Top Gear Season 12 Episode 4: Zonda F Roadster and Veyron on Show
Episode 4 of Top Gear’s twelfth series saw James May test the Pagani Zonda F Roadster and the team attempt a cross-Europe economy run, with the Bugatti Veyron also making an appearance.
Broadcast on BBC Two in November 2008, Top Gear’s Season 12 Episode 4 delivered a packed hour of supercars, challenges and the usual chemistry between presenters. The episode’s centrepiece was James May’s test of the Pagani Zonda F Roadster, while the Bugatti Veyron returned to the Top Gear track for a high-speed run with the Stig at the wheel.
The episode opened with the presenters, Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May, setting off from Basel, Switzerland, in a bid to reach Blackpool, England, on a single tank of fuel. The challenge highlighted the real-world efficiency of modern cars, with the added pressure of arriving in time to switch on Blackpool’s famous illuminations. The journey covered over 750 miles, crossing borders and testing both the cars’ range and the drivers’ patience.
Pagani Zonda F Roadster on Test
James May’s review of the Pagani Zonda F Roadster provided a rare opportunity to see the Italian supercar in action on British television. The Zonda F Roadster, powered by a 7.3-litre AMG V12, delivered 650bhp and a soundtrack to match. May explored the car’s performance, handling and road presence, with the segment focusing on the Zonda’s blend of raw speed and craftsmanship. The episode’s footage showcased the car’s acceleration and the open-top experience, reinforcing Pagani’s reputation for building some of the world’s most desirable supercars.
Bugatti Veyron Returns to the Track
The Stig’s run in the Bugatti Veyron was another highlight. The Veyron, already famous for its 1,001bhp quad-turbo W16 engine, was put through its paces on the Top Gear test track. The segment revisited the car’s acceleration and handling, with a focus on its ability to deliver supercar performance in a package that remained comfortable at speed. The Veyron’s appearance followed its earlier headline-making tests on the show, further cementing its status as a benchmark for hypercars in the late 2000s.
Economy Run: Basel to Blackpool
The main challenge’s outcome hinged on whether the team could reach Blackpool on a single tank. The journey mixed route planning, fuel-saving driving and the usual Top Gear banter. The challenge illustrated the gap between official fuel economy figures and real-world results, with the presenters’ progress tracked against the looming deadline of Blackpool’s illuminations switch-on ceremony.
- James May drove the Pagani Zonda F Roadster
- The Stig tested the Bugatti Veyron on the Top Gear track
- Presenters attempted Basel to Blackpool on one tank
Top Gear’s twelfth series continued its mix of supercar tests and ambitious challenges. For more on later series, see Top Gear Season 13 Episode 5and Top Gear Season 14 Episode 2.
