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Season guide

Top Gear: Series 1

10 episodes Premiered Oct 20, 2002 Updated Jul 19, 2026

The first series of the relaunched Top Gear television program premiered on BBC Two in the United Kingdom on 20 October 2002. This motoring-themed magazine show served as a revival of the original series that aired from 1977 to 2001. The program was devised by Jeremy Clarkson and Andy Wilman. The inaugural series consisted of 10 episodes and concluded its run on 29 December 2002. The presenting team for this series f

Season overview

The first series of the relaunched Top Gear television program premiered on BBC Two in the United Kingdom on 20 October 2002. This motoring-themed magazine show served as a revival of the original series that aired from 1977 to 2001. The program was devised by Jeremy Clarkson and Andy Wilman. The inaugural series consisted of 10 episodes and concluded its run on 29 December 2002. The presenting team for this series featured Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and Jason Dawe. This appearance marked the only series in which Jason Dawe served as a presenter for the program. As a fast-paced and stunt-filled show, the series focuses on testing various vehicles, ranging from mundane to extraordinary, to determine if they live up to the claims made by their manufacturers. The show incorporates extreme stunts and challenges to evaluate the capabilities of the featured cars. This production is recognized as a long-running motoring show that travels to various locations around the world to conduct its testing and filming.

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Episodes

S1·E1

Episode 1

Oct 20, 2002 · 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 M

S1·E2

Episode 2

Oct 27, 2002 · 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

S1·E3

Episode 3

Nov 3, 2002 · 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

S1·E4

Episode 4

Nov 10, 2002 · 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

S1·E5

Episode 5

Nov 17, 2002 · 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

S1·E6

Episode 6

Nov 24, 2002 · 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 asses

S1·E7

Episode 7

Dec 1, 2002 · 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 environm

S1·E8

Episode 8

Dec 8, 2002 · 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 Ha

S1·E9

Episode 9

Dec 22, 2002 · 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-ne

S1·E10

Episode 10

Dec 29, 2002 · 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 get