Top Gear (series 1)

Top Gear (series 1)
Country of origin	United Kingdom
No. of episodes	10
Release
Original network	BBC Two
Original release	20 October – 29 December 2002
Series chronology

The first series of the relaunched motoring show Top Gear, was broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC Two during 2002 and consisted of 10 episodes, beginning on 20 October and concluding on the 29 December. It was presented by Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and Jason Dawe, but while Clarkson and Hammond would be permanent hosts up until the end of Series 22, Dawe was a host until the conclusion of the series, whereupon he was axed from the show.

Production

The presenting line-up of series 1 consisting of Dawe, Hammond and Clarkson.

Following the cancellation of the original format of Top Gear in December 2001, previous format presenters Jeremy Clarkson and Andy Wilman decided to revive the show in a different format for the following year. These new changes included the use of television studio segments and challenges, and a revamped presentation of reviews, unlike the previous show which focused on the production of cars. Clarkson later announced that he would present the new show, with Wilman serving as executive producer, whilst motoring journalists Richard Hammond and Jason Dawe joined as the new presenters, both of whom had not hosted the previous format.

Clarkson explained in late 2015 that he originally wanted James May to join him on the hosting line-up, but that May didn't feel that the new format could be successful and declined, leading to Dawe being recruited. When May learnt about the ratings for the first series, he decided to join the show for its second series, leading to Dawe being axed shortly afterwards.

Episodes

Total	No.	Title	Reviews	Features/challenges	Guest(s)	Original air date	UK viewers (million)[1]
1	1	Series 1, Episode 1	Citroën Berlingo Multispace • Pagani Zonda • Lamborghini Murciélago • Mazda6	Speed cameras	Harry Enfield	20 October 2002	2.43
In the first episode of the relaunched Top Gear, Clarkson looks into the Citroën Berlingo Multispace and the Pagani Zonda C12 S 7.3, while Hammond reviews the Mazda6. The presenters also see if its possible to be undetected by a speed camera by driving past it very fast, while back in the studio, they reveal the test track designed for them by Lotus, for both Power Laps by The Stig, and for new segment, "Star in a Reasonably Priced Car", with Harry Enfield being the first celebrity to set a time in the segment's Suzuki Liana. Note: First appearance of Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, Jason Dawe and The Stig.
2	2	Series 1, Episode 2	Ford Focus RS • Noble M12 GTO	Bus jumping over bikes	Jay Kay	27 October 2002	3.54
Clarkson tries out the Ford Focus RS and the Noble M12 GTO, while Hammond attempts to see how many motorcycles a double-decker bus can jump over and looks back at his childhood dream car - the 1977 Ford Escort RS1800. Jay Kay is the next star to drive the Liana around the Top Gear Test Track.
3	3	Series 1, Episode 3	Mini One • Toyota Yaris Verso • Citroën DS • Westfield XTR2 • Aston Martin DB7	Grannies doing doughnuts with a Honda S2000	Ross Kemp	3 November 2002	3.30
Clarkson takes a look at the new Mini and the Toyota Yaris Verso, before testing out the Aston Martin DB7 Vantage. Hammond sees if grannies can do donuts in a Honda S2000, reviews the Westfield XTR2, and argues with Clarkson over which is the best automotive design of all time, with designers, Peter Horbury and Ian Callum joining the discussion on the subject. Meanwhile, Ross Kemp attempts to get the Liana around a wet Top Gear Test Track. Note: This is the first episode to end with the catchphrase "And on that bombshell…", which wouldn't be a regular line until later series.
4	4	Series 1, Episode 4	Aston Martin Vanquish • Ferrari 575M Maranello • Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R	Family Saloon Formula One	Steve Coogan • Richard Burns	10 November 2002	2.90
The trio celebrate the release of Die Another Day by racing the Aston Martin Vanquish against the Ferrari 575M Maranello while looking at the Vanquish and Jaguar XKR convertible to feature in the film. Clarkson meets with rally champion, Richard Burns, while Richard judges mid-range family saloons in a Formula One-styled race, and Dawe reviews the Nissan Skyline GT-R and compares previous Skyline models - the R32, the R33, and the R34. Steve Coogan sees how he handles the Liana around a wet track.
5	5	Series 1, Episode 5	Mercedes-Benz S-Class • Audi A8 • Maybach 62 • Bentley Arnage	Create a Bond car	Jonathan Ross	17 November 2002	3.43
Clarkson takes a look at the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and its rival, the Audi A8 before driving the luxurious, Bentley Arnage. Meanwhile, Dawe drives some used Peugeot 206s to determine their worth, while Hammond gushes over the new Maybach 62. The trio also test out their very own 007/Bond car with the gadgets suggested by viewers, while Jonathan Ross finds himself struggling in the Liana with an extemely wet test track.
6	6	Series 1, Episode 6	Renault Vel Satis • BMW Z4 • Mercedes-Benz SL55 AMG • Honda NSX Type R	Grannies doing handbrake parking	Tara Palmer-Tomkinson	24 November 2002	3.10
Clarkson finds out how good the Renault Vel Satis is, and then drives his personal Mercedes-Benz SL55 AMG around the track, while Hammond reviews the BMW Z4 in Portugal. Meanwhile Dawe sees if grannies can do a handbrake park and looks back at a used car that never went out of fashion - the Volkswagen Golf. In the studio, Jeremy introduces another new segment - the Cool Wall - while Tara Palmer-Tomkinson looks back to how well she did in the Liana.
7	7	Series 1, Episode 7	Saab 9-3 • Lotus Elise 111S	Religious leaders race	Rick Parfitt	1 December 2002	3.61
Hammond drives a Saab 9-3 to see if it is wacky and interesting like old Saabs, while Clarkson puts the Lotus Elise 111S through its paces. Elsewhere, Dawe visits a primary school to see which car the kids there think is coolest, while there's a race to see which religious faith is the fastest, and Rick Parfitt of Status Quo sees if he can get the Liana quickly around the test track.
8	8	Series 1, Episode 8	Audi RS6 • Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG • Maserati Coupé • Ford Fiesta • Citroën C3 • Honda Jazz • Nissan Micra • MG ZR • Lada Riva modified by Lotus	Fastest white van man	Sir Michael Gambon	8 December 2002	3.43
Clarkson road tests the Audi RS6 and makes comparisons between it and the Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG, before testing out the Maserati Coupé on the track. Hammond, meanwhile, looks at a group of "superminis" - the Ford Fiesta, the Citroën C3, the Honda Jazz, the Nissan Micra, and the MG ZR. Lotus sees what they can do to modify and improve the Lada Riva 1.5E Catalyst, a group of White-Van men race around the track in a Ford World Rally Transit van, and Michael Gambon steps into the reasonably priced car. Note: This episode saw the last corner of the track being renamed as "Gambon Corner", in honor of Michael Gambon's near-accident during his time in the Liana.
9	9	Series 1, Episode 9	Volvo XC90 • Subaru Forester • VW Golf R32 • Honda Civic Type R • Toyota Land Cruiser	Stripped down Jaguar XJS	Gordon Ramsay	22 December 2002	3.67
Jeremy looks at how good the Renault Espace is before trying to find out if the Toyota Landcruiser is a cool alternative to it, while also finding out if the Volvo XC90 Estate is any good, along with the VW Golf R32. Elsewhere, Dawe and Hammond see if a crew from Cornwall can make a used 1985 Jaguar XJS V12 faster by making it lighter, while the Stig races a Radical SR3 around the track against an aerobatic plane, and Gordon Ramsay is in the Liana to produce something hotter than just food.
10	10	Series 1, Episode 10	Range Rover • Lotus Esprit • Nissan Primera • TVR T350C	Religious leaders race again • Top Gear Awards 2002	None	29 December 2002	3.59
The presenters take a look into the Range Rover, the Lotus Esprit, the Nissan Primera, and the TVR T350C. There's another race to find the fastest faith in the world, while the trio find out what cars have gotten what awards in the Top Gear Awards 2002. Note: Final appearance of Jason Dawe.

References

1. "Weekly Top 10 Programmes". Broadcasters' Audience Research Board.