Advertisement

BBC Top Gear - everything you need to know

Photo credit: BBC
Photo credit: BBC

From Digital Spy

Top Gear is going through a bit of a midlife crisis following the exit of Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond. It upgraded its studio, revamped its features and found some sexy new hosts. But reviews were mixed for the first series featuring Matt LeBlanc and co.

Now that Chris Evans has confirmed his departure, what can we expect from Top Gear 4.0? From what we've seen so far, we're excited. Here's everything you need to know as and when we get it:

When will the show come back?

The BBC has officially announced it will premiere a new seven-part series on Sunday, March 5 at 8pm on BBC Two, after filming for the series commenced in September.

Top Gear trailer: Is there a teaser?

In the trailer, which premiered on February 4, hosts Matt LeBlanc, Chris Harris and Rory Reid are forced to sit through an uncomfortable BBC car insurance interview.

In the 90 second clip, the three hosts – a hark back to the good old days of three blokes mucking around, don't you think? – squirm through questions from a very overly-cautious risk assessor.

And if that's anything to go by, it looks like TG may be going back to its roots of three blokes having a right laugh on adventures behind the wheel.

Here are some teaser images:

Photo credit: BBC
Photo credit: BBC
Photo credit: BBC
Photo credit: BBC
Photo credit: BBC
Photo credit: BBC
Photo credit: BBC
Photo credit: BBC
Photo credit: BBC
Photo credit: BBC

Top Gear presenters: Chris Evans will not be returning

After one series, mixed to negative reviews and low ratings, Chris announced in July that he will not come back for a second.

Evans originally put pen to paper on a three-year deal to host Top Gear, and the show was in the headlines repeatedly during filming – although not always for the right reasons.

In a statement, the BBC said: "Chris is stepping down from his duties on Top Gear. He says he gave it his best shot doing everything he could to make the show a success.

"He firmly believes that the right people remain, on both the production team and presenting team, to take the show forward and make it the hit we want it to be.

Photo credit: BBC Pictures
Photo credit: BBC Pictures

"The new series has so far notched up over 30m views in the UK alone and has already been sold to 130 territories worldwide."

Evans elaborated: "I have never worked with a more committed and driven team than the team I have worked with over the last twelve months.

"I feel like my standing aside is the single best thing I can now do to help the cause.

"I remain a huge fan of the show, always have been, always will be. I will continue to focus on my radio show and the allied events that it encompasses."

What other hosts will return? Will Matt LeBlanc be back?

Matt LeBlanc, Rory Reid, Chris Harris will all be back as the show's main hosts, the BBC announced in late September.

The Stig, Sabine Schmitz and... Eddie Jordan will also make a comeback in regular appearances.

Back in early August, Matt himself said that he had no idea what was going on. Speaking to reporters at the TCA Press Tour, Matt was asked how he would schedule his upcoming CBS sitcom Man with a Plan alongside Top Gear.

"Carefully," he responded, before admitting: "I'm not sure what's happening with Top Gear. I'd like to [return], but there's nothing officially happening yet. Call the BBC!"

However, when Digital Spy reached out to a Top Gear spokesperson, it sounded very much like they think he'll be returning.

"We have no immediate plans to replace Chris, and don't expect any changes to the Top Gear presenting line-up going forward," the BBC rep said.

Photo credit: BBC
Photo credit: BBC

Top Gear locations and cars: What will the gang be up to?

  • Matt and Chris will head to Las Vegas with two cracking supercars: the Lamborghini Huracan Spyder and the Porsche 911 Turbo S convertible - taking in a road trip full of different climates in two days.

  • Matt, Chris and Rory are tasked with buying a used car with at least 480,000 miles on the clock, and complete a series of challenges in Kazakhstan.

  • Chris and Rory are given £5,000 to buy a pre-owned sports car to impress the locals in Cuba and drive from the Bay of Pigs to Havana.

  • Rory and Sabine bring the VW Golf Clubsport S to Germany's terrifying Nurburgring in the hopes of overtaking very expensive supercars.

  • Matt takes on Russia's eight-wheeled Avtoros Shaman to the Isle of Man.

  • Rory attempts to prove that the rather ugly SsangYong Rodius is a worthy luxury yacht, with the help of Matt and Chris.

  • Rory challenges Chris to test out the Alfa Romeo Giulia saloon to a real-life stunt normally only completed with CGI.

Photo credit: BBC
Photo credit: BBC

Locations

  • UK (Wales, Lancashire, Derbyshire, Isle of Man)

  • Montenegro

  • Germany

  • Kazakhstan

  • USA (Nevada, California, Florida)

  • Monte Carlo

  • United Arab Emirates

  • Cuba

Vehicles

  • Avtoros Shaman (Wamah)

  • Porsche 718 Cayman/ Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabriolet

  • Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrafoglio

  • Aston Martin DB11

  • Mercedes S63 AMG

  • Ferrari FXX K

  • Lamborghini Huracan Spyder

  • VW Golf Clubsport S

  • Ssangyong Rodius

  • Renault Twingo GT

  • Abarth 124 Spider

Are there any changes this year?

Aside from Chris Evans's departure, there will also be a new feature on the TG test track. It now has its 'Left-At-Hammerhead', described as a 'mysterious portal to a parallel dimension'. Matt tries it out first in an Aston Martin DB11, leading to a surprise place to take on Chris in a very fast Mercedes.

Meanwhile, the celebrity guest each week will be weaved throughout the show more than before, and will now be taught to drive the track by Chris rather than The Stig. Stiggy will still be around doing timed laps.

All three hosts will be involved in interviewing the celebrity guests this time around, rather than just one like in the days of Jeremy Clarkson and Chris Evans.

Meanwhile, the set will also have a different look and feel, according to producer Clare Pizey.


Want up-to-the-minute entertainment and tech news? Just hit 'Like' on our Digital Spy Facebook page and 'Follow' on our @digitalspy Twitter account and you're all set.

You Might Also Like