Top Gear Series 17 Returns to BBC2 on 26 June
The seventeenth series of Top Gear will air from Sunday 26 June 2011, with new supercars and hot hatches lined up for the six-episode run.
BBC2 will begin airing the seventeenth series of Top Gear on Sunday 26 June 2011, with the new run scheduled to deliver six weekly episodes through to the end of July. The show’s familiar trio, Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May, will return with a line-up of supercars, hot hatches and electric vehicles.
Supercars and Track Records
Among the headline vehicles for Series 17 is the McLaren MP4-12C. The new British supercar has already prompted speculation about whether it will set a new lap record on the Top Gear test track. The show’s track leaderboard has become a regular point of interest for viewers and manufacturers alike, and the MP4-12C’s appearance is expected to draw close attention from enthusiasts and rivals.
The show’s supercar tests have previously featured models such as the Ferrari FXX and Lotus Evora, as seen in earlier series. For those interested in past episodes, highlights from Series 13 can be found at/video-top-gear-season-13-episode-1.
Electric and Performance Hatches
Top Gear’s new series will also feature tests of the Nissan Leaf, marking another electric car appearance after previous outings with the Tesla Roadster. The inclusion of the Leaf suggests the presenters will continue their sometimes-controversial takes on electric mobility.
- Citroën DS3 Racing
- Fiat 500C Abarth
- Renault Clio RS
These three hot hatches are expected to be put through their paces, likely in the show’s trademark mix of on-road and track-based challenges. Their inclusion follows a tradition of Top Gear group tests comparing performance small cars, which have been a recurring theme in previous series.
Series Schedule and Viewing Details
The six-episode run will see the season finale air on Sunday 31 July 2011. Episodes will be broadcast on BBC2, with each instalment expected to follow the established format of road tests, track sessions, celebrity guests and challenges. As in past years, viewers can expect a mix of serious car reviews and irreverent features.
Further trailers and episode breakdowns are available, including a preview of the supercar and Monaco content in the season’s second trailer:/video-top-gear-season-17-second-trailer.
Top Gear’s seventeenth series continues to draw attention for its mix of high-profile cars and accessible performance models, maintaining its place as one of BBC2’s most-watched motoring programmes.
