Top Gear series 3
| Top Gear | |
|---|---|
| Season 3 | |
| Starring | |
| No. of episodes | 9 |
| Release | |
| Original network | BBC Two |
| Original release | 26 October – 28 December 2003 |
| Series chronology | |
The third series of Top Gear aired during the latter half of 2003 and ran for 9 episodes, beginning on 26 October before concluding on 28 December, with the show being hosted by returning presenters Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, James May.[1] A new "Stig" was introduced after the previous "Stig" (referred to by the presenters as "Black Stig") was written out of the show in the first episode.[2] A "Best of Top Gear" special for the series was aired on 4 January 2004.[3] This series was first in the relaunched show's history to acquire more than 10 million viewers for an episode.
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? | 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 and Controversy
Hilux Toughness Challenge
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.
- ^ "Top Gear Black Stig". motor1.com. 20 October 2003.
- ^ "Best of Series 3". bbc.co.uk. 25 January 2004.
- ^ "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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