{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2018}} {{Infobox television season | series_number = 26 | num_episodes = 5 | bgcolour = #613B7F | network = [[BBC Two]] | first_aired = {{Start date|df=yes|2019|02|17}} | last_aired = {{End date|df=yes|2019|03|17}} | starring = {{Plainlist| * [[Matt LeBlanc]] * [[Chris Harris (journalist)|Chris Harris]] * [[Rory Reid (journalist)|Rory Reid]] * [[Sabine Schmitz]] * [[The Stig]] }} | episode_list = List of Top Gear (2002 TV series) episodes }} Series 26 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 2019, consisting of five episodes between 17 February and 17 March. Although [[Sabine Schmitz]] would continue to make appearances as a guest star, [[Eddie Jordan]] discontinued his involvement following the previous series. This series' highlights included a journey across [[Sri Lanka]] in a [[Tuk-Tuk]], presenters conducting challenges with second-hand luxury cars and a compilation of outtakes in the final episode. The twenty-sixth series attracted the lowest viewing figures in the programme's history, achieving an average of 2.35 million viewers during its broadcast.
==Production== Production on the series began in 2017 with a trip to Norway<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.motoringbox.com/cars/entertainment/top-gear/top-gear-caught-doing-151mph-while-filming-in-norway/|title=Top Gear caught Speeding|date=25 June 2017|via=www.motoringbox.com}}</ref> and concluded in 2018.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-45937945|title=McGuinness and Flintoff join Top Gear|date=October 22, 2018|via=www.bbc.co.uk|work=BBC News}}</ref>
==Episodes== {{Main|List of Top Gear (2002 TV series) episodes}} <onlyinclude>{{Episode table |background=#613B7F |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="BARB12-26">{{cite web|url=https://www.barb.co.uk/viewing-data/four-screen-dashboard/|title=Four-screen dashboard|publisher=[[Broadcasters' Audience Research Board]] |accessdate=5 March 2019}}</ref> |episodes= {{Episode list/sublist|Top Gear series 26 | EpisodeNumber = 199 | EpisodeNumber2 = 1 | Aux1 = [[Suzuki Ignis]] | Aux2 = Fast Estate Cars in Norway: <small>([[Porsche Panamera#Sport Turismo|Porsche Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo]] • [[Ferrari GTC4Lusso]])</small> • Ignis vs [[Fiat Panda#Panda Cross / City Cross|Fiat Panda Cross]] up Gurlet Hill | Aux3 = [[James Marsden]] | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|df=yes|2019|2|17}} | Viewers = 2.61 | ShortSummary = Harris and LeBlanc head to Norway to look at alternative Estates to the Class Leading [[Skoda Superb]] - Harris brings the [[Porsche Panamera#Sport Turismo|Porsche Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo]] and LeBlanc takes the [[Ferrari GTC4Lusso]]. They put them through as series of challenges testing the speed, practicality and capability of their choices. Meanwhile, Reid attempts to prove the [[Suzuki Ignis]] is all the car one needs by climbing and christening Gurlet Hill with assistance from Sabine, and actor [[James Marsden]] has a go in the GT86. | LineColor = #613B7F }} {{Episode list/sublist|Top Gear series 26 | EpisodeNumber = 200 | EpisodeNumber2 = 2 | Aux1 = [[BMW M5#F90|BMW M5]] • [[Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W213)#AMG E 63 and E 63 S (2016–)|Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG S]] | Aux2 = [[Auto rickshaw|Tuk-Tuk]] Trip across Sri Lanka | Aux3 = [[Professor Green]] | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|df=yes|2019|2|24}} | Viewers = 2.27 | ShortSummary = Heading to [[Sri Lanka]], Harris attempts to prove to LeBlanc that the [[Auto rickshaw|Tuk-Tuk]] is "the most versatile vehicle in the world" through a road trip with several challenges along the way. Meanwhile, at the Track, Harris compares the new [[BMW M5#F90|BMW M5]] to the [[Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W213)#AMG E 63 and E 63 S (2016–)|Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG S]] to see which is the best alternative to [[High Speed 2|HS2]], and rapper [[Professor Green]] sets a lap in the Reasonably Fast Car. | LineColor = #613B7F }} {{Episode list/sublist|Top Gear series 26 | EpisodeNumber = 201 | EpisodeNumber2 = 3 | Aux1 = [[Bentley Continental GT#Third generation (2018–present)|Bentley Continental GT]] • [[Mégane Renault Sport#Mégane Renault Sport III,(based on 2017+, 4th gen Mégane)|Mégane Renault Sport]] • [[Porsche 911 GT2#991 generation|Porsche 911 GT2 RS]] | Aux2 = Continental GT vs Speed 8 | Aux3 = [[Gregory Porter]] | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|df=yes|2019|3|3}} | Viewers = 2.28 | ShortSummary = Harris and LeBlanc head to [[Spain]] for a dual review of the latest [[Bentley Continental GT#Third generation (2018–present)|Bentley Continental GT]] driving it through many roads and conditions before racing it against the 2003 [[Bentley Speed 8]] at the [[Ascari Race Resort]]. Meanwhile, at the Track, Harris reviews the new [[Porsche 911 GT2#991 generation|Porsche 911 GT2 RS]] questioning if it's the best 911, Reid wonders if the latest [[Mégane Renault Sport#Mégane Renault Sport III,(based on 2017+, 4th gen Mégane)|Mégane Renault Sport]] captures the Magic of old [[Renault]] Hot Hatches, and singer [[Gregory Porter]] sees how fast he is in the GT86. | LineColor = #613B7F }} {{Episode list/sublist|Top Gear series 26 | EpisodeNumber = 202 | EpisodeNumber2 = 4 | Aux1 = None | Aux2 = Second Hand Luxury Car Challenge: <small>([[Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow]] • [[Mercedes-Benz W140|Mercedes-Benz 600SEL]] • [[Bentley Turbo R]])</small> | Aux3 = [[Matt Baker (presenter)|Matt Baker]] | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|df=yes|2019|3|10}} | Viewers = 2.20 | ShortSummary = The presenters attempt to prove that Second Hand Luxury Cars are better than an equivalently priced [[Dacia Sandero]] - LeBlanc purchases a [[Bentley Turbo R]], Reid buys a [[Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow]] and Harris acquires a [[Mercedes-Benz W140|Mercedes-Benz 600SEL]]. After several comparison tests against the Sandero at the Track, they modify their cars for racing at the 6 Hour Birkett Race at [[Silverstone]]. Meanwhile, presenter [[Matt Baker (presenter)|Matt Baker]] challenges LeBlanc to a digger contest before setting a lap in the Reasonably Fast Car. | LineColor = #613B7F }} {{Episode list/sublist|Top Gear series 26 | EpisodeNumber = 203 | EpisodeNumber2 = 5 | Aux1 = [[Aston Martin Vantage (2018)|Aston Martin V8 Vantage]] • [[Rolls-Royce Phantom VIII|Rolls-Royce Phantom]] • [[Ford Fiesta#Fiesta ST (2018-present)|Ford Fiesta ST]] | Aux2 = Fiesta ST vs. [[Lamborghini Aventador#Aventador S LP 740-4 (2016–2021)|Lamborghini Aventador S]] • Automatic Brake Testing | Aux3 = [[Stephen Mangan]] | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|df=yes|2019|3|17}} | Viewers = 2.40 | ShortSummary = Harris tests the new [[Ford Fiesta#Fiesta ST (2018-present)|Ford Fiesta ST]] in [[Wales]] and proves through many thorough tests that it's better than a [[Lamborghini Aventador#Aventador S LP 740-4 (2016–2021)|Lamborghini Aventador S]] before showing the best ordinary cars one can buy. Elsewhere Reid sees if the newest [[Rolls-Royce Phantom VIII|Rolls-Royce Phantom]] is "the best car in the world" and tests [[Collision avoidance system|automatic braking]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://carobsession.co.uk/single-post/2019/03/17/end-of-an-era-top-gear-series-26-episode-5-review/|title=Top Gear: End of an Era|date=March 17, 2019|via=www.carobsession.co.uk}}</ref> using a [[Volkswagen Arteon]]. Meanwhile, LeBLanc is at the Track to review the latest [[Aston Martin Vantage (2018)|Aston Martin V8 Vantage]] questioning if it is better than equivalent sports cars and [[Stephen Mangan]] attempts to drive the GT86 faster than LeBlanc drove a [[Kia Ceed#First generation (ED; 2006)|Kia Cee'd]]. The presenters end their final series by showing many outtakes. | LineColor = #613B7F }} }}</onlyinclude>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1628033/episodes?season=26 Series 26] at the [[Internet Movie Database]]
{{Top Gear}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Top Gear series 26}} [[Category:2019 British television seasons]] [[Category:Top Gear (2002 TV series) series]]