Summary
The summer of 2008 saw Britain in the grip of its ‘fuel crisis'. Prices had shot up dramatically and no matter where you were or what time of day it was, you could hear someone waxing lyrical on the subject. As series 11 began, Clarkson claimed he had a solution to the problem, but in true Top Gear style, it was really an excuse to drive a supercar and criticise the Prius. Jezza's theory, which he gave with great gusto and enthusiasm, was that if driven properly, a sports car could be more economical than one of its greener siblings. The results will no doubt be debated for many years to come. The opening instalment also included the first appearance of the Top Gear stuntman who attempted to jump an Austin Allegro over a line of cars. That doesn't sound too exciting, you might say, but this was no straightforward high speed leap (if there is such a thing) as the TG daredevil was attempting it driving in reverse. Plus, in an effort to reduce expenses for the boys in blue, on a budget of £1500 each, the hosts bought second-hand cars and adapted them to become police cars. As the season progressed, one memorable highlight followed another, including Jeremy driving cross-country in a Daihatsu Terios while being hunted by hounds and a jodhpur-clad, horse-riding Hammond; England v Germany as hosts of the respective nations' Top Gear shows battled it out in motoring challenges (don't mention the war!); a race across Japan with Jezza competing against the Bullet Train in a GT-R; and something for proud petrolheads - a competiton-cum-united effort to get three second-hand Alfa Romeos through a series of challenges. Celebrity guests included James Corden, Rob Brydon, Peter Firth, Rupert Penry-Jones, Peter Jones and Theo Paphetis.