Top Gear (series 28)

Series 28 of Top Gear, a British motoring magazine and factual television programme, was broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC Two during 2020, consisting of six episodes between 26 January and 1 March; the series' studio segments were filmed prior to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK. The twenty-eighth series was preceded by a feature-length special, the first since 2015, involving a road trip by the presenters across Nepal, titled "Nepal Special", that was aired on 29 December 2019.[1]

Top Gear
Series 28
Starring
Country of originUnited Kingdom
No. of episodes7
Release
Original networkBBC Two
Original release29 December 2019 (2019-12-29) –
1 March 2020 (2020-03-01)
Series chronology

This series' highlights included the presenters competing in a Mexican off-road motorsport race, creating a home-made off-road vehicle, a second race between a high-speed car and a fighter jet, and a tribute to rally legend Colin McRae. The popularity of the show continued to improve after the previous series, leading to the BBC to announce after the series had concluded that the programme would be moved to BBC One for future series.

Production

On 20 June 2019, It was announced that after the first episode of Series 27, McGuinness and Flintoff would return for another series alongside Harris.[2][3]

On 11 July 2019, it was announced that the trio would return in a one-off Christmas special, the first Top Gear special since the Patagonia Special,[4] and the first since the departure of Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May. It was later announced that the special would take place in Nepal.[5]

On 10 February 2020, it was announced that future series of Top Gear would air on BBC One.[6]

Episodes
Main article: List of Top Gear (2002 TV series) episodes
No.
overall		No. in
series		ReviewsFeatures/challengesGuest(s)Original air dateUK viewers
(millions) [7]
208–N/A – Nepal SpecialDriving from Kathmandu to Lo Manthang (Peugeot 106 Rallye • Renault 4 • Hulas Mustang)None29 December 2019 (2019-12-29)3.72
The presenters head to Nepal to see what is the best city car for £6000. McGuinness purchases a Peugeot 106 Rallye, Harris buys a Renault 4 while Flintoff chooses a local Hulas Mustang. Starting from the capital city of Kathmandu they head for the ancient city of Lo Manthang passing through the temple of Muktinath Temple.
2091Ariel Atom 4Best Convertibles for less than £600 (Ford Escort Cabriolet • Mercedes-Benz SLK • Chrysler LeBaron) • Bungee jumping a Rover MetroNone26 January 2020 (2020-01-26)5.22
The presenters compete in a series of challenges from Bognor Regis to Essex in several convertibles for less than £600. McGuinness purchases a Ford Escort Cabriolet, Harris buys a Mercedes-Benz SLK while Flintoff settles on a Chrysler LeBaron. Elsewhere, at the Track, Harris reviews the new Ariel Atom 4, before he and Flintoff prove 0-60 can be achieved quicker for less by Bungee jumping a Rover Metro.
2102McLaren SpeedtailBuilding a Cheap Off-Roader to compete with the Land Rover Defender • McLaren Speedtail vs RAF F-35BRomesh Ranganathan2 February 2020 (2020-02-02)4.90
McGuinness combines a Daihatsu Fourtrak with a Bedford Rascal to create the ultimate 4x4, as an alternative to the new Land Rover Defender, before it is put through a number of harsh challenges by Flintoff and Harris. Elsewhere, Harris reviews McLaren's latest hypercar, the Speedtail, before he and McGuinness race it against RAF F-35B, while Romesh Ranganathan sets a lap in the GT86.
2113Porsche TaycanAmerican Cars in Peru (Pontiac Firebird • Dodge Dart • Volkswagen Campervan • Oldsmobile Cutlass)None9 February 2020 (2020-02-09)5.24
The presenters head for an all American road trip in Peru travelling from Incan to Vilcabamba in American cars costing less than £5000. Harris purchases a Dodge Dart, Flintoff buys a Volkswagen Campervan while McGuinness acquires a modified convertible Pontiac Firebird. Meanwhile, Harris tests the new, all electric, Porsche Taycan on the road and at the track.
2124Renault Mégane RS Trophy R • Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 • Lamborghini Gallardo SpyderRacing the Baja 1000Emilia Fox • Laurence Fox16 February 2020 (2020-02-16)4.45
The presenters compete at the track to see what is the best car for around £70,000. Harris tests the Renault Mégane RS Trophy R, Flintoff reviews the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 while McGuinness drives a used Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder. Meanwhile Harris and Flintoff race in the Baja 1000, the latter gives some advice on everyday cars, while actors Emilia and Laurence Fox compete in a width restriction test in an old Jaguar XJ, before seeing who is faster in the reasonably fast car.
2135Volkswagen I.D. RBest Exotic European Sports Car (Ferrari Portofino • Porsche 911 Carrera S • Aston Martin V8 Vantage)KSI • Damon Hill23 February 2020 (2020-02-23)5.11
The presenters drive round Yorkshire to determine which is the best current exotic European sports car. Harris believes it to be the new Porsche 911 Carrera S, Flintoff states it to be the latest Aston Martin V8 Vantage while McGuinness stands by the Ferrari Portofino. Meanwhile, at Portimao, Harris tests the new Volkswagen I.D. R, while YouTube sensation KSI, competes with Flintoff in a Football Steering Wheel Challenge, before setting a lap in the GT86.
2146BMW M8Tribute to Colin McRae • Fastest Emergency serviceTom Allen • Jimmy McRae • David Richards • Carlos Sainz1 March 2020 (2020-03-01)4.68
Harris pays tribute to rally legend Colin McRae while McGuinness reviews the BMW M8 at the track. Later, the presenters attempt to see which is the fastest Emergency service at the track, while comedian Tom Allen competes against McGuinness in a width restriction test in an old Jaguar XJ, before having a go in the reasonably fast car.

References
  1. "Nepal Special". BBC. 29 December 2019.
  2. "BBC News – Flintoff and McGuinness' Top Gear to be renewed after one episode". Metro.co.uk. 20 June 2019.
  3. "Top Gear Series 28 Episodes". BBC.co.uk. 13 February 2020.
  4. "BBC News – Top Gear Christmas Special Returning". Top Gear. 11 July 2019.
  5. "Top Gear Special in Nepal". iNews. 23 December 2019.
  6. "Top Gear Moving to BBC One". Top Gear. 10 February 2020.
  7. "Four-screen dashboard". Broadcasters' Audience Research Board. Retrieved 5 March 2019.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.