Top Gear - Season 44

First aired: 9/7/2000 15 episodes

Episodes

1. Episode 1

Aired: 9/7/2000

The motoring show returns, with new presenter Jason Barlow joining the team. Tonight, there’s a road-test of the new Audi A2, a look at 17 cars set to re-define the market, and Tiff Needell goes head-to-head with Formula One’s Jenson Button in the new BMW 330.

2. Episode 2

Aired: 9/14/2000

Jason Barlow investigates ways of buying a car, from dealerships to the internet and importing from abroad. Tiff Needell races the GT version of the Lotus Elise and looks at a road version of the sports car — the Lotus Exige. Plus, the new Mercedes C-Class and the Australian Holden.

3. Episode 3

Aired: 9/21/2000

Vicki Butler-Henderson finds out why the motoring world is talking about the new Vauxhall VX220, while Jason Barlow test drives the new Peugeot 607. Meanwhile, Tiff Needell proves that the Audi RS4 estate is definitely not boring.

4. Episode 4

Aired: 9/28/2000

Tiff Needell looks at British sports cars, while Vicki Butler-Henderson reaches for the convertible hood in some upmarket machines from Mercedes, Saab and BMW.

5. Episode 5

Aired: 10/5/2000

The motoring magazine stages a “Fuelympics” to find out which one of five low-emission cars best marries performance with environment friendliness. Jason Barlow, meanwhile, assesses the new-look Vauxhall Corsa.

6. Episode 6

Aired: 10/12/2000

Today, Jason Barlow road-tests the new Ford Mondeo, Vicki Butler-Henderson uncovers some surprisingly affordable and stylish second-hand coupes, and Tiff Needell revels in the power of one of the last Aston Martin V8s.

7. Episode 7

Aired: 10/19/2000

The motoring magazine visits Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre for Motor Show 2000, where Jason Barlow surveys the range of cars available under the Ford monicker. Tiff Needell tests Renault’s hatchbacks, and there’s a chance to see Aston Martin and MG Rover’s new models.

8. Episode 8

Aired: 10/26/2000

Jason Barlow assesses Alfa’s new Sportswagon, Adrian Simpson reveals some surprisingly attractive options for those wanting to put a car on the road for £1,000, and Tiff Needell lines up on the grid at Goodwood — in an Aston Martin valued at some £2.5 million.

9. Episode 9

Aired: 11/2/2000

Jason Barlow gets to grips with the latest Audi A4 and asks if it will be able to hold its own against stiff competition from BMW. Vicki Butler-Henderson attends a track day at Brands Hatch, where drivers of all kinds of cars get the chance to push their vehicles to the limit.

10. Episode 10

Aired: 11/9/2000

Tiff Needell joins the Ferrari Formula One team in Italy as they celebrate their first victory in 21 years. Meanwhile Jason Barlow test-drives the new Lexus LS 430, and Vicki Butler-Henderson takes the wheel of Ibiza’s Cupra R model.

11. Episode 11

Aired: 11/16/2000

Tiff Needell joins owners and drivers on the grid as he enters the glamorous finals of the biggest Ferrari Festival ever in Italy. Plus highlights from this year’s international bike show in Birmingham.

12. Episode 12

Aired: 11/23/2000

Tiff Needell celebrates the 40th birthday of Cosworth, the engine that revolutionised Formula One motor racing, while Vicki Butler-Henderson has a test ride on the bestselling 50cc scooters. Plus a look at the Ford Ka, three years after it first hit the market.

13. Episode 13

Aired: 11/30/2000

In this week’s edition of the motoring magazine, Tiff Needell investigates the growing popularity of the push-button gear-shift, and the recently beefed up Vauxhall Astra coupe goes head-to-head with Toyota’s newly boosted Celica.

14. Episode 14

Aired: 12/7/2000

Jason Barlow finds out whether Renault’s new Laguna can prove serious competition for Ford’s new Mondeo, while Andy Wilman visits the state-of-the-art safety centre of a company known for its strong emphasis on passenger care, Volvo.

15. Episode 15

Aired: 12/14/2000

In the last of the current series, Tiff Needell learns some tips from Hollywood movie stunt drivers. Jason Barlow takes a look back over a significant year for motorists which has seen massive cuts in car prices and a fuel crisis which brought the country to a standstill.