Top Gear series 3

Top Gear
Series 3
Starring	Jeremy Clarkson Richard Hammond James May
No. of episodes	9
Release
Original network	BBC Two
Original release	26 October (2003-10-26) – 28 December 2003 (2003-12-28)
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; a compilation episode featuring the best moments of the series, titled "Best of Top Gear", was aired on 4 January 2004.

This series is notable for a feature in which the presenters tested the strength of the fourth generation Toyota Hilux by putting one through several destructive tests, including submerging it underwater and setting it on fire, to see if it is invincible. This series also saw the departure of Perry McCarthy's Black Stig, who was "killed off" in a stunt aboard HMS Invincible at the end of the first episode; Ben Collins' First White Stig was introduced as the new Stig in the second episode.

Episodes

Main article: List of Top Gear (2002 TV series) episodes

No. overall	No. in series	Reviews	Features/challenges	Guest(s)	Original air date	UK viewers (millions)
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 (2003-10-26)	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 (2003-11-02)	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 (2003-11-09)	4.02
24	4	Lamborghini Miura • Lamborghini Countach • Mini Cooper S Works • Lamborghini Gallardo	Lamborghini Tribute	Rich Hall	16 November 2003 (2003-11-16)	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 (2003-11-23)	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 (2003-12-07)	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 (2003-12-14)	3.35
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
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

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 (2004-01-04)

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.