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11 Episodes 1989 - 1989
Episode 1
William Woollard and Sue Baker present the first of a new series from Europe's biggest and brightest motor show at Frankfurt. Chris Goffey Drives the new Citroen XM: will it live up to the company's reputation for innovation and comfort?
Episode 2
The switch to lead-free petrol has created a lot of confusion for the ordinary motorist - confusion that now seems to be stalling the growth of sales of unleaded fuel. Tom Boswell seeks to shed light on the introduction of the new high-octane 'super' unleaded. As Britain moves closer to Europe, businessmen are less concerned about being seen driving only British cars. Chris Goffey compares three desirable executive saloons from the continent: the Alfa 164, the Saab CD and Lancia's Thema. Plus, a look at the arcane world of autojumble; and Tiff Needell demonstrates what it's like to drive a 500hp Ford Sierra.
Episode 3
Politicians in southern California have agreed to a scheme to ban petrol and diesel vehicles within the next 20 years. William Woollard reports from Los Angeles on the implications of this drastic decision and on the more immediate threat to European luxury car manufacturers whose rich markets in the USA are being threatened by the Japanese. Back on this side of the Atlantic, Chris Goffey road tests new versions of Renault's 19 and 21 and visits Peugeot's new museum at Sochaux in France.
Episode 4
52 mins
William Woollard and Tony Mason report from Brands Hatch at the end of the Autoglass Tour of Britain on the success of this newly revived event. Chris Goffey assesses the chances of Skoda's new front-drive model, the Favorit, improving the company image. This week, the Department of Transport introduces a new pursuit test for learner motorcyclists. Tom Boswell looks into the way motorcyclists are trained.
Episode 5
Britain's car industry is booming for the first time in a decade, partly thanks to Japanese investment. William Woollard presents the programme from the new Honda engine factory in Swindon. There's a look at two of Honda's new models, the Accord and the Concerto, and a road test of a car from Honda's great Japanese rivals - the Mazda 323. Beki Adam looks back at the celebrations for 30 years of the Mini and Tony Mason reports on the progress of Top Gear's Rally Quest competition winner.
Episode 6
Three major new British models are being launched at this year's Motorfair. William Woollard and Sue Baker report from Earls Court on these and other highlights of the show, while Chris Goffey compares one of them, the Rover 200, with its Japanese counterpart, the Honda Concerto. A spate of crashes during police chases has raised worrying questions about the rules governing the pursuit of suspects. Tom Boswell examines the problem and asks whether police driver training might be at fault. Tiff Needell has been partnering Derek Bell in a full season's sports-prototype racing in the Richard Lloyd Porsche 962. Beki Adam watched a day's testing at Silverstone to see what goes on behind the scenes preparing and improving these sophisticated cars.
Episode 7
Episode 8
Episode 9
Episode 10
Episode 11