TV season
2002-10-20
The first series of the relaunched television series Top Gear was broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC Two starting on 20 October 2002, and concluding on 29 December 2002, and contained 10 episodes. The series included presenters Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and Jason Dawe. This was Dawe's only series as a presenter on Top Gear.
Episode 1
2002-10-20 • 59 min
Jeremy Clarkson introduces the new-look Top Gear before embarking on a decidedly British booze cruise in a Citroën Berlingo. He also pits the Pagani Zonda against the Lamborghini Murciélago, while Richard Hammond reviews the Mazda6 and attempts to answer an important question: can you actually beat a speed camera? Elsewhere, Jayson Taylor demonstrates how to run a car on vegetable oil, and Harry Enfield becomes the first Star in a Reasonably Priced Car.
Episode 2
2002-10-27 • 59 min
Jeremy Clarkson joins a gathering of Ford RS enthusiasts before taking the new Focus RS to a suitably deserted stretch of road. He also tests a remarkably quick supercar built in a shed in Leicestershire — the Noble M12 GTO. Meanwhile, Richard Hammond fulfils a childhood ambition by driving a Ford Escort RS1800 and discovers how many motorcycles a double-decker bus can jump before things become expensive. Jay Kay is the Star in a Reasonably Priced Car.
Episode 3
2002-11-03 • 59 min
Jeremy Clarkson reviews the new Mini Cooper and Toyota Yaris Verso, while the Westfield XTR2 takes on the Pagani Zonda in a track battle. Elsewhere, some spirited grannies perform doughnuts, and actor Ross Kemp laps the test track as the Star in a Reasonably Priced Car.
Episode 4
2002-11-10 • 59 min
Jeremy Clarkson heads to the Isle of Man with Formula One World Champion Damon Hill to settle an important question: Aston Martin Vanquish or Ferrari 575M? He also catches up with World Rally Champion Richard Burns and takes a look at the latest James Bond machinery from Die Another Day. Meanwhile, Richard Hammond tests a selection of family saloons using a distinctly Formula One-inspired approach, while Jason Dawe goes bargain hunting for a used Nissan Skyline GT-R. Steve Coogan is the Star in a Reasonably Priced Car.
Episode 5
2002-11-17 • 60 min
Jeremy Clarkson takes the unconventional Renault Vel Satis to what he considers its natural habitat — Swindon — before unleashing his own car on the test track and introducing the now-legendary Cool Wall. Richard Hammond gets behind the wheel of the new BMW Z4, while Jason Dawe assesses a used Volkswagen Golf GTI and oversees the return of the grannies, this time to see whether they can master the art of the handbrake turn. Tara Palmer-Tomkinson is the Star in a Reasonably Priced Car.
Episode 6
2002-11-24 • 59 min
Jeremy Clarkson reviews the Renault Vel Satis, BMW Z4, Mercedes-Benz SL55 AMG and Honda NSX Type R, while Richard Hammond takes the new BMW Z4 Roadster for a spin. Jason Dawe assesses the Volkswagen Golf as a used buy, and Jeremy puts his own car to the test. The Cool Wall makes its debut, and the grannies return to compete in a handbrake-parking challenge. Tara Palmer-Tomkinson is the Star in a Reasonably Priced Car.
Episode 7
2002-12-01 • 59 min
In an episode (supposedly) devoted to the environment, Jeremy Clarkson investigates the controversial M4 bus lane while Richard Hammond reviews the Saab 9-3 from the least environmentally friendly place imaginable — a traffic jam. Elsewhere, Jeremy discovers how to drive a Lotus Elise 111S properly, Richard launches the search for Britain's fastest faith, and Jason Dawe visits a school to settle the important question of which supercar children love most. Rick Parfitt is the Star in a Reasonably Priced Car.
Episode 8
2002-12-08 • 60 min
Jeremy Clarkson compares yet another fast Mercedes with yet another fast Audi — the Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG and Audi RS6 — before taking the new Maserati Coupé for a spin. Richard Hammond tackles a group test of superminis, sets out to find Britain's fastest white van man, and discovers whether even Lotus can turn a humble Lada Riva into something worth driving. Sir Michael Gambon is the Star in a Reasonably Priced Car.
Episode 9
2002-12-22 • 60 min
Jeremy Clarkson sets out to find the ultimate school-run machine by pitting a people carrier, a luxury SUV and a full-blown off-roader against one another, before taking the all-new Volkswagen Golf for a spin. Richard Hammond investigates the Subaru Forester, while the team discovers what a Jaguar XJ-S is really worth once all the unnecessary bits are removed. Elsewhere, The Stig attempts the entirely sensible task of racing a Radical SR3 against an aerobatic aircraft. And in the reasonably priced car, Gordon Ramsay tries not to swear.
Episode 10
2002-12-29 • 59 min
Jeremy Clarkson heads into the countryside to discover which off-roader is best when the tarmac runs out, and also gives the Lotus Esprit V8 a thorough workout. Richard Hammond gets behind the wheel of TVR's striking new T350C, while Jason Dawe searches the classifieds for a bargain Nissan Primera. Elsewhere, the search for Britain's fastest faith enters its second round, and the team hands out the annual Top Gear Awards.
