Top Gear Season 13 Episode 6: Z4, 370Z and a £3000 Classic Rally
BMW Z4 and Nissan 370Z go head-to-head on the track, while the presenters take on a classic car rally across Spain with pre-1982 bargains.
The final episode of Top Gear’s thirteenth series delivered a mix of car reviews, challenges, and celebrity appearances. First broadcast on 26 July 2009, the episode featured a head-to-head between the BMW Z4 and Nissan 370Z, a classic car rally across Spain with strict budget and age rules, and a visit from AC/DC’s Brian Johnson.
Overview of Top Gear Season 13 Episode 6
BMW Z4 and Nissan 370Z Track Comparison
The episode opened with a segment comparing the BMW Z4 and Nissan 370Z, two rear-wheel-drive sports cars introduced in the late 2000s. The Z4, BMW’s modern take on the roadster, faced off against Nissan’s latest entry in the Z-car lineage. Both models targeted enthusiasts seeking performance at a relatively accessible price point.
| BMW Z4 | Inline-six engine, rear-wheel drive, folding hardtop |
|---|---|
| Nissan 370Z | V6 engine, rear-wheel drive, coupe body |
The presenters put both cars through their paces on the Top Gear test track. They discussed differences in handling, power delivery, and driving character. The Z4 was described as offering a more refined experience, while the 370Z was noted for its raw and more aggressive approach. As usual, the show combined genuine comparison with its trademark humour, focusing on the personality of each car as much as the technical details. The segment gave viewers a sense of the strengths and quirks of each sports car, though the emphasis remained on entertainment rather than objective scoring.
£3000 Classic Car Rally Challenge in Spain
The main feature of the episode was a classic car rally challenge. Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May were each given a budget of £3000 to buy a car built before 1982. Their mission: to drive these affordable classics across Spain, tackling a series of tests along the way. The challenge highlighted the realities of owning and driving older, budget-friendly classics on a demanding road trip.
- Each presenter sourced a pre-1982 car for under £3000
- The rally route included mountain passes and reliability trials
- Mechanical issues and improvised repairs featured prominently
The Spanish rally route took the presenters and their cars through varied and challenging terrain. Mechanical failures, breakdowns, and the need for creative repairs were frequent, underscoring both the appeal and the risks of running a cheap classic. The segment also reflected the state of the classic car market in 2009, when it was still possible to find interesting pre-1982 vehicles at relatively low prices, though reliability could not be guaranteed. The challenge format provided a blend of motoring insight and the usual competitive banter between the presenters.
Classic Car Challenge: Rules and Format
- Cars must be built before 1982
- Maximum purchase price: £3000
- Route included a range of driving conditions, from city streets to mountain roads
- Cars were tested for reliability, comfort, and suitability for a long-distance rally
Star in a Reasonably Priced Car: Brian Johnson
The celebrity guest for this episode was Brian Johnson, the lead singer of AC/DC. He took on the show’s regular “Star in a Reasonably Priced Car” segment, driving the Suzuki Liana around the Top Gear track. Johnson’s appearance added rock-star energy to the feature, and his lap time was added to the series leaderboard alongside other guests from the season.
Context Within Season 13
This episode’s classic car rally followed earlier challenges from Season 13, such as the teenage car test in episode 2 and the Panamera road trip in episode 4. Each episode in the series maintained the show’s formula of combining car reviews, ambitious challenges, and celebrity interviews, contributing to Top Gear’s enduring popularity at the time.
