Top Gear series 15

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} {{Use British English|date=December 2011}} {{Infobox television season | series_number = 15 | bgcolour = #FFDEAD | image = Top Gear Series 15 Promo 2010.jpg | image_upright = 1.13 | image_alt = | caption = Promotional poster | starring = {{Plainlist| *[[Jeremy Clarkson]] *[[Richard Hammond]] *[[James May]] *[[The Stig]] }} | num_episodes = 6 | network = [[BBC Two]] | first_aired = {{Start date|2010|06|27|df=y}} | last_aired = {{end date|2010|08|01|df=y}} | episode_list = List of Top Gear (2002 TV series) episodes }}

Series 15 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]] and [[BBC HD]] during 2010, consisting of six episodes that were aired between 27 June and 1 August; the new series was promoted with a special trailer that made use of a clip published on [[YouTube]].<ref>{{cite web |title= Top Gear – Season 15 trailer |work= AUSmotive.com |date= 22 June 2010 |url=http://www.ausmotive.com/2010/06/23/top-gear-season-15-trailer.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title= TopGear motorhomes: official pics |work= TopGear.com |date= 21 May 2010 |url=http://transmission.blogs.topgear.com/2010/05/21/tg-motorhome/}}</ref> This series saw the replacement of the [[Daewoo Lacetti|Chevrolet Lacetti]] by the [[Kia Cee'd]] as the [[Top Gear test track#Star in a Reasonably Priced Car (Series 1–22)|Reasonably Priced Car]].

This series' highlights included the creation of home-made [[motorhomes]], the driving of a modified [[Toyota Hilux#Seventh generation (AN10, AN20, AN30; 2005)|Toyota Hilux]] up to the active [[Eyjafjallajökull]] volcano during [[2010 eruptions of Eyjafjallajökull#Phase 1: Effusive eruption|one of its eruptions]], the testing of budget cars to see if they are suitable for track days, and the production of a tribute to the late [[Ayrton Senna]]. Two compilation episodes featuring the best moments from the fifteenth series, titled "Best of Top Gear", were aired on 8 and 15 August 2010.

==Episodes== {{Main|List of Top Gear (2002 TV series) episodes}} <onlyinclude> {{Episode table |background=#FFDEAD |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 15 | EpisodeNumber = 120 | EpisodeNumber2 = 1 | Aux1 = [[Bentley Continental GT#Supersports (2009-)|Bentley Continental Supersports]] | Aux2 = [[Toyota Hilux#Seventh generation (AN10, AN20, AN30; 2005)|Toyota Hilux Invincible]] up an Icelandic volcano • Farewell to the former reasonably priced car, the [[Daewoo Lacetti|Chevrolet Lacetti]] • A history of the [[Reliant Motors|Reliant]] 3-wheeler: ([[Reliant Robin]]) | Aux3 = [[Nick Robinson (journalist)|Nick Robinson]] • [[Al Murray]] • [[Peter Jones (entrepreneur)|Peter Jones]] • [[Peta Todd|Peta 23 from Essex]] • [[Johnny Vaughan]] • [[Bill Bailey]] • [[Louie Spence]] • [[Amy Williams]] | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2010|06|27|df=y}} | Viewers = 5.60 | ShortSummary = ''Top Gear'' is back and the presenters are trying to be sensible. Of course, that's not the case when Clarkson goes to the North to try to drive a [[Reliant Robin]] from Sheffield to Rotherham, and rolling it over in the process, while on the track he road-tests the heavy [[Bentley Continental GT|Bentley Continental Supersports]]. Elsewhere, May heads to [[Iceland]] to see if can give glory to the [[Toyota Hilux]] used by the camera crew during the [[Top Gear: Polar Special|Polar Special]], by modifying it for the task of driving close to the [[Eyjafjallajökull]] volcano as it erupts and collect a piece of lava, while Hammond retires the old reasonably priced car—the [[Daewoo Lacetti|Chevrolet Lacetti]]—with a "Viking burial", before assisting Clarkson with a summer BBQ for the guests they have invited to the test track to set a lap in the new car—a [[Kia Cee'd]]. | LineColor = FFDEAD }} {{Episode list/sublist|Top Gear series 15 | EpisodeNumber = 121 | EpisodeNumber2 = 2 | Aux1 = [[Porsche 997#911 Sport Classic (2010–2011)|Porsche 911 Sport Classic]] • [[Porsche Boxster/Cayman#Boxster Spyder|Porsche Boxster Spyder]] | Aux2 = Find a £5,000 everyday second-hand sports saloon for track days: ([[Mercedes-Benz W201#190 E 2.3-16 and 2.5-16 "Cosworth"|Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16 Cosworth]] • [[BMW M3#E36 M3|BMW M3]] • [[Ford Sierra RS Cosworth#Two wheel drive Sierra Sapphire RS Cosworth|Ford Sierra Sapphire RS Cosworth]]) | Aux3 = [[Alastair Campbell]] | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2010|07|04|df=y}} | Viewers = 6.60{{#tag:ref|6.00 million on BBC Two, 602,000 on BBC HD.|group=nb}} | ShortSummary = The trio head to Germany to see which is the best second-hand four-door saloon for track days on a budget of £5,000—May chooses the [[Mercedes-Benz W201#190 E 2.3-16 and 2.5-16 "Cosworth"|Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16 Cosworth]], Hammond buys a [[BMW M3#E36 M3|BMW M3]], and Clarkson purchases a [[Ford Sierra RS Cosworth#Two wheel drive Sierra Sapphire RS Cosworth|Ford Sierra Sapphire RS Cosworth]]. Travelling from [[Berlin]], the trio attempt to test their cars practicality and speed, before having a personal track day at the [[EuroSpeedway Lausitz]] to see who can make the best [[YouTube]] video and achieve the fastest lap with their car. Elsewhere, May tests out the [[Porsche 997#911 Sport Classic (2010–2011)|Porsche 911 Sport Classic]] and the [[Porsche Boxster/Cayman#Boxster Spyder|Porsche Boxster Spyder]] on the track, while former Director of Communications under [[Tony Blair]], [[Alastair Campbell]], is the latest star in the Kia Cee'd.

''Note'': Due to time constraints, a segment of film for the episode's main feature was cut but made available online for viewing. | LineColor = FFDEAD }} {{Episode list/sublist|Top Gear series 15 | EpisodeNumber = 122 | EpisodeNumber2 = 3 | Aux1 = [[Chevrolet Camaro (fifth generation)#2010|Chevrolet Camaro SS]] • [[Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W212)#E 63 AMG (2010–2017)|Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG]] | Aux2 = Find the greatest four-door supercar: ([[Maserati Quattroporte#Quattroporte V (M139, 2003–2012)|Maserati Quattroporte GTS]] • [[Aston Martin Rapide#Rapide (2010–2013)|Aston Martin Rapide]] • [[Porsche Panamera#First generation (2010–2016)|Porsche Panamera Turbo]]) | Aux3 = [[Rupert Grint]] • [[Rubens Barrichello]] | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2010|07|11|df=y}} | Viewers = 4.58{{#tag:ref|4.03 million on BBC Two, 549,000 on BBC HD.|group=nb}} | ShortSummary = The boys attempt to see what is the best new four-door supercar—the rather good-looking [[Maserati Quattroporte#Quattroporte V (M139, 2003–2012)|Maserati Quattroporte GTS]] despite it being a little fiddly and complicated, the beautiful [[Aston Martin Rapide#Rapide (2010–2013)|Aston Martin Rapide]] despite it being too expensive and the rather ugly [[Porsche Panamera#First generation (2010–2016)|Porsche Panamera Turbo]]. Starting in London, the presenters test out the cars, before stopping at a business park and letting the Stig see how fast they are on an improvised course. To fully decide which is best, the trio give them the ultimate test by chauffeuring members of a wedding party to the church and then to the reception, although the boys get a little distracted. Elsewhere, Hammond tests out two new muscles, the [[Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W212)#E 63 AMG (2010–2017)|Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG]] and the fifth-generation [[Chevrolet Camaro (fifth generation)|Chevrolet Camaro]], while British actor, [[Rupert Grint]], is the latest star in the new reasonably priced car.

''Note'': The [[2010 World Cup]] final took place on BBC 1 and ITV at the same time as this episode of Top Gear was broadcast, hence the noticeable drop in viewing figures. | LineColor = FFDEAD }} {{Episode list/sublist|Top Gear series 15 | EpisodeNumber = 123 | EpisodeNumber2 = 4 | Aux1 = [[Audi R8#R8 Spyder 5.2 FSI quattro (2010–2012)|Audi R8 V10 Spyder]] • [[Porsche 997#Turbo/Turbo Cabriolet (2010–2013)|Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet]] | Aux2 = Building motorhomes: ([[Lotus Excel]] • [[Land Rover Defender#Land Rover 90 and 110|Land Rover 110]] • [[Citroën CX]]) | Aux3 = [[Andy García]] • Lauren McAvoy | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2010|07|18|df=y}} | Viewers = 7.05{{#tag:ref|6.47 million on BBC Two, 575,000 on BBC HD.|group=nb}} | ShortSummary = The presenters make their [[campervan]] using a different car as the base—Hammond using a [[Land Rover Defender|Land Rover 110]] in his design, Clarkson making one out of a [[Citroën CX]], and May designing his with a [[Lotus Excel]]—each complete with sleeping accommodations, cooking facilities and a toilet. To see whose is best, the trio take a motoring holiday to [[Cornwall]], and soon find many faults with their designs as they engage in a few tests of practicality with each. Meanwhile, Clarkson is on the track to review the [[Audi R8#R8 Spyder 5.2 FSI quattro (2010–2012)|Audi R8 V10 Spyder]] and the [[Porsche 997#Turbo/Turbo Cabriolet (2010–2013)|Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet]] and puts them through an unusual test, while actor [[Andy García]] sees if he can set a fast lap in the Kia. | LineColor = FFDEAD }} {{Episode list/sublist|Top Gear series 15 | EpisodeNumber = 124 | EpisodeNumber2 = 5 | Aux1 = [[Volkswagen Touareg#Second generation (7P; 2010)|Volkswagen Touareg]] • [[Bugatti Veyron#Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport, World Record Edition (2010–2011)|Bugatti Veyron Super Sport]] | Aux2 = [[Volkswagen Touareg#Dakar Rally|Volkswagen Touareg]] vs Swedish snowmobilers • Reach 258mph (415 km/h) in the [[Bugatti Veyron#Super Sport edition|Bugatti Veyron Super Sport]] • Commemorating racing driver [[Ayrton Senna]], [[Lewis Hamilton]] drives [[McLaren MP4/4|Senna's 1988 F1 racing car.]] | Aux3 = [[Tom Cruise]] • [[Cameron Diaz]] | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2010|07|25|df=y}} | Viewers = 7.48{{#tag:ref|6.65 million on BBC Two, 827,000 on BBC HD.|group=nb}} | ShortSummary = Hammond heads to [[Riksgränsen]] to try out the new [[Volkswagen Touareg#Second generation (7P; 2010)|Volkswagen Touareg]], before using a customised one to race against two snowmobile racers. Meanwhile, May returns to the [[Ehra-Lessien]] test track with the [[Bugatti Veyron#Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport, World Record Edition (2010–2011)|Bugatti Veyron Super Sport]], to see if it can reclaim the crown of the "Fastest Production Car in the World", while actors [[Cameron Diaz]] and [[Tom Cruise]] see who was faster in the Kia when they did a lap of the Test Track. Finally, Clarkson pays tribute to the late [[Ayrton Senna]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.topgear.com/uk/photos/ayrton-senna-ten-defining-moments-2014-05-01 |title=Ayrton Senna's ten defining moments - BBC Top Gear |accessdate=2014-11-07 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141107070848/http://www.topgear.com/uk/photos/ayrton-senna-ten-defining-moments-2014-05-01 |archivedate=7 November 2014 }}</ref> finding out from the people who knew him best—[[Mika Häkkinen]], [[Lewis Hamilton]], [[Jarno Trulli]], [[Martin Brundle]], [[Fernando Alonso]], [[Felipe Massa]], [[Rubens Barrichello]], [[David Coulthard]], [[Mark Webber (racing driver)|Mark Webber]], [[Nigel Mansell]], and [[Michael Schumacher]]—what he was like on and off the track, before Lewis Hamilton has a go at driving Senna's F1 car.

''Note'': For licensing reasons regarding the use of F1 footage, all re-runs of the episode do not feature the 'Ayrton Senna Tribute' film, but instead they go straight to the closing credits following the 'Star in a Reasonably Priced Car' segment. | LineColor = FFDEAD }} {{Episode list/sublist|Top Gear series 15 | EpisodeNumber = 125 | EpisodeNumber2 = 6 | Aux1 = [[Ferrari 458 Italia]] | Aux2 = Old British roadsters for £5,000: ([[TVR S Series#S/S2/S3(C)/S4C|TVR S2]] • [[Lotus Elan#1990s Elan|Lotus Elan]] • [[Jensen-Healey]]) | Aux3 = [[Jeff Goldblum]] | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2010|08|1|df=y}} | Viewers = 6.19{{#tag:ref|5.81 million on BBC Two, 379,000 on BBC HD.|group=nb}} | ShortSummary = Clarkson, Hammond and May feel that classic British sports cars are much better than European Hot Hatchbacks, so the producers task them with proving this correct by each buying one and testing them in a series of challenges—Clarkson seeks to prove his [[Jensen-Healey]] he bought will be good, May buys a [[TVR S Series|TVR S2]] to show the producers they were right, and Hammond purchases a [[Lotus Elan#1990s model|Lotus M100 Elan]] to take on this task. On a journey to the sites of the factories where each car were built, the presenters each try to achieve a fast lap in their car, perform a 'safety test', see how waterproof their cars are, and visit a garden centre in [[Birmingham]] to find something to fit in their cars. Elsewhere, Clarkson reviews the new [[Ferrari 458 Italia]] on the track, while actor, [[Jeff Goldblum]], is on the track to drive fast in the Kia Cee'd. | LineColor = FFDEAD }} }}</onlyinclude>

===Best-of episodes=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="width:100%;" |- ! scope="col" style="background:#FFDEAD;" | Total ! scope="col" style="background:#FFDEAD;" | No. ! scope="col" style="background:#FFDEAD;" | Title ! scope="col" style="background:#FFDEAD;" | Feature ! scope="col" style="background:#FFDEAD;" | Original air date ! scope="col" style="background:#FFDEAD;" | UK viewers (million)<ref name=BARB10 /> |- {{Episode list/sublist|Top Gear series 15 | EpisodeNumber = S22 | EpisodeNumber2 = CE-1 | Title = The Best of Top Gear: 2010 No.1 | Aux1 = Best Moments from Series 15 – Part 1 | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2010|08|08|df=y}} | Viewers = 3.56 | ShortSummary = A look back at some of the best moments from Series 15, including the race between a [[Volkswagen Touareg#Dakar Rally|Volkswagen Touareg]] and some Snowmobilers, and Clarkson's drive to Rotherham in a [[Reliant Robin]]. | LineColor = FFDEAD }} {{Episode list/sublist|Top Gear series 15 | EpisodeNumber = S23 | EpisodeNumber2 = CE-2 | Title = The Best of Top Gear: 2010 No.2 | Aux1 = Best Moments from Series 15 – Part 2 | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2010|08|15|df=y}} | Viewers = 2.55 | ShortSummary = A second look back at the best moments from Series 15, including the search for the best four-door saloon, and May's attempt to drive close to an erupting volcano in [[Iceland]]. | LineColor = FFDEAD }} |}

==Criticism and controversy== The fifteenth series faced criticism after the broadcast of the fifth episode, when Clarkson joked during a "News" segment that he had been in cab the other day and truly seen a woman wearing a burka tripping up on a pavement, upon which he could see that under it she was wearing a "red g-string and stockings". Following the broadcast of the episode, the BBC received a number of complaints regarding the joke,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://metro.co.uk/2010/07/27/bbc-receives-top-gear-complaints-over-jeremy-clarksons-g-string-under-burka-joke-459868/|title=BBC receives Top Gear complaints after Jeremy Clarkson's G-string under burka joke|work=[[Metro (British newspaper)|Metro]]|date=27 July 2010|accessdate=29 December 2014}}</ref> with the singer [[Lily Allen]] writing on [[Twitter]] that the joke was "distasteful",<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/bbc/7913834/Jeremy-Clarkson-joins-burka-debate.html|title=Jeremy Clarkson joins burka debate|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|last=Leach|first=Ben|date=28 July 2010|accessdate=29 December 2014|location=London}}</ref> while a [[Mediawatch-uk|Mediawatch]] spokesperson said that Clarkson "should learn to keep quiet".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a251257/clarkson-burka-joke-sparks-complaints.html#~oZRSAJLsVsjucB|title=Clarkson 'burka joke sparks complaints'|work=[[Digital Spy]]|last=Love|first=Ryan|date=27 July 2010|accessdate=29 December 2014}}</ref>

However, in an article written for ''[[The Week]]'', Antonia Bland defended the presenter's joke, saying that Clarkson had done nothing wrong and that Muslim women who wore a burka had the right to "choose to wear gorgeous lingerie in private", adding that the joke proved a good example of the dangers faced by male drivers trying to concentrate on the road during Summer.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theweek.co.uk/politics/12873/clarkson-was-right-about-burkas-and-red-g-strings|title=Clarkson was right about burkas and red G-strings|work=[[The Week]]|last=Bland|first=Antonio|date=30 July 2010|accessdate=29 December 2014}}</ref>

==Notes== The viewing figures shown in the Episode Table above (with the exception of the first episode), are a combination of the figures from the BBC Two broadcast and the BBC HD broadcast. {{reflist|group=nb}}

== References == {{Reflist}}

==External links== * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCR8kSGDIgs Top Gear caught in action. Embarrassing parents.] – Original YouTube video used by the BBC to advertise Season 15.

[[Category:2010 British television seasons]] [[Category:Top Gear (2002 TV series) series]]