Top Gear/Season 8 Episode 3

Season 8 Episode 3
Season 8, Episode 3
Airdate	May 21, 2006
Written by
Directed by	Brian Klein
← 8x02 Season 8 Episode 2	8x04 → Season 8 Episode 4
Top Gear — Season Eight

Episode Three of the eighth season of Top Gear, and is episode sixty-nine overall.

Guest Stars: Philip Glenister

Information

Build an Amphibious Car Challenge

The presenters are challenged to see how hard it could be to build an amphibious car. James May bought a Triump Herald and decided to convert it into a sailboat. Richard Hammond bought a Volkswagen Camper Van and decided to convert it into a house boat. Jeremy Clarkson bought a Toyota Hi-Lux and decided to mount a massive outboard motor on it. With the help of marine specialists, the presenters work on converting their cars into amphibious cars.

First challenge: drive the amphibious cars 20 miles to a resevoir and then drive them across a 2 mile stretch of water. James is left behind as his car is too slow, while Hammond has trouble powering his car up hills. James' car breaks down, but he can't open the hood as it's been welded shut to prevent water from entering. Hammond's car soon follows, breaking down, and is left behind by Jeremy. Letting their engines cool down, they eventually are able to set off, regroup, and make it to the resevoir. James' car floats, but gets stuck in the weeds. Jeremy's car floats, but is leaking. Hammond's car's engine breaks down and starts sinking. Jeremy has to rescue Hammond, letting James garner a lead in the race. In his attempt to catch up, Jeremy makes too hard a turn, causing his car to flip over onto its bottom. James is able to get his car onto the entry ramp, but the car's clutch breaks.

Leaving the decision up to the audience, James May won the contest.

Lotus Exige S

Jeremy Clarkson reviews the Lotus Exige S. The Exige S has a supercharged 1.8 liter Toyota engine pushing the car to a top speed of 148 mph and 0-60 in 4 seconds. Jeremy decides to race the Exige S against a 4.6 liter, 300 bhp V-8 Ford Mustang GT driven by The Stig. In two laps around their short circuit, the Lotus Exige S handily beats the Ford Mustang GT. But, according to Clarkson, there are three drawbacks: it costs 33,000 GBP (about 61,800 USD), it's pretty noisy when you go past 85 mph, and it's difficult to climb out of.

The Stig takes the Lotus Exige S around the test track in 1.25.1.

Cool Wall

Richard and Jeremy both believe the Lotus Exige S is fantastic in white and a brilliant car, but Richard believes it's uncool. Jeremy thinks it's cool and puts it on the appropriate section of the wall, but a man in shorts in the audience thinks it's cool, so Jeremy says it's been ruined and places the Exige S in the Uncool section.

Jeremy shows a picture of the Proton Savvy supermini, but places it in the Uncool section due to its name.

The pink Nissan Micra Convertible is placed in the Seriously Uncool section.

The Jaguar XK is placed in the Uncool section.

The Koenigsegg CCX is placed in the Cool section, because they believe it's seriously dangerous. Trumping other supercars, such as the Ford GT and previous Koenigsegg, which reside in the Uncool section.

Star in a Reasonably Priced Car

This week's Star in a Reasonably Priced Car is Philip Glenister, a British television actor. Philip Glenister races the Chevrolet Lacetti around the test track in 1.54.3 in the wet.

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