{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2022}} {{Infobox television season | series_number = 18 | bgcolour = #F2B4DC | image = Top Gear Series 18 Promo 2012.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|2011|12|28|df=y}} | last_aired = {{end date|2012|03|11|df=y}} | episode_list = List of Top Gear (2002 TV series) episodes }} Series 18 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 2012, consisting of seven episodes that were aired between 29 January and 11 March; a feature-length special focused on the presenters doing a road trip across [[India]], titled ''[[Top Gear: India Special]]'', preceded the series' first episode, and was aired on 28 December 2011. This series' highlights included the presenters being involved in the filming of a car chase sequence, reviewing the Chinese car industry, making home-made mobility scooters, and examining the cars made by manufacturer [[Saab Automobile|Saab]].
A special edition episode celebrating the [[James Bond in film|Bond film series]]' 50th Anniversary, titled "50 Years of Bond Cars", was aired on 29 October 2012 and presented by [[Richard Hammond]]. In addition, [[BBC]] [[Children in Need 2012]] featured a special "Star in a Reasonably Priced Car" segment as part of the charity's evening entertainment on 16 November 2012.<ref name="Children 2012">{{cite news |title=BBC Children in Need 2012 – the stars of Appeal Night revealed |first=Andy |last=Wilman |work=TBBC Media Centre |date=November 2012|issue=236 |publisher=[[BBC]], [[BBC Magazines]] }}</ref>
==Episodes== {{Main|List of Top Gear (2002 TV series) episodes}} <onlyinclude>{{Episode table |background=#F2B4DC |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 18 | EpisodeNumber = 140 | EpisodeNumber2 = — | Aux1 = N/A – [[Top Gear: India Special|India Special]] | Aux2 = [[Top Gear: India Special|India Special]]: <small>([[Jaguar XJS#Facelift (1991–1996)|Jaguar XJS Celebration]] • [[Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow]] • [[Mini#Mini Cooper and Cooper S: 1961–2000|Rover Mini Cooper]])</small> | Aux3 = [[David Cameron]] (uncredited) | OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2011|12|28|df=y}} | Viewers = 6.61{{#tag:ref|5.76 million on BBC Two, 849,000 on BBC HD.|group=nb}} | ShortSummary = {{Main|Top Gear: India Special}} Seeking to help encourage trade with [[India]], despite (the then) [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|British Prime Minister]] [[David Cameron]] wishing they won't, the boys head out and see if they can promote British goods to the Indian public, each taking with them a British car that they hope will help with the job – May chose the luxury of a [[Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow]], Clarkson opts for the stylish [[Jaguar XJS#Facelift (1991–1996)|Jaguar XJS Celebration]], and Hammond takes the classic [[Mini#Mini Cooper and Cooper S: 1961–2000|Mini Cooper]]. On their "trade mission", the presenters attempt to speed up [[Dabbawala]] delivery in [[Mumbai]] with little success, bring motorsports to [[Jaipur]] with a hill-climbing event, host an ambitious but rubbish trade fair in [[Delhi]], before modifying their cars for a trek up into the mountainous, [[Himalayas|Himalayan region]] of [[Himachal Pradesh]] and their final destination of [[Shipki La]].
''Note'': The closing credits replaced the first name of the presenters and crew members with an Indian Cuisine theme. The vehicles used in this special were left at their final destination on plinths, but were removed afterwards due to legal complications. | LineColor = F2B4DC }} {{Episode list/sublist|Top Gear series 18 | EpisodeNumber = 141 | EpisodeNumber2 = 1 | Aux1 = None | Aux2 = "Supercars Across Italy": <small>([[Lamborghini Aventador]] • [[McLaren MP4-12C]] • [[Noble M600]])</small> | Aux3 = [[will.i.am]] | OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2012|1|29|df=y}} | Viewers = 6.21{{#tag:ref|5.18 million on BBC Two, 1.03 million on BBC HD.|group=nb}} | ShortSummary = There's a supercar shootout in [[Italy]], and the presenters are determined to find out which of the three mid-engined supercars competing will come out a winner – May expects the [[McLaren 12C|McLaren MP4-12C]] will come out the victor, Clarkson looks to proving that the [[Lamborghini Aventador]] is the best, and Hammond believes it will be the [[Noble M600]]. On a roadtrip across the country starting at [[Lecce]], the trio subject their supercars to a series of challenges, including seeing how close they dare get to their car's top speed while finding out their fuel consumption in the process, race to [[Rome]] and a restaurant in the centre of the city, and finally take on a time trial test at the famous [[Imola]] Grand Prix track, the [[Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari]] – a track that has had its toll on many F1 drivers, including both [[Roland Ratzenberger]] and the legendary [[Ayrton Senna]] dying in accidents during the [[1994 San Marino Grand Prix]]. Elsewhere, [[The Black Eyed Peas|Black Eyed Peas]] frontman, [[will.i.am]], takes the Kia out on a wet track. | LineColor = F2B4DC }} {{Episode list/sublist|Top Gear series 18 | EpisodeNumber = 142 | EpisodeNumber2 = 2 | Aux1 = [[Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG#SLS AMG Roadster (2011–2014)|Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster]] | Aux2 = Clarkson and May examine [[Automotive industry in China|China's car industry]] in Beijing • Hammond learns about NASCAR racing in Texas<ref>[http://redcarpet.kargo.com/entry/view/id/40290/p/2/?KSID=3df5a8352db3cb109ce72b727945dfdf Red Carpet – Events – BBC Top Gear Richard Hammond<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> | Aux3 = [[Matt LeBlanc]] • [[Jimmie Johnson]] • [[Jeff Gordon]] • [[Juan Pablo Montoya]] • [[Kyle Petty]] | OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2012|2|5|df=y}} | Viewers = 6.25{{#tag:ref|5.29 million on BBC Two, 963,000 on BBC HD.|group=nb}} | ShortSummary = Clarkson and May head to [[China]] to explore the country's merging car industry in response to the assertion that everyone will be driving Chinese cars in five years, where they encounter facsimiles of popular car designs from other countries, discover how the automotive populace exploded in size, and meet with [[The Stig]]'s rather aggressive, Chinese cousin. Elsewhere, Hammond explores the world of [[NASCAR]] by travelling to the [[Texas Motor Speedway]] for the [[AAA Texas 500]] and interviewing some notable NASCAR drivers. The [[Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG#SLS AMG Roadster (2011–2014)|Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster]] is given a slidey review by Clarkson on the test track, and former ''[[Friends]]'' star and car lover, [[Matt LeBlanc]], is in the hot seat of the Kia Cee'd.
''Note'': The closing credits were played out with a Mandarin-styled version of the programme's theme song. Three Chinese actors concluded the show in the place of the presenters, but were not credited. | LineColor = F2B4DC }} {{Episode list/sublist|Top Gear series 18 | EpisodeNumber = 143 | EpisodeNumber2 = 3 | Aux1 = [[Opel Corsa#Corsa D (S07; 2006)|Vauxhall Corsa VXR Nürburgring]] • [[Fiat Panda#Third|Fiat Panda]] | Aux2 = Creating the climactic car chase for [[The Sweeney (2012 film)|''The Sweeney'']] <small>([[Jaguar XF (X250)#XFR (2009–2015)|Jaguar XFR]] • [[Ford Focus (third generation)|Ford Focus]])</small><ref>{{cite web|url=http://kentfilmoffice.co.uk/2012/02/top-gear-%E2%80%93-the-sweeney-2012/|title=The Sweeney (2012)|publisher=Kent Film office}}</ref> | Aux3 = [[Ryan Reynolds]] • [[Ray Winstone]] • [[Plan B (musician)|Plan B]] • [[Nick Love]] • [[Paul Anderson (actor)|Paul Anderson]] • Kevin Michaels | OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2012|2|12|df=y}} | Viewers = 6.16{{#tag:ref|5.13 million on BBC Two, 1.03 million on BBC HD.|group=nb}} | ShortSummary = Believing they could make great car chases for movies, Clarkson and Hammond are invited to provide assistance in directing one for the remake of [[The Sweeney (2012 film)|''The Sweeney'']]. Working alongside the film's stars, [[Ray Winstone]] and [[Plan B (musician)|Plan B]], Clarkson attempts to prove that dynamic camera usage and timed moves are what can make a good chase sequence, while Hammond tries to show that it should have exciting (if unrealistic) stunts including car jumps. Meanwhile, May takes a look at the [[Opel Corsa#Corsa D (S07; 2006)|Vauxhall Corsa VXR Nürburgring]] Edition and the new [[Fiat Panda#Third|Fiat Panda]] on the track, and [[Ryan Reynolds]] is the latest star going fast in the reasonably priced car.
''Note'': ''Top Gear'' were invited to help with the car chase scenes for the 2012 film [[The Sweeney (2012 film)|''The Sweeney'']], with the rushes of their work shown in the episode; their involvement was not officially credited upon the film's release. | LineColor = F2B4DC }} {{Episode list/sublist|Top Gear series 18 | EpisodeNumber = 144 | EpisodeNumber2 = 4 | Aux1 = [[Fisker Karma]] • [[Ferrari FF]] • [[Bentley Continental GT#Continental GT V8 (2012–2018)|Bentley Continental GT V8]] | Aux2 = Build and test off-road mobility scooters in the countryside | Aux3 = [[Michael Fassbender]] • [[Brian Johnson]] | OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2012|2|19|df=y}} | Viewers = 5.28{{#tag:ref|4.30 million on BBC Two, 982,000 on BBC HD.|group=nb}} | ShortSummary = The trio see if they can make their own mobility scooters and motorised wheelchairs that can be good in the town as well as being capable of going off-road, and put them through their paces in the [[Wales|Welsh]] countryside with a race against a team of three wounded soldiers in standard models. Meanwhile, Clarkson heads to [[Arjeplog]] in Northern [[Sweden]] to pit the [[Ferrari FF]] against the [[Bentley Continental GT#Continental GT V8 (2012–2018)|Bentley Continental GT V8]] in a race on an ice replica of the Silverstone F1 circuit, May heads to [[Florida]] to test out the latest sports [[Plug-in hybrid]] car, the [[Fisker Karma]], while pitting it against [[AC/DC]] front man [[Brian Johnson]] and his 1928 Bentley Vanden Plas LeMans Tourer, and [[Michael Fassbender]] arrives on the track to do a lap in the reasonably priced car. | LineColor = F2B4DC }} {{Episode list/sublist|Top Gear series 18 | EpisodeNumber = 145 | EpisodeNumber2 = 5 | Aux1 = [[Maserati GranTurismo#GranTurismo MC Stradale (2011–2015)|Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale]] • [[Mercedes-Benz C-Class (W204)#C 63 AMG Coupé Black Series (2011–2015)|Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe Black Series]] | Aux2 = Retrospective on Swedish car maker [[Saab Automobile|Saab]] • [[Škoda Fabia S2000|Rally-spec Škoda]] vs [[Yves Rossy|jet-powered flying man]] | Aux3 = [[Matt Smith (actor)|Matt Smith]] • [[Yves Rossy]] • [[Toni Gardemeister]] | OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2012|2|26|df=y}} | Viewers = 6.12{{#tag:ref|5.25 million on BBC Two, 872,000 on BBC HD.|group=nb}} | ShortSummary = As a final tribute to the sixty years of production that [[Saab Automobile|Saab]] has performed before its closure, Clarkson and May look back at some of the bad ideas the company made, and some of the very good ones they made, including how much emphasis they put on the safety of a car's occupant. Meanwhile, the [[Maserati GranTurismo#GranTurismo MC Stradale (2011–2015)|Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale]] and the [[Mercedes-Benz C-Class (W204)#C 63 AMG Coupé Black Series (2011–2015)|Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe Black Series]] are tested by Clarkson out on the track, Hammond sees if Finnish world rally driver, [[Toni Gardemeister]], can beat [[Yves Rossy]], the world's first jet propelled man, in a Skoda Fabia S2000 around an eight-mile special Welsh Rally Stage (episode from "At the Movies" DVD Special), and [[Eleventh Doctor]], [[Matt Smith (actor)|Matt Smith]], swaps the TARDIS for the Kia Cee'd.
''Note'': Due to scheduling issues, Matt Smith's interview and timed lap were conducted during the filming of the previous episode. | LineColor = F2B4DC }} {{Episode list/sublist|Top Gear series 18 | EpisodeNumber = 146 | EpisodeNumber2 = 6 | Aux1 = "Aero-engined" Bentley, [[Brutus (car)|Brutus]] | Aux2 = Test of three stripped track cars: <small>([[KTM X-Bow]] • [[Caterham Cars#Superlight R500|Caterham R500]] • [[Morgan 3-Wheeler|Morgan Three Wheeler]])</small> | Aux3 = [[Alex James (musician)|Alex James]] | OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2012|3|4|df=y}} | Viewers = 5.81{{#tag:ref|4.83 million on BBC Two, 978,000 on BBC HD.|group=nb}} | ShortSummary = The presenters head out to [[Donington Park]] to test out three stripped-out track cars – May believes it cannot be anything other than the [[Caterham Seven]], Clarkson opts to show that it is the [[KTM X-Bow]], and Hammond attempts to prove that it has to be the [[Morgan 3-Wheeler|Morgan Three Wheeler]]. Along with a series of challenges on the Park's circuit, the trio also see how practical they are as everyday cars by using them to drive to work. Elsewhere, Clarkson re-enacts the 'Battle of Britain' at the Track as a modern recreation of a classic 1920s Bentley model, faces up against the fury of a home-made German car, [http://sinsheim.technik-museum.de/en/brutus Brutus], while [[Alex James (musician)|Alex James]] of [[Blur (band)|Blur]] takes to the track with the Kia Cee'd.
''Note'': The main feature film originally was planned to feature Clarkson in a [[BAC Mono]], but it was replaced with the KTM after breaking down before filming. | LineColor = F2B4DC }} {{Episode list/sublist|Top Gear series 18 | EpisodeNumber = 147 | EpisodeNumber2 = 7 | Aux1 = [[BMW M5#F10 M5 (2011–2016)|BMW M5]] | Aux2 = Rallycross cheaper than playing golf? <small> ([[BMW 3 Series (E36)#Body styles|BMW 328i]] • [[Toyota MR2#Second generation (W20; 1989–1999)|Toyota MR2]] • [[Citroën Saxo|Citroën Saxo VTS]]) </small> • May's childhood dream car: [[Ferrari 250#250 GT Spyder California SWB|Ferrari 250 GT California]]. | Aux3 = [[Slash (musician)|Slash]] • [[Kimi Räikkönen]] • [[Chris Evans (presenter)|Chris Evans]] | OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2012|3|11|df=y}} | Viewers = 6.15{{#tag:ref|5.13 million on BBC Two, 1.02 million on BBC HD.|group=nb}} | ShortSummary = The trio show that you can have more fun by doing [[Rallycross]] motor racing for the same amount of money you could spend playing golf, with Clarkson racing in a [[BMW 3 Series (E36)#Body styles|BMW 328i]], Hammond a [[Citroën Saxo|Citroën Saxo VTS]], and May a [[Toyota MR2#Second generation (W20; 1989–1999)|Toyota MR2]]. Elsewhere, Hammond takes a look at the new [[BMW M5#F10 M5 (2011–)|BMW M5]] at the track, May gets his chance to see his childhood dream car, the £5.6 million [[Ferrari 250#250 GT Spyder California SWB|Ferrari 250 GT California]], at [[Chris Evans (presenter)|Chris Evans]]' garage, while [[Kimi Räikkönen]] talks about his return to F1 before taking out the old Liana on the track, and [[Guns N' Roses]] guitarist [[Slash (musician)|Slash]] shows how good he is the current reasonably priced car.
''Note'': The closing credits were played out with Slash's rendition of the [[Jessica (instrumental)|Top Gear theme song]]. | LineColor = F2B4DC }} }}</onlyinclude>
===Special episode=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="width: 100%;" |- ! style="background: rgb(242, 180, 220);" scope="col" | Title ! style="background: rgb(242, 180, 220);" scope="col" | Guest(s) ! style="background: rgb(242, 180, 220);" scope="col" | Original air date ! style="background: rgb(242, 180, 220);" scope="col" | UK viewers<br />(million)<ref name=BARB10 /> |- {{Episode list/sublist|Top Gear series 18 | Title = 50 Years of Bond Cars | Aux1 = [[Guy Hamilton]], [[Roger Moore]], [[Ola Rapace]], [[Michael G. Wilson]], [[Ben Collins (racing driver)|Ben Collins]], [[Daniel Craig]] | OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2012|10|29|df=y}} | Viewers = 5.48{{#tag:ref|4.71 million on BBC Two, 768,000 on BBC HD.|group=nb}} | ShortSummary = To celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the [[James Bond in film|Bond film series]], and the release of the film ''[[Skyfall]]'', Richard Hammond examines the best of the [[List of James Bond vehicles|Bond cars]], meets with two of the actors to play James Bond, and attempts to recreate some of the unique cars abilities, including converting a car to operate like a submarine.<ref>{{cite news |title=Live and Let Dive |first=Andy |last=Wilman |work=[[Top Gear Magazine]] |date=November 2012|issue=236 |publisher=[[Immediate Media Company]], [[BBC Magazines]] }}</ref> | LineColor = F2B4DC }} |}
===Spin-Off Special=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="width: 100%;" |- ! style="background: rgb(242, 180, 220);" scope="col" | Title ! style="background: rgb(242, 180, 220);" scope="col" | Feature ! style="background: rgb(242, 180, 220);" scope="col" | Guest(s) ! style="background: rgb(242, 180, 220);" scope="col" | Original air date ! style="background: rgb(242, 180, 220);" scope="col" | UK viewers<br />(million)<ref name=BARB10 /> |- {{Episode list/sublist|Top Gear series 18 | Title = Children in Need 2012 Special<ref name="Children 2012"/> | Aux1 = [[Children in Need 2012]] does 'Star in a Reasonably Priced Car' | Aux2 = [[Bill Turnbull]] • [[Sophie Raworth]] • [[Fiona Bruce]] | OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2012|11|16|df=y}} | Viewers = 8.22 | ShortSummary = As a special segment for [[BBC]] [[Children in Need 2012]], three of the BBC's newsreaders, [[Bill Turnbull]], [[Sophie Raworth]], and [[Fiona Bruce]], head to the test track and see who is fastest with the reasonably priced car of ''Top Gear'', the Kia Cee'd. | LineColor = F2B4DC }} |}
==Notes== The viewing figures shown in the Episode Table above, are a combination of the figures from the BBC Two broadcast and the BBC HD broadcast. {{reflist|group=nb}}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *[https://web.archive.org/web/20121124172643/http://www.topgear.com/uk/tv-show/series-18 Top Gear series 18 at Top Gear Official Site]
{{Top Gear}}
[[Category:2011 British television seasons]] [[Category:2012 British television seasons]] [[Category:Top Gear (2002 TV series) series]]