Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA['Top Gear'... beloved in Iran?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/12/top-gear-beloved-in-iran/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/12/top-gear-beloved-in-iran/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/12/top-gear-beloved-in-iran/#commentsFiled under: ,

Jeremy Clarkson

It's true. Top Gear has been hitting airwaves in Iran since 2009, and since then, the program has garnered an impressive following. Mozaffar Shafeie, an actor who translates Jeremy Clarkson's musings into Farsi for the show, routinely finds himself signing autographs for fans. While the BBC can't operate freely in the country, BBC Persian TV hosts Top Gear. When the station dropped the show to air an interview with then US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, BBC reports viewers accustomed to their regular dose of Clarkson, Hammond and May protested bitterly.

When the regular Top Gear season comes to a close, BBC Persian TV fills the time slot with Top Gear USA. Needless to say, that maneuver goes over about as well as broadcasting Clinton's comments.

Iranians are only allowed to buy 13 gallons of gasoline every month, but that hasn't quelled the country's love of cars. Even so, many manufacturers have left the country in protest against Iran's nuclear program.

'Top Gear'... beloved in Iran? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Apr 2013 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bbc persian tviranjames mayjeremy clarksonrichard hammondtop gearFri, 12 Apr 2013 08:28:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20535108/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/12/top-gear-beloved-in-iran/20535108/article-detail.xml 20535108 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/jeremy-clarkson-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/jeremy-clarkson-opt.jpg <![CDATA[<em>Top Gear</em> season premier will air on BBC America days after UK debut]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/28/top-gear-season-premier-will-air-on-bbc-america-days-af/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/28/top-gear-season-premier-will-air-on-bbc-america-days-af/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/28/top-gear-season-premier-will-air-on-bbc-america-days-af/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



If you're hungry for the new season of Top Gear and happen to find yourself living in the US, we have good news for you. The BBC has announced season 19 will debut on BBC America one week after it airs in the UK. That's a welcome change from the lengthy wait we're accustomed to on this side of the Atlantic, and will likely be enough to keep most fans from turning to their favorite torrents for their dose of Jeremy Clarkson, James May, Richard Hammond and The Stig. The first episode is set to air on February 4 at 9:00 pm EST.

The episode follows Clarkson as he attempts to build the world's smallest car and operate the machine on the streets of London. May, meanwhile, takes the time to run a Bentley Continental GT Speed down a rally stage, and Hammond hops behind the wheel of the mighty Pagani Huayra for a few laps at the show's test track. You can check out the full press release below for more information. You can also check out the teaser video for the new season here.

Continue reading Top Gear season premier will air on BBC America days after UK debut

Top Gear season premier will air on BBC America days after UK debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Jan 2013 08:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bbcbbc americajames mayjeremy clarksonrichard hammondtop geartop gear season 19Mon, 28 Jan 2013 08:43:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20439957/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/01/28/top-gear-season-premier-will-air-on-bbc-america-days-af/20439957/article-detail.xml 20439957 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/top-gear-photo_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/top-gear-photo.jpg <![CDATA[<em>Top Gear</em> releases first teaser for new season]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/18/top-gear-releases-first-teaser-for-new-season/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/18/top-gear-releases-first-teaser-for-new-season/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/18/top-gear-releases-first-teaser-for-new-season/#commentsFiled under: , ,

New Top Gear Season teaser video screencap - Subaru and Volvo in the jungle getting muddy

The new season of Top Gear is set to launch at the end of this month, and the BBC has dropped a quick teaser to get everyone excited. The spot takes a look at the show from the wardrobe department's point of view, and gives us a few glimpses of what Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond have been up to since we last saw them. From squaring off in a Lexus LFA against a fighter plane and playing rugby with cheap cars to bashing through the jungle in the bug-eyed Subaru WRX shown above, the crew has been plenty busy.

Sure, the clips show a few recycled ideas, but these guys have been at it for a spell now... some repetition is allowed. Look for the new season to launch on January 27. After a full year without the show on our screens, we're more than ready to see the new season. You can check out the first teaser below for yourself.

Continue reading Top Gear releases first teaser for new season

Top Gear releases first teaser for new season originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Jan 2013 15:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bbcjames mayjeremy clarksonrichard hammondtop gearvideoFri, 18 Jan 2013 15:43:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20431641/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/01/18/top-gear-releases-first-teaser-for-new-season/20431641/article-detail.xml 20431641 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/new-top-gear-season-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/new-top-gear-season-628.jpg <![CDATA[<i>Top Gear</i> back on air January 27]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/02/top-gear-back-on-air-january-27/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/02/top-gear-back-on-air-january-27/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/02/top-gear-back-on-air-january-27/#commentsFiled under: ,

Richard Hammond, Jeremy Clarkson and James May, hosts of Top Gear UK

While reporting about Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May hasn't seemed to quit over the last 12 months, the fact that the Top Gear trio were not together and filming episodes of the world's most popular automotive television show made 2012 a dull year for fans. The good news now is that, as promised, the gang is back together for 2013 and box-fresh episodes of the BBC series are coming soon. Very soon.

According to ApplauseStore.com, the website that Top Gear uses to sell tickets to the live filmings of the show, the next new episode is set to be shot on January 23. Typically Top Gear has been filmed live one week before the air date, meaning the next new episode should probably hit the airwaves on January 27.

We can't say exactly which cars or what sort of hair-brained hilarity will crop up in the newest episodes. It does seem like Jezza, The Hampster and Captain Slow will be doing a feature about driving supercars in the USA at some point this season - but we can say that we'll be planted in front of the flat-screen, tuned in and ready for the fun to begin anew.

Top Gear back on air January 27 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Jan 2013 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bbcjames mayjeremy clarksonrichard hammondtop geartop gear 2013top gear ukWed, 02 Jan 2013 16:20:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20415202/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/01/02/top-gear-back-on-air-january-27/20415202/article-detail.xml 20415202 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/top-gear-photo2_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/top-gear-photo2.jpg <![CDATA[<i>Top Gear</i> blokes starting supercar road trip across USA]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/13/top-gear-blokes-starting-supercar-road-trip-across-usa/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/13/top-gear-blokes-starting-supercar-road-trip-across-usa/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/13/top-gear-blokes-starting-supercar-road-trip-across-usa/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Top Gear UK crew prepares for supercar road trip across US

According to the Twitter musings of one Jeremy Clarkson, the Top Gear UK crew is back in the States for another harebrained adventure, this time in a trio of comely supercars. Judging by some grainy Twitter pics, Clarkson is in Las Vegas with Richard Hammond and James May, set to drive cross-country in a Lexus LFA, SRT Viper and Aston Martin Vanquish.

The ever-wry Clarkson appears to have just landed, having announced on Twitter less than 24 hours ago: "People of America. We have passed muster at your idiotic border controls, and we are here, ready to play."

In fact, the Top Gear action this time 'round might not be limited solely to the US - on November 7, Clarkson tweeted, "We will be in Mexico next week." Earlier missives suggest a sizable journey - some 3,000 miles. We're guessing the trip will work out to be the longest journey by a media member in the new SRT, and not by a little bit. Who knows, that may even hold true for the Lexus and Aston Martin. Viva Lost Wages, boys.

Details about TG's journey or when the story will air on the BBC are otherwise slim... anyone else have information on where they're headed? Let us know in Comments.

Top Gear blokes starting supercar road trip across USA originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Nov 2012 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 aston martin vanquish2013 lexus lfa2013 srt viperaston martinbbcjames mayjeremy clarksonlexuslfarichard hammondsrttop gearvanquishviperTue, 13 Nov 2012 10:45:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20378530/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/11/13/top-gear-blokes-starting-supercar-road-trip-across-usa/20378530/article-detail.xml 20378530 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/top-gear-usa-supercar-trip_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/top-gear-usa-supercar-trip.jpg <![CDATA[Clarkson, Hammond and May sign new 3-year BBC deal to host Top Gear]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/01/clarkson-hammond-and-may-sign-new-3-year-bbc-deal-to-host-top-g/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/01/clarkson-hammond-and-may-sign-new-3-year-bbc-deal-to-host-top-g/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/01/clarkson-hammond-and-may-sign-new-3-year-bbc-deal-to-host-top-g/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Top Gear BBC's Richard Hammond, Jeremy Clarkson and James May standing in road

And now...the news! Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond, a.k.a. the Top Gear blokes, have signed a new three-year deal to continue hosting the globally popular BBC2 program. The new deal specifies that Hammond and May will receive a share of Top Gear commercial revenue in exchange for promoting the show internationally.

According to the Guardian, the significance of this deal stems from the fact that while The Hamster and Captain Slow previously only received pay for their involvement in the hit show, Clarkson and his mate Andy Wilman were profiting greatly from the international marketing of the show. That's because Bedder 6, a joint venture set up five years ago between Clarkson, Wilman and the BBC owns the show's hugely lucrative commercial rights. The outfit derives its earnings from live Top Gear shows, DVD sales and worldwide marketing of the brand. Clarkson owns 30 percent of Bedder 6 while the BBC owns 50 percent and Wilman owns the remaining 20 percent.

In July, it was revealed that Clarkson's income jumped £900,000 (about $1.45M USD) following word that dividends from Bedder 6 increased from £6 million ($9.7M) last year to £9 million ($14.5M) this year. This, combined with his salary and his £350,000 ($566k) Bedder 6 fee, makes Clarkson the highest paid BBS personality, earning more than £3 million ($4.85M).

It should be noted that this news comes as many other BBC talent have received reduced pay amidst public scrutiny of the government-owned television operator. The BBC is quick to point out that the deal with the Top Gear hosts and Wilman was penned "without using a penny of license fee money." This new deal allows for Hammond and May to have a piece of the pie, without dipping into the BBC's budget. Even so, there has been some debate among British critics whether television personalities are worth these sorts of seven-figure deals - this, despite such salaries being commonplace in Hollywood.

Clarkson, Hammond and May sign new 3-year BBC deal to host Top Gear originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 Oct 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>andy wilmanbbcbbc2bedder 6james mayjeremy clarksonrichard hammondsalarytop gearMon, 01 Oct 2012 10:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20337380/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/10/01/clarkson-hammond-and-may-sign-new-3-year-bbc-deal-to-host-top-g/20337380/article-detail.xml 20337380 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/08/top-gear-photo2_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/08/top-gear-photo2.jpg <![CDATA[BBC facing penalties for hosting <i>Top Gear</i> videos on YouTube]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/22/bbc-facing-penalties-for-hosting-top-gear-videos-on-youtu/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/22/bbc-facing-penalties-for-hosting-top-gear-videos-on-youtu/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/22/bbc-facing-penalties-for-hosting-top-gear-videos-on-youtu/#commentsFiled under: ,

Top Gear UK - YouTube page

If a corporate content provider in the U.S. wants to upload videos to YouTube, all it essentially needs to do is find someone who knows how to upload videos to YouTube. Then: profit! In the UK, it's done differently - so much so that it sounds like everyone is confused. A regulatory body called The Authority for Television on Demand (ATVOD) oversees on-demand services, including content posted online on branded aggregator sites like Virgin Media as well as open sites like YouTube. Content providers like the BBC, Nickelodeon and MTV that show on-demand content that is "television like," that are editorially responsible for the content, and that make it available to the public need to pay a yearly fee to ATVOD.

Here's where things get sticky: The BBC posted clips of its Top Gear and BBC Food programs on its YouTube channel, each clip less than ten minutes. According to The Telegraph, it didn't check with ATVOD about as to its obligations. The ATVOD checked out the clips and said 'these are television-like, so you owe us £2,900 for each channel (that's about $4,600 USD).' The BBC said that clips of less than ten minutes - a fraction of the length of the program on television - are short-form content being watched by people on the move, and thus not television-like.

The ATVOD responded to this by basically saying "bollocks." Since the BBC content in question satisfies the ATVOD's entire checklist for matters it regulates, the clips in question are "television-like" enough to justify the fee. The BBC joins a long line of media outlets including newspapers and magazines questioning ATVOD decisions, such as rulings that a company that makes a show is responsible for the editorial content of an on-demand show and needs to pay ATVOD as opposed to the broadcaster of the show paying ATVOD. It isn't just big guns that ATVOD goes after, either, its call for licensing fees having shut down more than one independent site offering content like amateur short films. The BBC is appealing, and it looks like clarification will have to come from the UK courts.

BBC facing penalties for hosting Top Gear videos on YouTube originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 22 Aug 2012 18:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atvodauthority for television on demandbbcbbc foodjames mayjeremy clarksonnigella lawsonon demandrichard hammondtop geartop gear ukukWed, 22 Aug 2012 18:32:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20306366/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/08/22/bbc-facing-penalties-for-hosting-top-gear-videos-on-youtu/20306366/article-detail.xml 20306366 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/bbc-top-gear-uk-youtube-page_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/bbc-top-gear-uk-youtube-page.jpg <![CDATA[Watch <i>Top Gear</i> complete a world record double loop]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/18/watch-top-gear-complete-a-world-record-double-loop/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/18/watch-top-gear-complete-a-world-record-double-loop/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/18/watch-top-gear-complete-a-world-record-double-loop/#commentsFiled under: ,

Top Gear double-loop attempt

The Top Gear team has made a bit of history at the Top Gear Festival in Durban, South Africa, as a stunt driver pulled off a double loop in front of a crowd of over 15,000. The event involved a 26-foot tall double loop track that looks to have come right out of a Hot Wheels box, except that it weighs over eight tons. The stunt vehicle of choice was a custom-made buggy with a throttle lock that could travel at a constant 24-26 mile per hour speed that the math geeks said was necessary for a successful "Deadly 720."

Scroll below to watch a nearly two-minute video that starts with cheering crowds and the trio of Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond and ends with the buggy stunt. We're thinking the best part of the video was the in-buggy view of the double loop.

Continue reading Watch Top Gear complete a world record double loop

Watch Top Gear complete a world record double loop originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 18 Jun 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jeremy Clarkson did an 11-minute interview with a South African radio station that has a name to match its geographic location. Clarkson discussed what it took to make the Top Gear segment that had them drivng around the Monaco GP circuit on a race weekend, the coming Ron Howard movie Rush about the 1976 F1 battle between Niki Lauda and James Hunt and Top Gear Festival 2012 "with an array of cars that has never been seen anywhere."

But what has caught everyone's attention - everyone except for the radio interviewer, that is - was Clarkson saying that the festival would be "about the only time" he, Hammond and May would work together in 2012 because "there's no Top Gear this year." There's video of the interview below, the bombshell at about 8:10. Since it's all a bit confusing, Mr. Clarkson himself has set the record straight via his personal Twitter account, confirming that Top Gear will return in January of 2013, though there will be a Christmas special some time before that.

The reason petrolheads will be missing out on their BBC fix? Simon Cowell, apparently. "Sunday nights will be full of fat people singing," said Clarkson. "Top Gear is a medium size van. Cowell is a juggernaut. When he has finished his singing competition, our new series will start."

Continue reading Top Gear not returning until 2013 [w/video]

Top Gear not returning until 2013 [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 May 2012 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>james mayjeremy clarksonrichard hammondsimon cowelltop gearvideox factorWed, 09 May 2012 12:32:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20234381/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/09/top-gear-not-returning-until-2013/20234381/article-detail.xml 20234381 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/topgearno2012_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/topgearno2012.jpg <![CDATA[Richard Hammond picks 10 best American cars]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/05/richard-hammond-picks-10-best-american-cars/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/05/richard-hammond-picks-10-best-american-cars/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/05/richard-hammond-picks-10-best-american-cars/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Richard Hammond

Of the three "Top Gear" hosts, Richard Hammond may be the most sympathetic towards American tastes. He's made no secret of his love for American machinery, including our big-boned muscle cars and pickup trucks. Hammond even spent some time filming in our neck of the woods while working on his new show, "Crash Course." The series puts Hammond behind the wheel of the largest machinery on the planet, and not surprisingly, the first episode focuses solely on the monstrosities of America.

Hammond sat down with GQ to discuss the project as well as some of his favorite vehicles from the States. While cars like the 1969 Dodge Charger and 1968 Ford Mustang GT are obvious picks, Hammond also seems to favor creations like the modern Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 and the Jeep Wrangler. Head over to Wired to take a look at the full list for yourself. "Crash Course" airs Mondays at 10 on BBC America.

Richard Hammond picks 10 best American cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 05 May 2012 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chevrolet corvettecrash coursedodge chargerfisker karmaford mustangjeepw ranglerrichard hammondrichard hammond crash courserichard hammond top 10 american vehiclesSat, 05 May 2012 09:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20228977/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/05/richard-hammond-picks-10-best-american-cars/20228977/article-detail.xml 20228977 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/richard-hammond_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/richard-hammond.jpg <![CDATA[Richard Hammond thinks BMW 320d may be the "best car ever made"]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/15/richard-hammond-thinks-bmw-320d-may-be-the-best-car-ever-made/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/15/richard-hammond-thinks-bmw-320d-may-be-the-best-car-ever-made/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/15/richard-hammond-thinks-bmw-320d-may-be-the-best-car-ever-made/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

2012 BMW 328i - dead-on front view

Of all of the cars Top Gear host Richard Hammond has driven - and that's a lot of cars - it is an oil-burning entry-level luxury sedan that has earned the plaudit, "possibly the best car ever made." He's referring to the 2013 BMW 320d in an article for the UK's Mirror newspaper, further crediting it with "brilliant handling," an easy-to-use infotainment system, "very accurate steering" and being "one of the nicest Threes to drive in decades."

His conclusion does come from a lack of negatives just as much as the positives. However, even though it's still a huge call, we've heaped our own ultimate praise on BMW's gasoline four-pot, the 328i, which trades a quicker sprint to 60 mph for a few mpg less than the 320d's 52 Imperial mpg (43 U.S. mpg).

Hammond's a fan of the styling, and in fact the only thing he doesn't like is a stripe on his 3 Series tester. Click the link to get the words straight from the Hamster's mouth.

Richard Hammond thinks BMW 320d may be the "best car ever made" originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 15 Apr 2012 16:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 bmw 320d3 series3-series320dbmwbmw 320dhammondrichard hammondtop gearSun, 15 Apr 2012 16:03:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20216012/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/15/richard-hammond-thinks-bmw-320d-may-be-the-best-car-ever-made/20216012/article-detail.xml 20216012 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/bmw320dhammond_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/bmw320dhammond.jpg <![CDATA[Toyota UK says <i>Top Gear</i> boys to go on another Hilux adventure [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/28/toyota-uk-says-top-gear-boys-to-go-on-another-hilux-adven/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/28/toyota-uk-says-top-gear-boys-to-go-on-another-hilux-adven/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/28/toyota-uk-says-top-gear-boys-to-go-on-another-hilux-adven/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Top Gear Toyota Hilux

The Toyota Hilux can attribute a fair portion of the its celebrity to the Top Gear crew's exuberant doting. After attempting to destroy the truck via a smattering of inhumane methods, traversing the frozen wastes of Antarctica the Arctic and braving the fires of Icelandic volcanoes, the show has given the globe-conquering Toyota more love than nearly any other model.

It looks as if that won't slow down anytime soon. According to Toyota, Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond will once again take to the wheel of a specially-prepared Hilux for an all new challenge.

Just what will that task entail? Toyota is keeping its mouth shut at the moment, and Top Gear isn't typically one for spilling secrets early. Judging by the photos, however, it appears as if the vehicle will need to withstand substantial water crossings and support the trio for at least one night in the wild. Color us excited. Hit the jump for some of the vehicle's finer moments on the show.

UPDATE: We mistakenly said the Top Gear crew visited Antarctica, which is false as they were aiming for the North Pole in the Arctic. Thanks, Mark!

Continue reading Toyota UK says Top Gear boys to go on another Hilux adventure [w/video]

Toyota UK says Top Gear boys to go on another Hilux adventure [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Mar 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hiluxjames mayjeremy clarksonrichard hammondtop geartop gear hiluxtoyotatoyota hiluxWed, 28 Mar 2012 19:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20203061/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/03/28/toyota-uk-says-top-gear-boys-to-go-on-another-hilux-adven/20203061/article-detail.xml 20203061 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/top-gear-toyota-hilux-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/top-gear-toyota-hilux-628.jpg <![CDATA[BBC America reveals first trailer for <i>Richard Hammond's Crash Course</i>]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/16/bbc-america-reveals-first-trailer-for-richard-hammonds-crash/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/16/bbc-america-reveals-first-trailer-for-richard-hammonds-crash/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/16/bbc-america-reveals-first-trailer-for-richard-hammonds-crash/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Richard Hammond's Crash Course trailer screencap

When it was made public last summer that Richard Hammond was unhappy with his lot in life on Britain's Top Gear, insiders said he would "get the bigger, more defined role that he deserves." We don't know yet what's in store for him during Series 18 of TG, but it appears he definitely has a bigger role in his new BBC America series, Richard Hammond's Crash Course.

The show puts Hammond in all manner of big vehicles with the apparent intention of running over all manner of little vehicles. It premieres on April 16 right after the season premiere of Top Gear, and there's a much more exciting explanation of it in the official BBC trailer after the jump.

Continue reading BBC America reveals first trailer for Richard Hammond's Crash Course

BBC America reveals first trailer for Richard Hammond's Crash Course originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Mar 2012 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bbcbbc americahammondrichard hammondrichard hammonds crash coursetop gearvideoFri, 16 Mar 2012 19:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20195321/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/03/16/bbc-america-reveals-first-trailer-for-richard-hammonds-crash/20195321/article-detail.xml 20195321 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/hammondcrashcourse_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/hammondcrashcourse.jpg <![CDATA[<i>Top Gear</i> teases series 18]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/17/top-gear-teases-series-18/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/17/top-gear-teases-series-18/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/17/top-gear-teases-series-18/#commentsFiled under:

top gear series 18 promo

Just when we were starting to think that there is nothing on television worth watching, we get our first look at Top Gear series 18. Beyond the jump is a 30 second teaser of the upcoming season, with a glimpse at more episodes filled with Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond.

The cars are there as well, including a very yellow Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe Black Series, NASCAR Top Gear style and some crazy man who jumps out of a plane with a powered wing attached to his back. Oh, and it seems Jezza attacks a trailer park in a Jaguar XJ. Interesting. Hit the jump to watch the action-packed promo for yourself.

Continue reading Top Gear teases series 18

Top Gear teases series 18 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 Jan 2012 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>james mayjeremy clarksonpromorichard hammondseries 18teasertop gearvideoTue, 17 Jan 2012 14:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20149762/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/01/17/top-gear-teases-series-18/20149762/article-detail.xml 20149762 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/tg-series-18_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/tg-series-18.jpg <![CDATA[BMW 1M, Fisker Karma and BAC Mono are <i>Top Gear</i> stars' Car of the Year winners]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/05/bmw-m1-fisker-karma-and-bac-mono-are-top-gear-stars-car/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/05/bmw-m1-fisker-karma-and-bac-mono-are-top-gear-stars-car/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/05/bmw-m1-fisker-karma-and-bac-mono-are-top-gear-stars-car/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,



Top Gear magazine and Jeremy Clarkson have already let us in on their 2011 care of the year, the Land Rover Range Rover Evoque taking the cake from both of them (although Clarkson made the distinction that the best car of 2011 was the BMW 535d M-Sport Touring). A few more TG stars have clocked in to make their assessments, with Hammond choosing the BMW 1 Series M, May selecting the Fisker Karma, The Stig pointing to the BAC Mono, and mag writer Tom Ford laying money on the Morgan 3Wheeler.

Hammond found the 1 Series M perfectly "boisterous," May was smitten with the Karma's future-forward-vegan ethose, namely the fact that it has no animal products, and The Stig's stenographer wrote that the F3-racer-cum-street-legal-maniac BAC Mono is, well, just that. As for the Morgan 3Wheeler, after recounting all the ways it misses the mark as a car, Ford gives those very reasons for it being an awesome experience. You can have a look at each in our high-res gallery of photos and click the links to read all the details.

BMW 1M, Fisker Karma and BAC Mono are Top Gear stars' Car of the Year winners originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Jan 2012 08:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1 series m coupebac monoevoquefisker karmajames maymorgan 3 wheelerrichard hammondthe stigtom fordtop gearThu, 05 Jan 2012 08:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20138929/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/01/05/bmw-m1-fisker-karma-and-bac-mono-are-top-gear-stars-car/20138929/article-detail.xml 20138929 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/topgearmagcotys_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/topgearmagcotys.jpg <![CDATA[<i>Top Gear</i> teases India special]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/19/top-gear-teases-india-special/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/19/top-gear-teases-india-special/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/19/top-gear-teases-india-special/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

top gear bbc india special

We're all for anything Top Gear UK, so we were thrilled to stumble upon this 30-second teaser for the show's trip to India. It appears Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond will be embarking on a trade mission. And yes, you read "trade mission." The UK's big three will apparently attempting to improve Britain's economy by boosting trade with the good people of India.

Of course Jezza, Captain Slow and Hamster are also picking special budget cars for the journey (as demonstrated by the curiously modified Rolls-Royce shown above), and the typical shenanigans are all too likely to ensue. Hit the jump to watch the promo video. The special airs on BBC Two on December 28, and on torrents globally moments thereafter.

Continue reading Top Gear teases India special

Top Gear teases India special originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Dec 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bbchammondindiajames mayjeremy clarksonmayrichard hammondtop geartop gear indiatop gear specialvideoMon, 19 Dec 2011 11:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20130631/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/12/19/top-gear-teases-india-special/20130631/article-detail.xml 20130631 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/top-gear-india-special_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/top-gear-india-special.jpg <![CDATA[Range Rover Evoque named <i>Top Gear</i> magazine's Car of the Year]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/02/range-rover-evoque-named-top-gear-magazines-car-of-the-y/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/02/range-rover-evoque-named-top-gear-magazines-car-of-the-y/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/02/range-rover-evoque-named-top-gear-magazines-car-of-the-y/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

2012 Land Rover Evoque

Top Gear magazine has officially named the Land Rover Range Rover Evoque its Car Of The Year for 2011 after snagging top honors in the SUV category. Perhaps even more impressively, Jeremy Clarkson also named the Evoque his favorite vehicle of 2011. The compact luxury SUV faced off against the likes of the BMW 1 Series M Coupe, McLaren MP4-12C and Ferrari FF among more common offerings. Top Gear celebrated in classic style by taking the Evoque on an African adventure through the deserts and mountains of Morocco. Sure beats handing an anonymous executive some cheesy trophy on stage.

Readers can find the full tale in any of the magazine's 29 international editions. Clarkson was joined by Richard Hammond, James May, Top Gear magazine editor-in-chief Charlie Turner and the publication's full editorial and road testing staff in picking the 2011 car of the year. The crew isn't the only batch of writers to honor the Evoque. The model has soaked up 34 international awards since it debuted. Follow the jump for the full press release.

Continue reading Range Rover Evoque named Top Gear magazine's Car of the Year

Range Rover Evoque named Top Gear magazine's Car of the Year originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Dec 2011 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 top gear car of the yearcar of the yearevoquejames mayjeremy clarksonland roverland rover evoquerichard hammondtop geartop gear car of the yeartop gear magazineFri, 02 Dec 2011 09:28:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20118879/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/12/02/range-rover-evoque-named-top-gear-magazines-car-of-the-y/20118879/article-detail.xml 20118879 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/2012-land-rover-evoque-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/2012-land-rover-evoque-628.jpg <![CDATA[<i>Top Gear</i> producer Wilman praises YouTube parody]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/22/top-gear-producer-wilman-praises-youtube-parody/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/22/top-gear-producer-wilman-praises-youtube-parody/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/22/top-gear-producer-wilman-praises-youtube-parody/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Top Gear Eco Special Spoof

For all of its glory, Top Gear can be a bit formulaic. Any given episode likely includes Jeremy Clarkson saying something absurd about one vehicle/ethnicity or another, at least two of the hosts embroiled in a ludicrous challenge and, of course, plenty of quick editing and stunning videography. It's the hosts and the execution that separates Top Gear UK from its various international incarnations and keeps us coming back for more. Two of the show's fans recently demonstrated how easily the recipe can be applied to even the most bizarre premises by pretending to race two electric cars through the streets of London.

The parody, cardboard boxes and all, is genuinely hilarious, and we aren't the only ones who think so. We showed you the video previously, but now Top Gear UK producer Andy Wilman has released a quick video praising the duo for their creativity, which we think is pretty excellent. Hit the jump to revisit the original as well as watch Wilman's reaction to the clip.

Continue reading Top Gear producer Wilman praises YouTube parody

Top Gear producer Wilman praises YouTube parody originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Nov 2011 17:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>andy wilmanbbceco specialjames mayjeremy clarksonrichard hammondspooftop geartop gear eco specialtop gear eco special spooftop gear parodytop gear spooftop gear ukvideoTue, 22 Nov 2011 17:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20111867/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/11/22/top-gear-producer-wilman-praises-youtube-parody/20111867/article-detail.xml 20111867 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/top-gear-spoof-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/top-gear-spoof-628.jpg <![CDATA[<i>Top Gear</i> spotted in Italy with new Lamborghini, McLaren and Noble]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/09/top-gear-spotted-in-italy-with-new-lamborghini-mclaren-a/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/09/top-gear-spotted-in-italy-with-new-lamborghini-mclaren-a/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/09/top-gear-spotted-in-italy-with-new-lamborghini-mclaren-a/#commentsFiled under: , ,



See this photo? That's a Noble, a McLaren MP4-12C and a Lamborghini Aventador being prepped for taping in Lecce, Italy. And what trio of personalities will be piloting these exotic machines? None other than Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond, of course. Top Gear is about to get its Roman and rural Italian groove on.

We'll look forward to finding out next season why they've paired the two English with the Italian - a grouping that, especially in Italy, seems the equivalent of bringing a bull to a knife fight. Hit the jump to see the video featuring lots of rumbling horsepower and behind-the-scenes Clarkson.

Continue reading Top Gear spotted in Italy with new Lamborghini, McLaren and Noble

Top Gear spotted in Italy with new Lamborghini, McLaren and Noble originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Nov 2011 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>james mayjeremy clarksonrichard hammondtop geartop gear season 18youtubeWed, 09 Nov 2011 12:32:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20101998/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/11/09/top-gear-spotted-in-italy-with-new-lamborghini-mclaren-a/20101998/article-detail.xml 20101998 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/topgearlecce_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/topgearlecce.jpg <![CDATA[<i>Top Gear's Top 40</i> series headed for your TV, America]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/01/top-gears-top-40-series-headed-for-your-tv-america/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/01/top-gears-top-40-series-headed-for-your-tv-america/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/01/top-gears-top-40-series-headed-for-your-tv-america/#commentsFiled under: ,

Top Gear: Bugatti Veyron vs. Eurofighter

Please note: This is your one and only warning to set your DVR. You have until Monday, November 28, at 8:00 pm. That's when BBC America will air the world premiere of the newest Top Gear spin-off: Top Gear Top 40.

Now we might normally be a bit critical of a television series that advertises itself as a greatest hits pastiche. In some ways, it kind of reminds us of those terrible sitcom episodes they used to slap together all the time back in the '80s, with characters "remembering" bits from old episodes. But this is different. This is Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond doing what they do best. This is Top Gear.

How can you not get excited about re-watching clips like "Ferrari Daytona vs. Powerboat" and "Commie Cars" from Season 12? Or "Top Gear vs. Germans" from Season 11? Or "Veyron vs. Eurofighter" from Season 10?

Trust us, we've peeked at the 40 segments the show plans to feature, and nobody should be disappointed. In fact, the list of 40 clips comes from voting suggestions made by the general public, so there's even less reason to fear. Read the entire press release after the jump.

Continue reading Top Gear's Top 40 series headed for your TV, America

Top Gear's Top 40 series headed for your TV, America originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Nov 2011 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bbcbbc americajames mayjeremy clarksonrichard hammondtop geartop gear top 40Tue, 01 Nov 2011 14:02:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20094830/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/11/01/top-gears-top-40-series-headed-for-your-tv-america/20094830/article-detail.xml 20094830 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/26veyronvseurofighter10-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/26veyronvseurofighter10-opt.jpg -1 2