Top Gear (series 30)
| Top Gear | |
|---|---|
| Series 30 | |
| Starring | |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| No. of episodes | 4 |
| Release | |
| Original network | BBC One |
| Original release | 14 March – 4 April 2021 |
| Series chronology | |
Series 30 of Top Gear, a British motoring magazine and factual television programme, was broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC One and BBC One HD during early 2021.[1] It was the fourth series to feature the presenting lineup of Chris Harris, Paddy McGuinness, and Freddie Flintoff, and the second to be broadcast on BBC One. As with the previous series, the COVID-19 pandemic affected production and filming of this series, with several changes made as a result; studio segments were filmed on an outdoor set with no full audience.
Production[]
On 28 February 2021, it was announced that, due to restrictions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, filming of the studio links for the thirtieth series would not be taking place at its usual location at Dunsfold Aerodrome, and there would not be a studio audience present; the number of episodes in the series was also reduced to four.[2] Instead, the links for the show were recorded during a two-night shoot outside Television Centre, London with no full audience present.[nb 1][3] Unlike during the previous series, the presenters and crew members did not need to be physically distanced during filming as they were "bubbled" and tested during filming.[4]
Episodes[]
| No. overall | No. in series | Reviews | Features/challenges | Original air date | UK viewers (millions) [5] | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 221 | 1 | Lamborghini Sián FKP 37 | Second-Hand Dad's Cars in the Lake District (Ford Cortina • BMW 3 Series • Ford Fiesta) | 14 March 2021 | 6.33 | |
| The presenters kick off the series by heading to the Lake District to compare second-hand cars owned by their dads: Flintoff purchases a Ford Cortina, McGuinness buys a Ford Fiesta, and Harris chooses a BMW 3 Series. This ends in a time trial around a rally course against The Stig's dad and then a race to the ferry at Windermere. Meanwhile, Harris tests the new hybrid Lamborghini Sián FKP 37, the most powerful Lamborghini ever made. | ||||||
| 222 | 2 | Ferrari Roma • Alfaholics GTA-R | Budget James Bond Cars (Sunbeam Alpine • Alfa Romeo GTV6 • Renault 11 • Lotus Esprit • Toyota 2000GT • Aston Martin DB5) • Spark ODYSSEY 21 vs. Jet Pack Man | 21 March 2021 | 7.03 | |
|
To celebrate the upcoming release of the James Bond film No Time to Die, the presenters head to the track to compare cars from the James Bond films that can be acquired on a budget. Later, Flintoff tests the Spark ODYSSEY 21 and races it against a Jet Pack Man, before McGuinness and Harris return to the track to compare the Ferrari Roma to the Alfaholics GTA-R. Note: This episode was posthumously dedicated to former presenter Sabine Schmitz, who died from cancer on 16 March 2021, several days before it aired. | ||||||
| 223 | 3 | None | Off-Roaders in the Scottish Highlands (Ariel Nomad R • Land Rover Defender • Mercedes-AMG G63) | 28 March 2021 | 6.30 | |
| The presenters head to the Scottish Highlands to compare the new Land Rover Defender to other Off-road vehicles: McGuinness drives the Mercedes-AMG G63, Flintoff backs the Ariel Nomad R, and Harris drives the Defender. | ||||||
| 224 | 4 | Toyota GR Yaris | Second-Hand Sports Cars for a Midlife crisis (TVR Chimaera • Vauxhall Monaro • Ferrari F355/Toyota MR2 Kit car) | 4 April 2021 | 6.00 | |
| The presenters try to seek out the best car for a Midlife crisis for under £8000: Flintoff buys a TVR Chimaera, Harris purchases a Vauxhall Monaro while McGuinness acquires a Toyota MR2 Kit car dressed to look as a Ferrari F355 which he nicknames the "Toyari". They compete in a number of challenges to see which is best. Meanwhile Harris heads to the track to drive the Toyota GR Yaris comparing it to other hot hatches and Homologated Rally Cars. | ||||||
A Tribute To Sabine Schmitz[]
Former presenter Sabine Schmitz died from cancer on 16 March 2021, two days after the first episode of the series was aired; following the broadcast of the final episode of the series on 4 April 2021, a special tribute to her was made available on BBC iPlayer. The tribute, which was shown on BBC One on 7 April 2021 and features clips from Schmitz's appearances on Top Gear, was narrated by Zoe Ball and contains contributions from some of the current and former presenters of the show (these are Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, James May, Matt LeBlanc, Rory Reid, Chris Harris, Paddy McGuinness, and Freddie Flintoff), as well as several other figures from the world of motorsport. [6]
| Total | No. | Title | Feature | Original air date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Special | Special | Top Gear: A Tribute To Sabine Schmitz | Tribute to Sabine Schmitz | 7 April 2021 |
Notes[]
- ^ Filming took place in front of production staff and the residents of the flats above Television Centre, as explained at the start of the first episode.
References[]
- ^ "Top Gear Series 30 Air Date". BBC. 14 March 2021.
- ^ https://www.autoblog.com/2021/03/08/top-gear-season-30-preview/
- ^ "Top Gear series 30: Why new season isn't using Dunsfold Aerodrome track". Get Surrey. 13 March 2021.
- ^ "Top Gear viewers stunned by Freddie Flintoff's surprising hair transformation". Digital Spy. 14 March 2021.
- ^ "Four-screen dashboard". Broadcasters' Audience Research Board. Retrieved 5 March 2019.
- ^ "Top Gear: A Tribute To Sabine Schmitz to debut this Sunday following series finale". BBC Media Center. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
External links[]
- Series 30 at the Internet Movie Database
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- 2021 British television seasons
- Top Gear seasons
- BBC Television show stubs