Top Gear It is not just an auto show, but a whole cultural phenomenon that has produced dozens of special projects over 20+ years: from legendary races in Africa to absurd tests in Antarctica. But how do you make sense of this chaos of releases when some are called “special,” others are called “movies,” and others are hidden behind paid subscriptions? This article will help you:
We've collected. All Top Gear specials in chronological order From the first experiments with Clarkson, Hammond and May to projects with new hosts (Freddy Flintstone, Chris Harris, etc.). You will know what series Officially removed from platforms due to scandalsWhere to find rare Russian-language issues, and why some special projects never aired. And also – let’s understand how “special issues” differ from ordinary series and why they are so difficult to organize.
What are Top Gear specials and why are there so many?
Let's start with the terminology. In the original, these issues are called differently:
- 📺 Specials Full-fledged films lasting 60-90 minutes, often with a plot (for example, racing in Vietnam on motorcycles).
- 🎬 Films More cinematic projects, sometimes with a blockbuster budget (e.g., "Top Gear: The Perfect Road Trip").
- 🔧 One-offs One-off experiments not season-bound (e.g., a test) Pagani Zonda Alps.
- 🚗 Adventures Adventure editions with travel (Africa, South America, the Arctic Circle).
The main difference from the usual series is Lack of studio sketches and format of the "road movie". There are no spectators in the studio, but there are epic landscapes, dangerous trials and often humor, bordering on madness. For example, in the special. "Top Gear: Burma Special" (2014) The leading men cross the river on a ferry built from the... two-way Toyota Hilux and bamboo.
But why are there so many? Reasons:
- 💰 Promotional contracts: Automakers paid for placement in special projects (for example, Jaguar F-Type into "The Perfect Road Trip").
- 🌍 Geographical marketing: BBC sold filming rights in different countries (South Africa, India, Australia).
- 🎥 Experiments with format: After Clarkson's departure, the show tried to keep the audience with unusual projects.
⚠️ Note: Not all specials are available on legal platforms. For example, "Top Gear: Patagonia Special" (2014) was removed from BBC iPlayer The car's license plate was mistakenly associated with the Falklands War.
Chronological list of all Top Gear specials (2002–2026)
We broke the list down leadingThe change of composition greatly influenced the style of special projects. Please note: some releases are officially considered part of the seasons (e.g., "Polar Special" These are episodes of S10E05–06, but we have singled them out separately for convenience.
| Year | Title of the special | Leading | Duration | Where to Watch (2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Top Gear: USA Road Trip | Clarkson, Hammond, May | 60 minutes. | YouTube (neo-officers) BBC Select (pays) |
| 2007 | Top Gear: Polar Special | Clarkson, Hammond, May | 74 minutes | BBC iPlayer, BritBox |
| 2008 | Top Gear: Vietnam Special | Clarkson, Hammond, May | 75 minutes | Amazon Prime Video (UK) |
| 2011 | Top Gear: India Special | Clarkson, Hammond, May | 74 minutes | BBC iPlayer (geoblock) |
| 2019 | Top Gear: Ethiopia Special | Flintstone, Harris, Reeves | 60 minutes. | BBC Two (repeats) |
Complete list of 37 specials (including little known ones) is available in our table below. Note that after 2015, when Clarkson left the show, the format of the specials changed, shorter and less ambitious. The exception is "The Grand Tour Presents" (already another show, but with the same hosts) that are sometimes mistakenly attributed to Top Gear.
Complete list of specials (37 pieces)
2004 — USA Road Trip
2006 — Winter Olympics Special
2007 — Polar Special
2008 — Vietnam Special
2009 — Botswana Special
2010 — Middle East Special
2011 — India Special
2011 — 50 Years of Bond Cars
2012 — Patagonia Special
2013 — Burma Special
2013 - Africa Special (2 parts)
2014 Top Gear: The Perfect Road Trip (TV Series)
2015 Top Gear: Road Trip (Australia)
..
2023 Top Gear: 30 Years Special (Anniversary Edition)
If you're looking most spectacular specialsStart with this top 5:
- 🏆 Polar Special (2007) – Race to the North Pole Toyota Hilux with a diesel engine running on biofuel.
- 🌋 Vietnam Special (2008) – 1000 km on motorcycles in Vietnam with a budget of £1000 per vehicle.
- 🐘 Botswana Special (2009) - Safaris on old Lancia, Mercedes and Range Rover with a caravan trailer.
- 🏔️ Patagonia Special (2014) – a controversial issue with the race in Argentina and Chile (deleted from many platforms).
- 🚀 The Perfect Road Trip (2014) – Cinematic travel in Europe in supercarsMcLaren P1, Ferrari LaFerrari, Porsche 918).
Where to watch Top Gear specials in 2026?
This is the biggest headache for fans. Problems:
- 🔒 GeobloktsiMost specials are only available in the UK BBC iPlayer.
- 💰 Paid services: BritBox, BBC Select and Amazon Prime Video They have different libraries.
- ⚠️ Remote issues: Patagonia Special, Burma Special Others were removed due to political scandals.
- 🏴 Pirate copies: Many specials can be found on torrents or YouTube, but with poor translation.
Here are the current legal sources (June 2026):
| Platform | Available specials | Cost | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| BBC iPlayer | 2007–2015 (except for remote ones) | Free (UK VPN required) | Without Russian voiceover, geoblock |
| BritBox | 2002–2020 (complete collection) | £5.99/mos | English subtitles, HD quality |
| Amazon Prime Video (UK) | 2008–2018 (selectively) | Included in subscription | No. Polar Special and Patagonia |
| YouTube (Neo-officers) | 2004-2012 (poor quality) | Free of charge. | Risk of removal, no subtitles |
For Russian viewers, the best option is DVD-boxing (e.g., "Top Gear: The Specials" from BBC Worldwide). These include:
- 📀 All specials until 2015 in HD.
- 🎤 Russian subtitles (in some publications).
- 🎬 Deleted scenes and comments of the presenters.
⚠️ Attention: Kinopoisk and IVI There are often "special issues" under the guise of full series. For example, "Top Gear: Africa Special" It can be broken down into 2 parts and sold as separate episodes of S19. Always check the duration – real specials last at least 60 minutes.
The big news: Why are some episodes banned?
Top Gear It has been at the center of scandals many times, and special issues are no exception. The biggest stories:
1. Patagonia Special (2014) – The number plate that started the war
During the filming in Argentina, Porsche 928 Clarkson's license plate was installed. H982 FKL. The locals felt that FKL referent Falklands (Falkland Islands) that caused mass protests. As a result:
- 🚔 The crew was evacuated under police protection.
- 📵 The BBC has removed the issue from official platforms (only available on pirated sites).
- 💣 Clarkson later joked: We thought that
FKLsignifier Fabulous Klaus Letter".
2. Burma Special 2014 – Bridge over the River Kwai and Racism
In this episode, the presenters build a bridge over a river in Thailand (in the film it is called the "river Kwai", a reference to the film of the same name). Problems:
- 🏗️ The bridge collapsed during filming (no one was injured, but the scene remained on the air).
- 👴 Hammond used the term ""slope" (an outdated offensive word for Asians) has caused the BBC to receive thousands of complaints.
- 🎭 The release has been edited for reruns, but the original version is still circulating online.
3. India Special 2011: "Nazi" jokes and censorship
During a trip to India, the presenters:
- 🚗 Buying old ones. Jaguar XJS, Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow and Mini Cooper for £7,000.
- 😬 Clarkson joked about the Nazi roads (meaning their directness), which caused outrage in Germany.
- 🛑 The BBC had to apologize and re-mount the issue for international screening.
The scandals have led to the fact that after 2015 Top Gear Become more careful in choosing locations and jokes. New special issues (e.g., Ethiopia Special 2019 is focused on adventure, not provocation.
If you are looking for banned specials, try searching for them by hashtag #TopGearLostEpisodes Telegram channels dedicated to rare video. Often there are restored versions with subtitles.
How to distinguish a special from a regular series?
Many viewers confuse specials with two-part episodes of regular seasons. Here. keynoteBy which they can be distinguished:
1. Duration
Specials last 60-90 minutes without any excess water (ordinary series) 45-50 minutes). Exception: early special projects (e.g., USA Road Trip, 2004) shorter.
2. Absence of studio inserts
No specials:
- 🎤 Clarkson's monologues are on the newsboard.
- 🏎️ Star in the Ruin RaceStar in a Reasonably Priced Car).
- 📊 The "Past vs Future" section or the audience's test.
3. Locations.
Specials are always on. outside (except) Winter Olympics Special2006). The regular series may include overseas trips, but they are shorter and built into the show format.
4. Title in credits
The official specials have in the credits a note:
- 🎥 "Top Gear: [Title] Special" (e.g., "Top Gear: Vietnam Special").
- 📽️ Or "A Top Gear Special" (for film projects)
5. Budget and cinematography
Specials are being filmed with:
- 🎬 Professional camera operators (not TV cameras, like in the studio).
- 🚁 Using drones and cranes to capture landscapes.
- 🎵 Original music (in regular series, stock music is often used).
If you see a release that:
- ✅ It lasts more than an hour.
- ✅ Completely filmed in nature/in another country.
- ✅ It doesn't contain studio sketches.
- that's definitely a special.
☑️ How do you check if there is a special in front of you?
Top 3 little-known specials that are worth watching
Besides the famous Polar and Vietnam SpecialThere are rare special projects that are often overlooked. They are not as popular, but no less interesting:
1. Top Gear: Winter Olympics Special (2006)
What's happening: The hosts are going to Lilehammer (Norway) to host their Winter Olympics on cars. Competitions include:
- ⛷️ Automotive slalom on Subaru Impreza WRX Ice road.
- 🏒 Hockey on Toyota Aygo (The machines are used instead of washers).
- 🛷 Bobsley - Down the mountain in a car without brakes.
Why you should look at it: This is one of the most important It's a funny and absurd specials where physics retreats to humor. For example, Hammond tries to play curling by pushing. Smart Fortwo On the ice.
2. Top Gear: 50 Years of Bond Cars (2012)
What's happening: For the 50th anniversary of the James Bond franchise, the hosts are testing legendary cars from the movies:
- 🚗 Aston Martin DB5 (Goldfinger, 1964).
- 💥 Lotus Esprit S1 The Spy Who Loved Me (1977) is the same underwater vehicle.
- 🔫 BMW Z8 (And the whole world is not enough, 1999) - which is sawed in half.
Why it's worth watching: This single-issueThe hosts do not travel, but focus on tests. Bonus - guest participation Daniel Craig. (although in a recorded interview).
3. Top Gear: The Perfect Road Trip (2014)
What happens: Clarkson and Hammond (without May) travel across Europe in three hypercars:
- 🏎️ McLaren P1 (£866,000).
- 🔴 Ferrari LaFerrari (£1,150,000).
- 🟢 Porsche 918 Spyder (£781,000).
Why it's worth watching: This most beautiful special from the point of view of the operator. The shooting took place in Switzerland, Italy and FranceThe budget was over £2 million. Interesting fact: LaFerrari He broke down the second day and had to be taken by tow truck.
⚠️ Attention: The Perfect Road Trip frequently confused "Top Gear: Road Trip" (2015, Australia). These are two different projects! The first is about hypercars in Europe, the second is about budget cars in Australia.
Top Gear specials after Clarkson's departure: what's changed?
After the 2015 scandal (Clarkson hit the producer and was fired), the show tried to reboot with new hosts: Chris Evans., Matt Leblanc.And then -- Freddy Flintstone., Chris Harris. and Rory Reevesom.. The specials have become different:
1. Less budget, less ambition
Compare:
| Parameter | Old Special Issues (2002–2015) | New Special Issues (2016–2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Budget budget | £1-3 million for the project | £300-500,000. |
| Locations. | Vietnam, Africa, Antarctica | Europe, USA (rarely) |
| Machines. | Exclusive prototypes, rarities | Serial models, often used |
| Duration | 70-90 minutes | 45-60 minutes |
2. Change of style: from provocations to security
New hosts avoid:
- 🚬 Politically incorrect jokes (e.g., about nationality).
- 💣 Dangerous tricks (in) Ethiopia Special In 2019, cars drive a maximum of 80 km / h.
- 🎭 Improvisations are more pre-planned scenes.
3. Focus on sustainability
After 2020, the following specials appeared in the series:
- 🚗 Electric vehicles (Tesla Model 3 into "Electric Road Trip", 2021).
- ♻️ Carbon footprint tests (e.g. comparisons) Porsche Taycan and 911 on emissions.
- 🌱 Vegan Adventures (in the "Serbia Special" In 2022, the hosts eat only local food.
The best specials of the new era:
- 🇪🇹 Ethiopia Special (2019) – Traveling on a Used Car Suzuki Jimny.
- 🇬🇧 Scotland Special (2020) - Test of electric vehicles in the mountains.
- 🇷🇸 Serbia Special (2022) - Race to the Yugo (Yugoslav cars)
Although the new specials have lost their former scope, they have become more accessible They are easier to find on streaming platforms, and they are less likely to get into scandals.
If you like old specials for their recklessness, new projects can be disappointing. But if you value the technical side and the environmental themes, the show only got better.
FAQ: Frequent questions about Top Gear specials
🔍 Where to find out. Patagonia Special And other remote releases?
Officially, these issues are not available, but they can be found:
- 📥 On torrent trackers (look for handouts marked
1080p WEB-DL). - 📼 In Telegram channels dedicated to Top Gear (e.g.,
@topgearrus). - 💿 On eBay, DVDs with rare releases are sometimes sold (price: £20-50).
Beware of fakes – some “restored” versions can be cut from other series.
🎬 Why are some of the specials broken into pieces?
It depends on the format of the display:
- 📺 Nana BBC Two long specials (e.g., Africa Special) shown at two in the evening, so they are divided into 2 parts of 45 minutes.
- 📀 The DVD is a single movie (70-90 minutes).
- 🌐 On streaming platforms, sometimes combined, sometimes not (depending on the license).
To check if the release is complete in front of you, look at the timecode: if the duration is 40-45 minutes This is part of the series if 60 minutes. - full special.
🚗 What cars are most often broken in specials?
According to the statistics of the show, most often refused:
- Lada Riva (Botswana Special2009: He was overheated every hour.
- Reliant Robin (Vietnam Special2008 - rolled over at every turn.
- Ferrari LaFerrari (The Perfect Road Trip, 2014) - broke on the second day.
- Toyota Hilux (Polar Special2007: The only car that has been not broken (although she was drowning in the sea).
I wonder what. Toyota Hilux He became a legend of the show thanks to special issues - they tried to drown him, set him on fire and throw him from the roof, but the car survived.
💰 How much are the specials cars worth today?
Prices for rarities have increased significantly after showing in the show. Examples:
| The machine. | Price in the special. | Price in 2026 | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lancia Beta Coupe (Botswana Special) | £800 | £12,000–15,000 | +1400% |
| Mercedes 230GE (Botswana Special) | £1,500 | £30,000–40,000 | +2500% |
| Jaguar XJS |