Top Gear | |
---|---|
Season 3 | |
No. of episodes | 16 |
Release | |
Original network | History Channel |
Original release | August 14, 2012 (2012-08-14) – April 2, 2013 (2013-04-02) |
Season chronology | |
← Previous Season 2Next → Season 4 | |
List of episodes |
The third season of Top Gear began airing on History from August 14, 2012, until April 2, 2013. Adam Ferrera, Tanner Foust, Rutledge Wood and The Stig returned as hosts, with sixteen weekly episodes being broadcast. This season was the first not to include segments, including car reviews, studio segments, Power laps and Big Star, Small Car, as they were discarded from the programme before season 3 commenced.
Production
On May 11, 2012, History renewed Top Gear for a third season. The season premiered on August 14, 2012, and ended on April 2, 2013. This season saw the discontinuation of car reviews, studio segments, Power laps and Big Star, Small Car; they were discarded in order to revamp the show with a whole new style of format, compared to the UK version.
Episodes
Main article: List of Top Gear (American TV series) episodesNo. overall | No. in season | Title | Original air date | US viewers (millions) | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
27 | 1 | "Police Cars" | August 14, 2012 (2012-08-14) | 1.7 | |
The Ford Crown Victoria, once the bestselling police patrol vehicle available, is now out of production. After a short sendoff, the hosts each select which new cop car they feel will replace it. Rutledge's selection is a Police Patrol Vehicle (PPV) based on the 2012 Chevrolet Caprice, while Adam's selection is a 2012 Dodge Charger Police Package. Tanner selects the upcoming Ford Police Interceptor
Reward: The overall winner, declared as Tanner, gets the chance to drive a police pursuit vehicle based on the Chevrolet Corvette Z06, and give chase to a man on a Triumph motorcycle. Tanner manages to catch him, but barely. | |||||
28 | 2 | "Small Cars" | August 21, 2012 (2012-08-21) | 2.07 | |
The hosts each select which they feel is the best city vehicle available today. Adam selects a Fiat 500, Rutledge a Scion iQ and Tanner a Smart ForTwo.
Punishment The loser is tasked with going about a normal day in their life in a Peel Trident. The confused hosts settle on Rutledge, who performs various tasks such as grocery shopping, getting coffee and visiting his mom all while staying in his vehicle. At the end, he reports in for work, and plays the role of a pace car during a race at the Atlanta Motor Speedway. | |||||
29 | 3 | "Cult Classics" | August 28, 2012 (2012-08-28) | 1.57 | |
The boys have to choose one of their favourite cult classics. Adam choose a Cadillac Allanté, Rutledge choose a Subaru SVX, and Tanner choose the Merkur XR4Ti.
Punishment Double Decker BMW "10 Series" (a 3 series welded to the top of a 7 series) at Irwindale Speedway. Rutledge chooses Dax Shepard as his co-driver while Sean Hayes goes with Adam. They race three laps of a head-to-head race. Results Rutledge and Dax win in the final lap. | |||||
30 | 4 | "One Tank" | September 4, 2012 (2012-09-04) | 2.02 | |
The guys race from Portland, Oregon, to San Francisco, California, without being able to get gas; the toughest off-road machine in the world. Adam choose a Ford F350, Rutledge choose a 1997 Volkswagen Passat (B4) TDI, and Tanner choose the BMW 528i.
Reward Race a King of the Hammers truck against extreme kayaker Erik Boomer. Rutledge makes a really hard decision to let The Stig's "backwoods cousin" pilot the hammer truck. The river route is approximately four miles long while the truck route circles up and back before heading back down for a total of eight miles. Winner: "Backwoods Stig" and the Hammers truck | |||||
31 | 5 | "The Tractor Challenge" | September 18, 2012 (2012-09-18) | 1.72 | |
Adam, Tanner, and Rutledge each choose a very expensive tractor and compete in a series of challenges with them.
Reward: Tanner is given the chance to drive the Lamborghini Aventador which he races against a plane. | |||||
32 | 6 | "Monument to Moab" | September 25, 2012 (2012-09-25) | 1.83 | |
The hosts travel from Monument Valley to Moab, Utah. Instead of using 4WDs to make the rough (and mostly off-road) trip, they instead use everyday new cars popular with rental car companies. Adam uses a V6 2005 Ford Mustang, Rut a 2009 Toyota Yaris and Tanner, a 2003 Lincoln Town Car. The Lincoln and Toyota make the journey despite getting heavily damaged whilst the Mustang was destroyed after Adam attempted to make it fly off a cliff. The Lincoln was reused in Episode 13 of this Season in a chase where it chased and was damaged by an 'apocalyptic Camry' created by the hosts | |||||
33 | 7 | "College Cars" | January 29, 2013 (2013-01-29) | 1.57 | |
The guys relive their college days by driving their college cars to Mexico for spring break. Tanner drives a 1991 Eagle Talon TSI, Adam drives a 1982 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham and Rutledge drives a 1972 Volkswagen Transporter. | |||||
34 | 8 | "America's Toughest Car" | February 5, 2013 (2013-02-05) | 1.87 | |
The hosts try to find America's toughest car. The cars had to be at least 20 years old and cost no more than $2000. Rutledge chooses a 1990 Volvo 240 DL Estate, Adam drives a 1992 Chevrolet Caprice and Tanner brings a 1987 Toyota Corolla.
| |||||
35 | 9 | "RVs" | February 12, 2013 (2013-02-12) | 1.60 | |
The hosts compete who can build the best RV, that is both comfortable and fun to drive. Tanner drives a 1983 Porsche 928 with a rocket on the roof as sleeping accommodation, Adam drives a 1973 Buick Centurion Convertible, with a building modeled after the Flatiron Building and Rutledge drives an extendable 1989 Honda Civic Wagon.
During their way to their next Challenge, Adam has few problems such as tree stuck in the window of his Flatiron Buick, whereas Tanner has to fix his the Rocket on his Porsche and Rut's Honda is stuck in its open position with everything inside wet.
In the End: Despite Adam technically building the only RV and Tanner winning two challenges, overall victory was the final challenge meaning that Rutledge was the winner plus since the Porsche died and the Buick rolled over the Honda was the only car still intact Rut concludes by saying that the RV should be based on the Honda Civic Wagon. The guys all leave in the Honda. Overall Winner: Rutledge | |||||
36 | 10 | "150 MPH Challenge" | February 19, 2013 (2013-02-19) | 2.01 | |
150mph is the speed which cars must reach in order to let them be known as Performance cars. To show this is possible for less than $30,000 they each choose a car and head to the Mojave Desert, Adam chooses the Buick Regal GS, Rutledge takes the Mazda-Speed3 and Tanner uses a Chevrolet Camaro SS. All three reach 150 mph. The guys then compete to see who can reach 150 mph for the least amount of money. Adam brings a 1995 Pontiac Trans-Am which he paid $2600, while Rutledge arrives with a 1994 Infiniti Q45 which he paid $1700 equipped with nitrous for an extra $700 (as the Q45 was drag-limited to 145 mph so the nitrous would be used to gain an extra 5mph), bringing up his total to $2400 and Tanner brings a 1999 Saab 9-3 Viggen for which he paid $3500. Rutledge quotes how both he and Adam have automatic V8's with Rear Wheel Drive whereas Tanner had a manual, Front Wheel Drive 4cylinder and to make Tanner jealous both do a burn out. On the way to the proving grounds it turns out that Tanner's Saab has no flaws at all whereas Adam's Pontiac is starting to decay and Rut's Infiniti is too slow.
Reward: Since Rutledge paid less than Tanner he gets to drive the $2.7 million Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse which he need to drive to 150 mph. He adores the power, exquisiteness, quality, price tag, speed and the fact that it's more special than any other car he has driven. The VIP turns out to be Tanner who claims to be the actual winner and takes the Veyron off Rut. Tanner maxes the Veyron on a highway north of Miami where he achieves 201 mph. He and Rut agree that the Veyron is a masterpiece. | |||||
37 | 11 | "Best Taxi Challenge" | February 26, 2013 (2013-02-26) | 1.60 | |
Taxi driving is essentially the most boring job in the world. For inspiration Tanner looks at the 2012 BMW M5#F10BMW M5 which he describes as the best taxi due to the fact that it is fast and can drift beautifully much to the annoyance of Adam and Rutledge, his passengers. However since the M5 costs $90,000 the guys compete to see who can design the most interesting taxi for less than a BMW M5. Tanner drives a highly modified Scion xB, which has been converted to rear wheel drive for drifting, Rutledge brings a 1984 Chevrolet El Camino with car seats mounted in the bed and Adam brings a Ford E350 Ambulance. They drive to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Reward: Tanner gets to drive the McLaren MP4-12C, firstly describing how it ticks all of the supercar boxes. He then describes how unlike any other supercar it rides beautifully. He then describes how it has mind blowing acceleration and is unbelievably fast due to 616hp. On a stretched out runway he achieves 0-60 in 3.0 seconds and achieves a beautiful drift throughout each corner. He then takes it to a racetrack where he find Rutledge and NASCAR Legend Carl Edwards with his 920hp Ford Fusion 99. At first Rut and Carl mock the McLaren compared to the Fusion but Tanner challenges and they agree to a race. Initially due to the Launch Control and through the twisting corners the McLaren takes the lead but on the final lap due to 920hp the Fusion just beats the McLaren. Rut and Carl then change their minds and are blown away by the McLaren and both admit that it is a phenomenal car. Tanner concludes by saying that the McLaren is a Jekyll and Hyde car as it is comfortable, beautiful and well equipped but also underneath the exquisite exterior it is pure race car. He describes it as his favourite Supercar ever. | |||||
38 | 12 | "Adam's Show" | March 5, 2013 (2013-03-05) | 1.69 | |
Adam designs his own show, supposedly by blackmailing Tanner and Rutledge with embarrassing childhood photographs. He drives the original GT40 for six feet, and a replica for much farther after that. Rutledge arrives in a Ferrari 550 Marinello and the two compete in a series of challenges. Later, the guys play a game of 5 vs 5 American football using demolition derby cars. An air gun is used in the quarterback car, and nets are fitted to two other cars that play the role of receivers. | |||||
39 | 13 | "Doomsday Drive" | March 12, 2013 (2013-03-12) | 1.72 | |
The guys must build and drive an apocalypse-prepped vehicle through a series of challenges, using a $750,000 MRAP troop transporter as inspiration. They are tasked to build it out of late 1990s Toyota Camry. Adam is in charge of offensive weapons, Rutledge is in charge of defensive weapons, and Tanner is in charge of performance. Tanner adds an exoskeleton and puts the Camry body onto an F-150 chassis. Rutledge adds electrified wires, a smokescreen, and a few other deception measures which are ultimately proven useless, including fake door handles on a door which can't be opened. Adam adds a catapult after realizing his skills with firearms are poor. After the build, which is not shown on screen, the three are tasked with a series of apocalypse challenges, including driving in darkness and evading and damaging a modified Lincoln (from Episode 6 of Season 3) being driven by the Stig. | |||||
40 | 14 | "Mammoth Mountain" | March 19, 2013 (2013-03-19) | 1.88 | |
Tanner drives the 2012 Range Rover Sport Supercharged, Adam brings the Cadillac Escalade modified by Lingenfelter a drag racer and Rutledge tries the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8.
| |||||
41 | 15 | "Minnesota Ice Driving" | March 26, 2013 (2013-03-26) | 1.98 | |
The guys tries to find the perfect winter beater for $2000 and arrive in Minnesota. Rutledge chooses a Subaru Legacy GT, Tanner bought a Nissan 300ZX and Adam takes a Chevrolet S-10 Blazer.
On their way to the Proving Grounds Adam's 4WD fails and his Blazer spins out.
Despite Adam's win the producers felt that a car which always breaks down like the Blazer should not be crowned the best winter beater. Despite Rut's two wins they ultimately felt that Tanner should take the prize. Reward: Tanner goes to Colorado to drive the 2012 Bentley Continental GT V8. He is impressed with its ride comfort and V8 engine noise as well as the chassis and 4WD. He is to race it against a snowboarder. He ultimately crosses the line first. He then describes how the Bentley cannot only drive down the ski slope but up it as well. He concludes that the ultimately winter beater is the Bentley Continental GT. | |||||
42 | 16 | "Viking Trucks" | April 2, 2013 (2013-04-02) | 2.17 | |
The hosts tries to prove to the Icelandic people that American trucks are better than imports by driving up a volcano. Tanner drives a 1979 Ford Bronco, Rutledge drives a 1973 International Scout II and Adam drives a 1984 Chevrolet K30. |
References
- "Episode Guide". Retrieved 1 August 2011.
- "'Top Gear' (US) Renewed For Third Season by History – Page 133641 – TV By The Numbers by zap2it.com". tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com. Archived from the original on 15 May 2012. Retrieved 13 November 2016.
- "Tuesday Cable Ratings: 'Teen Mom' Wins Night, + 'Rizzoli & Isles', 'Storage Wars', 'Hardcore Pawn', 'Counting Cars', 'How Jaws Changed the World' & More – Page 144966 – TV By The Numbers by zap2it.com". tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com. Archived from the original on 17 August 2012. Retrieved 13 November 2016.
- "Tuesday Cable Ratings: 'Storage Wars' Wins Night, 'Teen Mom', 'Pretty Little Liars', 'White Collar','Dance Moms', 'Face Off' & More – Page 145736 – TV By The Numbers by zap2it.com". tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com. Archived from the original on 24 August 2012. Retrieved 13 November 2016.
- "Tuesday Cable Ratings: 'Teen Mom' Wins Night + 'Storage Wars', 'Pretty Little Liars', 'White Collar', 'Hardcore Pawn' & More – Page 146608 – TV By The Numbers by zap2it.com". tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com. Archived from the original on 31 August 2012. Retrieved 13 November 2016.
- "Tuesday Cable Ratings: 'Counting Cars' Wins Night, 'Teen Mom', 'White Collar', 'Dance Moms', 'Face Off', 'Covert Affairs', DNC Coverage & More – Page 147546 – TV By The Numbers by zap2it.com". tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com. Archived from the original on 10 September 2012. Retrieved 13 November 2016.
- "Tuesday Cable Ratings: 'Sons of Anarchy' Wins Night, 'Counting Cars', 'White Collar', 'Covert Affairs', 'Face Off', 'Dance Moms' & More – Page 149224 – TV By The Numbers by zap2it.com". tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com. Archived from the original on 23 September 2012. Retrieved 13 November 2016.
- TV.com. "Top Gear US - Season 3, Episode 6: Monument to Moab - TV.com". tv.com. Retrieved 13 November 2016.
- "IMCDb.org: 2003 Lincoln Town Car in "Top Gear USA, 2010-2016"". imcdb.org. Retrieved 13 November 2016.
- "Tuesday Cable Ratings: 'Sons of Anarchy' Rides to Victory + 'Tosh.0', 'Counting Cars', 'Brickleberry', 'Daily Show' & More – Page 150245 – TV By The Numbers by zap2it.com". tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com. Archived from the original on 28 September 2012. Retrieved 13 November 2016.
- Kondolojy, Amanda. "Tuesday Cable Ratings: 'Pretty Little Liars' & 'Real Husbands of Hollywood' Win Night + 'Hardcore Pawn', 'Dance Moms' & More". Archived from the original on 3 February 2013. Retrieved 30 January 2013.
- Bibel, Sara. "Tuesday Cable Ratings:'Tosh.0' Wins Night, 'Pretty Little Liars', 'Hardcore Pawn', 'Cougar Town', 'Justified', 'White Collar' & More". Archived from the original on 9 February 2013. Retrieved 6 February 2013.
- Kondolojy, Amanda. "Tuesday Cable Ratings: 'Tosh.0′ Wins Night + State of the Union Address Coverage, 'Cougar Town', 'Pretty Little Liars' & More - Ratings | TVbytheNumbers". Archived from the original on 16 February 2013. Retrieved 13 February 2013.
- Bibel, Sara. "Tuesday Cable Ratings:'Tosh.0' Wins Night, College Basketball, 'Pretty Little Liars', 'Cougar Town', 'Real Husbands of Hollywood','Justified', 'Face Off' & More". Archived from the original on 24 February 2013. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
- Kondolojy, Amanda. "Tuesday Cable Ratings: 'Tosh.0' Wins Night + 'Pretty Little Liars', 'The Daily Show', 'Snooki & JWOWW', 'Real Husbands of Hollywood' & More". Archived from the original on 2 March 2013. Retrieved 27 February 2013.
- Bibel, Sara. "Tuesday Cable Ratings: NBA Basketball Wins Night, 'Pretty Little Liars', 'Tosh.0', 'Justified', 'Cougar Town', 'Dance Moms' & More". Archived from the original on 12 March 2013. Retrieved 6 March 2013.
- Kondolojy, Amanda. "Tuesday Cable Ratings: 'Tosh.0' Wins Night + 'Pretty Little Liars', 'Snooki & JWOWW', 'Justified', 'Real Husbands of Hollywood' & More". Archived from the original on 2013-03-16.
- Bibel, Sara. "Tuesday Cable Ratings: 'Tosh.0' Wins Night, 'Pretty Little Liars', 'Justified', 'Cougar Town','Top Gear', 'Dance Moms' & More". Archived from the original on 23 March 2013. Retrieved 20 March 2013.
- Kondolojy, Amanda. "Tuesday Cable Ratings: 'Tosh.0' Wins Night + World Cup Qualifying Soccer, 'Hardcore Pawn', 'The Game', 'Snooki & JWOWW' & More". Archived from the original on 30 March 2013. Retrieved 27 March 2013.
- Bibel, Sara. "Tuesday Cable Ratings: 'Tosh.0' Wins Night, 'Hardcore Pawn', 'Justified', 'Cougar Town','The Game', ' Dance Moms' & More". Archived from the original on 7 April 2013. Retrieved 3 April 2013.
External links
- Season 3 at the Internet Movie Database