Top Gear series 12

{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}} {{Use British English|date=December 2011}} {{Infobox television season | series_number = 12 | bgcolour = #A0FFA0 | image = Top Gear Series 12 Promo 2008.jpg | image_upright = 1.13 | image_alt = | caption = Promotional poster | starring = {{Plainlist| * [[Jeremy Clarkson]] * [[Richard Hammond]] * [[James May]] * [[The Stig]] }} | num_episodes = 8 | network = [[BBC Two]] | first_aired = {{Start date|2008|11|02|df=y}} | last_aired = {{end date|2008|12|28|df=y}} | episode_list = List of Top Gear (2002 TV series) episodes }}

Series 12 of ''[[Top Gear (2002 TV series)|Top Gear]]'', a British motoring magazine and [[factual television]] programme, was broadcast in the United Kingdom on [[BBC Two]] during 2008, consisting of seven episodes that were aired between 2 November and 14 December. This series' highlights included the presenters tackling the task of driving lorries, investigating car-tuning, a fuel-economy race, the first power test by [[James May]], and a review of cars made during the [[Cold War]] era. After the series concluded, a feature-length special for Christmas, titled ''[[Top Gear: Vietnam Special]]'', was aired on 28 December 2008, focusing on the presenters travelling across Vietnam with motorcycles.

A series of compilation episodes featuring the best moments of the eleventh and twelfth series, titled "Best of Top Gear", were aired during 2009, between 1 January and 1 February. The twelfth series faced two sets of criticism, one for an unacceptable joke referencing a major crime in 2006, and the other questioning the review of a car by [[Jeremy Clarkson]] in regards to his comments on its quality.

== Episodes == {{Main|List of Top Gear (2002 TV series) episodes}} <onlyinclude> {{Episode table |background=#A0FFA0 |overall=5 |series=5 |aux1=24 |aux2=34 |aux3=11 |airdate=11 |viewers=10 |country=UK |aux1T=Reviews |aux2T=Features/challenges |aux3T=Guest(s) |viewersR=<ref name="BARB10">{{cite web|url=http://www.barb.co.uk/whats-new/weekly-top-10?|title=Weekly Top 10 Programmes|publisher=[[Broadcasters' Audience Research Board]]}}</ref> |episodes= {{Episode list/sublist|Top Gear series 12 | EpisodeNumber = 98 | EpisodeNumber2 = 1 | Aux1 = [[Porsche 911 GT2#997 generation|Porsche 911 GT2]] • [[Lamborghini Gallardo#Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4|Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4]] | Aux2 = £5,000 [[Lorry]] challenge ([[ERF (truck manufacturer)|ERF]] EC11 • [[Renault Magnum]] • [[Scania 4-series|Scania P94D]]) | Aux3 = [[Michael Parkinson]] | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2008|11|2|df=y}} | Viewers = 7.74 | ShortSummary = Clarkson, Hammond and May see how easy it is to be an [[Large goods vehicle|HGV]] driver, by each buying a second-hand lorry cab within a budget of £5,000 – May buys a [[Scania 4-series|Scania 94D]], Clarkson buys a [[Renault Magnum]] and Hammond gets an [[ERF (truck manufacturer)|ERF]] EC11. Heading for the [[Millbrook Proving Ground|"Top Gear's Secret Alpine Test Location"]] (in [[Bedfordshire]]), the trio undertake a series of challenges, including power-sliding their lorries, tackling the Alpine course while transporting a trailer with a valuable piece of (unsecured) cargo, seeing how fast their lorry is and attempting a hill start without breaking something precious to them. For their final challenge, they return to the test track, where they find how quickly they can brake after ploughing into an "obstacle" at high speed. Elsewhere, Clarkson is testing out the [[Porsche 911 GT2#997 generation|Porsche 997 GT2]] and [[Lamborghini Gallardo#Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4 Polizia (2008)|Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4]] on the track, and chat show legend [[Michael Parkinson]] is in "t'reasonably priced car". | LineColor = A0FFA0 }} {{Episode list/sublist|Top Gear series 12 | EpisodeNumber = 99 | EpisodeNumber2 = 2 | Aux1 = [[Fiat 500 (2007)#Abarth 500|Abarth 500 Esseesse]] | Aux2 = [[Top Gear challenges#s12e2|Muscle Car Challenge]]: ([[Dodge Challenger#2009 model year|Dodge Challenger SRT8]] • [[Chevrolet Corvette (C6)#ZR1|Chevrolet Corvette ZR1]] • [[Cadillac CTS-V#Second generation (2009–2015)|Cadillac CTS-V]]) | Aux3 = [[Will Young]] | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2008|11|9|df=y}} | Viewers = 7.57 | ShortSummary = The team head out on a road trip from [[San Francisco]] to the [[Bonneville Salt Flats]] in [[Utah]], to test drive the new generation of American muscle cars – Hammond drives the new [[Dodge Challenger#Third generation (2008–present)|Dodge Challenger]], Clarkson is in the new [[Chevrolet Corvette C6 ZR1]], and May wishes he wasn't with the [[Cadillac CTS-V]]. Thanks to the U.S. State department, the trio only have [[Visa (document)|visas]] that allow them to be factual rather than entertaining, and so must be careful not to show anything too funny or exciting, as Hammond and Clarkson race between the lights at [[Reno, Nevada|Reno]] and head onto some twisty back roads to see if they can get May to like his car. Once at the Salt Flats, the trio attempt to see if they achieve a respective high speed for the cars on a one mile straight drive with an unfavourable driving surface. Elsewhere, Clarkson tests out how good a small family car the [[Fiat 500 (2007)#Abarth 500|Abarth 500 Esseesse]] is, and the original winner of [[Pop Idol]], [[Will Young]], talks about his own Top Gear race as he does a lap in the Lacetti. ''Note:'' Hammond was forced to buy a Dodge Challenger for the American Muscle Car Challenge after Dodge/Chrysler refused to lend one to Top Gear for filming due to unhappiness over previous criticism of their cars during prior episodes of programme. | LineColor = A0FFA0 }} {{Episode list/sublist|Top Gear series 12 | EpisodeNumber = 100 | EpisodeNumber2 = 3 | Aux1 = [[Toyota i-REAL]] | Aux2 = [[Top Gear challenges#s12e3|Tuning challenge]]: [[Renault Avantime]] • Finnish folk racing • [[Chevrolet Corvette|Corvette]] V-8 engine blender-made smoothie | Aux3 = [[Mark Wahlberg]] • [[Mika Häkkinen]] • [[John Moore (director)|John Moore]] | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2008|11|16|df=y}} | Viewers = 6.98 | ShortSummary = The boys attempt to see if they can modify a [[Renault Avantime]] with the remainder of a £15,000 budget provided for them, so that it can lap the test track as fast as a [[Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution#Evolution X|Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X]], and quickly discover that it's not as easy a task as it seems. Meanwhile, Hammond heads to Toyota City in Japan to test out a "drivable" chair, the [[Toyota i-REAL|i-REAL]], May prepares for his first supercar review by learning "The Finnish Way of Car Control" from [[Mika Häkkinen]] and entering a ''[[folkrace|Jokamiesluokka]]'' (a rallycross race), Clarkson sees if he can make a food blender out of a V8 engine by making a 'manly' drink, and [[Mark Wahlberg]] tries to adjust to a manual gearbox and the right-handed seating position of the reasonably priced car. | LineColor = A0FFA0 }} {{Episode list/sublist|Top Gear series 12 | EpisodeNumber = 101 | EpisodeNumber2 = 4 | Aux1 = [[Pagani Zonda#Zonda Roadster F|Pagani Zonda Roadster F]] • [[Bugatti Veyron]] | Aux2 = [[Top Gear races#s12e4|Economy race]] from [[Basel]] to [[Blackpool Illuminations]] ([[Volkswagen Polo#Polo BlueMotion|Volkswagen Polo BlueMotion]] • [[Jaguar XJ (X350)#Facelift (X358)|Jaguar XJ Diesel]] • [[Subaru Legacy (fourth generation)#European Model|Subaru Legacy Diesel]]) | Aux3 = [[Harry Enfield]] | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2008|11|23|df=y}} | Viewers = 7.15 | ShortSummary = The trio are on a fuel economy race to see who can make it from [[Basel]] in [[Switzerland]] to [[Blackpool]] in northwest England, on a single tank of fuel – May is sensible and selects a [[Subaru Legacy (fourth generation)#European Model|Subaru Legacy Diesel]], Clarkson thinks its pointless and arrives in a [[Jaguar XJ (X350)#Facelift (X358)|Jaguar XJ Diesel]], and Hammond turns up in a [[Volkswagen Polo#Polo BlueMotion|Volkswagen Polo BlueMotion]] to the scorn of his compatriots, with all three allowed to choose their own routes to the finish line. While Clarkson is interested in just running out near his home, Hammond and May show their competitive sides in this clever race, but once back in Britain, all three soon begin praying they can achieve what they set out to do, with a surprise in store for one of them. Meanwhile, May tackles his first ever power test by seeing how good the [[Pagani Zonda#Zonda Roadster F|Pagani Zonda F Roadster]] is, the Stig finally gets to step into the [[Bugatti Veyron]] and do a power lap around the track to see how fast it is, and [[Harry Enfield]] returns to redeem his honour by hoping he did better this time in the Lacetti. | LineColor = A0FFA0 }} {{Episode list/sublist|Top Gear series 12 | EpisodeNumber = 102 | EpisodeNumber2 = 5 | Aux1 = [[Lexus IS (XE20)#F marque models|Lexus IS F]] • [[BMW M3#E90/92/93 M3|BMW M3]] | Aux2 = [[Portofino]] to [[Saint-Tropez]] [[Top Gear races#s12e5|Race]]: Powerboat vs. [[Ferrari Daytona]] • Best bus for British city streets ([[Leyland Olympian]], [[Dennis Dart]], [[Mercedes-Benz O305|Mercedes O305G]], [[Leyland-DAB articulated bus|Leyland-DAB]], [[Optare MetroRider]]) | Aux3 = [[Kevin McCloud]] • [[Tom Chilton]] | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2008|11|30|df=y}} | Viewers = 7.51 | ShortSummary = The [[Lexus IS-F]] is in Clarkson's hands as he sees if it can unseat the king of high-powered saloons, the four door [[BMW M3#E90/E92/E93 M3|BMW M3]], while Hammond sees if motorsport and a handful of [[touring car racing|touring car legends]] can find the best type of bus for London's street at [[Lydden Hill Race Circuit]] – contenders include a [[Double-decker bus|double decker]], a [[Single-decker bus|single decker]], two [[bendy bus]]es, and a [[Midibus|compact hopper bus]]. Meanwhile, there's a race on the [[French Riviera|Riviera]], as Hammond races a [[Ferrari Daytona]] from [[Portofino]] to [[Saint-Tropez]] against May in a £1.25 million [[XSR48|power boat]], and [[Kevin McCloud]] makes an appearance to set a time in the Lacetti. | LineColor = A0FFA0 }} {{Episode list/sublist|Top Gear series 12 | EpisodeNumber = 103 | EpisodeNumber2 = 6 | Aux1 = [[Veritas (automobile)#Later production (after 2001)|Veritas RS III]] • [[Caterham Seven#Superlight|Caterham Seven Superlight R500]] • [[Ford Fiesta (sixth generation)|Ford Fiesta]] | Aux2 = Did the communists make a good car? • [[Ford Fiesta (sixth generation)|Ford Fiesta]] with the [[Royal Marines]] | Aux3 = [[Boris Johnson]] | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2008|12|07|df=y}} | Viewers = 7.33 | ShortSummary = Clarkson and May can't decide if imported Chinese-made cars will be any good, which got them thinking about whether the [[Communist state|Communists]] ever historically built a good car, and are soon taking a look at a range of them, including the [[Lada Riva]], [[Moskvitch 408]], the East German [[Wartburg (car)|Wartburg]]. Elsewhere, Clarkson decides to a proper road test [[Top Gear (1977 TV series)|like in the old days]] in response to a complaint, and does a "serious" review of the [[Ford Fiesta (sixth generation)|Ford Fiesta]], while Hammond is seeing if the new, German built [[Veritas (automobile)|Veritas RS III]] is a better track-day car than the [[Caterham 7]] Superlight R500, and [[Mayor of London]] (at the time of broadcast), [[Boris Johnson]], tries to drive fast in the reasonably priced car on a wet track. | LineColor = A0FFA0 }} {{Episode list/sublist|Top Gear series 12 | EpisodeNumber = 104 | EpisodeNumber2 = 7 | Aux1 = [[Tesla Roadster (2008)|Tesla Roadster]] • [[Honda FCX Clarity]] | Aux2 = 50 years of [[British Touring Car Championship|British Touring Car racing]] • TG Stuntman takes on ''[[Fifth Gear]]''{{'}}s caravan jump record • V8 Powered Rocking Chair for the elderly • Top Gear Awards 2008 | Aux3 = [[Tom Jones (singer)|Sir Tom Jones]] • [[Jay Kay]] • [[Jay Leno]] | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2008|12|14|df=y}} | Viewers = 7.54 | ShortSummary = Clarkson puts the first electric supercar, the [[Electric car|battery powered]] [[Tesla Roadster (2008)]], through its paces on the track, while May heads to [[California]] to test drive what could be the future of motoring – the [[Hydrogen vehicle|hydrogen powered]] [[Honda FCX Clarity]]. Elsewhere, Hammond takes a look back at 50 years of [[Touring Cars]] racing history, Top Gear Stunt Man returns to beat the record set by ''[[Fifth Gear]]'' for the furthest distance by a car off a ramp while towing a caravan, Clarkson sees if the elderly could enjoy a motorised [[rocking chair]] powered by a [[V8 engine]], and singer, [[Tom Jones (singer)|Tom Jones]], is in control of the Lacetti for a lap around the track. | LineColor = A0FFA0 }} {{Episode list/sublist|Top Gear series 12 | EpisodeNumber = 105 | EpisodeNumber2 = 8 | Aux1 = N/A – [[Top Gear: Vietnam Special|Vietnam Special]] | Aux2 = [[Top Gear: Vietnam Special|Vietnam Special]]: ([[Minsk (motorcycle)|Minsk]] • [[Piaggio]] [[Vespa]] • [[Honda Super Cub]]) | Aux3 = None | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2008|12|28|df=y}} | Viewers = 6.70 | ShortSummary = {{Main|Top Gear: Vietnam Special}} The trio attempt to see if they can get across Vietnam within eight days, from [[Ho Chi Minh City]] (Saigon), to [[Hạ Long]] city, near [[Hanoi]] (Hà Nội), with a trio of motorcycles bought for around US$1,000. Hammond buys a Belarusian-built 125 cc [[Two-stroke engine|two-stroke]] [[Minsk (motorcycle)|Minsk]], May gets a [[Four-stroke engine|four-stroke]] [[Honda Super Cub]] and an unenthusiastic Clarkson purchases a two-stroke green 1967 [[Piaggio]] [[Vespa]], with all three learning their back-up is a 1973 [[Honda ST series (minibike)|Honda Chaly]] mini-bike as a back-up, complete with a [[Flag of the United States|Stars and Stripes]] and American music. On their journey, the trio deal with the weather and road conditions, sample the local cuisine and scenery, and engage in a motorcycle exam, before learning they must convert their bikes to cross the sea, in order to reach the finish line – a floating bar within the maze of limestone islets in [[Ha Long Bay|Hạ Long Bay]].

''Notes'': In reference to film-maker [[Francis Ford Coppola]], the ending credits replaced the first names of the crew with the words "Francis Ford" (e.g. "Francis Ford Clarkson", "Francis Ford Hammond", etc.). In addition, certain versions of the special including the versions found on iTunes and Amazon) replaced "[[Born in the U.S.A. (song)|Born in the U.S.A.]]" with "[[The Star-Spangled Banner]]", which also removed certain elements whose context would not be understandable to viewers. "Born in the USA" was included when the special uploaded to [[BBC iPlayer]] in 2021. | LineColor = A0FFA0 }} }}</onlyinclude>

===Best-of episodes=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="width:100%;" |- ! scope="col" style="background:#A0FFA0;" | Total ! scope="col" style="background:#A0FFA0;" | No. ! scope="col" style="background:#A0FFA0;" | Title ! scope="col" style="background:#A0FFA0;" | Feature ! scope="col" style="background:#A0FFA0;" | Original air date ! scope="col" style="background:#A0FFA0;" | UK viewers (million)<ref name=BARB10 /> |- {{Episode list/sublist|Top Gear series 12 | EpisodeNumber = S14 | EpisodeNumber2 = CE-1 | Title = The Best of Top Gear: 2008 No.1 | Aux1 = Best Moments from Series 11-12 – Part 1 | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2009|1|1|df=y}} | Viewers = 2.82 | ShortSummary = A look back at some of the best moments from Series 11 and 12, including a revisit of the race between the Ferrari Daytona and the Powerboat on the Riviera. | LineColor = A0FFA0 }} {{Episode list/sublist|Top Gear series 12 | EpisodeNumber = S15 | EpisodeNumber2 = CE-2 | Title = The Best of Top Gear: 2008 No.2 | Aux1 = Best Moments from Series 11-12 – Part 2 | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2009|1|4|df=y}} | Viewers = 3.27 | ShortSummary = A second look back at some of the best moments from Series 11 and 12, including the challenge of finding a good Alfa Romeo for less than £1,000. | LineColor = A0FFA0 }} {{Episode list/sublist|Top Gear series 12 | EpisodeNumber = S16 | EpisodeNumber2 = CE-3 | Title = The Best of Top Gear: 2008 No.3 | Aux1 = Best Moments from Series 11-12 – Part 3 | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2009|1|25|df=y}} | Viewers = 2.05 | ShortSummary = A third look back at some of the best moments from Series 11 and 12, including Clarkson's efforts to evade his pursuers in the [[Daihatsu Terios]], and Top Gear's battle against the presenters of D-Motor. | LineColor = A0FFA0 }} {{Episode list/sublist|Top Gear series 12 | EpisodeNumber = S17 | EpisodeNumber2 = CE-4 | Title = The Best of Top Gear: 2008 No.4 | Aux1 = Best Moments from Series 11-12 – Part 4 | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2009|2|1|df=y}} | Viewers = 2.28 | ShortSummary = A fourth look back at some of the best moments from Series 11 and 12, including a revisit of the race between the Nissan GT-R and the Bullet Train. | LineColor = A0FFA0 }} |}

==Criticism and controversy== {{Main|Top Gear controversies}}

===HGV challenge "prostitutes" joke=== During the first episode of the series, Jeremy Clarkson made a joke regarding lorry drivers killing [[prostitute]]s. Following the episode's broadcast, the joke drew criticism, with many believing that it alluded to the [[Ipswich 2006 serial murders]] in which a forklift truck driver was arrested and charged with the murder of five women who had been working as prostitutes,<ref name="Clarkson joke sparks complaints">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7707641.stm |title=Clarkson joke sparks complaints |work=[[BBC News Online|BBC News]] |date=4 November 2008 |accessdate=6 July 2008}}</ref> though some believe it was more likely that Clarkson was referring to the [[Yorkshire Ripper]]. [[Ofcom]] received over 500 complaints in regards to the joke, but revealed that the remark had not been in breach of the broadcasting code. Meanwhile, Labour MP [[Chris Mole]] wrote a strongly worded letter to the [[BBC]], stating that Clarkson should be sacked regarding the remarks he made.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/article/labour%20mp%20calls%20for%20clarkson%20sacking%20over%20lorry%20joke_1085833 |title=Jeremy Clarkson – Labour MP Calls For Clarkson Sacking Over Lorry Joke |magazine=Contactmusic.com |date=15 November 2007 |accessdate=5 May 2009}}</ref>

===Tesla Roadster review film=== During the seventh episode, Top Gear reviewed and tested the [[Electric car|battery powered]] [[Tesla Roadster (2008)]], in which Clarkson pointed out, upon rigorous testing, that the batteries on the Roadster drained quickly and that the car suffered mechanical problems. Tesla contested these findings following the episode, and provided data logs of the cars' performances during the show to ''Top Gear'' and the BBC, which led both to revealing in statements to the media, that the cars did not in fact break down and never went below 20 percent state of charge.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theregister.com/2008/12/22/bbc_top_gear_tesla/|title=BBC: Top Gear Tesla didn't run out of juice|website=[[The Register]]|date=22 December 2008}}</ref> Despite this, Clarkson wrote an article for ''[[The Sunday Times]]'', following dozens of blogs and newspapers challenging ''Top Gear'''s portrayal of the Roadster's performance, in which he stood by the contents of the episode.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Clarkson|first1=Jeremy|title=Tesla Roadster|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/driving/jeremy_clarkson/article5483422.ece|website=The Sunday Times|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629150141/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/driving/jeremy_clarkson/article5483422.ece|archivedate=29 June 2011|date=11 January 2009}}</ref>

==References== {{reflist}}

[[Category:2008 British television seasons]] [[Category:Top Gear (2002 TV series) series]]