Top Gear Season 13 Episode 5: Jaguar XFR, Cheap Coupes and Unusual Challenges
The fifth episode of Top Gear’s thirteenth series aired in July 2009, featuring the Jaguar XFR, a trio of budget rear-wheel drive coupes and a set of inventive airport vehicle tests.
Top Gear’s thirteenth series continued on 19 July 2009 with an episode that put the Jaguar XFR through its paces, challenged the presenters to find ‘petrolhead heaven’ in a set of cheap coupes, and staged a series of airport vehicle races. The episode followed the familiar format of ambitious motoring challenges, celebrity guests and track tests that defined the Clarkson, Hammond and May era.
Jaguar XFR laps the Top Gear test track
Jeremy Clarkson drove the Jaguar XFR on the Top Gear test track, highlighting the car’s supercharged V8 performance and its position as Jaguar’s answer to the BMW M5. The segment focused on the XFR’s blend of comfort and speed, with lap times compared to rivals in the executive saloon segment. The XFR’s appearance on Top Gear brought attention to Jaguar’s renewed efforts to compete in the high-performance saloon market during the late 2000s.
£1,500 coupe challenge and airport antics
In the main challenge, Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May each bought a rear-wheel drive coupe for £1,500. Their goal was to find the best driver’s car on a budget, with the journey taking them through a series of tests designed to push the cars’ limits. The trio’s choices reflected the used car market of the time, with depreciation making once-expensive coupes accessible to enthusiasts with modest funds.
- Road trip to find ‘petrolhead heaven’.
- Ice racing to test handling and traction.
- Airport vehicle tests including baggage tugs and fire engines.
The episode also featured a set of races using airport service vehicles, a format that played to Top Gear’s taste for the absurd while showcasing the quirks of specialist machinery rarely seen in action. These segments offered a contrast to the more conventional road and track tests, providing entertainment alongside the automotive content.
Series context and related episodes
Series 13 of Top Gear consistently mixed road tests with ambitious challenges. The previous episode included a Porsche Panamera road trip and a hot hatch duel. For those interested in more from this era, see Top Gear Season 13 Episode 4.
Top Gear’s blend of accessible used cars, high-performance models and inventive challenges in this episode reflected its broad appeal during 2009. The show’s ability to balance genuine car tests with entertainment made it a fixture for motoring fans throughout its run.
