[UK/BBC] Top Gear Series 18

[Scirwode]

So Top Gear is back on your television this Sunday for what is, remarkably, our 18^th series and our TENTH year on air. Frankly, no one thought we?d be going this long, least of all us. But somehow we are, and we like to think we?re still delivering high quality lumps of car-related entertainment.

Video: James and Jeremy introduce series 18 of Top Gear!

Those who like to keep up with the fast-moving digital age (or watch a lot of BBC2) will have seen our new trailer by now: Ray Winstone, Richard at the NASCAR, James on a rather bizarre lap of Dunsfold, a flying man with wings, Jeremy in a wig blowing up a caravan, a C63 AMG Black in a cloud of tyre-smoke and a new, dapper incarnation of the Stig.

Gallery: a sneak preview of series 18

Series Eighteen will start on 29 January 2012 following a Christmas special on 28 December 2011

Top Gear (Series 18)

I love watching Top Gear though the last couple of series has been disappointing. Series 17 was actually quite good (Rowan Atkinson, Nissan Pixo, Aventador) but the India Special was pointless. After watching the trailer though, my hopes are restored a bit so hopefully it's going to be a cracking season!

Scirwode

[MightyJordan]

Can't wait for this. :) Not really looking forward to will.i.am as the SIARPC though. :p

[insomniac9]

Looking forward to the new series, cant wait for Sunday!

[what]

First episode sounds like a decent one. All the cars have been featured in previous reviews but never in a roadtrip (we're not seeing a Gallardo for the hundredth time). It will be difficult to screw that one up I think... the SIARPC segment doesn't count, they're almost always rubbish anyway.

[M V E]

McLaren MP4-12C, Noble M600 and Lamborghini Aventador. Oh yeah!

[Jimmy0]

Looking forward to seeing the new series!

[RadishTM Veteran]

Enjoyable episode with the 3 supercars on the roadtrip, loved the sheer power of the Aventador with Clarkson at Imola and Stig's Chinese cousin breaking out was pure win :laugh: (Y)

Only thing I didn't like was the SIARPC, felt kinda rushed. will.i.am looked uncomfortable and went into one about his ghetto :rofl:

[MightyJordan]

Hmm, for once, I wasn't too big on this episode. It was alright,and it definitely had a few funny moments, but still... :/

I'm still keeping the faith for the rest of the series though. The Stig's Chinese cousin, Brian Johnson in a drag race, something involving Ray Winstone. :)

[Chasethebase Veteran]

Was a reasonably good episode, missed the first 20 minutes but oh well. Seemed alright though, got a few laughs. (Y)

[tsupersonic]

Meh, pretty weak starter episode...

[Lingwo]

I thought it was alright.They could have done that Italian road trip in 20 minutes instead of spreading it out over the episode. Still the montage at the start looked like it will be a fun series. Clarkson hugging May! beggars belief.

[monkey13]

C+ Ok but plenty of room for improvement.

Thought William was weak but then the american stars tend to be. The seem to be much more washed out interviews and never much fun. Also another American "car nut" who can't drive a proper car. I remember when that blond from Drive Angry was on and spent ages talking about how much she loves cars and driving and what a petrol head she was .... and then got in the automatic.

[omganinja]

Also another American "car nut" who can't drive a proper car. I remember when that blond from Drive Angry was on and spent ages talking about how much she loves cars and driving and what a petrol head she was .... and then got in the automatic.

Exactly my thoughts, if you can't drive a manual, why the **** are you starting a car company, you aren't even a car enthusiast.

[philcruicks]

This is gonna be great as always...even got the Morgan 3-wheeler in there!

[Chasethebase Veteran]

Exactly my thoughts, if you can't drive a manual, why the **** are you starting a car company, you aren't even a car enthusiast.

Somewhat true :p I personally love my cars but again choose to drive Auto. Maybe that's the difference, I could drive manual if I wanted to, this guy cannot.

[Dan~]

What a boring 'star' just like BEP in general, meh.

I love Top Gear but I've never liked the star section, okay I like them going round, but when the guest is boring it's just cringe worthy.

[Dapen]

What a boring 'star' just like BEP in general, meh.

I love Top Gear but I've never liked the star section, okay I like them going round, but when the guest is boring it's just cringe worthy.

I always start to get bored when Clarkson interviews a star, even the lap time is boring and has become useless.

[monkey13]

Somewhat true :p I personally love my cars but again choose to drive Auto. Maybe that's the difference, I could drive manual if I wanted to, this guy cannot.

Yep you choose. I would only drive auto in this situation if I had to. William didn't.

As a side note I hope they have Hamilton back this season. I would love to see him blow Vettel of the board. Only 0.7 sec quicker in perfect conditions. Would be nice just before the season started. (or Button I think he could go quicker as well and hasn't had the perfect conditions Vettel had)

[Tom]

The preview they showed for the follow up episodes look... amazing.

Episode 1 was fricking awesome also. When they revealed they were doing a road trip I was like 'zomgggggg. :DDDD'

Also I preferred James's car. That McLaren was freaking hot... definitely the best looking of the three.

[what]

I thought the episode was brilliant. Very few scripted sequences, it was always about the cars. I think I would take the Noble over the other two, the McLaren is a bit plain and the Lambo seems like it's trying too hard. I think Hammond was onto something when he said the M600 is a modern day F40, twin turbo V8 and no computer interruption.

SIARPC is a non-segment these days, I don't really pay attention to it.

[neoraptor]

didn't like it that much - just same old story, 3 super cars, Italy, one breaking down and other leaving him, race track, tunnel sounds (same as in Chauchesku's palace) , may has no sense of direction, etc, etc...

I want to see something new (i know it is hard after 10 years but still) like Bolivia or electric car or the caravans etc

[tsupersonic]

Also I preferred James's car. That McLaren was freaking hot... definitely the best looking of the three.

Meh. The Mclaren MP4 dash 12c is such a lame car (alsothe lamest supercar name EVER). Sure it's fast around the track, but there's no skill to driving it. There's just no spirit in it, or any sense of fun. I would much rather have the Noble or Lambo any day. As for best looks, the Lambo IMO wins it.

I also prefer Auto. The differences in shift times/efficiency are just nil these days. Yes, it is more "fun" to drive a manual, but for convenience/lazy's sake, I'd take an auto.

[houlty]

Meh. The Mclaren MP4 dash 12c is such a lame car (alsothe lamest supercar name EVER). Sure it's fast around the track, but there's no skill to driving it. There's just no spirit in it, or any sense of fun. I would much rather have the Noble or Lambo any day. As for best looks, the Lambo IMO wins it.

I also prefer Auto. The differences in shift times/efficiency are just nil these days. Yes, it is more "fun" to drive a manual, but for convenience/lazy's sake, I'd take an auto.

not in a Kia Cee'd though... whilst i drive a manual, i agree that auto's can make more sense for everyday driving.

[monkey13]

I also prefer Auto. The differences in shift times/efficiency are just nil these days. Yes, it is more "fun" to drive a manual, but for convenience/lazy's sake, I'd take an auto.

If you are meandering along on a standard road or have a specially designed and tuned racing automatic gearbox.

Neither of these apply in the Cee'ds case though. Auto vs manual for that when trying to rev the **se off it will make a big difference.

[Jimmy0]

I actually quite enjoyed the road trip in the episode, however I didn't care much for Will.I.Am.

Looks like we have some good things coming up too, if the montages at the beginning of the show are anything to go by.