The new series of Top Gear is almost at its end and tonight's show was the penultimate one. The show has had its ups and downs but it is getting there slowly but surely. Having said that, there are now reports claiming Matt LeBlanc will leave the show if Chris Evans doesn't leave first. To me this is good news as I rather like Matt LeBlanc and I don't much care for Chris Evans. But speculation aside, what was tonight's show like? I rushed back from the Goodwood Festival of Speed to find out.
Evans takes on Zenos
I got to drive a Zenos E10S not too long ago and I really, really enjoyed it so I was very excited when I found out it would feature on tonight's show. One problem though, Chris Evans was reviewing it... I have to say though, he did a good job and nailed down the important facts about the car and what went into making it. However he missed out the innovative chassis and the building techniques used but if I was Mark Edwards I would be pretty happy with the film. It was great to see the Zenos on the small screen and I hope it created a higher awareness of the brand. It was the first road test from Chris Evans that I really enjoyed on the new series but that may have been due to what was being tested. Not sure on that hat though....
It's a new Dawn, it's a new day and LeBlanc's feeling good
Matt LeBlanc wafts about in the extremely luxurious Rolls-Royce Dawn. The film was another solid effort from LeBlanc and I hope he doesn't quit the show. I prefer Rory Reid and Chris Harris but I would like to see LeBlanc stick around. I must say I don't understand why the Dawn has so much power, who will ever use it? It's a car for comfort, luxurious causing. The car will get to 60mph in around 5 seconds - who will ever do that? It looks good though, the blue selected for this model is simply gorgeous.
Harris gets excited in the M2
I've said it time and time again but Chris Harris has certainly been one of the main highlights for the new series. Every review I've watched of his is completely bang on and covers all basis. I must say I found it a bit shouty at times in tonight's review of the simply superb M2 but I'll forgive him for that as it's clear he's passionate about cars.
The Audi RS3 makes an appearance to serve a comparison to the M2. The 'Funometer 3000' is introduced to see which car is more fun and there are no prizes for which car Mr Harris preferred. If LeBlanc or Evans - or both - end up leaving the show I would definitely like to see Harris front the show.
Saunders and Hollywood in the Rallycross Car
This is a section I do not like as it normally kills the pace of the show but I am tempted to say I enjoyed last night's segment. I know, shock horror right? The intros are cringeworthy as ever but Paul Hollywood and Jennifer Saunders proved to be pretty good guests and the banter flowed pretty well. Due to the 'lovely' weather we have been having recently the track was close to undrivable as both stars struggled to find any speed - or air - on the boggy track.
Evans and LeBlanc go head to head
Matt LeBlanc returns in the Rolls-Royce Dawn as he goes head to head with Chris Evans in his 1976 Rolls-Royce Corniche in Dingle, Ireland. The obvious place to test two luxury cars but there you go. Well at least the town provided some lovely scenery. Evans tries to prove to LeBlanc that older is better and the pair campaign to get the locals to vote for their car.
The pair visit a gaelic football team where LeBlanc draw first blood before Evans makes some ground up after a group of Irish dancers choose the V8 powered Corniche. The film felt a bit needless to be honest but it was a good watch nonetheless. The final result of the vote is not revealed just yet though as we go back to studio to introduce a special tribute to Norman Dewis.
Reid pays homage to Norman Dewis OBE
Who is Norman Dewis OBE? He was a test driver at Jaguar between the years of 1952 to 1985. That is pretty cool in itself but there is more to the amazing story of Mr Dewis. In 1966 he drove a Jaguar E-Type all the way from the plant in Coventry to Geneva where it was to be displayed at the Geneva Motor Show. He drove through the night and arrived just in time for the car to be cleaned up and displayed on the Jaguar stand. It's worth looking further into the story of Norman Dewis as it's truly extraordinary.
Back to the present day, Rory Reid replicates the trip by taking the F-Type SVR roadster through the night to be displayed at this year's Geneva Motor Show. Reid delivers another decent piece and you can really tell how tired he is towards the end of the film. I'll be honest, I actually thought he wasn't going to make it on time but low and behold he made just in time - he cut it even finer than Dewis did. What a fitting tribute to a legendary man.
All in all this week is better than last week which is just as well as I thought the standard of episode 3 would not be matched but I think tonight's show certainly managed it - and then some. So we are almost at the end of this series of Top Gear, I hope it will end on a high.