new Mercedes M-class fares in the four-wheel-drive market.

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E11

Episode 11

1998-04-30

Jeremy Clarkson reports on successful women and the cars they drive. Have roadsters and coupes replaced diamonds as a girl’s best friend? Quentin Willson reports from the Turin Motor Show and also test-drives Fiat’s new small car, the Seicento, the replacement model for the Cinquecento.

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E12

Episode 12

1998-05-07

Why is it so difficult to import cheap cars from the continent? Quentin Willson attempts to untangle the red tape. Tony Mason helps Land Rover to celebrate its 50th anniversary, and Jeremy Clarkson takes a look at Renault’s new Clio.

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E13

Episode 13

1998-05-14 · 29m

In the last of the series, Jeremy Clarkson looks at the opposition that the Cougar, Ford's new coupe, will face, while Tiff Needell tests the supercharged version of the Jaguar XK8. Quentin Willson also follows up an earlier report on why it is so hard to buy a right-hand-drive car outside the UK.

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