Top Gear/Season 1 Episode 4

Season 1 Episode 4
Season 1, Episode 4
Airdate	November 10, 2002
Written by
Directed by
← 1x03 Season 1 Episode 3	1x05 → Season 1 Episode 5
Top Gear — Season One

Episode Four of the first season of Top Gear, and is episode four overall.

Guest Stars: Steve Coogan, Damon Hill, Richard Burns

Information

Aston Martin Vanquish, Ferrari 575M Maranello

Jeremy Clarkson reviews the Aston Martin Vanquish at the Isle of White. The Vanquish has a new, lighter chassis and the body is made of carbon fiber. However, for all the attempts at making it light, the Vanquish weighs more than the Aston Martin DB7. But Clarkson says the best thing about driving a Vanquish, even thought it costs 158,000 GBP (about 288,400 USD), is that everyone loves it. The Vanquish has a 6.0 L V12 engine producing 460 bhp. Clarkson loves the noise, the interior, the badge, and its British-ness. But the Vanquish is missing something — a gear shifter. Instead, the Vanquish has Formula One style paddle shifters. And to go into reverse you have to paddle shift into neutral and then push a "Reverse" button on the dashboard. The Vanquish is also up against a new Ferrari.

The Ferrari 575M Maranello costs about the same as the Aston Martin Vanquish, both are two-seaters; both are front-engined, rear-wheel drive touring cars; both do nearly 200 mph, both do 0-60 in under 5 seconds. So which is the best? Clarkson has a talk with the 575 driver, former F1 driver Damon Hill. Hill thinks it's a fantastic machine, so they switch off. The 575M Maranello has the same F1 gearbox as the Vanquish, but you don't have to have it and can save 8,000 GBP (about 14,600 USD) by having a simple manual transmission. After driving the two cars, both Clarkson and Hill would pick the Ferrari 575M Maranello.

The Stig takes the Ferrari 575M Maranello around a very wet test track in 1.35.2. The Stig takes the Aston Martin Vanquish around a very wet test track in 1.36.2. To highlight the fact of how wet the test track was, the boys show a video of the Stig losing control and spinning the Aston Martin Vanquish off the track.

Racing Technology in Consumer Cars

Jeremy Clarkson ponders what exactly racing has given consumer cars. In the studio he shows off a BMW-Williams Formula 1 car and states that the only thing they've given us is the stupid flappy paddle gearboxes. He then shows off a Peugeot 206 WRC rally car and states that rallying has given us turbochargers, four-wheel drive, and you can buy cars based off their rallying counterparts. WRC Champion Richard Burns talks with Clarkson about how to make Formula One more interesting.

Nissan Skyline

Jason Dawe takes a look at the Nissan Skyline. It may not have the looks are pedigree of an Aston Martin or Ferrari, but it doesn't cost as nearly and has more than enough power to match the pace. In the Australian Touring Car series, the rules were changed so the Skyline could be outlawed. The Skyline has a 276 bhp twin-turbo engine and a computer-controlled chassis which can switch between two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive. But Skyline production has stopped and now they're only available second-hand. There's three models available: Skyline GTR R32, Skyline GTR R33, and the Skyline GTR R34. The Nissan Skyline GTR R34 is the best of the three with a 0-60 time of 5.2 seconds and a top speed of 155 mph. It's quick and easy to drive. It has a built-in monitor allowing you to check the G-meter, how much torque is going to the front wheels, fluid temperatures, turbo boost, and more. Dawe says that, on the R32, you should be aware that the brake discs could explode. The R34 is pretty much bullet-proof, but it costs a lot more to buy — about 40,000 GBP (about 73,000 USD). Another problem is finding an unchipped car, as a Skyline with a chip will most likely have more turbo wear than usual. Another thing to look out for is tread wear on the tires. Due to the geometry of the Skyline, the tread down on the inside rather than outside. Dawe says you can pick up an R32 for about 10,000 to 12,000 GBP (about 18,260 to 22,000 USD), but it's an older model. An R33 goes for about 20,000 GBP (about 36,500 USD), which Dawe believes is your best bet if you want a Nissan Skyline.

Bond Cars

Richard Hammond shows off James Bond's Aston Martin Vanquish from Die Another Day. Jeremy Clarkson shows off the villain's Jaguar XKR from the same film. Showing off all the built-in weapons, Hammond illustrates that there's little space in either car for their proper engines. Instead, the Vanquish and Jaguar both have a V8 from a Ford Mustang.

Star in a Reasonably Priced Car

This week's Star in a Reasonably Priced Car is Steve Coogan, an English actor and comedian. Steve Coogan races the Suzuki Liana around the test track in 1.53.0 in the wet.

Formula 1 Consumer Cars

Richard Hammond explains that all Formula 1 constructers offer a mid-range consumer car, aside from Ferrari. So he decides to have them duke it out on the test track to see which is the fastest. First is the Renault Laguna lacks power, but has good handling. It has keycard entry and onboard tire pressure monitors. Next is the Ford Mondeo, which has a distinct feeling of interior and exterior quality. Then there is the Toyota Avensis, the oldest car there and the ugliest, but very reliable. The Jaguar X Type is Jaguar's cheapest car and one of the most powerful engines out of the lot being tested. But for 20,000 GBP (about 36,500 USD) you don't get much Jag. Next is the Mercedes-Benz C200, which comes with a supercharger. The BMW 318i handles well, but doesn't have much power and is quite heavy. Last is the Honda Accord, which has pretty good horsepower and extras.

The Stig takes the Jaguar X Type around in 1.46.0, while the Renault Laguna and Toyota Avensis finished about the same at 1.45.0. The Honda Accord comes in at 1.44.0 and the Stig takes the Ford Moneo around in 1.41.0. The Mercedes-Benz C200 and BMW 318i went around about the same at 1.43.0. Thus the Ford Mondeo wins.

Reviews

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