Top Gear series 3
| Top Gear | |
|---|---|
| Series 3 | |
| Starring | |
| No. of episodes | 9 |
| Release | |
| Original network | BBC Two |
| Original release | 26 October – 28 December 2003 |
| Series chronology | |
Series 3 of Top Gear, a British motoring magazine and factual television programme, was broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC 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 driver Ben Collins replace Perry McCarthy - which included a change of clothing to create White Stig - with McCarthy performing his last role in the first episode.[3] It is also notable for a feature involving the fourth 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.
Episodes
| No. overall | No. in series | Reviews | Features/challenges | Guest(s) | Original air date | UK viewers (millions) [4] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | 1 | Ford GT • BMW 5 Series • Porsche 911 GT3 | Can the diesel Volkswagen Lupo get better mpg than the petrol version? • Can The Stig reach 100 mph on an aircraft carrier? | Martin Kemp | 26 October 2003 | 3.32 |
| 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 | 3.41 |
| 23 | 3 | Bentley Continental GT • Subaru Legacy Outback | Saab 9-5 Aero versus a BAe Sea Harrier • How to Escape from a Sinking Car • Top Gear Survey | Rob Brydon | 9 November 2003 | 4.02 |
| 24 | 4 | Lamborghini Miura • Lamborghini Countach • Mini Cooper S Works • Lamborghini Gallardo | Lamborghini Tribute | Rich Hall | 16 November 2003 | 4.59 |
| 25 | 5 | Mazda RX-8 • Fiat Panda | Is the Toyota Hilux really indestructible? • Hammond searches for future classic cars | Simon Cowell | 23 November 2003 | 4.80 |
| 26 | 6 | Citroën C2 • Renault Mégane CC • Peugeot 307 CC • Aston Martin V8 Vantage (1977) • Holden Monaro | Is a Toyota Hilux really indestructible? – Part 2 | Sanjeev Bhaskar | 7 December 2003 | 5.40 |
| 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 | 3.35 |
| 28 | 8 | Mercedes-Benz 280SL • Nissan Micra • Aston Martin Lagonda • Audi TT | Top Gear Generation Game | Johnny Vegas | 21 December 2003 | 3.15 |
| 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 | 4.24 |
Best-of episodes
| Total | No. | Title | Feature | Original air date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S2 | CE | The Best of Top Gear: 2003 | Best moments from Series 3 | 4 January 2004 |
Criticism
Following the broadcast of the fifth episode of the 3rd series, the BBC was contacted by the Churchill Parish in Somerset in regards to the tree that featured in the segment where Clarkson was proving the sturdiness and reliability of the Toyota 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 of Top Gear admitted guilt and the broadcaster paid compensation.[5]
References
- ^ "Top Gear Series 3". topgearbox.com. 20 October 2003.
- ^ "Best of Series 3". BBC. 25 January 2004.
- ^ "Top Gear Black Stig". motor1.com. 20 October 2003.
- ^ "Weekly Top 10 Programmes". Broadcasters' Audience Research Board.
- ^ "BBC stumps up for tree stunt". BBC. 21 February 2004. Retrieved 9 January 2006.
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