Fifth Gear
Encyclopedia
Fifth Gear is a motoring television magazine show from the United Kingdom. Originally shown on Channel 5, the show is currently presented by Tiff Needell
, Vicki Butler-Henderson
, Jason Plato
, Jonny Smith
and Ben Collins. Fifth Gear's rival show is BBC Two
's Top Gear.
Fifth Gear was first broadcast in 2002 as a continuation of the original incarnation of the BBC
show Top Gear, which was cancelled in 1999 due to low ratings. Top Gear was relaunched later that year; Channel 5 originally wanted to carry on using the Top Gear name, but the BBC refused. Several of Top Gear's ex-presenters, including Quentin Willson
, Tiff Needell
, and Vicki Butler-Henderson
were hired by Channel 5 to present Fifth Gear.
Repeats of Fifth Gear also started being broadcast on UKTV
channel, Dave in April 2008 and later on Discovery Turbo.
. Originally produced by Chrysalis
Television, the Birmingham offices were situated on the top floor of the headquarters of 100.7 Heart FM
(also, at that time, a Chrysalis Radio company), near Birmingham's Five Ways
area. The team moved out when Chrysalis sold their Television Division to All3Media
in September 2003 (the section which currently produces Fifth Gear is now known as North One Television, part of the All3Media group).
In series 14, a location change from the Ace Cafe meant link sequences were filmed instead at the Millbrook Proving Ground, along with some of the vehicle testing features.
, Vicki Butler-Henderson
, Jason Plato
, Jonny Smith
and Ben Collins
.
When Fifth Gear was launched in 2002, the presenters were Tiff Needell
, Vicki Butler-Henderson
, Tom Ford
, Adrian Simpson
and Quentin Willson
. Willson and Simpson left Fifth Gear a few years later and were replaced by Jason Plato
, with the program's producer, Jon Bentley
, also becoming a presenter around 2005. Bentley later stopped being a presenter and went back being the producer. Jonny Smith
later joined the show, with Tim Lovejoy
for series 10 who was very short lived on the show. In August 2008, Tim Shaw
became a presenter on the program for series 14. In 2009, both Shaw and long-time presenter Ford did not return to series 17. In October 2010, Ben Collins, formerly The Stig
on BBC
's Top Gear, came to Fifth Gear.
Collins did not return in the following season (starting April 1, 2011)
in the USA for a short period in 2004 to early 2007.
Fifth Gear began broadcasting in Australia in November 2009, on Seven Network
's free-to-air
digital channel 7mate
(previously shown on 7Two
).
Fifth Gear started Canadian broadcast on Discovery Channel Canada
in 2008, began with 2006 series. This version ran in half-hour format.
Both accidents happened on the same day of recording.
on the Isle of Anglesey
close to Aberffraw
. During the refurbishment of Anglesey, shoot-outs were switched to Castle Combe Circuit
.
reported that the show had been cancelled. Up to then there had been no official announcement or confirmation. Although, Channel 5 executives had been quoted as saying, "Five is proud of Fifth Gear's contribution to the channel but after 16 series, feels it's time to try something new."
On 27 November 2009, Jeremy Clarkson
mentioned on The Chris Moyles Show
that it was a shame that Fifth Gear had been cancelled.
In late December 2009, however, presenter Jonny Smith
suggested via Twitter
that the show could return for another series early in 2010. On 8 January 2010, Smith tweeted: "Fifth Gear IS coming back!", and in his next tweet, he said "Wow, such quick responses! Basically, we all know there's room for 2 car TV shows. FG will simply be a reviews based visual car magazine." Tiff Needell
also tweeted saying "Home to the news that, after much negotiating Fifth Gear looks like it will after all be returning to your screens sometime in the Spring!" and also hinted the show will have a new format in his next tweet "Glad so many of you are delighted by the Fifth Gear news — and, yes the format will be moving away from the stupid ... but still having fun!".
On 17 January 2010, Vicki Butler-Henderson
and Tiff Needell
confirmed at the Autosport International Show that Fifth Gear will be returning in Spring 2010. The pair featured a car shootout in Fifth Gear style in the live arena show and said several times to the audience that the show would be back on air in Spring and to ignore the cancellation rumours.
The series started on 3 June 2010. The series ran for 10 episodes and the first one had Lewis Hamilton
as a guest. On 1 October 2010, it was announced that Ben Collins (who played the original White Stig
on Top Gear) would join the show as 'The Stag', a race car driver wearing a reindeer suit with antlers.
In Summer 2011, 'Fifth Gear' returned for Series 19 which consisted of 20 episodes. It filled the 7:30pm slot on a Friday evening. It was interrupted for a week in early July for sport.
, Jason
, Jonny
and Vicki
all do a group test on an important new car, e.g. the New Mk.2 Nissan Micra, the Mk.3 Ford C-Max etc. They all score the car out of 10, and add it together to get the score for the car.
Tiff Needell
Timothy "Tiff" Needell isa British racing driver and television presenter. He is best known as a former co-presenter of Top Gear and current co-presenter of Fifth Gear.-Biography:...
, Vicki Butler-Henderson
Vicki Butler-Henderson
Victoria "Vicki" Butler-Henderson is a racing driver and television presenter.-Biography:Butler-Henderson was born into a racing family. Her grandfather used to race a Frazer Nash at Brooklands, her father was in the British karting team and her brother Charlie is a racing driver. She has an older...
, Jason Plato
Jason Plato
Timothy Jason Plato is a British racing car driver currently competing in the BTCC for Silverline Chevrolet. He is a two time BTCC champion having previously won the series in 2001 when driving for Vauxhall and 2010 for Silverline Chevrolet. He has finished in the top 3 in the championship 8 times...
, Jonny Smith
Jonny Smith
Jonny Smith is a motoring journalist and television presenter. He is currently one of the presenters on motoring programme Fifth Gear. He first worked for a custom and vintage VW magazine, becoming the editor after three years. He went on to work for magazine publisher EMAP, where he wrote...
and Ben Collins. Fifth Gear's rival show is BBC Two
BBC Two
BBC Two is the second television channel operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It covers a wide range of subject matter, but tending towards more 'highbrow' programmes than the more mainstream and popular BBC One. Like the BBC's other domestic TV and radio...
's Top Gear.
Fifth Gear was first broadcast in 2002 as a continuation of the original incarnation of the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
show Top Gear, which was cancelled in 1999 due to low ratings. Top Gear was relaunched later that year; Channel 5 originally wanted to carry on using the Top Gear name, but the BBC refused. Several of Top Gear's ex-presenters, including Quentin Willson
Quentin Willson
Quentin Willson is a British TV presenter and motoring expert, perhaps most widely known as a presenter of the motoring programmes Britain's Worst Driver, Fifth Gear, and the original incarnation of Top Gear. He lives in Warwickshire with his wife and three children.-Early years:Willson studied...
, Tiff Needell
Tiff Needell
Timothy "Tiff" Needell isa British racing driver and television presenter. He is best known as a former co-presenter of Top Gear and current co-presenter of Fifth Gear.-Biography:...
, and Vicki Butler-Henderson
Vicki Butler-Henderson
Victoria "Vicki" Butler-Henderson is a racing driver and television presenter.-Biography:Butler-Henderson was born into a racing family. Her grandfather used to race a Frazer Nash at Brooklands, her father was in the British karting team and her brother Charlie is a racing driver. She has an older...
were hired by Channel 5 to present Fifth Gear.
Repeats of Fifth Gear also started being broadcast on UKTV
UKTV
UKTV is a digital cable and satellite television network, formed through a joint venture between BBC Worldwide, a commercial subsidiary of the British Broadcasting Corporation, and Scripps Networks Interactive, spun off from The E.W Scripps Company in 2008...
channel, Dave in April 2008 and later on Discovery Turbo.
Show format
The first seven series consisted of a 23 minute programme, not including approximately 7 minutes of adverts. The eighth series returned in the autumn of 2005 in a longer format of 45 minutes, and the ninth series (which went to a 13-week run) was increased to a one hour airtime slot (approximately 46 minutes excluding adverts). For series 17, the show has reverted to the original format of 23 minutes, which including adverts, takes the show to half an hour.Locations
At the start of series 10, the show introduced between-feature links filmed at the Ace Cafe in London. In previous series, these links were filmed at the production company offices in BirminghamBirmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
. Originally produced by Chrysalis
Chrysalis Group
Chrysalis Group is a UK media company. It was founded by Chris Wright, who remains chairman and was listed the 1,000th richest person in the UK in The Times Rich List 2009...
Television, the Birmingham offices were situated on the top floor of the headquarters of 100.7 Heart FM
100.7 Heart FM
Heart West Midlands is a radio station based in Birmingham, England, as part of the Heart Network, with a regional license to broadcast to the West Midlands...
(also, at that time, a Chrysalis Radio company), near Birmingham's Five Ways
Five Ways, Birmingham
Five Ways is an area of Birmingham, England. It takes its name from a major road junction, now a busy roundabout to the south-west of the city centre which lies at the outward end of Broad Street, where the Birmingham Middle ring road crosses the start of the A456 .-History:The name of Five Ways...
area. The team moved out when Chrysalis sold their Television Division to All3Media
All3Media
All3Media is a television production company which makes programmes under several different subsidiaries. The company was formed in 2003 following the acquisition of Chrysalis Group's television arm which was rebranded North One....
in September 2003 (the section which currently produces Fifth Gear is now known as North One Television, part of the All3Media group).
In series 14, a location change from the Ace Cafe meant link sequences were filmed instead at the Millbrook Proving Ground, along with some of the vehicle testing features.
Presenter line-up
The current presenters are Tiff NeedellTiff Needell
Timothy "Tiff" Needell isa British racing driver and television presenter. He is best known as a former co-presenter of Top Gear and current co-presenter of Fifth Gear.-Biography:...
, Vicki Butler-Henderson
Vicki Butler-Henderson
Victoria "Vicki" Butler-Henderson is a racing driver and television presenter.-Biography:Butler-Henderson was born into a racing family. Her grandfather used to race a Frazer Nash at Brooklands, her father was in the British karting team and her brother Charlie is a racing driver. She has an older...
, Jason Plato
Jason Plato
Timothy Jason Plato is a British racing car driver currently competing in the BTCC for Silverline Chevrolet. He is a two time BTCC champion having previously won the series in 2001 when driving for Vauxhall and 2010 for Silverline Chevrolet. He has finished in the top 3 in the championship 8 times...
, Jonny Smith
Jonny Smith
Jonny Smith is a motoring journalist and television presenter. He is currently one of the presenters on motoring programme Fifth Gear. He first worked for a custom and vintage VW magazine, becoming the editor after three years. He went on to work for magazine publisher EMAP, where he wrote...
and Ben Collins
Ben Collins
Ben Collins or Benjamin Collins may refer to:* Ben Collins * Ben Collins * Ben Collins , former Ubuntu Linux kernel lead, former Debian Project Leader...
.
When Fifth Gear was launched in 2002, the presenters were Tiff Needell
Tiff Needell
Timothy "Tiff" Needell isa British racing driver and television presenter. He is best known as a former co-presenter of Top Gear and current co-presenter of Fifth Gear.-Biography:...
, Vicki Butler-Henderson
Vicki Butler-Henderson
Victoria "Vicki" Butler-Henderson is a racing driver and television presenter.-Biography:Butler-Henderson was born into a racing family. Her grandfather used to race a Frazer Nash at Brooklands, her father was in the British karting team and her brother Charlie is a racing driver. She has an older...
, Tom Ford
Tom Ford (presenter)
Tom Ford is a motoring journalist and television presenter sometimes referred to by the nickname Wookie. He is married with 2 children.Ford was the co-host of Five's Fifth Gear beginning in Spring 2007...
, Adrian Simpson
Adrian Simpson
Adrian Simpson is a British television presenter, currently presenting on Sky News on the overnight programme. Simpson has won numerous accolades for his presenting style, which has been likened to that of Trevor McDonald in his early years....
and Quentin Willson
Quentin Willson
Quentin Willson is a British TV presenter and motoring expert, perhaps most widely known as a presenter of the motoring programmes Britain's Worst Driver, Fifth Gear, and the original incarnation of Top Gear. He lives in Warwickshire with his wife and three children.-Early years:Willson studied...
. Willson and Simpson left Fifth Gear a few years later and were replaced by Jason Plato
Jason Plato
Timothy Jason Plato is a British racing car driver currently competing in the BTCC for Silverline Chevrolet. He is a two time BTCC champion having previously won the series in 2001 when driving for Vauxhall and 2010 for Silverline Chevrolet. He has finished in the top 3 in the championship 8 times...
, with the program's producer, Jon Bentley
Jon Bentley (TV presenter)
Jon Bentley is an English journalist and television presenter, educated at Oriel College, Oxford.He has specialised in television production and journalism in the field of motoring. Between 1987 and 1999, he was producer and editor of BBC Two's Top Gear and was series producer of Fifth Gear from...
, also becoming a presenter around 2005. Bentley later stopped being a presenter and went back being the producer. Jonny Smith
Jonny Smith
Jonny Smith is a motoring journalist and television presenter. He is currently one of the presenters on motoring programme Fifth Gear. He first worked for a custom and vintage VW magazine, becoming the editor after three years. He went on to work for magazine publisher EMAP, where he wrote...
later joined the show, with Tim Lovejoy
Tim Lovejoy
Timothy Paul Lovejoy is a British television presenter most famous for hosting Saturday morning football programme Soccer AM alongside Helen Chamberlain for over a decade.- Career :...
for series 10 who was very short lived on the show. In August 2008, Tim Shaw
Tim Shaw (DJ)
Timothy Tim Shaw is a British radio DJ and TV Presenter. He has two children with his wife Hayley. He is regarded as the UK's most controversial broadcasters of all time....
became a presenter on the program for series 14. In 2009, both Shaw and long-time presenter Ford did not return to series 17. In October 2010, Ben Collins, formerly The Stig
The Stig
The Stig is a character in the British motoring television show Top Gear. The character plays on the anonymity of racing drivers' full-face helmets, with the running joke that nobody knows who, or indeed what, is inside the character's racing suit. The character was the creation of presenter Jeremy...
on BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
's Top Gear, came to Fifth Gear.
Collins did not return in the following season (starting April 1, 2011)
International airings
Fifth Gear has also been broadcast on the Speed ChannelSPEED Channel
Speed , is a cable and satellite television network broadcast to various parts of North America, but primarily the United States...
in the USA for a short period in 2004 to early 2007.
Fifth Gear began broadcasting in Australia in November 2009, on Seven Network
Seven Network
The Seven Network is an Australian television network owned by Seven West Media Limited. It dates back to 4 November 1956, when the first stations on the VHF7 frequency were established in Melbourne and Sydney.It is currently the second largest network in the country in terms of population reach...
's free-to-air
Free-to-air
Free-to-air describes television and radio services broadcast in clear form, allowing any person with the appropriate receiving equipment to receive the signal and view or listen to the content without requiring a subscription or one-off fee...
digital channel 7mate
7mate
7mate is an Australian free-to-air high definition digital television channel, which was launched by the Seven Network on 25 September 2010.The network stated that 7mate would contain sport and regular programs aimed primarily at a male audience, with programming drawn from a combination of new...
(previously shown on 7Two
7Two
7TWO is an Australian free-to-air standard definition digital television channel which was launched by the Seven Network on Sunday 1 November 2009 at 12pm....
).
Fifth Gear started Canadian broadcast on Discovery Channel Canada
Discovery Channel Canada
Discovery Channel is a Canadian English language Category A specialty channel devoted to nature, adventure, science and technology programming. Discovery Channel is currently owned by CTV Specialty Television Inc...
in 2008, began with 2006 series. This version ran in half-hour format.
Series list
| Series | Episodes | Originally broadcast | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 9 | 8 April 2002 - 3 June 2002 | |
| 2 | 8 | 7 October 2002 - 25 November 2002 | |
| 3 | 9 | 12 March 2003 - 21 May 2003 | |
| 4 | 10 + 1 Special | 26 September 2003 - 15 December 2003 | |
| 5 | 10 | 29 March 2004 - 31 May 2004 | |
| 6 | 10 | 11 October 2004 - 13 December 2004 | |
| 7 | 10 | 21 March 2005 - 23 May 2005 | |
| 8 | 10 | 10 October 2005 - 19 December 2005 | |
| 9 | 13 | 10 April 2006 - 24 July 2006 | |
| 10 | 13 | 25 September 2006 - 18 December 2006 | |
| 11 | 10 | 30 April 2007 - 2 August 2007 | |
| 12 | 8 | 3 September 2007 - 22 October 2007 | |
| 13 | 10 | 21 January 2008 - 24 March 2008 | |
| 14 | 8 | 11 August 2008 - 29 September 2008 | |
| 15 | 8 | 5 January 2009 - 23 February 2009 | |
| 16 | 8 | 8 June 2009 - 27 July 2009 | |
| 17 | 10 | 3 June 2010 - 12 August 2010 | |
| 18 | 10 + 3 Specials | 8 October 2010 - 10 December 2010, 11 February 2011 - 4 March 2011 | |
| 19 | Best of Fifth Gear Shown on Friday 25 February 2011. |
Accidents
During Series 12, Episode 7, two accidents took place while on set.- Tom FordTom Ford (presenter)Tom Ford is a motoring journalist and television presenter sometimes referred to by the nickname Wookie. He is married with 2 children.Ford was the co-host of Five's Fifth Gear beginning in Spring 2007...
broke his foot and several toes when he crashed a modified Bedford RascalBedford RascalThe Bedford Rascal , also built as the Suzuki Supercarry is a microvan that was developed as a joint venture between General Motors and Suzuki. It was sold under GM's British-based Bedford marque as well as in Suzuki form...
van. FordTom Ford (presenter)Tom Ford is a motoring journalist and television presenter sometimes referred to by the nickname Wookie. He is married with 2 children.Ford was the co-host of Five's Fifth Gear beginning in Spring 2007...
was recording a piece about driftingDrifting (motorsport)Drifting refers to a driving technique and to a motorsport where the driver intentionally over steers, causing loss of traction in the rear wheels through turns, while maintaining vehicle control and a high exit speed...
. He and co-host Jonny SmithJonny SmithJonny Smith is a motoring journalist and television presenter. He is currently one of the presenters on motoring programme Fifth Gear. He first worked for a custom and vintage VW magazine, becoming the editor after three years. He went on to work for magazine publisher EMAP, where he wrote...
were racing each other in a D1 Grand PrixD1 Grand PrixThe , abbreviated as D1GP and subtitled Professional Drift, is a production car drifting series from Japan. After several years of hosting amateur drifting contests, Option magazine & Tokyo Auto Salon founder Daijiro Inada, and drifting legend Keiichi Tsuchiya hosted a professional level drifting...
style around a private track. After winning the event, FordTom Ford (presenter)Tom Ford is a motoring journalist and television presenter sometimes referred to by the nickname Wookie. He is married with 2 children.Ford was the co-host of Five's Fifth Gear beginning in Spring 2007...
was performing a victory drift that went wrong, put his van (painted to resemble the A-TeamThe A-TeamThe A-Team is an American action adventure television series about a fictional group of ex-United States Army Special Forces personnel who work as soldiers of fortune, while on the run from the Army after being branded as war criminals for a "crime they didn't commit". The A-Team was created by...
GMC Van) up on two wheels and sent him through the windscreen into a safety barrier.
- BTCC driver Jason PlatoJason PlatoTimothy Jason Plato is a British racing car driver currently competing in the BTCC for Silverline Chevrolet. He is a two time BTCC champion having previously won the series in 2001 when driving for Vauxhall and 2010 for Silverline Chevrolet. He has finished in the top 3 in the championship 8 times...
suffered multiple burns when a Caparo T1Caparo T1The Caparo T1 is a British mid-engine, rear-wheel drive, two-seat automobile built by Caparo Vehicle Technologies, founded by design director Ben Scott-Geddes and engineering director Graham Halstead, engineers formerly involved in the development of the McLaren F1. The T1 was inspired by Formula...
he was driving at Bruntingthorpe proving groundBruntingthorpe AerodromeBruntingthorpe Aerodrome and Proving Ground is a privately owned airport in Leicestershire near the village of Bruntingthorpe. It was opened as RAF Bruntingthorpe in 1942.- United States Air Force use:...
burst into flames. The car, capable of 200 mi/h, burst into flames at an estimated 150 mi/h. Plato said: "There was a slight loss of power, I looked in the mirror and saw some smoke, there was a slight smell of oil and then suddenly there was this intense heat. The car spontaneously erupted into a ball of flames and I was sat in the middle of a fireball." The presenter was initially taken to Market Harborough and District Hospital by former BTCC driver Phil BennettPhil Bennett (racing driver)Phil Bennett is an auto racing driver, born 6 October 1971.He started circuit racing in 1998 with a one make Rover 216GTi, racing in the BRSCC Super Coupe Cup - finishing 2nd. He then finished 3rd in the 1999 Renault Spider Cup. In 2001 he joined Team Egg Sport to race a Vauxhall Astra in the...
before being treated at Kettering General Hospital. He later received specialist burns treatment at Stoke Mandeville HospitalStoke Mandeville HospitalStoke Mandeville Hospital is a large National Health Service hospital within Aylesbury Urban Area to the south of the town of Aylesbury, near the village of Stoke Mandeville in Buckinghamshire...
. The incident was mentioned during Top Gear's discussion of the Caparo T1 the next year.
Both accidents happened on the same day of recording.
2004
- Best small car – BMW 1-Series
- Best family car – Ford Focus
- Best fast car – Porsche 911 Carrera S
- Car of the year – Volkswagen Golf GTI
2005
- Best small car – Ford Fiesta STFord FiestaThe Ford Fiesta is a front wheel drive supermini/subcompact manufactured and marketed by Ford Motor Company and built in Europe, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Venezuela, China, India, Thailand and South Africa...
- Best family car – Honda CivicHonda CivicThe Honda Civic is a line of subcompact and subsequently compact cars made and manufactured by Honda. The Civic, along with the Accord and Prelude, comprised Honda's vehicles sold in North America until the 1990s, when the model lineup was expanded...
- Best fast car – BMW M5BMW M5The first BMW M5, based on the E28 5 Series, made its debut at Amsterdam Motor Show in February 1984. It was the product of demand for an automobile with the carrying capacity of a saloon , but the overall performance of a sports car. It utilized the 535i chassis and an evolution of the engine from...
- Car of the year – Porsche BoxsterPorsche BoxsterThe Porsche Boxster is a mid-engined roadster built by Porsche. The Boxster is Porsche's first road vehicle to be originally designed as a roadster since the 550 Spyder....
2006
- Best small car – Mini Cooper SMINI (BMW)Mini is a British automotive marque owned by BMW which specialises in small cars.Mini originated as a specific vehicle, a small car originally known as the Morris Mini-Minor and the Austin Seven, launched by the British Motor Corporation in 1959, and developed into a brand encompassing a range of...
- Best family car – Ford S-MaxFord S-MAXThe Ford S-Max is an MPV/saloon produced by the Ford Motor Company for the European market and by Chang'an Ford Automobile Co., Ltd for the Chinese market. Introduced at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show, the S-Max went on sale alongside the new generation Galaxy in June 2006. It is intended to be...
- Best fast car – Chevrolet Corvette Z06Chevrolet CorvetteThe Chevrolet Corvette is a sports car by the Chevrolet division of General Motors that has been produced in six generations. The first model, a convertible, was designed by Harley Earl and introduced at the GM Motorama in 1953 as a concept show car. Myron Scott is credited for naming the car after...
- Car of the year – Audi TTAudi TTThe Audi TT is a two-door sports car manufactured by the German automaker and Volkswagen Group subsidiary Audi since 1998.The Audi TT has been produced in two generations. Both generations have been available in two car body styles; as a 2+2 Coupé, or two-seater Roadster...
2007
- Best small car – Fiat 500Fiat Nuova 500The Fiat 500 or Fiat Nuova 500 is a city car built by Italian automaker Fiat since 2007. The car is currently produced in Tychy, Poland by Fiat Auto Poland S.A. and in Toluca, Mexico, by Chrysler Group LLC. The four-seater, three-door hatchback 500 is almost identical to the retro concept car...
- Best family car – Ford Mondeo
- Best fast car – Audi R8
- Car of the year – Audi R8
Shoot-outs
Fifth Gear claims to be 'world renowned' for their 'infamous' shoot-outs, between similarly priced, similarly powerful cars, or, recently, cars versus bikes. These shoot outs take place at the Anglesey CircuitAnglesey Circuit
The Anglesey Circuit, or Trac Môn in Welsh is a motor racing circuit located in Aberffraw, Anglesey, Wales. It plays host to a variety of motorsport events, including rallycross...
on the Isle of Anglesey
Anglesey
Anglesey , also known by its Welsh name Ynys Môn , is an island and, as Isle of Anglesey, a county off the north west coast of Wales...
close to Aberffraw
Aberffraw
Aberffraw is a small village and community on the south west coast of the Isle of Anglesey , in Wales, by the west bank of the River Ffraw, at . The UK postcode begins LL63. Access by road is by way of the A4080 and the nearest rail station is Bodorgan. In the early Middle Ages Aberffraw was the...
. During the refurbishment of Anglesey, shoot-outs were switched to Castle Combe Circuit
Castle Combe Circuit
Castle Combe Circuit is a motor racing circuit in Wiltshire, England, approximately from Bristol. The circuit used to be the perimeter track of a World War II airfield, and opened to racing in 1950.- History :...
.
2002 (Series 1 and 2)
- Ford Focus RS vs. Honda CivicHonda CivicThe Honda Civic is a line of subcompact and subsequently compact cars made and manufactured by Honda. The Civic, along with the Accord and Prelude, comprised Honda's vehicles sold in North America until the 1990s, when the model lineup was expanded...
Type-R vs. Seat LeónSEAT LeónThe SEAT León is a small family car built by the Spanish car manufacturer, and Volkswagen Group subsidiary SEAT, S.A. since October 1998.The two León generations are, or have been built upon two differing variants of the Volkswagen Group A platform, and they also share many other components with...
Cupra R
2003 (Series 3 and 4)
- BMW Z4BMW Z4The BMW Z4 is a rear-wheel drive sports car by the German car maker BMW. It follows a line of past BMW roadsters such as the BMW Z1, BMW 507, BMW Z8, and the BMW Z3. The Z4 replaces the Z3. First generation production started in 2002 at BMW USA's Greer, South Carolina plant, with production of both...
3.0i vs. Porsche BoxsterPorsche BoxsterThe Porsche Boxster is a mid-engined roadster built by Porsche. The Boxster is Porsche's first road vehicle to be originally designed as a roadster since the 550 Spyder.... - Radical SR3 vs. Ariel AtomAriel AtomThe Ariel Atom is a high performance sports car made by the Ariel Motor Company based in Somerset, England and under licence in North America by TMI Autotech, Inc. at Virginia International Raceway in Alton, Virginia....
- Nissan 350ZNissan 350ZThe Nissan 350Z is a two seat sports car that was manufactured by Nissan from 2002 to 2009 and marks the fifth generation of Nissan's Z-car line. The 350Z entered production in late 2002 and was sold and marketed as a 2003 model. The first year there was only a coupe, as the roadster did not debut...
vs. Audi TTAudi TTThe Audi TT is a two-door sports car manufactured by the German automaker and Volkswagen Group subsidiary Audi since 1998.The Audi TT has been produced in two generations. Both generations have been available in two car body styles; as a 2+2 Coupé, or two-seater Roadster...
3.2 Quattro - BMW M3BMW M3The BMW M3 is a high-performance version of the BMW 3 Series, developed by BMW's in-house motorsport division, BMW M. M3 models have been derived from the E30, E36, E46 and E90/E92/E93 3-series, and sold with coupé, sedan and convertible body styles...
CSL vs. BMW M3BMW M3The BMW M3 is a high-performance version of the BMW 3 Series, developed by BMW's in-house motorsport division, BMW M. M3 models have been derived from the E30, E36, E46 and E90/E92/E93 3-series, and sold with coupé, sedan and convertible body styles...
2004 (Series 5 and 6)
- Citroën C2Citroën C2The Citroën C2 is a supermini-class car produced by the French manufacturer Citroën since autumn of 2003, replacing the Citroën Saxo, it was built at the Aulnay plant on the outskirts of Paris. A different model, based on the Peugeot 206, is sold in China as the C2...
GT vs. Ford SportKa - Ford TransitFord TransitThe Ford Transit is a range of panel vans, minibuses, and pickup trucks, produced by the Ford Motor Company in Europe.The Transit has been the best-selling light commercial vehicle in Europe for 40 years, and in some countries the term "Transit" has passed into common usage as a generic term...
125 T280 vs. Mercedes-Benz SprinterMercedes-Benz SprinterThe Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is a light and heavy commercial vehicle, built by Daimler AG of Stuttgart, Germany as a van, chassis cab and minibus, and sold as a Mercedes model, except in the U.S. where it is built from complete knock down kits and was sold by Freightliner until 2010 when Mercedes...
213CDI - Škoda FabiaŠkoda FabiaThe Škoda Fabia is a supermini produced by Czech manufacturer Škoda Auto since 1999. It was the successor to the Škoda Felicia, which was discontinued in 2001...
vRS TDi vs. Mini CooperMINI (BMW)Mini is a British automotive marque owned by BMW which specialises in small cars.Mini originated as a specific vehicle, a small car originally known as the Morris Mini-Minor and the Austin Seven, launched by the British Motor Corporation in 1959, and developed into a brand encompassing a range of... - Lotus EliseLotus EliseThe 1996 Lotus Elise weighed . Because of its relatively low weight, it was able to accelerate 0- in 5.8 seconds despite its relatively low power output of...
111R vs. Vauxhall VX220Vauxhall VX220The Opel Speedster/Vauxhall VX220 is a British-built mid engined, targa-topped, 2-seater sports car introduced in the summer of 2000.It was built in both right-hand drive and left-hand drive versions at the Lotus Cars plant in Hethel, Norfolk, England. It was sold as the Vauxhall VX220 in the UK,...
Turbo
2005 (Series 7 and 8)
- Ducati 999Ducati 999The Ducati 999 superseded the Massimo Tamburini designed Ducati 916, Ducati 996 and Ducati 998 range of superbikes in 2003, and was produced through 2006...
vs. Lamborghini GallardoLamborghini GallardoThe Lamborghini Gallardo is a sports car built by Lamborghini. The Gallardo is Lamborghini's most-produced model to date, with over 10,000 built in its first seven years of production... - Honda CivicHonda CivicThe Honda Civic is a line of subcompact and subsequently compact cars made and manufactured by Honda. The Civic, along with the Accord and Prelude, comprised Honda's vehicles sold in North America until the 1990s, when the model lineup was expanded...
Type-R vs. Renaultsport Clio 182 CupRenault ClioThe Renault Clio is a supermini car produced by the French automobile manufacturer Renault. Originally launched in 1990, it is currently in its third generation... - Vauxhall MonaroHolden MonaroThe Holden Monaro is an automobile that was produced by GM Holden Ltd, an Australian subsidiary of General Motors, between 1968 and 1977 and between 2001 and 2005...
VXR vs. MG ZTMG ZTThe MG ZT is a high-performance MG-branded version of the Rover 75 executive car, produced by MG Rover at their Longbridge plant in Birmingham from 2001 to 2005. An estate version, the MG ZT-T, was also available. Styling is similar to the 75, although uprated springs and chassis modifications make...
260 - MINI CooperMINI (BMW)Mini is a British automotive marque owned by BMW which specialises in small cars.Mini originated as a specific vehicle, a small car originally known as the Morris Mini-Minor and the Austin Seven, launched by the British Motor Corporation in 1959, and developed into a brand encompassing a range of...
S Convertible vs. Smart Brabus Roadster CoupeSmart (automobile)Smart is an automotive branch of Daimler AG. Smart is a German manufacturer of microcars produced in Hambach, France, and Böblingen, Germany... - Mosler MT900Mosler MT900The MT900 is a sports car built in the United States and the United Kingdom by Mosler. Three submodels have also been produced. The MT900R was a racing version of the MT900. The basic car was updated as the MT900S for 2005, with the MT900S Photon being its racing variant. The original MT900 was...
S vs. Ducati 999Ducati 999The Ducati 999 superseded the Massimo Tamburini designed Ducati 916, Ducati 996 and Ducati 998 range of superbikes in 2003, and was produced through 2006... - Mercedes-Benz SL55 AMGMercedes-Benz SL-ClassThe Mercedes-Benz SL is a grand tourer manufactured by Mercedes since 1954. The designation SL derives from the German Sport Leicht, or Sport Lightweight — and was first applied to the 300SL 'Gullwing' named also after its gullwing or upward-opening doors.The term SL-Class refers to the...
vs. Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMGMercedes-Benz SLK-ClassThe SLK is a compact roadster manufactured by Mercedes-Benz in three generations; R170 launched in 1996, the R171 in 2004 and R172 in 2011.... - BMW X5BMW X5The BMW X5 is a luxury crossover SUV introduced in 1999 as the first generation E53. It was BMW's first SUV also known as "Four-by-Four" in the UK. It features all-wheel drive which is branded as the "X" drive system and is available with either manual or automatic transmission...
4.8is vs. Porsche CayennePorsche CayenneThe Porsche Cayenne is a five seat mid-size luxury crossover manufactured by the German manufacturer Porsche since 2002, with North American sales beginning in 2003. Its platform was developed by Porsche and is shared with the Volkswagen Touareg and the Audi Q7. It is the first V8-engined vehicle...
S - Noble M400Noble (car)Noble Automotive Ltd., more commonly known simply as Noble, is a British sports car manufacturer.It was established in 1999 by Lee Noble in Leeds, West Yorkshire, for producing high-speed sports cars with a rear mid-engine, rear-wheel drive layout. Lee Noble was the chief designer and owner of...
vs. Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII MR FQ-400 - Porsche 911 Carrera S vs. Lotus ExigeLotus ExigeThe Lotus Exige is a two-door, two-seat sports car made by Lotus Cars. It is essentially a coupé version of the Lotus Elise, a mid-engined roadster in production since 1996....
240R - Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI GSR vs. Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX FQ-320
- Westfield XTR4 vs. Suzuki GSXR1000
- Ford FiestaFord FiestaThe Ford Fiesta is a front wheel drive supermini/subcompact manufactured and marketed by Ford Motor Company and built in Europe, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Venezuela, China, India, Thailand and South Africa...
ST150 vs. Mitsubishi ColtMitsubishi ColtThe Mitsubishi Colt is a vehicle built by Mitsubishi Motors since 1962. It was first introduced as a series of kei cars and subcompact cars in the 1960s, and then as the export version of the Mitsubishi Mirage hatchback in the 1980s and 1990s...
CZT - Mazda RX-8Mazda RX-8The Mazda RX-8 is a sports car manufactured by Mazda Motor Corporation. It first appeared in 2001 at the North American International Auto Show. It is the successor to the RX-7 and, like its predecessors in the RX range, it is powered by a Wankel engine. The RX-8 began North American sales in the...
vs. Alfa Romeo GTAlfa Romeo GTThe Alfa Romeo GT is a sports car produced by the Italian automaker Alfa Romeo between 2003 and 2010. A total of 80,832 units were produced. The GT was introduced in March 2003 Geneva Motor Show and it came for sale in Italian markets January 2004...
3.2 V6 - Nissan 350ZNissan 350ZThe Nissan 350Z is a two seat sports car that was manufactured by Nissan from 2002 to 2009 and marks the fifth generation of Nissan's Z-car line. The 350Z entered production in late 2002 and was sold and marketed as a 2003 model. The first year there was only a coupe, as the roadster did not debut...
vs. Audi TTAudi TTThe Audi TT is a two-door sports car manufactured by the German automaker and Volkswagen Group subsidiary Audi since 1998.The Audi TT has been produced in two generations. Both generations have been available in two car body styles; as a 2+2 Coupé, or two-seater Roadster...
Sport Quattro 240 - Mercedes-Benz CLS55 AMG vs. Jaguar XJJaguar XJJaguar XJ is the designation that has been used for a series of luxury saloon cars sold under the British Jaguar marque. The first XJ was launched in 1968 and the designation has been used for successive Jaguar flagship models since then. The original model was the last Jaguar saloon to have had...
R - Subaru LegacySubaru LegacyThe Subaru Legacy is a mid-size car built by the Japanese company Fuji Heavy Industries, and manufactured by its division Subaru since 1989, and is available as a sedan or wagon. Part of the original design goals for the Legacy model was to provide Subaru a vehicle in which they could compete in...
3.0 R spec. B Sports Tourer vs. Volvo V50 T5 SE AWD - Lancia DeltaLancia DeltaThe Lancia Delta is a small family car produced by Italian automaker Lancia with the first generation being produced between 1979 and 1994, the second generation running from 1993 until 1999, and the third generation Delta entering production in 2008. It was first shown inFrankfurt Motor Show in 1979...
Integrale vs. BMW M3BMW M3The BMW M3 is a high-performance version of the BMW 3 Series, developed by BMW's in-house motorsport division, BMW M. M3 models have been derived from the E30, E36, E46 and E90/E92/E93 3-series, and sold with coupé, sedan and convertible body styles...
e30.
2006 (Series 9 and 10)
- Mazda MX-5Mazda MX-5The MX-5, also known as Miata in North America and Eunos Roadster in Japan, is a lightweight two-seater roadster, of front-engine, rear-wheel drive layout, built by Mazda in Hiroshima, Japan. The model was introduced in 1989 at the Chicago Auto Show...
vs. Mazda MX-5Mazda MX-5The MX-5, also known as Miata in North America and Eunos Roadster in Japan, is a lightweight two-seater roadster, of front-engine, rear-wheel drive layout, built by Mazda in Hiroshima, Japan. The model was introduced in 1989 at the Chicago Auto Show...
mk. I - Subaru Impreza WRX STiSubaru Impreza WRX STIThe Subaru Impreza WRX STI, has the highest trim in the Subaru Impreza compact car line, produced by Japanese automaker Subaru.In the late 1980s, Subaru created the Subaru Tecnica International division to coordinate development for the FIA World Rally Championship and other motorsports activities...
Type-UK vs. Subaru ForesterSubaru ForesterThe Subaru Forester is an all-wheel drive crossover wagon manufactured since 1997 by Fuji Heavy Industries and sold under the Subaru brand...
STi - Vauxhall AstraVauxhall AstraAstra is a model name which has been used by Vauxhall, the British subsidiary of General Motors , on their small family car ranges since 1979. Astras are technically essentially identical with similar vehicles offered by GM's German subsidiary Opel in most other European countries...
VXR vs. Ford Focus ST - Mercedes-Benz A200TMercedes-Benz A-ClassThe Mercedes-Benz A-Class is a mini MPV produced by the German automobile manufacturer Mercedes-Benz. The first generation was introduced in 1997, and the all-new second generation model appeared in late 2004. Launched as a five-door hatchback in 1997, the second generation W169 introduced a...
vs. Toyota Corolla VersoToyota CorollaThe Toyota Corolla is a line of subcompact and compact cars manufactured by the Japanese automaker Toyota, which has become very popular throughout the world since the nameplate was first introduced in 1966. In 1997, the Corolla became the best selling nameplate in the world, with over 35 million...
T180 - BMW M6BMW M6The BMW M6, also known as the BMW M635CSi, is a high-performance version of the 6-Series automobile, designed by the motorsport division of BMW...
vs. BMW M5BMW M5The first BMW M5, based on the E28 5 Series, made its debut at Amsterdam Motor Show in February 1984. It was the product of demand for an automobile with the carrying capacity of a saloon , but the overall performance of a sports car. It utilized the 535i chassis and an evolution of the engine from... - Škoda OctaviaŠkoda OctaviaThe Škoda Octavia is a small family car produced by Czech automaker Škoda Auto since 1996, its name revived from a model originally produced between 1959 and 1971. The current Octavia is available in five-door liftback and station wagon....
vRS vs. Volkswagen Golf GTI - Volkswagen Golf R32 vs. BMW 130i M Sport
- Nissan NavaraNissan FrontierNissan Navara is the name for the D22 and D40 generations of Nissan pickup trucks sold in Asia while in the North, Central and South America and the Philippines it is sold as Nissan Frontier. The line was started in 1998, and its immediate predecessor is the D21 Nissan Hardbody truck...
vs. Mitsubishi L200 - Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX MR FQ-360 vs. Stunt Plane
2007 (Series 11)
- Week 5: Renaultsport Clio 197Renault ClioThe Renault Clio is a supermini car produced by the French automobile manufacturer Renault. Originally launched in 1990, it is currently in its third generation...
vs. Vauxhall Corsa VXROpel CorsaThe front-wheel drive Opel Corsa was first launched in September 1982 to replace the Opel Kadett C City, and to fill the gap vacated as the Kadett grew in size and price. Built in Zaragoza, Spain, the first Corsas were three-door hatchback and two-door saloon models, with four-door and five-door... - Week 6: Mini CooperMINI (BMW)Mini is a British automotive marque owned by BMW which specialises in small cars.Mini originated as a specific vehicle, a small car originally known as the Morris Mini-Minor and the Austin Seven, launched by the British Motor Corporation in 1959, and developed into a brand encompassing a range of...
vs. Suzuki Swift SportSuzuki SwiftThe Suzuki Swift is a subcompact car produced by Suzuki in Japan since 2000. Prior to this, the "Swift" nameplate had been applied to the Suzuki Cultus in export markets such as Australasia, Europe, India and North America.- Predecessor :... - Week 9: White van Megane shoot-out: Renaultsport Megane 230 F1 Team R26 vs. Ford Transit Connect X-pressFord TransitThe Ford Transit is a range of panel vans, minibuses, and pickup trucks, produced by the Ford Motor Company in Europe.The Transit has been the best-selling light commercial vehicle in Europe for 40 years, and in some countries the term "Transit" has passed into common usage as a generic term...
- Week 10: Hire car shoot-out: Vauxhall Astra 1.6Vauxhall AstraAstra is a model name which has been used by Vauxhall, the British subsidiary of General Motors , on their small family car ranges since 1979. Astras are technically essentially identical with similar vehicles offered by GM's German subsidiary Opel in most other European countries...
vs. Ford Focus 1.6 Zetec
2007 (Series 12)
- Week 1: BMW 335i vs. Audi S5
- Week 3: Honda Civic Type R (UK 198 bhp specification) vs. Honda Civic Type R (Japanese 222 bhp specification)
- Week 5: Audi TT 2.0T S-tronic vs. Audi TT 2.0T manual
- Week 7: Ford Gran Torino vs. Dodge ChargerThe General LeeThe General Lee is the modified Dodge Charger driven by the Duke cousins Bo and Luke in the television series The Dukes of Hazzard. It is known for the chases and stunts, especially high jumps, in almost every episode, and for having the doors welded shut, leaving the Dukes to climb in and out...
2008 (Series 13)
- Week 1: Lotus Exige S 240 vs. Caterham CSR 260 Superlight
- Week 2: Renaultsport Clio 197 vs. Rage Buggy R180RT
- Week 3: Vauxhall VXR8HSV ClubsportThe HSV Clubsport is a full-size car which has been produced by Holden Special Vehicles in Australia since 1990. All models have been based on contemporary Holden Commodore models...
vs. Lotus CarltonLotus CarltonThe Lotus Carlton was a Vauxhall Carlton saloon upgraded by Lotus Cars to be a 177 mph sports sedan with acceleration to equal contemporary supercars. Like all Lotus vehicles, it was given a type designation — Type 104 in this case... - Week 4: VW Transporter Sportline vs. Mercedes-Benz Vito XMercedes-Benz VitoThe Mercedes-Benz Vito is a light van produced by Mercedes-Benz in the Basque town of Vitoria, Spain. From the name of the city Vitoria came the name Vito. The name was also derived from an exemplary, long-standing employee, Vito Rosenstein...
- Week 5: Fiat Panda 100HPFiat PandaThe Fiat Panda is a city car from the Italian automobile manufacturer Fiat. The first Fiat Panda was introduced in 1980, and was produced until 2003 with only a few changes. It is now sometimes referred to as the "old Panda". The second model, launched in 2003, is sometimes referred to "New Panda"...
vs. Renault Twingo GTRenault TwingoThe Renault Twingo is a city car built by French automaker Renault, first presented at the Paris Motor Show in September 1992 and sold in continental European markets beginning in 1993... - Week 6: Mini OneMINI (BMW)Mini is a British automotive marque owned by BMW which specialises in small cars.Mini originated as a specific vehicle, a small car originally known as the Morris Mini-Minor and the Austin Seven, launched by the British Motor Corporation in 1959, and developed into a brand encompassing a range of...
vs. Fiat 500 1.4Fiat Nuova 500The Fiat 500 or Fiat Nuova 500 is a city car built by Italian automaker Fiat since 2007. The car is currently produced in Tychy, Poland by Fiat Auto Poland S.A. and in Toluca, Mexico, by Chrysler Group LLC. The four-seater, three-door hatchback 500 is almost identical to the retro concept car... - Week 7: Ford Fiesta STFord FiestaThe Ford Fiesta is a front wheel drive supermini/subcompact manufactured and marketed by Ford Motor Company and built in Europe, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Venezuela, China, India, Thailand and South Africa...
vs. Vauxhall Corsa SRi - Week 8: Porsche Cayenne GTSPorsche CayenneThe Porsche Cayenne is a five seat mid-size luxury crossover manufactured by the German manufacturer Porsche since 2002, with North American sales beginning in 2003. Its platform was developed by Porsche and is shared with the Volkswagen Touareg and the Audi Q7. It is the first V8-engined vehicle...
vs. BMW X5 4.8iBMW X5The BMW X5 is a luxury crossover SUV introduced in 1999 as the first generation E53. It was BMW's first SUV also known as "Four-by-Four" in the UK. It features all-wheel drive which is branded as the "X" drive system and is available with either manual or automatic transmission... - Week 9: Volkswagen GTIVolkswagen GolfThe Volkswagen Golf is a small family car manufactured by Volkswagen since 1974 and marketed worldwide across six generations, in various body configurations and under various nameplates – as the Volkswagen Rabbit in the United States and Canada , and as the Volkswagen Caribe in Mexico .The...
vs. Subaru Impreza WRXSubaru Impreza WRXThe Subaru Impreza WRX is a turbocharged version of the Subaru Impreza, an all-wheel drive, four-door passenger vehicle. It is available as a sedan or wagon.... - Week 10: Ford Escort RS CosworthFord Escort RS CosworthThe Ford Escort RS Cosworth was a sports derivative of the Ford Escort. It was available from 1992-96 in very limited numbers.It was instantly recognisable due to its large "whale tail" rear spoiler...
vs. Ford Focus RS
2009 (Series 14)
- Week 1:Mitsubishi Evo X FQ300 vs Subaru Impreza WRX STiSubaru Impreza WRX STIThe Subaru Impreza WRX STI, has the highest trim in the Subaru Impreza compact car line, produced by Japanese automaker Subaru.In the late 1980s, Subaru created the Subaru Tecnica International division to coordinate development for the FIA World Rally Championship and other motorsports activities...
- Week 2: Mazda RX-8Mazda RX-8The Mazda RX-8 is a sports car manufactured by Mazda Motor Corporation. It first appeared in 2001 at the North American International Auto Show. It is the successor to the RX-7 and, like its predecessors in the RX range, it is powered by a Wankel engine. The RX-8 began North American sales in the...
vs Nissan 350ZNissan 350ZThe Nissan 350Z is a two seat sports car that was manufactured by Nissan from 2002 to 2009 and marks the fifth generation of Nissan's Z-car line. The 350Z entered production in late 2002 and was sold and marketed as a 2003 model. The first year there was only a coupe, as the roadster did not debut... - Week 3: Volkswagen Passat R36 vs Audi A4 3.0 TDIAudi A4 B8Audi A4 is the 4th generation of Audi A4. The B8 A4 is built on a variant of the Audi Modular Longitudinal Platform, a platform which is also used in the Audi A5 coupé...
- Week 4: Honda Civic Mugen RRHonda CivicThe Honda Civic is a line of subcompact and subsequently compact cars made and manufactured by Honda. The Civic, along with the Accord and Prelude, comprised Honda's vehicles sold in North America until the 1990s, when the model lineup was expanded...
vs Honda S2000Honda S2000The Honda S2000 is a roadster that was manufactured by the Japanese automaker Honda Motor Company. It was launched in April 1999 and was created to celebrate the company's 50th anniversary. The car was first shown as a concept at the Tokyo Motor Show in 1995, following which it was launched in... - Week 5: Vauxhall Astra NurburgringVauxhall AstraAstra is a model name which has been used by Vauxhall, the British subsidiary of General Motors , on their small family car ranges since 1979. Astras are technically essentially identical with similar vehicles offered by GM's German subsidiary Opel in most other European countries...
vs Ford Focus ST
2010 (Series 17)
- Week 1: Ford Focus RS vs Renault Mégane Renault Sport vs VW Scirocco R
- Week 3: Citroën DS3 DSportCitroën DS3The Citroën DS3 is a supermini, produced by French manufacturer Citroën from 2009. This is the first car in the new DS range from Citroën. It was first hinted by the concept car Citroën DS Inside. This range of vehicle shares no common feature with, and is in no way the successor to, the Citroën DS...
vs. Alfa Romeo MiTo CloverleafAlfa Romeo MiToThe Alfa Romeo MiTo is a three door sporty supermini officially introduced on June 19, 2008, at Castello Sforzesco in Milan, with an international introduction at the British Motor Show in 2008. The car was available in all Alfa's major markets in stages from July... - Week 4: Nissan 370Z RoadsterNissan 370ZThe Nissan 370Z is a sports car manufactured by Nissan Motors. It was announced on October 29, 2008 and was first shown at an event in Los Angeles ahead of the 2008 Greater LA Auto Show, before being officially unveiled at the show itself...
vs. BMW Z4BMW E89BMW E89 is the chassis code of the second generation of BMW Z4. It now has a retractable hardtop like the Mercedes SLK replacing the previous roadster and coupé versions for the 2009 model year. There are exclusively six-cylinder engines on this generation... - Week 6: Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG (525 hp) vs. Audi RS6Audi RS6The Audi RS6 quattro, commonly referred to as the RS6, is the highest performing version, and top-of-the-line specification of the Audi A6, positioned above the Audi S6...
- Week 8: Peugeot RCZPeugeot RCZThe Peugeot RCZ is a sports car manufactured by Peugeot. It has been on sale since May 2010 and is currently available in almost 80 countries.It was officially introduced at the Frankfurt Auto Show in 2009 and was initially announced as the 308 RCZ concept car at the 2007 Frankfurt show...
vs. Volkswagen SciroccoVolkswagen SciroccoThe Scirocco is a 3-door Coupe manufactured by German automaker Volkswagen, undergoing two generations of development between 1974 and 1992 and reintroduced in a third generation in August 2008.-Etymology:... - Week 9: Volkswagen Golf RVolkswagen Golf Mk6The Volkswagen Golf Mk6 is the successor to the Mk5, and was unveiled at the Paris Auto Show in October 2008. Volkswagen released pictures and information on 6 August 2008, prior to the official unveiling. The vehicle was released to the European market in the winter of 2008...
vs. SEAT León Cupra RSEAT LeónThe SEAT León is a small family car built by the Spanish car manufacturer, and Volkswagen Group subsidiary SEAT, S.A. since October 1998.The two León generations are, or have been built upon two differing variants of the Volkswagen Group A platform, and they also share many other components with...
2010 (Series 18)
- Week 1: BMW M3BMW M3The BMW M3 is a high-performance version of the BMW 3 Series, developed by BMW's in-house motorsport division, BMW M. M3 models have been derived from the E30, E36, E46 and E90/E92/E93 3-series, and sold with coupé, sedan and convertible body styles...
vs. Mercedes C63 AMG - Week 2: Porsche CaymanPorsche CaymanThe Porsche Cayman is a mid-engined, rear wheel drive 2-seat sports car produced by Porsche AG of Germany. First launched in the 2006 model year, the Cayman is a coupé derived from Porsche's second generation Boxster convertible. Like the Boxster, most Caymans were assembled in Finland for Porsche...
vs. Lotus EvoraLotus EvoraThe Lotus Evora is a sports car produced by British car manufacturer Lotus. The car, which was developed under the project name Project Eagle, was launched as the Evora on 22 July 2008 at the British International Motor Show.- Development :... - Week 4: BMW 320dBMW E90The saloon model was the first model sold of the 5th generation BMW 3 series. Debuting in the US in 2006, the E90 came in two trims, the 325i/xi and 330i/xi models...
vs. Alpina D3 BiTurboAlpinaAlpina Burkard Bovensiepen GmbH is an automobile manufacturing company based in Buchloe, in the Ostallgäu district of Bavaria, Germany selling their own cars, based on BMW cars.... - Week 6: Audi S4Audi S4The Audi S4 is the high performance variant of Audi's compact executive car A4. The original Audi S4, built from 1991 until 1994, was a performance-oriented version of Audi's 100 saloon/sedan...
vs. Vauxhall Insignia VXR - Week 9: Honda CR-ZHonda CR-ZThe Honda CR-Z is a compact hybrid electric automobile manufactured by Honda and marketed as a "sport hybrid coupe." The CR-Z combines a hybrid gasoline-electric powertrain with traditional sports car elements...
vs. Citroen DS3Citroën DS3The Citroën DS3 is a supermini, produced by French manufacturer Citroën from 2009. This is the first car in the new DS range from Citroën. It was first hinted by the concept car Citroën DS Inside. This range of vehicle shares no common feature with, and is in no way the successor to, the Citroën DS...
HDi
2011 (Series 19)
- Week 1: BMW 535d M Sport vs. Jaguar XF diesel SJaguar XFThe Jaguar XF The Jaguar XF The Jaguar XF (type (X250) is a mid-size luxury car / sports saloon produced by British car manufacturer Jaguar. The car, which replaced the Jaguar S-Type, was launched at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show following the public showing of the C-XF concept in January 2007 at...
- Week 4: Nissan GTRNissan GT-RThe Nissan GT-R is a sports car produced by Nissan released in Japan on December 6, 2007, the United States on July 4, 2008, and the rest of the world in March 2009.-History:...
vs. Porsche 911 Turbo SPorsche 911The Porsche 911 is a luxury 2-door sports coupe made by Porsche AG of Stuttgart, Germany. It has a distinctive design, rear-engined and with independent rear suspension, an evolution of the swing axle on the Porsche 356. The engine was also air-cooled until the introduction of the Type 996 in 1998... - Week 5: Porsche 911 CarreraPorsche 911The Porsche 911 is a luxury 2-door sports coupe made by Porsche AG of Stuttgart, Germany. It has a distinctive design, rear-engined and with independent rear suspension, an evolution of the swing axle on the Porsche 356. The engine was also air-cooled until the introduction of the Type 996 in 1998...
vs. Lotus Evora SLotus EvoraThe Lotus Evora is a sports car produced by British car manufacturer Lotus. The car, which was developed under the project name Project Eagle, was launched as the Evora on 22 July 2008 at the British International Motor Show.- Development :... - Week 9: McLaren MP4-12CMcLaren MP4-12CThe McLaren MP4-12C is a sports car designed and manufactured by McLaren Automotive. It is the first production car wholly designed and built by McLaren since the McLaren F1. The car's final design was unveiled on 8 September 2009, and it is set to be launched in 2011...
vs. Ferrari 458 Italia
Cancellation and return
On 18 October 2009, the Mail OnlineMail Online
Mail Online is the name of the website of the Daily Mail, a newspaper in the United Kingdom. It contains almost all the stories from the Daily Mail and includes a large archive of main stories...
reported that the show had been cancelled. Up to then there had been no official announcement or confirmation. Although, Channel 5 executives had been quoted as saying, "Five is proud of Fifth Gear's contribution to the channel but after 16 series, feels it's time to try something new."
On 27 November 2009, Jeremy Clarkson
Jeremy Clarkson
Jeremy Charles Robert Clarkson is an English broadcaster, journalist and writer who specialises in motoring. He is best known for his role on the BBC TV show Top Gear along with co-presenters Richard Hammond and James May...
mentioned on The Chris Moyles Show
The Chris Moyles Show
The Chris Moyles Show is the current BBC Radio 1 breakfast show in the UK, and has been since Chris Moyles became the station's breakfast show presenter on 5 January 2004. From 2004 to 2007, the show was broadcast 6:55–10:00 am each weekday, but since 15 October 2007 it has started from...
that it was a shame that Fifth Gear had been cancelled.
In late December 2009, however, presenter Jonny Smith
Jonny Smith
Jonny Smith is a motoring journalist and television presenter. He is currently one of the presenters on motoring programme Fifth Gear. He first worked for a custom and vintage VW magazine, becoming the editor after three years. He went on to work for magazine publisher EMAP, where he wrote...
suggested via Twitter
Twitter
Twitter is an online social networking and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based posts of up to 140 characters, informally known as "tweets".Twitter was created in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey and launched that July...
that the show could return for another series early in 2010. On 8 January 2010, Smith tweeted: "Fifth Gear IS coming back!", and in his next tweet, he said "Wow, such quick responses! Basically, we all know there's room for 2 car TV shows. FG will simply be a reviews based visual car magazine." Tiff Needell
Tiff Needell
Timothy "Tiff" Needell isa British racing driver and television presenter. He is best known as a former co-presenter of Top Gear and current co-presenter of Fifth Gear.-Biography:...
also tweeted saying "Home to the news that, after much negotiating Fifth Gear looks like it will after all be returning to your screens sometime in the Spring!" and also hinted the show will have a new format in his next tweet "Glad so many of you are delighted by the Fifth Gear news — and, yes the format will be moving away from the stupid ... but still having fun!".
On 17 January 2010, Vicki Butler-Henderson
Vicki Butler-Henderson
Victoria "Vicki" Butler-Henderson is a racing driver and television presenter.-Biography:Butler-Henderson was born into a racing family. Her grandfather used to race a Frazer Nash at Brooklands, her father was in the British karting team and her brother Charlie is a racing driver. She has an older...
and Tiff Needell
Tiff Needell
Timothy "Tiff" Needell isa British racing driver and television presenter. He is best known as a former co-presenter of Top Gear and current co-presenter of Fifth Gear.-Biography:...
confirmed at the Autosport International Show that Fifth Gear will be returning in Spring 2010. The pair featured a car shootout in Fifth Gear style in the live arena show and said several times to the audience that the show would be back on air in Spring and to ignore the cancellation rumours.
The series started on 3 June 2010. The series ran for 10 episodes and the first one had Lewis Hamilton
Lewis Hamilton
Lewis Carl Davidson Hamilton, MBE is a British Formula One racing driver from England, currently racing for the McLaren team. He was the Formula One World Champion.Hamilton was born in Stevenage, Hertfordshire...
as a guest. On 1 October 2010, it was announced that Ben Collins (who played the original White Stig
The Stig
The Stig is a character in the British motoring television show Top Gear. The character plays on the anonymity of racing drivers' full-face helmets, with the running joke that nobody knows who, or indeed what, is inside the character's racing suit. The character was the creation of presenter Jeremy...
on Top Gear) would join the show as 'The Stag', a race car driver wearing a reindeer suit with antlers.
In Summer 2011, 'Fifth Gear' returned for Series 19 which consisted of 20 episodes. It filled the 7:30pm slot on a Friday evening. It was interrupted for a week in early July for sport.
Team Test
In Series 19, a new segment was introduced, called the Team Test. This is where TiffTiff Needell
Timothy "Tiff" Needell isa British racing driver and television presenter. He is best known as a former co-presenter of Top Gear and current co-presenter of Fifth Gear.-Biography:...
, Jason
Jason Plato
Timothy Jason Plato is a British racing car driver currently competing in the BTCC for Silverline Chevrolet. He is a two time BTCC champion having previously won the series in 2001 when driving for Vauxhall and 2010 for Silverline Chevrolet. He has finished in the top 3 in the championship 8 times...
, Jonny
Jonny Smith
Jonny Smith is a motoring journalist and television presenter. He is currently one of the presenters on motoring programme Fifth Gear. He first worked for a custom and vintage VW magazine, becoming the editor after three years. He went on to work for magazine publisher EMAP, where he wrote...
and Vicki
Vicki Butler-Henderson
Victoria "Vicki" Butler-Henderson is a racing driver and television presenter.-Biography:Butler-Henderson was born into a racing family. Her grandfather used to race a Frazer Nash at Brooklands, her father was in the British karting team and her brother Charlie is a racing driver. She has an older...
all do a group test on an important new car, e.g. the New Mk.2 Nissan Micra, the Mk.3 Ford C-Max etc. They all score the car out of 10, and add it together to get the score for the car.
Leaderboard
- Mercedes-Benz CLS350 CDi – 34.5/40
- Ford Focus Mk.3 – 32/40
- Audi A7 SportbackAudi A7The Audi Sportback concept is a concept car produced by Audi, shown at the 2009 North American International Auto Show. The Sportback concept, a luxury five-door fastback model, was regarded as a preview of two future models: the Audi A5 Sportback variant and the Audi A7...
– 31.5/40 - BMW X3 F25BMW X3 (F25)The BMW F25 is the 2nd generation model of the BMW Sports Activity Series X3, on sale since 2010. The 2011 X3 was unveiled on July 14, 2010...
– 29/40 - Peugeot 508Peugeot 508The Peugeot 508 is a large family car launched in 2010 by French automaker Peugeot. It replaces the Peugeot 407 as well as the larger Peugeot 607, for which no more direct replacement is scheduled...
– 27.5/40 - Lexus CT200hLexus CTThe Lexus CT 200h is a hybrid electric automobile introduced by Lexus and is an entry-level luxury hatchback. It made its debut at the March 2010 Geneva Auto Show, six months after the unveiling of the LF-Ch concept car; it is primarily targeted at the European market but will be sold worldwide and...
– 23/40 - Volkswagen PhaetonVolkswagen PhaetonThe Volkswagen Phaeton is a full-size luxury sedan/saloon manufactured by German automaker Volkswagen, and is described by Volkswagen as their "premium class" vehicle...
– 18/40 - Nissan Micra K13 – 13/40
Without Jason Plato
- Range Rover Evoque - 27.5/30
- Mercedes SLKMercedes-Benz R172The R172 represents the third generation of Mercedes-Benz SLK, and was launched in January 2011 with international sales starting spring 2011. Replacing the R171, the R172 continues the small luxury roadster concept that was initiated by the first SLK launched in 1996...
- 16/30 - Porsche Panamera DieselPorsche PanameraThe Porsche Panamera is a four-door a coupe. It is front-engined with rear-wheel drive, with four-wheel drive versions also available....
- 11/30