Top Gear (Season 36)

Motoring programme featuring reviews of and reports about cars of all types.

Episode 1 0.0
Air date: 1996-09-05
Overview: The return of the motoring show. Jeremy Clarkson test-drives the Audi A3 hatchback, the latest addition to the range of a booming car manufacturer, while Tiff Needell takes the two-seater Lotus Elise for a spin. Off the road, Quentin Willson looks at worrying EU plans to make car parts more expensive.
Episode 2 0.0
Air date: 1996-09-12
Overview: In tonight’s edition, Tiff Needell gets behind the wheel of a 200 mph dragster. Jeremy Clarkson compares the new Nissan Skyline coupe with the original, which he reckons is one of the best cars he has ever driven, and Quentin Willson evaluates the Citroën Saxo.
Episode 3 0.0
Air date: 1996-09-19
Overview: Tiff Needell test-drives the Boxster, Porsche’s first new car for almost 20 years, while Jeremy Clarkson has a spin in a Lamborghini Diablo. Steve Berry explains why now is an opportune time to take a motorcycle test.
Episode 4 0.0
Air date: 1996-09-26
Overview: In tonight’s edition of the motoring magazine programme, Jeremy Clarkson tests the Peugeot 306 GTi, Michele Newman tries the Renault Mégane Scénic and Andy Wilman drives a new version of the Nissan Micra.
Episode 5 0.0
Air date: 1996-10-03
Overview: Tonight, Jeremy Clarkson gives his verdict on Jaguar’s long-awaited new coupe, Tony Mason enters the Reliant Robin Championship and Steve Berry rides the Honda Blackbird “superbike”.
Episode 6 0.0
Air date: 1996-10-10
Overview: In tonight’s edition of the motoring magazine programme, Michele Newman visits the home of Škoda in Prague to view their new Octavia model. And Quentin Willson casts his eye over the S-class Mercedes.
Episode 7 0.0
Air date: 1996-10-17
Overview: Tonight, an insider’s guide to the Motor Show at the NEC, Birmingham. And Jeremy Clarkson tests the Ford Ka while Andy Wilman reports from Japan on the new mini people-carrier from Mazda.
Episode 8 0.0
Air date: 1996-10-24
Overview: Jeremy Clarkson travels business class with Audi, Mercedes and BMW, as he weighs up the winners and losers in up-market estate cars. And Quentin Willson discovers the latest market prices on personal number plates.
Episode 9 0.0
Air date: 1996-10-31
Overview: Quentin Willson tests the new Volkswagen Passat, a car previously known for its family-sized practicality, but which now promises a little more excitement. Does it deliver? And Steve Berry goes to Hednesford Raceway for the National Hot Rod championship.
Episode 10 0.0
Air date: 1996-11-07
Overview: In tonight’s edition of the motoring magazine, Tiff Needell tests the grown-up version of the legendary Caterham Seven. And Andy Wilman reviews La Passione, rock star Chris Rea’s tribute to the Ferrari.
Episode 11 0.0
Air date: 1996-11-14
Overview: In tonight’s edition of the motoring magazine, Quentin Willson traces the troubled history of the NSU Ro 80, one of the world’s first rotary engine cars. And Steve Berry visits the International Motorcycle Show, where the Buell Lightning superbike is on display.
Episode 12 0.0
Air date: 1996-11-21
Overview: Andy Wilman visits Japan to drive the RX01, Mazda’s latest up-market sports car. Plus action from Spain in the Catalunya Rally.
Episode 13 0.0
Air date: 1996-11-28
Overview: In the motoring magazine tonight, Andy Wilman visits the annual Volkswagen “Beetle Bash”, an event that revels in rave culture and performance art as much as cars. Plus there’s a review of the latest turbo diesels.
Episode 14 0.0
Air date: 1996-12-05
Overview: Jeremy Clarkson tests the latest sports roadster, the Mercedes SLK, and Steve Berry drives the SSC, an experimental car full of gadgets including radar.