Top Gear (series 27)

Series 27 of Top Gear, a British motoring magazine and factual television programme, was broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC Two during 2019, consisting of five episodes between 16 June and 14 July. Following the previous series, production staff discontinued Extra Gear, while both Matt LeBlanc and Rory Reid left the programme,[1] leaving Chris Harris to be joined by two new co-hosts - Paddy McGuinness and Freddie Flintoff. The new line-up proved popular with viewers, effectively improving the programme's viewing figures after the previous two series. This series' highlights included a road trip across Ethiopia, converting a hearse into a family car, and the presenters creating their own budget electric sports cars.

Top Gear
Series 27
Starring
Country of originUnited Kingdom
No. of episodes5
Release
Original networkBBC Two
Original release16 June (2019-06-16) –
14 July 2019 (2019-07-14)
Series chronology


Production

On 31 May 2018, Matt LeBlanc announced that he would leave Top Gear after the completion of the twenty-sixth series.[1]

On 22 October 2018, it was confirmed that Freddie Flintoff and Paddy McGuinness would join a returning Chris Harris in the forthcoming series, replacing both LeBlanc and Rory Reid; with Sabine Schmitz continued her recurring presenting role.[2]

During an interview on BBC Radio 1 in January 2019, Harris revealed that filming for this series had commenced.[3]

Episodes
Main article: List of Top Gear (2002 TV series) episodes
No.
overall		No. in
series		ReviewsFeatures/challengesGuest(s)Original air dateUK viewers
(millions) [4]
2031Ferrari 488 Pista • McLaren 600LTEthiopian adventure in presenters first cars (Mini • Porsche Boxster • Ford Escort Mk2)None16 June 2019 (2019-06-16)4.81
Harris and new hosts Flintoff and McGuinness head to Ethiopia to see who had the best first car for less than £4000. McGuinness buys a Ford Escort Mk2, Harris purchases a Mini while Flintoff reveals his first car was a Porsche Boxster. They head from Gondar right to the heart of the Danakil Desert with a number of challenges being set along the way. Elsewhere, at the track, Harris compares two hardcore lightweight supercars, the Ferrari 488 Pista and the McLaren 600LT.
2042Tesla Model 3Building budget battery powered sports cars (Triumph Spitfire • Subaru Brat • Nissan Leaf)Danny Boyle • Himesh Patel23 June 2019 (2019-06-23)4.64
The presenters attempt to build budget powered electric sports cars. Harris fits a Triumph Spitfire with BMW i3 batteries producing 260bhp, Flintoff uses a Subaru Brat fitted with a 500bhp Tesla Motor while McGuinness buys a Nissan Leaf with an over the top exterior. They put them to the test in a series of challenges to see which creation is best. Meanwhile, Harris reviews the new Tesla Model 3 at the track, comparing it to its rivals, while Danny Boyle and Himesh Patel are the guests, competing in a speed gun test in a Fiat Punto, before competing to see who is faster in the GT86.
2053Dallara StradaleTurning a Daimler Hearse into the ultimate family carDamon Hill • Zara Tindall • Mike Tindall30 June 2019 (2019-06-30)4.44
McGuinness claims that a used Daimler Hearse is the ultimate family car, through a series of tests before it's modified by Flintoff and Harris and put through more harsh testing involving a family of Stigs and Sabine Schmitz. Elsewhere, at the track, Harris tests the Dallara Stradale while Zara and Mike Tindall compete in a width restriction test in an old Jaguar XJ before seeing who is faster in the Reasonably Fast Car.
2064Rolls-Royce CullinanRare cheap cars across Borneo (Austin Allegro • Matra Bagheera)Bob Mortimer7 July 2019 (2019-07-07)4.63
Flintoff and McGuinness head to Borneo to see if there are any cheap but rare cars on the market. McGuinness purchases a Matra Bagheera while Flintoff buys an Austin Allegro. They drive through the rainforest in an attempt to prove their cars useful to the Sultan of Brunei. Meanwhile, Harris reviews the new Rolls-Royce Cullinan, while comedian Bob Mortimer competes in a width restriction test in an old Jaguar XJ against McGuinness before having a go in the GT86.
2075Toyota SupraIceland's Formula Offroad • Tribute to the Lotus 79Will Young • Peter Wright • Mario Andretti • Clive Chapman14 July 2019 (2019-07-14)3.77
Harris pays tribute to the Lotus 79 before assisting McGuinness to review the latest Toyota Supra. Elsewhere, Flintoff and Harris compete in Iceland's Formula Offroad racing while the latter gives advice on new cars to buy. Meanwhile, Will Young competes against McGuinness and Flintoff in a speed gun test in a Fiat Punto, before setting a lap in the Reasonably Fast Car.

References
  1. "BBC News - Matt LeBlanc to leave Top Gear". BBC. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
  2. "McGuinness and Flintoff join Top Gear". BBC News. 22 October 2018.
  3. "Chris Harris, Top Gear Competition and Unpopular Opinion". BBC. 23 January 2019.
  4. "Four-screen dashboard". Broadcasters' Audience Research Board. Retrieved 5 March 2019.
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