Top Gear series 24

{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2017}} {{DISPLAYTITLE:''Top Gear'' series 24}} {{Infobox television season | bgcolour = #25425F | image = | image_upright = | image_alt = | series_number = 24 | num_episodes = 7 | starring = {{Plainlist| * [[Matt LeBlanc]] * [[Chris Harris (journalist)|Chris Harris]] * [[Rory Reid (journalist)|Rory Reid]] * [[Sabine Schmitz]] * [[Eddie Jordan]] * [[The Stig]] }} | network = [[BBC Two]] | first_aired = {{Start date|df=yes|2017|3|5}} | last_aired = {{End date|df=yes|2017|4|23}} | episode_list = List of Top Gear (2002 TV series) episodes }} Series 24 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 2017, consisting of seven episodes between 5 March and 23 April;<ref name="5th March 2017">{{cite news|title='Top Gear' returns to BBC Two on 5th March|url=https://www.uswitch.com/tv/news/2017/02/top_gear_returns_to_bbc_two_on_5th_march/|accessdate=23 February 2017|publisher=USwitch|date=23 February 2017}}</ref> due to the [[BBC]]'s live coverage of the [[Masters Tournament]] on 9 April, the series took a break between its fifth and sixth episodes.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.topgear.com/car-news/top-gear-tv/top-gear-tv-returns-bbc-two-16-april|title=Top Gear TV returns to BBC Two 16 April|publisher=TopGear.com|date=7 April 2017|accessdate=8 April 2017}}</ref> This series' highlights included road trip across [[Kazakhstan]] in high-mileage cars, a race between a car and several high-value forms of transportation, and the presenters converting a car into a yacht.

Following the negative feedback on the previous series, and the resignation of [[Chris Evans (presenter)|Chris Evans]] a day after its conclusion,<ref name="evans resignation">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-36707266|title=BBC – Chris Evans to step down as Top Gear presenter|work=bbc.co.uk|date=4 July 2016}}</ref> production staff decided on the remaining presenter [[Matt LeBlanc]] being joined by [[Chris Harris (journalist)|Chris Harris]] and [[Rory Reid (journalist)|Rory Reid]] as his co-hosts full time,<ref name="The New Hosts">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-37470962|title=Top Gear: Matt LeBlanc signs two-series deal - BBC News|work=[[BBC News Online]]|date=26 September 2016|accessdate=23 February 2017}}</ref> with occasional appearances by both [[Sabine Schmitz]] and [[Eddie Jordan]]. To improve the programme's viewing figures, staff opted for a revamp of ''Top Gear''{{'}}s studio, logo and opening titles, while restoring its celebrity segment to its previous format, but with minor changes to the name and style when they opted for the use of a fast car.

==Production== Following the mixed to negative feedback for the previous series from critics and viewers, and the firing of Chris Evans, the show underwent a revamp, with the creation of a brand new studio, complete with new seats, a racing tyre designed table and new screens, along with a brand new logo design and opening titles. In addition, along with continuing to host [[BBC Three (online)|BBC Three]] companion show, ''[[Extra Gear]]'', the BBC decided to reassign both Chris Harris and Rory Reid as ''Top Gear''{{'}}s main hosts alongside Matt LeBlanc. In February 2017, it was confirmed that comedian George Lewis would be joining the spin-off programme as a presenter alongside Harris and Reid.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/mediapacks/top-gear|title=Top Gear - Media Centre|publisher=BBC|accessdate=3 March 2017}}</ref> It was also announced that the format of the ''Star in a Reasonably Priced Car'' segment would return for Series 24, after the BBC dropped the controversial ''Star in a Rally-Cross Car'' segment that had replaced it due to the negative feedback it received.<ref name="Rally Cross Axed">{{cite web|url=http://jalopnik.com/top-gear-returns-next-month-without-that-silly-star-in-1792337899|title=Top Gear Returns March 12th Without That Silly Star In A Rallycross Car Segment (Update)|publisher=Jalopnik.com|accessdate=3 March 2017}}</ref> As the previous car for the segment, the [[Vauxhall Astra#Sixth generation (2009–present)|Vauxhall Astra Tech Line]], had been sent back to Vauxhall and auctioned off for charity,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/cars/news/top-gear-reasonably-priced-car-auctioned-for-charity/|title=Top Gear 'Reasonably Priced Car' auctioned for charity|newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|date=27 December 2015|accessdate=20 July 2016}}</ref> a brand new car was provided for the segment, the [[Toyota 86|Toyota GT86]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://jalopnik.com/top-gear-returns-next-month-without-that-silly-star-in-1792337899|title=Top Gear Returns March 12th Without That Silly Star In A Rallycross Car Segment (Update)|last=Westbrook|first=Justin T.|website=Jalopnik|language=en-US|access-date=2019-06-21}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.carscoops.com/2017/02/is-this-top-gears-reasonably-priced.html|title=Is This Top Gear's 'Reasonably Priced' Toyota GT86?|publisher=CarScoops|date=1 March 2017|accessdate=7 March 2017}}</ref> leading to the segment being renamed as ''Star in a Reasonably Fast Car''.{{citation needed|date=February 2020}}

===Marketing=== On 4 February 2017, [[BBC Two]] began showcasing trailers for the new series, with the caption "Top Gear: Coming Soon".<ref name="The Trailers">{{cite web|author=Alice Vincent Press Association|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2017/02/14/rip-top-gear-new-series-trailer-divides-fans-yet-another-presenter|title='RIP Top Gear': new series trailer divides fans after yet another shake-up of presenting team|publisher=Telegraph.co.uk|date=14 February 2017|accessdate=3 March 2017}}</ref> On 24 February, ''Top Gear'''s official [[Twitter]] page confirmed that the twenty-fourth series would premiere on 5 March 2017, broadcasting seven weekly episodes.<ref name="The Trailers"/>

==Episodes== {{Main|List of Top Gear (2002 TV series) episodes}} <onlyinclude>{{Episode table |background=#25425F |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 24 | EpisodeNumber = 186 | EpisodeNumber2 = 1 | Aux1 = [[Ferrari FXX-K]] | Aux2 = Race across Kazakhstan in three high-mileage cars: ([[Volvo V70#Second generation (2000–2007)|Volvo V70]] • [[Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W210)]] • [[Hackney Carriage|Black Cab]]) | Aux3 = [[James McAvoy]] | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|df=yes|2017|3|5}} | Viewers = 3.77 | ShortSummary = LeBlanc, Harris and Reid head to [[Kazakhstan]] with three cars that have done 480,000 miles, to see which is the most reliable - Harris opts to prove reliability will come from the [[Volvo V70#Second generation (2000–2007)|Volvo V70]], LeBlanc believes it will come from the [[Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W210)]], and Reid seeks to prove that London's famous [[Hackney carriage|Black Cab]] will outdo the other two. Starting from [[Turkistan (city)|Turkistan]], the trio have two days to make it to the [[Baikonur Cosmodrome]], where along the way their cars will face a series of challenges to see how reliable they really are. Elsewhere, Harris heads for the [[Daytona International Speedway]] in [[Florida]] to test out the new, truly exclusive [[Ferrari FXX-K]], while [[James McAvoy]] is the star taking on the new reasonably fast [[Toyota GT86]].

''Note'': Footage of other celebrities that timed laps in the Toyota GT86, before James McAvoy's turn, were showcased on ''Extra Gear'' following this episode. | LineColor = 25425F }} {{Episode list/sublist|Top Gear series 24 | EpisodeNumber = 187 | EpisodeNumber2 = 2 | Aux1 = [[Alfa Romeo Giulia (952)#Quadrifoglio|Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio]] | Aux2 = US road trip in two convertible supercars: ([[Porsche 991#911 Turbo, Turbo S and Turbo S Exclusive Series (2015-)|Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabriolet]] • [[Lamborghini Huracán#Huracán LP 610-4 Spyder (2016–2019)|Lamborghini Huracán Spyder]]) | Aux3 = [[David Tennant]] | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|df=yes|2017|3|12}} | Viewers = 3.60 | ShortSummary = LeBlanc and Harris head to the US for a road trip through hot deserts and snowy mountains, to try out the latest convertible supercars on the market - LeBlanc selecting the [[Lamborghini Huracán#Huracán LP 610-4 Spyder (2016–2019)|Lamborghini Huracán Spyder]] and the Harris choosing the [[Porsche 991#911 Turbo, Turbo S and Turbo S Exclusive Series (2015-)|Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabriolet]] - where along the way, their cars will be subjected to challenges based on each season of the year. Meanwhile, Harris finds out if the [[Alfa Romeo Giulia (952)#Quadrifoglio|Giulia Quadrifoglio]] can bring back the good times of classic Alfa Romeos, even if Reid insists on putting it through a tough test at the track, and [[David Tennant]] joins the hosts in the studio to see how fast he was in the Reasonably Fast Car. | LineColor = 25425F }} {{Episode list/sublist|Top Gear series 24 | EpisodeNumber = 188 | EpisodeNumber2 = 3 | Aux1 = [[Aston Martin DB11]] • [[Volkswagen Golf Mk7#Golf GTI|Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport S]] • [[Abarth 124 Spider]] | Aux2 = DB11 vs [[Mercedes-Benz S-Class (C217)#S 63 AMG|Mercedes-AMG S63 Coupé]] Bond Style • Clubsport S: "Supercar hunting" at the [[Nürburgring]] | Aux3 = [[Tamsin Greig]] | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|df=yes|2017|3|19}} | Viewers = 3.13 | ShortSummary = LeBlanc is out on the Test Track with the brand new [[Aston Martin DB11]], the first turbocharged Aston Martin and the first DB to reach 200 mph, before heading to the Baltic mountains as "LeBond" for a race against "Dr No-Hair" Harris in his [[Mercedes-Benz S-Class (C217)#S 63 AMG|Mercedes-AMG S63 Coupé]], and the local police force. Elsewhere, Reid and Sabine take to the [[Nürburgring]] in the new [[Volkswagen Golf Mk7#Golf GTI|Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport S]] to see if it can overtake £1 million worth of supercars, LeBlanc questions if the magic of Italian sports cars of the 60s has been revived in the [[Abarth 124 Spider]], and [[Tamsin Greig]] copes with a wet track in the GT86. | LineColor = 25425F }} {{Episode list/sublist|Top Gear series 24 | EpisodeNumber = 189 | EpisodeNumber2 = 4 | Aux1 = [[Bugatti Chiron]] • [[Renault Twingo#Twingo III (2014–present)|Renault Twingo GT]] | Aux2 = Epic race across [[Arabian Peninsula]]: Chiron vs. alternative "money-no-object" transportation • Twingo arcade game challenge | Aux3 = [[Tinie Tempah]] | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|df=yes|2017|3|26}} | Viewers = 3.17 | ShortSummary = Harris heads out to [[Dubai]] to find out how fast and elegant the new [[Bugatti Chiron]] is compared to its predecessor, the [[Bugatti Veyron|Veyron]], before later engaging it in a race that begins in the city and finishes at a hotel resort in the mountains of [[Oman]], with LeBlanc attempting to beat him through a variety of "money-no-object" transportation options, including a motorboat, luxury car, private jet, and the new [[Ducati 1299#1299 Superleggera|Ducati 1299 Superleggera]]. Meanwhile, Rory test drives the [[Renault Twingo#Twingo III (2014–present)|Renault Twingo GT]] to find out how nimble a hatchback it is by using it in a special version of a classic arcade video game with help from Harris and Sabine, and rapper [[Tinie Tempah]] discusses about why he shot a music video in South Africa and not Dunsfold before seeing how good he was in the Reasonably Fast Car. | LineColor = 25425F }} {{Episode list/sublist|Top Gear series 24 | EpisodeNumber = 190 | EpisodeNumber2 = 5 | Aux1 = [[Ford GT#Second generation (2016–2022)|Ford GT]] | Aux2 = Extreme off-road buggy race on the [[California]] desert | Aux3 = [[Chris Hoy]] | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|df=yes|2017|4|2}} | Viewers = 3.27 | ShortSummary = To settle a dispute about who is the fastest racing driver on the team, Harris and Sabine head to California to compete in an extreme off-road motorsport event - "[[King of the Hammers]]". Assisted by Eddie and LeBlanc as their personal race managers, the pair take part in an eight-lap race, driving off-road buggies against veteran drivers, while contending with tough obstacles, including a difficult rock climb. Elsewhere, LeBlanc gets to be the first to drive the new [[Ford GT#Second generation (2016–2022)|Ford GT]] and see how much of a supercar it is on both a coastal highway and the [[Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca|Laguna Seca]] circuit, while former British Olympic cyclist [[Chris Hoy]] discusses his new life as a racing driver, before seeing if he is the fastest around the track in the GT86. | LineColor = 25425F }} {{Episode list/sublist|Top Gear series 24 | EpisodeNumber = 191 | EpisodeNumber2 = 6 | Aux1 = [[Mercedes-AMG GT#Mercedes-AMG GT R (2017–2021)|Mercedes-AMG GT R]] | Aux2 = Road trip across [[Cuba]] with second-hand sports cars: ([[Maserati Biturbo#Biturbo|Maserati Biturbo]] • [[Chevrolet Camaro (third generation)|Chevrolet Camaro]]) | Aux3 = [[Ross Noble]] | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|df=yes|2017|4|16}} | Viewers = 2.40 | ShortSummary = Harris and Reid head to Cuba to kickstart a new revolution with some second-hand, western sports cars, hoping to show the country's inhabitants that there are better models than the American classics they've relied upon since the 60s - Harris believes his [[Maserati Biturbo#Biturbo|Maserati Biturbo]] will inspire the people, while Reid hopes his [[Chevrolet Camaro (third generation)|Chevrolet Camaro]] will turn heads. Taking them on a road trip across the island nation from the [[Bay of Pigs]] to [[Havana]], the pair put them through their paces, including a series of racing challenges against the local competition. Meanwhile, LeBlanc gets to grips with a contender for his favorite Porsche, by heading to the track in the new [[Mercedes-AMG GT#Mercedes-AMG GT R (2017–2021)|Mercedes-AMG GT R]] and seeing how it fares, while comedian [[Ross Noble]] is the latest star to have a go in the Reasonably Fast Car.

''Note'': [[David Schwimmer]] was the intended guest for this episode, but had to pull out due to complications in his private life, effectively leading to Ross Noble's appearance in the series being brought forward much earlier than planned.<ref name="Guest Replacement">{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/0/top-gear-david-schwimmer-pulls-marriage-problems-leaving-matt/|title=David Schwimmer pulls out after marriage problems|newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|date=7 April 2017|accessdate=23 April 2017}}</ref> | LineColor = 25425F }} {{Episode list/sublist|Top Gear series 24 | EpisodeNumber = 192 | EpisodeNumber2 = 7 | Aux1 = [[Porsche Boxster/Cayman#Fourth generation: 718 Boxster/Cayman (982) (2016–present)|Porsche 718 Cayman S]] • [[Avtoros Shaman]] | Aux2 = Turning a [[SsangYong Rodius#First generation (2004–2013)|SsangYong Rodius]] into a luxury yacht | Aux3 = [[Jay Kay]] | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|df=yes|2017|4|23}} | Viewers = 2.69 | ShortSummary = Harris heads to the track, where he finds issues in the new [[Porsche Boxster/Cayman#Fourth generation: 718 Boxster/Cayman (982) (2016–present)|Porsche 718 Cayman S]], despite it being faster and nice to drive than the previous Cayman S. Meanwhile, LeBlanc heads out to the countryside to try out the extraordinary [[Avtoros Shaman]], an 8x8 rescue vehicle from Russia; Reid attempts to see if an ugly [[SsangYong Rodius#First generation (2004–2013)|SsangYong Rodius]] can be transformed into a luxury yacht, including putting his creation to the open waters with help from Harris and LeBlanc and showing off their creation to Eddie; and [[Jay Kay]] talks about his car collection, his [[Automaton (album)|new album]] with [[Jamiroquai]], and how well he did when he drove in the GT86.

''Note'': Jay kay's appearance in the episode was due to its intended guest, Ross Noble, having to appear much earlier in the series than planned.<ref name="Guest Replacement" /> | LineColor = 25425F }}

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==References== {{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Top Gear series 24}} [[Category:Top Gear (2002 TV series) series]] [[Category:2017 British television seasons]]