This article is about the British TV show Fifth Gear. For the Brad Paisley album, see5th Gear (album). For the 1989 computer game, see5th Gear (video game).
Fifth Gear is a British motoring television magazine series which has been broadcast since 2002. Originally shown onChannel 5 from 2002 to 2011 (and branded as5th Gear until 2005), it began as a continuation of the original version of theBBC showTop Gear, which ran from 1977 until being cancelled in 2001. It moved to theDiscovery Channel in 2012, then in 2015 toHistory;[2] since 2018 it has been broadcast onQuest. The show is currently presented byVicki Butler-Henderson andJason Plato, withRory Reid, Grace Webb and Jimmy de Ville featuring in some episodes.[3][4] Its former presenters includeQuentin Willson,Adrian Simpson,[5]Jonny Smith, former racing driverTiff Needell andCar SOS hostTim Shaw.
Fifth Gear was first broadcast on 8 April 2002, featuring the same format and many of the same presenters, including Willson, Needell, Butler-Henderson and Simpson, as the BBC'sTop Gear.[6][7][8] Channel 5 originally wanted to carry on using theTop Gear name, but the BBC refused as it still operated theTop Gear magazine; the BBC relaunchedTop Gearwith a drastically revised format later in 2002, placing a strong focus on comedy and general entertainment.[9]Fifth Gear has been referenced inTop Gear, such as when a barn fire damagedTop Gear property, hostJeremy Clarkson satirically claimed thatFifth Gear had "burned our furniture."[10]
Needell announcedFifth Gear's cancellation on 24 May 2016.[11] On 14 June 2018, Needell announced on his official Twitter account that he had been doing some filming work for a new series of Fifth Gear which aired in September 2018 onQuest,[12][13] but by 2019 had left the show to join Lovecars.com and theirITV4 programmeOn the Road.[14][15][16]
In 2024, North One scrapped the all-EV format, with the programme reverting to beingFifth Gear and withRory Reid rejoining the presenting line-up.[22]
Repeats ofFifth Gear also started being broadcast onUKTV channelDave in April 2008 and later onDiscovery Turbo, with early episodes of the show being streamed '24/7' via the British feed ofPluto TV in 2019.[23]
The first seven series consisted of a 23-minute programme, not including approximately seven minutes of adverts.[6] The eighth series returned in the autumn of 2005 in a longer format of 45 minutes, and the ninth series (which went to a 13-week run) was increased to a one-hour airtime slot (approximately 46 minutes excluding adverts). For series 17, the show had reverted to the original format of 23 minutes, which including adverts takes the show to half an hour. In Series 21, the show reverted to the previous one-hour airtime slot.
At the start of series 10, the show introduced between-feature links filmed at theAce Cafe in London. In previous series, these links were filmed at the production company offices inBirmingham. Originally produced byChrysalis Television, the Birmingham offices were situated on the top floor of the headquarters of100.7 Heart FM (also, at that time, aChrysalis Radio company), near Birmingham'sFive Ways area. The team moved out when Chrysalis sold its television division toAll3Media in September 2003 (the section which later produced Fifth Gear is now known asNorth One Television, part of the All3Media group).
In series 14, a location change from the Ace Cafe meant link sequences were filmed instead at theMillbrook Proving Ground, along with some of the vehicle testing features.
In 2005, the show's producer,Jon Bentley, also became a part-time presenter for a year before he went back to being solely the producer.Tim Lovejoy was hired in September 2006 for series 9 and 10. In August 2008,Tim Shaw became a presenter on the show for series 14. In October 2010,Ben Collins, formerlyThe Stig on BBC'sTop Gear, came toFifth Gear for series 18.[29] Sid North,[30] joined the presenting line-up for the all-electricFifth Gear Recharged format in 2023, but was replaced by a returning Rory Reid in 2024.[31]
Fifth Gear claimed to be 'world renowned' for its 'infamous' shoot-outs, between similarly priced, similarly powerful cars, or, recently, cars versus bikes. These shoot outs took place at theAnglesey Circuit on the Isle ofAnglesey close toAberffraw. During the refurbishment of Anglesey, shoot-outs were switched toCastle Combe Circuit.
Week 1: The presenters conduct a 120 mph (190 km/h) crash test. They also compare two of the most powerful Jaguars ever made. They also take a look at theRange Rover Evoque.
Week 2: Tiff chats to British rally driverMark Higgins. The presenters take a look at a new Mercedes convertible. Vicki races a newFord Mustang aroundLe Mans. Jonny begins a journey of a lifetime in a very unlikely car.
Week 3: Tiff test drives the Lamborghini's new Aventador hypercar. Vicki makes her way through Italy's snowy mountain roads in Mini's brand new coupe. Jonny finds out aboutvehicle wrapping.
Week 4: Vicki makes her way to Italy to drive a new convertible version of the Ferrari 458. Tiff takes part in a shootout between two ultra-powerful coupes. The team test drive the most economical car available.
Week 5: Tiff takes a look at the last ever Porsche 911. Vicki travels to Portugal where she takes on the role of a beach lifeguard in a brand new VW pick-up truck. Jonny attempts to make Renault's battery powered car go as far as possible on one charge.
Week 6: Jonny finds the best driving road in the world. Vicki takes the new VW Amarok pick-up for a test drive on a beach in Portugal. The driving skills of Roy Keane are tested by Tiff at theNürburgring. The presenters take a look at the newVolkswagen Golf Cabriolet.
Week 7: Tiff takes a drive through France'sChampagne region inAston Martin's newest convertible. Vicki is the umpire in a race between two England cricket stars. Jonny takes a look at two off-road bargains to help see us through the winter.
Week 8: The presenters get the chance to drive the latest version of the Jeep. Cricket legendJimmy Anderson is put through his paces around the gruellingNürburgring race track by Tiff.
Week 9: Vicki drives through thePyrenees in the newBMW M5. Jonny travels toBarcelona to take a look at theSeat's new city car. Tiff is joined by rally driverMark Higgins to test drive Renault's new hatchback.
Week 10: Jonny takes a look at some exciting cars at theLA Auto Show.Ian Botham is taught how to drive around the legendaryNürburgring racing track. Vicki learns some evasive driving techniques from the police who chauffeur the Royal Family.
Week 1: Tiff tests thePorsche 911 Carrera S. Jonny Smith gets a high-speed truck rally driving lesson and the team also test aVolkswagen Beetle. Jason invitesSuzi Perry to test, if you tweak ECU, change tyres etc. have better time. Vicki is on a mission to refill during driving.
Week 2: Jason and Tiff testMercedes SLS AMG against an Aston Martin, a Jaguar and a Bentley. Johnny goes to Sweden to drive new Audi A1 quattro withStig Blomqvist.
Week 3: Vicki tests the dynamic performance management system in theLotus Exige S against ex-Lotus F1 driverKarun Chandhok. Tiff conducts an investigation into the advantages of electronic stability control (ESC) and Jonny Smith recommends some used cars with ESC fitted as standard. Team test of theSuzuki Swift Sport. Jonny tests sat-navs at three price levels. Vicki attends the Monaco Motor Show and drives theFisker Karma on the Grand Prix track as well as a Hunton XRS 43 powerboat.
Week 4: Tiff takes to the Italian F1 circuit in the hope of qualifying for the Lamborghini Series, and the team reports whether different types of petrol affect a car's performance.
Week 5: Team test: Mini Cooper convertible. Tiff tries drifting with newBentley Continental GT. Vicki goes toGordon Murray's home to see his history of designing and presents his first electric car, the T27. Jason goes toIceland to drive formula off-road with 2009 championHafsteinn Thorvaldsson. Jonny learns how to wash aRolls-Royce Ghost EWB.
Week 6: Tiff celebrates theFerrari F40's 25th birthday, Jason pits the Mercedes C63 AMG Black Series against its BMW rival and Vicki drives a new Land Rover.
Week 7: Jonny takes a behind-the-scenes look at theIsle of Man TT motorcycle race withJohn McGuinness, and theSubaru BRZ sports car is tested around the circuit. Tiff searches for his top three car racing games, Vicki tests theRenault Twizy, and the team test theFord Focus Ecoboost 1.0 to see if it's more powerful than the 1.6 version.
Week 8: Jonny examines the newFerrari California, while Vicki explores the world of motorbike speedway in Denmark.
Week 9: Jonny heads to Sweden for an American car show, Tiff tests theKTM X-Bow R trackday car, Jason explores affordable ways to upgrade a car stereo for better sound, and Vicki relives herkarting memories with a race.
Week 1: Vicki in the newPorsche Boxster S against a jet plane, Tiff tests the difference between used and new tyres. Jonny goes toTrollstigen to testFord Focus ST. Jason testsAudi S8.
Week 2: Jason tests the brand newPagani Huayra, Tiff tests the newPorsche 911 cabriolet to find out if it's quicker than theAudi R8 Spyder. Vicki tests a super car off roader. Johny reveals the three classic cars that could be a better investment than gold.
Week 3: Vicki in the brand newPorsche Panamera GTS against the all-newMercedes CLS 63, both cars are tested to the limit. Jason tests a brand new supercar made in the Netherlands. Johny spends a night in the Swiss alps to demonstrate how your car can keep you alive. Tiff tests the Frontline MG LE50.
Week 4: Tiff and rally driverKris Meeke find the ultimate hot hatch (VW Golf GTI vs Renault Sport Megane vs Ford Focus ST vs Astra VXR), Vicki is in Germany to test theAudi RS 4, Jonny finds out how the world's most powerful simulator has become F1's secret weapon. Jason reveals the ultimate secondhand sports car you can buy on a budget.
Week 5: Jonny jumps into the world of professional drifting, the team test the Audi S7 to the extreme, Vicki takes part in a world record attempt: the largest parade of Ferraris, Tiff tests filling tyres with nitrogen and Jason tests the newMercedes SL.
Week 6: Vicki races rally driverAndreas Mikkelsen in three speed challenges, Jason tests the newBMW M6, Tiff finds out what the ultimate small car is and Jonny shows the essential DIY skills that will allow you to save money.
Week 7: Vicki tests the newFerrari F12 Berlinetta, Jonny attempts to become the fastest drag race passenger, Tiff and Jason race each other in a dog fight find to find out which of the latest entry level hot hatches is the greatest, and the team test the latest car safety systems.
Week 8: Vicki visitsPininfarina headquarters in Italy and tests theMaserati GranTurismo MC Stradale, Jonny tests the modern-day Morgan three-wheeler, while Jason looks for the bestBluetooth gadget to use while driving together with Suzi Perry.
Week 9: Tiff takes onSabine Schmitz in a battle between the Porsche 911 and the BMW M6, Jason tests the new Morgan Plus 8, Vicki goes off-road with the latest version of the Range Rover Evoque and Jonny is in the lab to test fuel saving gadgets.
Week 1: Tiff and Jason test theMercedes-Benz SL63 AMG, theAudi R8 V10 Spyder and theMaserati GranCabrio to the limit to find out which is the best super cabrio on the market, the team test the new Range Rover Autobiography, Vicki races theBMW M135i against world super bike riderChaz Davies on the BMW HP4 and Jonny drives 1000 km in Europe's cheapest car, theDacia Sandero.
Week 2: Vicki and Tiff go head to head with the Renault Sport Megane 265 vs theToyota GT86. Jason turns car doctor for the day as he tries to bring a tired engine back to full health. Jonny tests the Jaguar F-Type in Spain. The team test the Mazda6.
Week 3: Tiff tests theMcLaren 12C Spider, Jonny investigates the secret world of crash testing, the team test the brand newVolkswagen Golf, Jason and Finnish double world champion rally driverMarcus Grönholm pitch two brand newPorsche Caymans head-to-head in an automatic vs manual gearbox battle.
Week 5: Jason and Tiff test three brand new hot hatches: the Renault Sport Clio 200, the Peugeot 208 GTi and the Ford Fiesta ST, Vicki tests the newDonkervoort D8 GTO, the team test the brand newJaguar XF Sportbreak, Jonny is at Bentley's HQ and tests theBentley Mulsanne.
In Series 19, a new segment was introduced, called the Team Test. This is whereTiff,Jason,Jonny andVicki all did a group test on an important new car. They all scored the car out of 10, and added their scores together to get the score for the car.
Channel 5 executives had been quoted as saying, "Five is proud of Fifth Gear's contribution to the channel but after 16 series, feels it's time to try something new."[32] On 27 November 2009,Jeremy Clarkson mentioned onThe Chris Moyles Show that it was a shame thatFifth Gear had been cancelled.
In late December 2009, however, presenterJonny Smith suggested viaTwitter that the show could return for another series early in 2010.[33] On 8 January 2010, Smith tweeted: "Fifth Gear IS coming back!", and in his next tweet, he said "Wow, such quick responses! Basically, we all know there's room for two car TV shows. FG will simply be a reviews based visual car magazine."Tiff Needell also tweeted saying "Home to the news that, after much negotiating Fifth Gear looks like it will after all be returning to your screens sometime in the Spring!" and also hinted the show will have a new format in his next tweet "Glad so many of you are delighted by the Fifth Gear news — and, yes the format will be moving away from the stupid ... but still having fun!"[34]
On 17 January 2010,Vicki Butler-Henderson andTiff Needell confirmed at the Autosport International Show thatFifth Gear will be returning in Spring 2010. The pair featured a car shootout inFifth Gear style in the live arena show and said several times to the audience that the show would be back on air in Spring and to ignore the cancellation rumours.[35]
The series started on 3 June 2010. The series ran for 10 episodes and the first one hadLewis Hamilton as a guest. On 1 October 2010, it was announced thatBen Collins (who played the original WhiteStig onTop Gear) would join the show.[29]
On 14 May 2016, Tiff Needell announced the cancellation ofFifth Gear following its last episode repeat airing onITV4.[36] Following a three-year hiatus, Needell announced the show's return on 14 June 2018, having started filming for a new series to be aired in September 2018 on theDiscovery-operatedQuest TV channel.[37]
Fifth Gear is now[when?] being broadcast in the United States on the MotorTrend channel. Season 27 started on February 15 (episode 2, but episodes 1 and 3 are scheduled on Feb. 22nd).
In 2021, the show was relaunched as an electric car show under the amended title ofFifth Gear Recharged.[38] FormerTop Gear presenter Rory Reid, joined the presenting team of Vicky Butler Henderson, Jason Plato and Karun Chandhok (with the former Formula One driver and Sky F1 pundit now being part of the core presenting team and not a guest), while consumer journalist Grace Webb and engineer Jimmy de Ville will contribute to the show in guest roles (Jonny Smith has left the series to presentThe Late Brake Show webshow). As well as testing purely electric cars such as theCupra Born,Hyundai Ioniq 5,Polestar 2 andATAE Munro Mark 1,[39][40][41] the show will also feature hybrids such as the Peugeot 508 PSE.[42]
During recording forSeries 12, Episode 7,[43] two accidents took place while on set.
On 27 September 2007,[44]Tom Ford broke his foot and several toes[45] when he crashed a modifiedBedford Rascal van. Tom Ford was recording a piece aboutdrifting. He and co-hostJonny Smith were racing each other in aD1 Grand Prix style around a private track. After winning the event, Ford was performing a victory drift that went wrong, put his van (painted to resemble theA-Team GMC Van) up on two wheels and into a safety barrier.
On 9 October 2007,[46] BTCC driverJason Plato suffered multiple burns when aCaparo T1 he was driving atBruntingthorpe proving ground burst into flames.[47] The car, capable of 200 mph (320 km/h), burst into flames at an estimated 150 mph (240 km/h). Plato said: "There was a slight loss of power, I looked in the mirror and saw some smoke, there was a slight smell of oil and then suddenly there was this intense heat. The car spontaneously erupted into a ball of flames and I was sat in the middle of a fireball." The presenter was initially taken to Market Harborough and District Hospital by former BTCC driverPhil Bennett before being treated atKettering General Hospital. He later received specialist burns treatment atStoke Mandeville Hospital. The incident was mentioned duringTop Gear's discussion of the Caparo T1 the next year.
Fifth Gear has been broadcast on theSpeed Channel in the United States for a short period in 2004 to early 2007. It began airing onVelocity on Wednesdays afterWheeler Dealers as of 3 October 2012.
Fifth Gear began broadcasting in Australia in November 2009, onSeven Network'sfree-to-air digital channel7mate (previously shown on7two).
Fifth Gear started Canadian broadcast onDiscovery Channel Canada in 2008, beginning with 2006 series. This version ran in half-hour format.
Fifth Gear was also telecasted in Asia-Pacific in Discovery Turbo. It aired the 60 minute version.
