Season 37

Aston Martin’s story is one of engineering triumph in the face of financial adversity. In a special profile of the company, Jeremy Clarkson has the chance to drive some of its finest cars, including the post-war Atom, a DB4GT, the DB5 used in the film Goldeneye, a DB6 Volante and the latest V12 DB7. He tells the story of the company’s decade-long struggle to win Le Mans, and talks to Stirling Moss about what the old racing Astons were like to drive.

Contestants in last November’s Network Q RAC Rally faced some of the worst weather conditions for decades, and more than half the entries failed to finish because of heavy snow and sheet ice. Tiff Needell, who was one of the hardy competitors to complete the 1,100-mile trip around Britain, recounts the inside story of the event.

Three thousand people have already put money down for the BMW Z3, which is scheduled to hit the road in February. Tiff Needell visits Madeira to test the new six-cylinder version and asks whether buyers should be hanging on even longer for this meaner, faster brother, expected in Britain in the summer. Plus is the Daewoo, Korea’s effort at angst-free motoring, all it’s cracked up to be? Quentin Willson gives his verdict.

Quentin Willson considers the merits of buying an accident-damaged car and repairing it to become a runner. Andy Wilman looks at the controversial sport of classic banger racing, where drivers can crash any car provided it was built before 1968. Is it harmless fun, or the destruction of the nation’s motoring heritage for the sake of cheap thrills?

Since 1991 the Ford Explorer has been the world’s biggest selling off-roader, and now it is finally available in Britain — Tiff Needel finds out whether it was worth the wait. Fifty years after the first Vespa, Steve Berry reports on the revival of the scooter. Tonight’s show also includes Top Gear’s contribution to the Count Me In numeracy campaign.

Jeremy Clarkson chooses the best of the latest small hatchbacks. Plus Quentin Willson offers some tips for picking up a bargain at a classic car auction, and reveals the troubles that the unsuspecting could be lumbered with once the hammer comes down.

Jeremy Clarkson tests the Honda Legend and Toyota Camry, and asks whether these cars have sufficient pulling power to become alternatives to the vehicles traditionally chosen by high-flying executives, such as BMWs or Mercedes. Steve Berry rides the Triumph 595, the long-awaited British bike that is expected to take on Ducatis and Honda Fireblades.

Jeremy Clarkson assesses the flood of sports cars that have recently appeared on the market and decides which one should be top of an enthusiast’s shopping list. Quentin Willson provides a guide to the second-hand BMW market for those wanting to get the most value from the 3-series.

For thousands of sales reps travelling up and down the country a company car can often feel like a second home. Tiff Needell tests the comfort of the Mondeo and the Vectra and discovers how it feels to spend hours in a fleet car every day. Quentin Willson reports on the startling statistic that over a million people are driving without insurance.

Jeremy Clarkson gets behind the wheel of the latest juggernauts. One of the vehicles he tries out is the 1997 Truck of the Year the Mercedes Actros, which is reputed to make trucking up and down the motorways feel as relaxing as a jaunt in the country. Plus Chris Goffey drives the vintage car Ace of Spades, manufactured by Lea Francis. One of the great names of British motoring, it is now enjoying a resurgence in popularity.

Jeremy Clarkson and Michele Newman report from Geneva on the highlights of this year’s International Show, including new coupés from Mercedes and Ford, and they try out the Seat Arosa. Tiff Needell tests the Italian-sounding Ascari, in fact a high performance kit car manufactured in Wiltshire.

Quentin Willson takes a chauffeur-driven ride in a Mercedes 600 stretch limousine once owned by John Lennon, and discovers that the car still has the touch of class which made it an essential item for the rich and famous. Tony Mason goes to the country to test the new Subaru Legacy, and asks whether the countryman appeal which made it popular with farmers has been lost in the pursuit of urban style.

Jeremy Clarkson asks whether the new A6 will be another overnight success for Audi. Will the combination of cutting edge design and class-leading performance eclipse their greatest rival, BMW? Plus six cars that fall into Quentin Willson’s no-hoper category.

Michele Newman checks out the latest in a tradition of cars bent on stealing tiny parking spaces — the Seat Arosa and weighs up how it competes with the likes of the Fiat Cinquecento. Steve Berry rides with the veterans from Epsom to Brighton on the 60th annual Pioneer Run for motorbikes built before 1915.

Eighty-seven different cars come under scrutiny in the fourth annual survey into customer satisfaction. Quentin Willson reports on the M-registration cars that did well and badly when the public were asked to rate performance, reliability, economy and customer care. Plus Steve Berry nips neatly around the big city in a Japanese people mover — the Daihatsu Move.

In the Swinging Sixties Roger Moore cruised the streets of London as The Saint in his white Volvo P1800. Will the new C70 coupé turn heads in the nineties in the same way? Quentin Wilson visits America to find out. Plus, Jeremy Clarkson drives a limited edition Vauxhall Vectra, a £27,000 road-going version of the British Touring Car Championship model.

There’s a new star in Hollywood — the Spectre EV1, which is the first electric car to make it to the showrooms. Although the vehicle is in great demand. General Motors provide a spare for Quentin Willson to test-drive through downtown Burbank. Plus Steve Berry takes a ride on a monkey bike — the diminutive Honda from the sixties that is still thriving.

Despite his aversion to driving diesels, Jeremy Clarkson tries out the Mercedes E-Class Elegance Estate and the BMW touring version of the successful 5-series.

As Ferrari celebrates its 50th anniversary, Jeremy Clarkson joins the party by driving the Maranello, the motor giant’s new front-engined supercar. Tiff Needell tempers his racing technique when he takes a masterclass in urban driving, and Steve Berry travels to Korea for the Seoul Motor Show.

In the last programme of the series, Steve Berry assesses the market potential of three new models from Daewoo. Jon Bentley looks at the best entries in the competition to design a Rolls-Royce for the next century. And Jeremy Clarkson tries out the cars that have fallen through his road-testing net.