Top Gear Season 15 Opens with Bentley Supersports and Hilux Arctic Challenge
The first episode of Top Gear’s fifteenth series features the Bentley Continental Supersports, a new Reasonably Priced Car, and a dramatic Hilux ascent in Iceland.
Top Gear returned to BBC Two on 27 June 2010 with the first episode of Series 15, leading with the Bentley Continental GT Supersports and an Arctic challenge for the Toyota Hilux. The episode also introduced a new Reasonably Priced Car, marking a change for the celebrity lap segment.
Bentley Continental GT Supersports on test
The Bentley Continental GT Supersports took centre stage as the episode’s main road test. Powered by a 6.0-litre twin-turbocharged W12 engine, the Supersports delivered 621bhp and 590lb ft of torque. Bentley’s claim at the time was that this made it the fastest and most powerful production car in the company’s history. Despite the substantial 2.5-tonne weight, the Supersports was quoted as capable of 0-60mph in 3.7 seconds, with a top speed of 204mph.
The test focused on how the Supersports handled its considerable mass and whether the extra power translated to a genuinely different experience compared to the standard Continental GT. The show highlighted the car’s all-wheel drive system and carbon-ceramic brakes, features intended to help manage the car’s performance on both road and track.
Toyota Hilux faces an Icelandic volcano
James May took the updated Toyota Hilux to Iceland, where the pickup was driven up the side of the Eyjafjallajökull volcano. This followed Top Gear’s previous Arctic exploits with the Hilux, but this time the challenge involved navigating volcanic ash and rough terrain. The Hilux used for the climb was specially modified by Arctic Trucks, featuring uprated suspension, larger tyres and additional cooling to cope with the demanding conditions.
New Reasonably Priced Car and Reliant Robin feature
The episode introduced a new Reasonably Priced Car for the celebrity lap segment, replacing the Chevrolet Lacetti. While speculation ahead of broadcast suggested a Ford Mondeo, the actual car was not confirmed in the available sources. The format remained the same, with guests attempting a timed lap around the Top Gear test track.
Jeremy Clarkson also tested the Reliant Robin three-wheeler, exploring its notorious instability. The segment became one of the more talked-about moments of the episode, with repeated rollovers highlighting the Robin’s unique handling characteristics.
Other features
The episode included a segment described as a “Tea Party” with twelve guests, though details on the content and purpose of this feature were not provided in the available material.
- Bentley Continental GT Supersports tested for performance and handling
- Toyota Hilux climbs an active Icelandic volcano
- Reliant Robin three-wheeler reviewed for stability
- New Reasonably Priced Car introduced for celebrity laps
