Comparing it to the previous show, the content for this week was a lot better, but in a weird twist, the show only had 59 minutes on it - the regular slot usually lasts for 62 to 63 minutes - because, apparently, BBC wanted to show the MotoGP race exactly on time.
That became a running gag during the whole episode as Hammond and May kept speeding up Clarkson in order to fill out the entire episode in the 59 minutes they were given.
In the end, the military destruction challenge proved to be the most entertaining segment of the episode - we’d argue that it’s the best one all year, too - filled with child-like shenanigans from the three hosts that make us love the work they’re doing.
Some people might slam them for wasting their precious time on something so inane, but if you were walking in their shoes, you’d be having a ball of time using military vehicles in trying to put down a cement house.
Details on Top Gear Season 17: Episode 5 after the jump
Rowan Atkinson is known by most as the one of the world’s funniest, albeit quirky, men. After all, Mr. Bean hardly needs much of an introduction, but what most people don’t know is that Mr. Bean is also an avid car lover and collector. Move aside, Jay Leno, because Atkinson knows his fair share of automobiles too, and drives them like a pro.
The proof is in the pudding and while dropping in on the gang at BBC’s Top Gear, Mr. Atkinson brought along one of his prized possessions: a very special Rolls-Royce Phantom. We say special because it doesn’t feature the Phantom’s usual 6.75-liter V12 engine, but a unique 9.0-liter V16. According to Atkinson, Rolls Royce designed the Phantom especially for this engine, but changed their mind at the last minute. The V16 engine was hanging around the company’s store until Atkinson - knowing of its existence and history - specifically asked for it to be dropped into a Phantom. The best part is that the V16-powered Phantom will be used for one of Atkinson’s upcoming movies - Johnny English Reborn - set to air in the States on August 18, 2011.
Anyone who lives and breathes the thrill of driving should find the time to head on over to Italy for a trip through the Stelvio Pass at one point in their lives. At 9,045 feet, it may not be the most dangerous road in the world, but it is the highest paved road in the Eastern Alps and may suit driving aficionados just fine for a holiday destination. Especially since this famed road features 60 hairpins turns, 48 just on the northern pass, and a wonderful view of beautiful landscapes. That information alone makes Stelvio Pass worthy of just about any bucket list.
The Stelvio Pass was originally built between 1820-1825 by the Austrian Empire. It connects the Valtellina with the upper Adige valley and Merano and covers a climb of 1871 meters (about 1.16 miles). Many tourists head over during open season (June-September) to marvel at the twist and turns, including the trio from Top Gear and the great Stirling Moss.
The fourth episode of Top Gear 17 just aired and there seems to be a little confusion as to what these guys think a good episode constitutes. There were only a couple of notable segments for the episode, highlighted by a track review of both the new Jaguar XKR-S and the Nissan GT-R as well as an entertaining interview with British comedian, Rowan Atkinson, followed by one of the best laps a celebrity has had on-board the Reasonably-Priced Car.
The whole episode, however, was dominated by a rather confusing challenge between Jeremy Clarkson against James May and Richard Hammond on who could build the better automotive-pulled train. It sounds weird just thinking about it and trust us, it gets a whole lot weirder once you watch the segment. We love these guys to bits, but for all their great segments, they’re bound to have one or two that just aren’t as entertaining as we hoped.
What makes it even worse was that they decided to allot a significant chunk of this week’s episode on a forgettable challenge.
Check out full details of Top Gear Season 17 Episode 4 after the jump.
Following Fifth Gear’s comparison of two of the most impressive supercars of the moment, Top Gear has taken their turn comparing the McLaren MP4-12C and the Ferrari 458 Italia. Considering that, at the MP4-12C’s official launch, the company announced that the MP4-12C was better than the 458 Italia in every mathematical way, this was a scenario that had to be put to the test. Do you think Jeremy Clarkson agrees with McLaren’s bold statement? Check out the video to find out!
Short reminder: The MP4-12C is powered by a 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 engine that delivers a total of 592 HP and 443 lb-ft. of torque, and will sprint the car to a top speed of 205 mph. The 458 Italia, on the other hand, is powered by a 4.5 Liter V8 engine that delivers a total of 570 HP. The Ferrari model can hit a top speed of 202 mph.
