Season 22

William Woollard and Sue Baker present the first of a new series from Europe’s biggest and brightest motor show at Frankfurt. On the road, Chris Goffey has been driving the new Citroën XM — will it live up to the French company’s reputation for innovation and comfort? And there’s a road test of Mercedes’s new SL sports car, soon to be launched in Britain. But are German motorists’ attitudes to the car changing? Jeremy Clarkson reports on how the nation with more cars than any other in Europe is coming to terms with congestion and pollution.

The switch to lead-free petrol has created a lot of confusion for the ordinary motorist — confusion that now seems to be stalling the growth of sales of unleaded fuel. Tom Boswell seeks to shed light on the introduction of the new high-octane ‘super’ unleaded. As Britain moves closer to Europe, businessmen are less concerned about being seen driving only British cars. Chris Goffey compares three desirable executive saloons from the continent: the Alfa 164, the Saab CD and Lancia’s Thema. Plus, a look at the arcane world of autojumble; and Tiff Needell demonstrates what it’s like to drive a 500hp Ford Sierra.

Politicians in southern California have agreed to a scheme to ban petrol and diesel vehicles within the next 20 years. William Woollard reports from Los Angeles on the implications of this drastic decision and on the more immediate threat to European luxury car manufacturers whose rich markets in the USA are being threatened by the Japanese. Back on this side of the Atlantic, Chris Goffey road tests new versions of Renault’s 19 and 21 and visits Peugeot’s new museum at Sochaux in France.

William Woollard and Tony Mason report from Brands Hatch at the end of the Autoglass Tour of Britain on the success of this newly revived event. Chris Goffey assesses the chances of Skoda’s new front-drive model, the Favorit, improving the company image. This week, the Department of Transport introduces a new pursuit test for learner motorcyclists. Tom Boswell looks into the way motorcyclists are trained.

Britain’s car industry is booming for the first time in a decade, partly thanks to Japanese investment. William Woollard presents the programme from the new Honda engine factory in Swindon. There’s a look at two of Honda’s new models, the Accord and the Concerto, and a road test of a car from Honda’s great Japanese rivals — the Mazda 323. Beki Adam looks back at the celebrations for 30 years of the Mini and Tony Mason reports on the progress of Top Gear’s Rally Quest competition winner.

Three major new British models are being launched at this year’s Motorfair. William Woollard and Sue Baker report from Earls Court on these and other highlights of the show, while Chris Goffey compares one of them, the Rover 200, with its Japanese counterpart, the Honda Concerto. A spate of crashes during police chases has raised worrying questions about the rules governing the pursuit of suspects. Tom Boswell examines the problem and asks whether police driver training might be at fault. Tiff Needell has been partnering Derek Bell in a full season’s sports-prototype racing in the Richard Lloyd Porsche 962. Beki Adam watched a day’s testing at Silverstone to see what goes on behind the scenes preparing and improving these sophisticated cars.

What if your new car turns out to be a lemon? In the United States there are tough laws to protect you, but in Britain you’re still at the mercy of your individual dealer. William Woollard examines proposals to give car buyers more rights. Chris Goffey visits one of the world’s largest car museums, the Musee national de I’automobile at Mulhouse in France. Acquired over many years by the famous Schlumpf brothers, it has a particularly spectacular Bugatti collection with no less than three of the famous Royales. Beki Adam experiences the full terror of 200mph in a straight line — drag racing, of course!

William Woollard reports from the Motorcycle Show on the latest in two-wheeled transport. Vic Allan tests the new Norton F1 road-going version of this year’s Formula 1 British Championship winner, and the Voyager, the latest ‘feet first’ motorcycle. The Brighton Speed Trials are among the oldest events in the British motor sport calendar. Tiff Needell joined a wide variety of men and machines, trying out three contemporary sports cars. Plus, Tom Boswell reports on this summer’s massive gathering of Lotus enthusiasts at Donington, and Chris Goffey road-tests Peugeot’s new executive saloon, the 605.

Throughout most of its history, the motor vehicle has been to war. William Woollard visits the Museum of Army Transport in North Humberside to try out some of the unusual machines which have seen action. Last year Top Gear mounted a special programme on the Pirelli Classic Marathon — a successful attempt to recapture the spirit of 50s and 60s rallying. Europe’s longest classic car event has been run again this year, providing an opportunity for famous names from the sport to be reunited with their old machines. And Chris Goffey tests Ford’s new Fiesta XR2i against its recent rival from Seat — the Ibiza SX1.

William Woollard reports from Autotech 89 on the latest engineering advances in prospect for car owners. This summer Top Gear sponsored the Heritage Team Challenge to help promote club racing between traditional British sports cars. Chris Goffey took over the wheel of an MGB. Plus, Tony Mason reports on the Radio Times Rally Quest winner Liz Jeffries as she prepares for the Lombard RAC Rally with Tiff Needell.