Season 29

1993 · 17 episodes

Episodes

1Episode 1The motoring magazine series returns with a road test of the new Mondeo, which Ford hope will become the Cortina of the 1990s. There’s a second-hand report on the Sierra, the car the Mondeo replaces, and a look at the Jeep Jamboree. With Jeremy Clarkson and Quentin Willson.
2Episode 2An assessment of the Citroën Xantia, new challenger in the family saloon market, a visit to a kart meeting to see how pre-teen racers learn the art, and a report on the Claret and Classic Rally, which involves a tour of French wine chateaux.
3Episode 3Chris Goffey sizes up Vauxhall’s Nova replacement, the Corsa, against superminis like the Clio, the Fiesta and Nissan’s new Micra. Jeremy Clarkson drives the lonely 1500-mile Alaska Highway through some of the world’s most spectacular scenery.
4Episode 4Can the V8 turbo of Aston Martin’s new Vantage match the Lamborghini Diablo? Jeremy Clarkson tests it and takes a look at the prototype for Aston’s small, relatively cheap sports car at the Geneva Show. There’s also his second report from the Alaska Highway.
5Episode 5Including an assessment of the appeal of the Daimler Dart; a test drive of the new Toyota Carina E, described as the Japanese answer to the Vauxhall Cavalier; and a visit to a Honda Goldwing owners’ club meeting.
6Episode 6Including an investigation into the causes and remedies of falling asleep at the wheel, which could be the cause of one accident in four. There’s also a preview of the 1993 British Touring Car Championship, plus a road test of the Jeep Cherokee and Ford Explorer.
7Episode 7Can Jaguar’s new V12 flagship, their fastest, most opulent saloon yet, take on its rivals from BMW and Mercedes? Jeremy Clarkson road-tests it to find out. And Tony Mason reports on the opening round of the British Rally Championship around north Wales.
8Episode 8A report on Rover’s new which completes the company’s post-Leyland line up. How will it fare against the new Honda Accord? And, as Donington Park prepares to host a Grand Prix for the first time for 55 years, a trial of the new circuit in a Lotus 25, once raced by Jim Clark, the racing legend who died 25 years ago.
9Episode 9Peugeot’s 205 was such a success that some have called it the car of the 1980s. Now the company hopes to grab the limelight again in the 90s with its new 306 range. Built in Coventry, the car goes on sale this month. Jeremy Clarkson tests it to see if Peugeot’s hopes are justified.
10Episode 10Includes a road test of Rover’s 200 Coupe Turbo — the fastest road car the company has ever made — on Germany’s classic Nürburgring circuit; and a visit to the English collector who owns all six Trabant models produced in Zwickau, East Germany. Plus a report on the Charringtons RAC Historic Rally, a battle between classic models like the Porsche 911, Lotus Cortina and BMC Mini.
11Episode 11Including reports on a car with candelabras as well as lights — Liberace’s 1981 Zimmer. And a test drive of a £93,000 Mercedes 600SEC.
12Episode 12A report from last weekend’s Top Gear Classic and Sportscar Show at the NEC in Birmingham.
13Episode 13A visit to the old Nürburgring circuit in Germany, to join a group of enthusiasts and their exotic cars for the sheer fun of driving. Among the highlights were the pre-war Mercedes of Caracciola, and the Maserati 250f in which Fangio won the 1957 Monaco Grand Prix. Plus a report on six months with a Ford Escort Cosworth.
14Episode 14How does Seat’s new Spanish designed and built Ibiza rate against opposition from the rest of Europe? What transport should a couple choose for their wedding? And there’s a test for the latest electric commuting vehicle — the two-wheel Zike.
15Episode 15Italian style meets American muscle in the brutal shape of the De Tomaso Pantera. But can this 20-year-old design still hack it in today’s cut-throat supercar marketplace?
16Episode 16The Porsche 911 is 30 years old. The team celebrates the anniversary of one of the world’s greatest sports cars by trying out a range of models from the earliest to the current civilised supercars.
17Episode 17In a final programme, Jeremy Clarkson looks back at the highlights of the series.