Top Gear/Season 3 Episode 6

Season 3 Episode 6
Season 3, Episode 6
Airdate	December 7, 2003
Written by
Directed by
← 3x05 Season 3 Episode 5	3x07 → Season 3 Episode 7
Top Gear — Season Three

Episode Six of the third season of Top Gear, and is episode twenty-six overall.

Guest Stars: Sanjeev Bhaskar

Information

Citröen C2

Jeremy Clarkson reviews the Citröen C2. The diesel version does 78 miles to the gallon. Prices start at 7,500 GBP (about 13,800 USD). But it's at the track that things start to go wrong. The 1.6 liter Citröen C2 VTR, the model Clarkson is reviewing, it only comes with a flappy paddle gearbox which is horrid. It's not very fast with only a top speed of 121 mph. The Citröen C2 is apparently good for those in the "cruising" scene, but Clarkson isn't sure what that means even when he investigates the local scene at night. It's for "flexing" and "winding" and, finally, Clarkson is able to find someone who speaks English and informs him it means showing off. Small Citröens became popular with the scene because they were cheap, offered with free insurance, and easy to modify. Interviewing some of those in the cruising scene, Clarkson is told by one fellow that he purchased a Citröen Saxo, the precursor to the Citröen C2, for 9,000 GBP (about 16,500 USD) and spent a further 12,000 GBP (about 22,000 USD) modifying it. Back in the studio, Clarkson explains that he likes the Citröen C2 for its free insurance, it's smaller than the Saxo it replaces, it has a split folding tailgate, and there's a GT model with a 1.6 liter engine and no flappy paddle gearbox. The only drawbacks are that Citröen never do to well in reliability surveys. Clarkson and James May agree that the Toyota Yaris is still probably the better choice when compared with the Citröen C2.

Toyota HiLux Destruction

The continuing attempts at destroying the Toyota HiLux. James May takes the HiLux to a 23-story highrise about to be demolitioned. The HiLux is placed on top of the building — 240 feet up — and May takes a 10 GBP (about 18 USD) bet with a man who thinks the HiLux won't be driven away afterwards. The buildings are demolitioned and, when the dust settles, the HiLux is discovered resting upside down atop the rubble. A shovel rolls the HiLux down the mountain of rubble. A mechanic, with no spare parts and only basic tools, is able to start the engine. Back in the studio, the HiLux is driven in under its own power. The chassis has broken in half with only the bodywork holding it all together.

Renault Megane CC, Peugeot 307 CC

Richard Hammond reviews the Renault Megane CC and the Peugeot 307 CC. They both cost the same and just about do the same. They're both very fashionable on the inside and outside with designer touches. They both have electric folding hardtop roofs. Both have 2 liter engines with about 140 bhp. Both cost around 18,000 GBP (about 33,100 USD). But neither of them are sports cars as they are both very heavy. For all their glamour, Hammond doesn't like either car. It's because they're fashion nonsense and he likens them to mobile phones on wheels.

Star in a Reasonably Priced Car

This week's Star in a Reasonably Priced Car is Sanjeev Bhaskar, a British Indian comedian and actor. Sanjeev Bhaskar takes the Suzuki Liana around the test track in 1.51.5 in the wet.

Aston Martin Vantage

James May reviews the Aston Martin Vantage. If there was only one supercar he could drive for the rest of his life, the Vantage would be it. At its launch in 1977, the Vantage was the world's fastest production car. Back in the studio, Jeremy Clarkson echos May's sentiments about how fantastic the Vantage is, but warns that it'll cost you around 50,000 GBP (about 92,000 USD) to get one in really good condition.

Holden Monaro

Jeremy Clarkson reviews the 28,000 GBP (about 51,500 USD) Holden Monaro (known as the Pontiac GTO in the U.S.). Being Australian, Clarkson explains the car isn't the most elegant or most complicated car in the world. You get a limited slip differential, rear-wheel drive, and the same 5.7 liter engine you get in a Corvette. 0-60 in 6.5 seconds and a top speed of over 160 mph. Clarskon exclaims that the Monaro is easy to drive at the limit and even driving it beyond the limit. It's a triump of torque over intelligence, a cheap BMW M5, or a Jaguar XKR that's drunk. The seats are fantastic, the driving position perfect, enough space in the back to fit adults, and the plenty of space in the trunk to call the car practical.

The Stig takes the Holden Monaro around the test track in 1.33.9 in the wet.

The Australian and UK version of the Monaro developed 300 brake horsepower. The US version (Pontiac GTO) had a different camshaft which developed 350 brake horsepower. The Pontiac GTO had a 0-60 time of 5.3 seconds and top speed could achieve closer to 170 mph with the electronic governor disengaged.

Cool Wall

Before they begin, Richard Hammond notices that all the Ford vehicles have somehow moved themselves into the Sub Zero section. Jeremy Clarkson denies responsibility, even though he's on the waiting list for a Ford GT and Ford is hand-picking prospective buyers.

Clarkson starts with the Holden Monaro and places it in the Cool section.

Hammond shows the Renault Megane CC and the Peugeot 307 CC. He and Clarkson both think they're absolutely terrible, but they're cool. They're not good, but they're cool. So they're placed on the Cool section. Clarkson then says that once you buy them, then they're uncool, and he moves them to the Uncool section.

Reviews

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