Top Gear (series 2)

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Top Gear
Series 2
Starring
Country of originUnited Kingdom
No. of episodes10
Release
Original networkBBC Two
Original release11 May (2003-05-11) –
20 July 2003 (2003-07-20)
Series chronology
← Previous
Series 1
Next →
Series 3
List of episodes

Series 2 of Top Gear, a British motoring magazine and factual television programme, was broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC Two during 2003, consisting of ten episodes between 11 May and 20 July;[1] a compilation episode, titled "Best of Top Gear", was broadcast after the series concluded on 27 July, featuring the best moments of the previous two series. Following the first series, the programme saw a changing the hosting line-up, with motoring enthusiast Jason Dawe being axed and replaced by James May, who had previously worked on a series of the original 1977 programme of the same name. It also saw the credits of the programme officially denoting the anonymous driver, "The Stig", as an additional presenter, albeit not in their actual identity.[2]

During the original 2003 broadcast of the series, a segment known as "Greatest Car" was shown, where the three hosts (along with five guest hosts) would present a short film about a car they believed was the greatest ever made. Though the Land Rover, whose segment was presented by Richard Hammond, would eventually win, this segment would be cut out of all future airings of the show and means that Series 2 has not been seen in its full, uncut entirety since its original airing. When the series was added to BBC iPlayer in 2021, most of the “Greatest Car” segments were restored, although the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud and Citroën DS segments were still missing.

Episodes[]

Main article: List of Top Gear (2002 TV series) episodes
No.
overall		No. in
series		ReviewsFeatures/challengesGuest(s)Original air dateUK viewers
(millions) [3]
111Smart Roadster • Bowler Wildcat • Bentley T2 • McLaren F1Drag racer jet engine incinerates Nissan SunnyVinnie Jones11 May 2003 (2003-05-11)3.15
New presenter James May is given the task of reviewing his own Bentley T2 and explaining why it ruined his life, while Hammond becomes emotional over the Bowler Wildcat, and Clarkson has a look at the Smart Roadster, and compares it to the Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet and the Ford Street Ka. Back in the studio, there's a look at a Ferrari that isn't one, while Hammond reveals his top 5 worst cars ever and burns his least favourite car (along with a caravan) with the jet engine of a drag racer. The Greatest Car competition is introduced, with Murray Walker sharing why he believes the McLaren F1 was the greatest car ever made. Finally, the Liana braces itself as Vinnie Jones steps in to set a lap on the track.
122Rolls-Royce Phantom • Rover P5 • BMW M3 • Audi S4 • Jaguar E-TypeFastest political partyJamie Oliver18 May 2003 (2003-05-18)3.28
There's luxury with the cars, as Clarkson test drives the Rolls-Royce Phantom in and around Hull and the Humber Bridge, while Hammond drives around in the Rover P5, before heading for the track to see which political party for Britain is the fastest and therefore should be in charge. There's also a comparison test between the Audi S4 and the BMW M3, while chef Jamie Oliver seeks to serve up a fast time in the reasonably priced car. Actor and car-lover Chris Barrie opines on why he believes the Jaguar E-Type was the greatest car ever made.
133Volkswagen Touareg • Lexus SC430 • Hyundai Coupe • BMW Z8 • Perodua Kelisa • Ford MustangCountry with fastest supercarDavid Soul25 May 2003 (2003-05-25)2.98

Clarkson shows no mercy for the Volkswagen Touareg as he shows the many faults with the car, before stepping into the BMW Z8 Alpina. Meanwhile, Hammond reviews the Hyundai Coupé, May road tests the Perodua Kelisa, while the stripped down Jaguar XJS is given a nitrous injection before racing against a number of fast supercars. Jeremy Clarkson presents on the classic Ford Mustang, before David Soul (of Starsky and Hutch) graces the track, and proves hazardous to the Liana's lifespan.

Note: This episode was the first one to introduce Clarkson's direct intro line "Tonight! On Top Gear.", that became part of the format for later series.
144Jaguar R Coupe • Jaguar Mk II • Mark 3 Jaguar XJR • Jaguar XKR-R • Aston Martin DB7 GT • Black CabHow far can you drive until you become bored in a Mark 3 Jaguar XJR?Boris Johnson1 June 2003 (2003-06-01)3.23
Jaguars invade the show as Clarkson sees how far he can drive in a Jaguar XJR before he gets bored, while taking a look between the Aston Martin DB7 GT and a racing version of the Jaguar XKR before the Stig drives them around the track. May recounts a story about the 1953 Le Mans Jaguar C-Type, while Hammond gives praises towards the 1960s Jaguar Mark II. Renowned chef A.A. Gill shares his thoughts on why the beloved Black Cab is his nomination for Greatest Car, meanwhile, the Liana is put into the hands of Boris Johnson as he prepares to set a lap time in it.
155Porsche 911 Turbo • Ford Street Ka • Triumph TR6 • Renault Clio V6 • Land RoverRally pit crew vs. women getting ready for a night outAnne Robinson8 June 2003 (2003-06-08)3.33
Hammond meets the biggest car bore in Britain who built a car in his kitchen, while seeing if a Ford's World Rally Championship pit team can dismantle and rebuild a rally car faster than four women getting ready for a night out. Elsewhere Clarkson takes a look at two Porsches - the Porsche 911 Turbo and the 911 Carrera 4S - and explains why the mid-engined Renault Clio V6 would be in his "Perfect 10 Garage", while May claims that a proper "bloke's car" can be found in the Triumph TR6, and Anne Robinson is in the Liana and proving she isn't the weakest link on the track. Richard Hammond then finally suggests that the Land Rover, a capable off-roader that knew no class boundaries, was the greatest car ever made.
166Subaru Impreza WRX STI • Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII • Vauxhall VX220 Turbo • Peugeot 206 GTI • Fiat 500Land speed record for caravan towingRichard Whiteley15 June 2003 (2003-06-15)2.46
Clarkson tries to find out whether he would want the Subaru Impreza WRX STI or the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII when he takes them to Scotland, and tries to see if the Vauxhall VX220 Turbo can be taken seriously. Meanwhile, Hammond takes the Peugeot 206 GTi out for a track day and reviews the Peugeot 206 GTI, May tries to set a land-speed record for a caravan, and the Stig races five trak-day cars to find the fastest among them. Finally, Richard Whiteley proves he is slowest in the Liana when he takes it on the track. Nick Mason of Pink Floyd shows why he thought the Fiat 500 was the greatest car ever made.
177Koenigsegg CC8S • Renault Mégane • Hummer H1 • Hummer H2 • Rolls-Royce Silver CloudCrash testing the Megane with a real driverNeil Morrissey22 June 2003 (2003-06-22)3.61
Clarkson is driving around the track in the Koenigsegg CC8S and finds major differences between two Hummers - the H1 and the H2. Meanwhile, Hammond is testing out how practical the Talon riot control vehicle is, and seeing how well the Renault Mégane is in a simulated crash test before checking in on how other cars performed in crashes. Elsewhere, the Liana is put round the track, as Neil Morrissey attempts a lap time in the reasonably priced car. Broadcaster Stuart Hall suggests why the greatest car ever made can be none other than the classic "Roller".
188Nissan 350Z • Alfa Romeo 147 GTA • Citroën DS • Convertibles: (Citroën C3 Pluriel • Mercedes-Benz CLK500 Convertible • Audi A4 Cabriolet • Daihatsu Copen • Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet)The Race for the UniverseJodie Kidd6 July 2003 (2003-07-06)3.76

Clarkson is far from impressed when he drives the Nissan 350Z over city and country roads, while seeing how the insane Alfa Romeo 147 GTA does when he tests it out. Meanwhile, Hammond and May take a number of cabriolets - the Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet, the Mercedes-Benz CLK500 convertible, the Audi A4 cabriolet, the Citroën C3 Pluriel, and the Daihatsu Copen - on a camping holiday in the Lake District, while there is a "race for the universe" as a number of sci-fi characters and species battle it out on the track in a Honda Civic Type R, and Jodie Kidd is the latest star to drive the reasonably priced car. James May, following up from Richard Hammond the series prior, takes another look at the "Goddess" of motoring, the Citroën DS, and puts forth its case as the greatest car ever made.

Note: For licensing reasons, all future reruns do not include the “Race for The Universe” challenge.
199Vandenbrink Carver • Volvo S60 R • GM HyWire • Audi QuattroDrive Vauxhall Signum from the rear seatPatrick Stewart13 July 2003 (2003-07-13)2.91
May takes a drive in the revolutionary GM Hywire that runs on a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen, while Clarkson joins Hammond to test out unusual but entertaining Vandenbrink Carver, before reviewing the Volvo S60 R and coming over all "Mr. Bean" with the Vauxhall Signum. Elsewhere, Patrick Stewart departs the starship Enterprise for the starship "Liana", as he comes to the planet Top Gear. Footballer Graeme Le Saux is the final personality to talk about their nomination for greatest car, choosing the Audi Quattro.
2010TVR T350C • Overfinch Range Rover • Cadillac Sixteen • Volkswagen PhaetonLand Rover reliability challengeAlan Davies20 July 2003 (2003-07-20)2.92

Hammond tests out the TVR T350C by racing it against a Harrier Jump Jet, while May sees if Cadillac have reversed their market woes by driving the Cadillac Sixteen concept car. Meanwhile, Clarkson find comfort within the quite fast Volkswagen Phaeton and races the corner-unfriendly Overfinch 580S against a Mercedes-Benz SLK320, while there is a search for Britain's fastest disabled driver and a look at some of the things that didn't make it into the series. Finally, Alan Davies takes to a "mildly damp" track as the latest star in the Liana. The classic Land Rover, chosen by Richard Hammond as the greatest car ever made, wins the coveted title.

Note: This episode was to be themed around tuned-up cars, but unforeseen circumstances[further explanation needed] led to this not being implemented.

Best-of episodes[]

Total No. Title Feature Original air date
S1CEThe Best of Top Gear: 2002–2003Best Moments from Series 1–227 July 2003 (2003-07-27)
A look back at some of the best moments from last two series, including a look at what faith was the fastest around the track, and whether some grannies managed to do some Doughnuts.

References[]

  1. ^ "Top Gear Series 2". topgearbox.com. 1 May 2003.
  2. ^ "What Happened to Jason Dawe". drivetribe.com. 28 August 2018.
  3. ^ "Weekly Top 10 Programmes". Broadcasters' Audience Research Board.
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