| Top Gear | |
|---|---|
| Series 3 | |
| Starring | |
| No. of episodes | 9 |
| Release | |
| Original network | BBC Two |
| Original release | 26 October (2003-10-26) – 28 December 2003 (2003-12-28) |
| Series chronology | |
← Previous Series 2 Next → Series 4 | |
| List of episodes | |
Series 3 ofTop Gear, a British motoring magazine andfactual television programme, was broadcast in the United Kingdom onBBC 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]
This series saw racing driverBen Collins replacePerry McCarthy - which included a change of clothing to createWhite Stig - with McCarthy performing his last role in the first episode.[3] It is also notable for a feature involving thefourth 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.
| No. overall | No. in series | Reviews | Features/challenges | Guest(s) | Original release date | UK viewers (millions) [4] | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | 1 | Ford GT •BMW 5 Series •Porsche 911 GT3 | Can the dieselVolkswagen Lupo get better mpg than the petrol version? • CanThe Stig reach 100 mph on an aircraft carrier? | Martin Kemp | 26 October 2003 (2003-10-26) | 3.32 | |
Clarkson reviews the heavily anticipatedFord GT against its competitors inDetroit, before racing a dieselVolkswagen Lupo against its petrol version on fuel economy with a lap of the M25. Hammond tests out thePorsche 911 GT3, May reviews theBMW 5 Series, and singerMartin Kemp performs a lap in the Liana. Finally, the Stig attempts to reach 100mph in the programme's modifiedJaguar XJS on boardHMS Invincible with disastrous results. Note: The final appearance of the original Stig, portrayed byPerry McCarthy, was a scripted scene by the production staff. | |||||||
| 22 | 2 | 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 theIsle of Man to compare three oldBMWsports cars, as well as find the best three two seater convertibles - theBMW Z4, thePorsche Boxster and theHonda S2000. Elsewhere, theBMW M3 CSL is road-tested before Top Gear's new White Stig puts in a power lap with it, while aVolvo 240 tries to jump five caravans side-by-side. Finally,Stephen Fry talks about hisLondon Taxi before seeing how he fared in the Liana. | |||||||
| 23 | 3 | Bentley Continental GT •Subaru Legacy Outback | Saab 9-5 Aero versus aBAe 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 theBentley Continental GT andSaab 9-5 Aero, the latter raced by Stig against aHarrier jump jet, May questions if the aristocracy will go for theSubaru 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. | |||||||
| 24 | 4 | 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 1967Lamborghini Miura, an improved 1971SV, and theLamborghini Countach - while Clarkson road tests theLamborghini Gallardo. Elsewhere, Hammond reviews several versions of theMini Cooper S, while American comedianRich Hall sees how he fares in the reasonably priced car. | |||||||
| 25 | 5 | Mazda RX-8 •Fiat Panda | Is theToyota Hilux really indestructible? • Hammond searches for future classic cars | Simon Cowell | 23 November 2003 (2003-11-23) | 4.80 | |
Clarkson determines how tough aToyota Hilux pick-up truck truly is by putting it through a series of destructive tests aroundBristol and the Test Track. Meanwhile, there are reviews of theMazda RX-8, may takes theFiat Panda for a drive inHertfordshire, while Hammond looks up potential future 'classic' cars. Finally, Simon Cowell judges how well he fared in a lap with the Liana. | |||||||
| 26 | 6 | Citroën C2 •Renault Mégane CC •Peugeot 307 CC •Aston Martin V8 Vantage (1977) •Holden Monaro | Is aToyota Hilux really indestructible? – Part 2 | Sanjeev Bhaskar | 7 December 2003 (2003-12-07) | 5.40 | |
May continues Clarkson's testing of theToyota Hilux's toughness by seeing if it can survive on top of a tower block due for demolition. Meanwhile, Hammond reviews theRenault Mégane CC and thePeugeot 307 CC convertibles, Clarkson tests out theCitroën C2 and theHolden Monaro, and May tries out theAston Martin V8 Vantage. FinallySanjeev Bhaskar is the latest star to drive in the reasonably priced car. | |||||||
| 27 | 7 | 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 theNoble M12, theMorgan Plus 8 and theRover 75. Meanwhile, Clarkson reviews the unimpressiveMG XPower SV and tests the off-road abilities of thePorsche Cayenne Turbo, Hammond road tests theMercedes-Benz SLR McLaren inSouth Africa, and three professors compete in a burn-out contest. Finally, comic impersonatorRory Bremner does a lap in the Liana. | |||||||
| 28 | 8 | 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 theNissan Micra and theAudi TT V6, an investigation into car design with a '60sMercedes-Benz 280SL, and May drives the bold 1970sAston Martin Lagonda. Finally, comedianJohnny Vegas proves he can drive fast in the Liana without a driving licence. | |||||||
| 29 | 9 | 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 theChrysler Crossfire, aSmart Roadster Brabus V6 Bi-Turbo, theHonda Civic Type-R, theHonda NSX Type R, and theJaguar XJ6. Meanwhile, the presenters hosts the Top Gear Awards for 2003, andCarol Vorderman sees if she can be fast when she does a lap in the Liana. | |||||||
| Total | No. | Title | Feature | Original air date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S2 | CE | The Best of Top Gear: 2003 | Best moments from Series 3 | 4 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. | |||||
Following the broadcast of the fifth episode of the 3rd series, theBBC was contacted by theChurchill Parish in Somerset in regards to the tree that featured in the segment where Clarkson was proving the sturdiness and reliability of theToyota 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 ofTop Gear admitted guilt and the broadcaster paid compensation.[5]