Top Gear Season 10 Episode 3: Supercars in Africa and the Caparo T1 Tested
Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May take supercars on a trans-African road trip, while the Caparo T1 faces the Top Gear test track in this 2007 episode.
First aired in October 2007, Top Gear Season 10 Episode 3 sent Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May to Botswana for one of the show's most memorable road trips. The presenters each bought a used car for less than £1,500 and set out to cross the country, tackling salt pans, wildlife and the Kalahari Desert to prove that second-hand cars could handle African terrain.
Botswana Special: Used Cars Face the Kalahari
The challenge began in Francistown, where Clarkson chose a Lancia Beta Coupé, Hammond picked a battered Opel Kadett (nicknamed Oliver), and May opted for a Mercedes-Benz 230E. The trio drove west across the Makgadikgadi salt pans and through the Okavango Delta, facing mechanical failures, deep sand and the threat of wildlife. The episode became a fan favourite for its mix of humour, mishaps and the unlikely resilience of the cars, particularly Hammond’s affection for his Opel.
Unlike many Top Gear specials, this adventure ran as a regular episode, combining the road trip with the usual studio segments. The Botswana trip is often cited as one of the series’ best, with the presenters’ cars becoming minor stars in their own right.
Caparo T1 on the Top Gear Track
Back at Dunsfold, the Caparo T1, a lightweight, road-legal supercar inspired by Formula One, was put through its paces. The T1’s 3.5-litre V8 engine and extreme aerodynamics delivered startling performance, but the test was marred by reliability issues. The car suffered from mechanical problems during filming, echoing concerns about its suitability for road use despite its impressive speed.
Star in a Reasonably Priced Car
Musician Jools Holland was the guest for the Star in a Reasonably Priced Car segment, lapping the track in the Chevrolet Lacetti. The episode blended the Botswana adventure with the show’s regular features, keeping the familiar studio format alongside the road trip.
For more on Top Gear’s later episodes, see Season 13 Episode 5and Season 12 Episode 4.
