Top Gear Season 12 Episode 2: Corvette ZR1, CTS-V and Challenger SRT8 Tested
The second episode of Top Gear’s twelfth series aired in November 2008, featuring American muscle as Clarkson, Hammond and May put the Corvette ZR1, Cadillac CTS-V and Dodge Challenger SRT8 through their paces.
BBC Two broadcast the second episode of Top Gear’s twelfth series on 9 November 2008. The episode focused on three new American performance cars: the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V and the 2009 Dodge Challenger SRT8. Clarkson, Hammond and May each took the wheel to assess whether Detroit’s latest offerings could challenge European rivals.
The Corvette ZR1 led the segment, with Jeremy Clarkson pushing the 638bhp supercharged V8 coupe to its limits on the Top Gear test track. The ZR1’s lap time and straight-line speed were compared directly to established European supercars, highlighting Chevrolet’s intent to compete beyond the US market. Hammond, meanwhile, tested the Cadillac CTS-V, which had just launched in the UK with a 6.2-litre supercharged V8. The show emphasised its combination of luxury saloon comfort and raw power, positioning it as a direct rival to German sports saloons.
James May reviewed the Dodge Challenger SRT8, a retro-styled muscle car that revived the Challenger nameplate for a new generation. The SRT8’s 6.1-litre HEMI V8 and classic American styling were presented as a counterpoint to the more technologically advanced European models tested in previous series. The presenters debated whether the Challenger’s nostalgic appeal and brute force could translate to UK roads.
How the American trio compared
| Model | Engine | Power (bhp) |
|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 | 6.2-litre supercharged V8 | 638 |
| Cadillac CTS-V | 6.2-litre supercharged V8 | 556 |
| Dodge Challenger SRT8 | 6.1-litre HEMI V8 | 425 |
The episode’s focus on American cars was a departure from the usual European-centric line-up. Each car was tested for performance, handling and everyday usability, with the ZR1’s lap time compared against the show’s established leaderboard. The CTS-V’s blend of comfort and speed was set against the expectations for luxury saloons, while the Challenger SRT8’s old-school approach divided opinion among the presenters.
The episode is available in the BBC archives and remains a reference point for American muscle in the late 2000s. Later episodes would revisit the Corvette ZR1 and its rivals as the series continued to test the limits of both American and European performance cars. For more on the twelfth series, see Top Gear Season 12 Episode 4: Zonda F Roadster and Veyron on Show.
