Episode Archive - Series 8

In small-to-medium-sized-commercial-light-goods-vehicle Top Gear, we swapped cars for vans and found out what it takes to roadie for the world's best rock band. And Hammond drove the first new car built to take on the Porsche 911 that might actually stand a chance of doing so.

To put their chosen vans through their paces, the boys volunteered to be roadies for The Who. Jeremy decided to use a VW Transporter TDi, James picked a Renault Master, while Richard opted for the obligatory Ford Transit.

Jenson Button came to us with a request: 'Please let me drive a car that doesn't break down all the time.' So we brought the venerable Liana out of retirement.

There was some concern that the Noble M15 might be 'all, like, rubbish, and stuff'. It wasn't. It gripped the road in a way that keeps drivers confident they're not going to be looking at the world upside down from a ditch. And it isn't a TVR, so the door-release mechanism is on the door, not on your next door neighbour's cat.

Cockney sparrow Ray Winstone was the star in our reasonably priced jam jar. He talked about the unsuitability of Jags for pulling off bank jobs. We weren't about to argue with him.

As punishment for the terrible van test earlier, the Top Gear producer decided to issue a challenge: who could buy the best white van to complete a series of distinctly non-industry standard tests? First, who could win a straight line drag race? Richard in his tiny Suzuki 'Super Carry' came first, with Jeremy's Transit second. We're still waiting for James' LDV to finish.

A series of further tests followed, including 'whose van is easiest to break into'. As the 'whose van can get away from the police in a high-speed chase' challenge began, all looked well. But Jeremy and James both got caught by PC Stig. Richard looked set to triumph. Unfortunately, an overzealous wheel turning incident put his van on its side.

First shown on: 30/07/2006