148Series19,Episode127January2013DamianLewis ReviewRichardreviewsthePaganiHuayra,thelatestsupercarfromtheItalianmanufacturer.Thecariscapableofsavageacceleration,withalotofattentionplacedintothebodywork,interiorandutilizingcuttingedgetechnology.Despitethemassivetwin-turboengineandhorsepower,thankstoitssophisticatedaerodynamicpackage,thecarcaneasilybedrivenhardwithouttheriskofspinning.TheHuayraalsosetthefastesttimeontheTopGearTestTrackinthehandsofTheStig,113.8,beatingthepreviousrecord,setbytheArielAtomV8. NewsTheDaciaSanderoisnowonsaleintheUK.TheMercedes-BenzSLSAMGBlackhasbeenupdatedtoproduceextrahorsepower,butthehandlingisstillchallenging.JeremyclaimsthathehasfoundamaleequivalentversionofFiftyShadesofGrey,presentingakid'sbookabouttractors.ThenewChevroletStingrayisannounced.JamesMayturnedfiftythepreviousweek.Also,therallyteamcomposedofwaramputees(previouslymentionedinseries17,episode6)finallycompletedtheirchallengeoffinishingthe2013DakarRally. ReviewJamesreviewsthenewBentleyContinentalGT,andnotesthenewengineandsubtleridecharacteristics.BelievingthattheBentley,withfourwheeldrivesystemandabig,powerfulengine,canhandlethingsworsethanaWelshcountrysideroad,JamestakesthecarontoaWelshstageoftheWorldRallyChampionship,withKrisMeekebehindthewheel,andJamesbeingtheco-driver.Despitethecarhavinglessgrip,moreweight,anelectronichandbrake(unsuitableforusageonarallystage)andJamesnotbeingproficientatgivingpacenotes,theBentleywasactuallyfasterthanoneofthefullWRCcars. StarInAReasonablyPricedCarDamianLewistakeshisturninthecar,anddriftstheKiaCee'daroundthesnow-coatedtesttrackandcrossesthefinishlinesideways,settingtheslowestevertimeof209.1.JeremycheersDamianupbymakingaseparateboardforsnow(hejustsputthetimeunderneathandtothesideofthefastestlaptimeonthatboard)andsaysthatheisthefastestdrivereverontheirsnowboard. ChallengeJeremyattemptstobuildacarsmallerthanthePeelP50,naminghiscreationtheP45.Itwasbasedonaquadbike,withbodyworkfitted,designedtowraparoundthedriver.Hethenpresentedhisideatothe'Dragons'inaDragons'Denstyleformat.Allofthedragonsdeclarethemselvesoutandbackinthestudio,RichardconcludesthatfortheP45tobeputinproduction,Jeremywouldhavetobedead. 149Series19,Episode23February2013MickFleetwood Challenge,Part1Inanotherchallenge,thepresenterspickedthreesupercarstotakeonanepicrace.SinceitwasHammond'sturntoselectthechallengelocation,theteamwenttotheWesternUnitedStates.JeremyselectedtheLexusLFA,JameschosethenewAstonMartinVanquish,andRichardtooktheSRTViper.AfterabriefdriveintheNevadadesert,thetrioheadedtoLasVegasMotorSpeedway,specificallythedragstrip,tocompeteindragracesorganizedbytheLasVegasPoliceDepartment;whomorganizeditwiththetheorythatallowingpeopletodragrace,legally,ataclosedcircuit,wouldpreventstreetracing.Despitethehighperformanceoftheircars,thetriowerebeatenbymodifiedproductioncars,and4WDcars,ineachoftheirdragraces. NewsJeremycomesupwithasolutiononhowtosolvethecrisisaffectingBritain'stowncentressackingalltrafficwardensandremovingdoubleyellowlines.ThetriothenreviewaChineseproductdesignedtostopdrowsinessbehindthewheel,beforetheytookafirstlookatthe2013JaguarF-Type.Theypraiseditsstyling,butcriticizeditshighpricetagof£60,000,aswellasitstargetaudience.JamesmentionsPeugeotCitroen'scarintendedtorunoncompressedair;Jeremyattemptedtouseafireextinguishertodemonstrate,butfailedafteronlycausinghimselftoturnslowlyaround. Challenge,Part2.AfterleavingLasVegas,JamesandRichardmakefunofJeremy'sLFAforlackingnotonlyBluetoothconnectionandiPodconnectors,butcupholders,despitebeingthemostexpensivecar.TheyarethentaskedtoheadtoWillowSpringsInternationalMotorsportsPark,buttheyinsteadstoponagroovedroad,whereeachcardrivesoverthegroovesandproducesnotes.WhentheyreachWillowSprings,theyareforcedtoplayanaerialversionofLaserQuest,wheretheywoulddrive5lapsaroundthetrack,whilstbeingchasedbytwoAermacchiSF.260armedwithlaserguns.Intheend,Jameswonthechallengebybeinghitonly17times. StarinaReasonablyPricedCarFleetwoodMac'sMickFleetwooddrovetheKiaCee'daroundtheTestTrackwithalapof145.4. Challenge,Part3DepartingWillowSprings,thegroupheadedforLosAngeles,California.Inordertodorealworldtesting,Richarddevisedachallengetoseewhocouldburnthebestelevens.ThethreeinsteadendedupdrawingaphallusandleftLA.TheteamthenstayedforanightinPalmSprings.However,theproducersgavethemafinalchallenge.ThethreewoulddrivefromPalmSpringstotheMexicanborderatCalexicothefollowingmorning,andthelasttomakeittotheMexicanborderwouldhavetotravelintothecountryitselftodrivetheMastrettaMXT,aMexicansportscarmadefunofbythepresentersinanearlierseries,foralatersegmentontheshow.InrevengefortakingthemtoAmerica,JeremyandJamessabotagedHammond'sViper,causinghimtolose10minutesintherace.Despitemakingastopforfuel,Jeremymadeittothefinishlinefirst,withJamesinsecond.Richardthenwalkedtotheborderbeingthelastpersontoarrive.Atthestudio,JamesandJeremyendbysayingthattheViperwasawfulandthattheVanquishandLFAwereamazing. 150Series19,Episode310February2013AmyMacdonald ReviewJeremyreviewstheToyotaGT86andtheSubaruBRZ.Thecarsarealmostidentical,butJeremypreferstheToyotaGT86.TheStigthencompletedalapoftheTestTrackin1313. NewsTheydiscussthenewSubaruImpreza,whichisnotcomingtoUK,andtheythentalkaboutthenewMaseratiQuattroporte. Challenge,Part1TheproducershavereservedasingletickettoafootballmatchattheSanSiroinMilan,NorthernItaly.ThetriohavearacefromWembleyStadiumtotheSanSiro.JeremydrivestheShelbyMustangGT500andRichardandJamestravelonpublictransport.SimilartothepreviousracetoMonteCarlo,RichardandJamesarenotallowedtouseanycars,andJeremyisnotallowedtouseanytrains.AccordingtoJeremy,sincethelastepicrace,thetrainshavebecomefasterandboatshavebecomeslower.RichardandJamesopenedupabigleadwhilsttravellingontheEurostar,andarriveinPariswhileJeremywasstillcrossingtheEnglishChannelonaferry.AfterreachingFrance,JeremydiscoversthattheMustangonlyholds50litresinitsfueltank.AfterleavingParis,RichardandJamesdiscusswhattodouponarrivinginMilan—astherearetwoofthembutonlyoneticket.Hundredsofmilesbehind,Jeremyendspart1ofthechallengestatingoutloud,I'mgonnalose! StarinaReasonablyPricedCarAmyMacdonalddrovetheKiaCee'daroundtheTestTrackin144.4.Duringoneofherpracticeruns,Amyaccidentallydestroyedoneoftherunwaylights,whichJeremygivestoherafterrevealingthelaptime. Challenge,Part2ThehighspeedTGVsloweddownasitapproachedthemountainsthatsurroundNorthernItaly.Jeremybegantocatchupandwasnearlyneckandneckwiththetrain,untilroadworksattheMontBlancTunnelslowhimdown.ThetrainstartstoaccelerateagainandreachesNorthernItalyaheadofJeremy.RichardandJamesuseatubenetworktogettothestreetsnearthefinishline.JamesmaintainshisoppositiontorunontelevisionandRichardrunsoffalonetofindthefinishline,whichisatabarintheIMVillaVeuveCliequot.Jamesthenassembledabikewhichhehadhiddeninoneofhisbagsandridestothebar,onlytofindthatRichardisalreadythereandhaswontheraceandthetickettothefootballmatch.Momentslater,Jeremyarrivedandaccepteddefeatforthefirsttimeeverinanepicraceofalltheseries. 151Series19,Episode417February2013LewisHamilton ReviewJeremyreviewstheVauxhallAstraVXR,FordFocusSTandRenaultMeganeRenaultSportCup.TheStigdidlapsofeachcar,theFocusbeingtheslowestat129.6,theAstraVXRat128.3,andtheMeganein127.7.Despitethis,JeremychosetheAstraVXRasthebestoverallcarofthethree. NewsTheydiscussthenewestcars,suchastheAlfaRomeo4C,thenextgenerationFordMustangwouldbesoldinGreatBritain,buttheUKversionwouldcomewitha2.0EcoBoostengine,andtheimportanceofthehandbraketurninmaledevelopment. ReviewJeremyteststheallnewKiaCee'd,puttingitthroughamyriadofstrangeroadtests.IncludingMattLeBlancdoingalapwithboththeoldandnewCee'd,BruceWillis(incharacterasJohnMcClane)testingthehornoftheCee'd,EricClaptontestingitsauxiliaryinputjack,andJeremytestingtheCee'd'sselfparallelparkingfeature. StarinaReasonablyPricedCarLewisHamiltonopensupabouthismovefromMcLarentoMercedesAMGandtakestheoldSuzukiLianaaroundtheTestTrack,settingthefastestF1time,a142.9. ReviewAspunishmentforlosingthepreviousrace,RichardisforcedtoreviewtheMastrettaMXTinMexico.Mindinghiswords,hestatesthattheMXTwasanambitiousundertakingforthefirst-timemanufacturer,butthatithaditsshareofflaws. ChallengeJeremyandJamesplaycarrugbyusingKiaCee'dsandKiaSportagesatTwickenhamStadiumandStiginVauxhallAstraPolicecarasthereferee.Jeremy'steamwins. 152Series19,Episode524February2013JamesMcAvoy Challenge,Part1JeremyandRichardattempttodesignacartargetedatelderlypeople.Jeremydemonstratesthecomplexityofmoderncars'dshboard.RichardbringsaFiatMultiplaandbothmodifyit.Jeremybreaksthedashboardandreplacesitconsideringittobetoocomplicatedforelders.Richardasksfortheairbagssayingthatitisdangerousfortheelderlywhoareasdelicateaschildren,andthatheneedsitforasafetyfeature.Jeremymakesaspeedometerwhichreads20mphatthetopspeed,healsousesanolddesignswitchforrearfoglightwhichdoesnothing.Jeremyinstallsapet-cageandreplacesthebackseatwithhighseatchairsandtheFiatbadgewithaRoverone.Theypaintitinbeigeafterobservingtheshadeofahearingaid.Richarduseswater-resistantfabricasseatcovers,andwhilestitchinghurtshiseye.Theycompletethecarandendthepart1withRichardwearingheavybandagesoverhislefteye. NewsVolkswagenwilllaunchGTIversionofthenewGolfandGTversionofUpwillbelaunched.KiawilllaunchtheProCee'dGT.TheMiniPacemanislaunched,andthetriomockthefrontendofthecar,claimingthatitlooksdepressing.ThetrioagreethattheBritisharethebestdrivers.Alfa-RomeoreleasesphotographsoftheGloria,inwhichthetriomakefunofit'sname.RichardhadarrivedlatesoJamesandJeremyhadattemptedtoplaytenniswithcars(whichhasalotofediting). ReviewJamesreviewsthenewRangeRoverinLondon.Thenewcariscompletelyredesigned,400kglighterduetoAluminiumbody,hasactivesuspension,newgearbox,minimalistdashboardandoffersbettercomfort.JamesthenracesitagainstTerraMaxatNevadaAutomotiveTestCentre,Nevada.Theracewastoahill10mileacross,passingthroughrockyterrain,hillock,mud,riverandsand-tracks.TerraMaxwasswitchedtodronemodeduringtheracetodeflatethetyresandtakeashort-cut.TheRangeRover'sautomaticTerrainResponseSystemisdemonstrated.Jamestakesalongerroutetoascendthehillbutstillwinstherace.Atthestudio,thetrioconsiderthedriverlesscarstobenotverypractical. StarInAReasonablyPricedCarJamesMcAvoydrovetheKiaCee'daroundtheTestTrackwithalapof143.6despitehavinglessexperienceofdrivingcars.Hedroveovergrassypatchinthelastcornerbutmanagestokeepthecarundercontrol. Challenge,Part2JeremyandRichardroad-testtheircaratChristchurch,Dorset.Thecarhaslargefrontbumpersmadeupoffoam,largerear-viewmirrors,squeakingballunderthebrake-pedal,largemagnifying-glassonthedashboard,satnav(voicedbyRichardBriers)withonlyfourdestinatons.ThecarhasanartificialcatontheroofwhichlaterfelloveronthewayofBingohall.Richardlatershowshissystemtofindthelocationofparkedcar(thecaractivatesaflareandthenreleasesaballoon).JeremyshowsthattheradioonlyplaysHorseoftheYearShowthemeonaloop,whichbothlaterfindtobeirresistibletoclapalong.ThenameofthecarisrevealedtobeTheJames.Theypickupthreeelderlyladiesfromapensioners'homeforroad-testinganddrivethemtoabowlingclubwhereitisshownthatRichardfittedtheairbagattherearforparkingassistwhichinflatestheairbagoncloseproximity.JeremyandRichardbuyfoodforpicnic,choosingonlyBritishfoods.TheyattachtheshoppingtrolleytoTowhitchandheadforpicnic.Theroofofthecarleaksasitrains.JeremyandRichardendupchoosingapicnicspotonroadsidewheretheyfindthetrolleytobedamagedduringreversingandthefoodtobesoaked,howevertheyatethefoodwhichwasnotruined.ThenextdaybothleaveChristchurchandJeremyshowshissystemtopreventthecarfrombeingdrivenonthewrongsideoftheroad,thecarinitiallysoundsalarmandlaterthetyres,doorsandotherpartsofthecarexplodewhichstopsthecarandrendersitimmobile.Atthestudio,Jamesconsiderstheheatertobecomplicated,thetriothankRichardBriersandannouncetheAfricaspecial. 153Series19,Episode63March2013NoGuest Firstofthetwo-episodeAfricaSpecial,takingplaceinAfrica.Theepisodewasshotin2012. Challenge,Part1Buyusedestatecarsforupto£1,500inBritainandreportatasmallvillageinruralUganda.JeremyarrivesinaBMW528iTouring,RichardinaSubaruImprezaWRXEstateandJamesinaVolvo850RWagon.ThechallengeistofindthetruesourceoftheriverNile. Theysetoffandiscoverthatexploringisn'tasdifficultasfirstthoughtwhentheygoonaniceeasydriveandfindLakeVictoria,ofwhomtheVictorianExplorersthoughtwasthesourceoftheNile.HowevertheyarethentoldthatitisnottheactualsourceoftheNileandthereweretwootherdisputedlocationsforit,oneinRwandaandoneinBurundi.However,JeremyClarksoninsistedthatbothoftheselocationswerewronganddecidedtoheadwesttowardsLakeEdwardtoseewhethertherewasalinkbetweenthatlakeandLakeKivuinRwanda. Intheirjourneywest,wheretheyvisittheEntebbeAirportandfromthereseetheFordScorpioEstateback-upcar.TheycontinueintoKampala,Uganda'sCapitalCitywheretheygetheldupinatrafficjamovernight,themosthurrendoustrafficthey'deverseen. Theycontinueonwell-maintainedhighwayswestfindingtheirtripincrediblyeasybeforereachingthetownofMbararainthesouthwestofthecountry,viaastopinJezza,avillageinMpigiDistrict.Heretheystayinadisgustinghotel,afterdrivingthroughteaplantationsinanattempttodiscoveralovelyteahousehotel,whichinthemindofRichard,wasboundtofoundduetoteaprogrammeshe'dseen. InMbararatheystayedintheEconomicLodgewithJeremyhavingabedwithfaecesonit.TheyleftthehoteldisgustedbeforeRichardhastheideatomakethecars'hotels'.JamesmodifieshisVolvobyaddingalibrary,RichardaddsacookerandJeremyaddsacoffin.Thecoffinheusestoputhisclothesin,hesleepsonEgyptianCotton. TheyleaveforLakeEdward,campingovernighttherebecauseofitsbeautybeforeheadinginsearchoftheriverheadingforLakeKivu.Noneoftheriversconnectthelakeastheyallheadeastratherthansouth.Theygiveup,leavingthemdisappointed.ThenJeremylooksatamapanddiscoversthesourceoftheNilemustbeontheothersideofLakeVictoria.HisreasoningisthattheMediterraneanSeaiseffectivelyaninlandseaandsoGibraltaristhetruemouthoftheNile,ratherthanAlexandriainEgypt. AfterdiscoveringthistheydecidethattheymustdrivestraighttotheothersideofLakeVictoriatogettothesoutheastcoastinTanzanianeartheSerengeti.TheystartthisjourneybyheadingsouthintotheRwenzoriMountains,findingthegoinghardandmostofthetimegettingtheirvehiclesstuckinmud.
