Top Gear series 17
| Top Gear | |
|---|---|
| Series 17 | |
 Promotional poster | |
| Starring | |
| No. of episodes | 6 |
| Release | |
| Original network | BBC Two |
| Original release | 26 June – 31 July 2011 |
| Series chronology | |
Series 17 of Top Gear, a British motoring magazine and factual television programme, was broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC Two during 2011, consisting of six episodes that were aired between 26 June and 31 July.[1] This series' highlights included the presenters making their own trains with cars and caravans, and using second-hand military vehicles to demolish houses. The seventeenth series faced criticism over its review of electric cars by attempting to mislead viewers.
Episodes
| No. overall | No. in series | Reviews | Features/challenges | Guest(s) | Original air date | UK viewers (millions) [2] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 133 | 1 | Marauder • BMW 1 Series M Coupe | 50th Birthday of the Jaguar E-Type • Mini John Cooper Works WRC with Amy Williams | Alice Cooper • Amy Williams • Kris Meeke | 26 June 2011 | 6.22[nb 1] |
| 134 | 2 | Aston Martin Virage | High-performance hatchbacks in Lucca and around the Monaco Grand Prix track: (Citroën DS3 Racing • Fiat 500 Abarth Convertible • Renault Sport Clio 200 Cup) | Ross Noble • Flavio Briatore • Christian Horner • Bernie Ecclestone | 3 July 2011 | 5.72[nb 2] |
| 135 | 3 | McLaren MP4-12C • Range Rover Evoque | Examine toughness of the Range Rover Evoque in Las Vegas • Second-hand bargains for the price of the Nissan Pixo (Mercedes CL600 • BMW 850Ci) | Sebastian Vettel | 10 July 2011 | 6.55[nb 3] |
| 136 | 4 | Jaguar XKR-S • Nissan GT-R | Make a train out of a specially modified car and caravans as carriages: (Jaguar XJ-S Convertible • Audi S8) | Rowan Atkinson | 17 July 2011 | 7.14[nb 4] |
| 137 | 5 | Lotus T125 • Jensen Interceptor | Demolish a house with second-hand military equipment vs demolition experts | Bob Geldof | 24 July 2011 | 6.13[nb 5] |
| 138 | 6 | Lamborghini Aventador | Electric cars for the seaside: (Nissan Leaf • Peugeot iOn) • Extraordinary rally team of amputee military veterans | Louis Walsh • Race2Recovery Team • Ben Collins | 31 July 2011 | 6.76[nb 6] |
Criticism
The seventeeth series faced criticism following the broadcast of its final episode, over two elements in their Electric Cars review film. The first complaint focused on criticism of the presenters Jeremy Clarkson and James May for parking their cars into two disabled parking spaces. Executive producer Andy Wilman defended the presenters in an online blog on this matter, revealing that both had expressed deep concerns it would create a disrespectful impression, but only used the spaces when the car park's owner gave permission, adding that there had been three other disabled parking spaces available, before apologising to any viewers that had been upset by the scene.[3]
The second complaint was made by several parties, including Nissan, electric car enthusiasts and newspapers when it transpired that a Nissan Leaf that had run out of charge, and required pushing in a scene in the film, had been run down to around 40% of its capacity before the car's test drive, leading to criticism on the programme's view on electric cars.[4] Wilman rejected claims that the show was misleading viewers about the Leaf's charge and range, and stood by the consumer points that were raised in the film.[3]
Notes
The viewing figures shown in the Episode Table above, are a combination of the figures from the BBC Two broadcast and the BBC HD broadcast.
References
- ^ Transmission – BBC Top Gear Top Gear Series 17: starts 26 June «
- ^ "Weekly Top 10 Programmes". Broadcasters' Audience Research Board.
- ^ a b Conlan, Tara (2 August 2011). "Top Gear sorry for disabled parking row". The Guardian. London.
- ^ Loveday, Eric (2 August 2011). "Top Gear airs controversial Nissan Leaf segment, responds to critics". autobloggreen.
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