» Top Gear S18E01 Review

While Top Gear’s most recent ‘Christmas Special’ shot in India generated plenty of flak, questions started mounting that this classic BBC car show was nearing the end of its life. But if the opening episode of the show’s eighteenth season revealed anything when it hit the airwaves last night, it’s that the show has plenty of life left in it…

The episode kicks off with a tantalising preview of what’s to come over the next seven episodes, before we get down to business with the main feature of the episode: a Supercar road trip across Italy.

With the trio of Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond armed with a Lamborghini Aventador, a McLaren MP4-12C and an unreliable Noble, respectively, this is a cracking episode filled with some great mini-challenges, which is capped off with a track day around the fabled Imola Grand Prix circuit.

Black Eyed Peas singer Will.I.Am is the latest celebrity to tackle the reasonably-priced KIA, and while not particularly rapid on the show’s damp test track, he does earn points for decking himself out in a customised uniform and sunglasses for his attempt. While the lap isn’t necessarily interesting, his interview with Jeremy Clarkson is excellent.

Aside from the show’s neverending tendency to position all of the female audience members at the back of every shot, this is a great start to the season, and one hopes the momentum can be sustained for the whole season.

P.S. Keep an eye out for the audience member wearing what appears to be a donkey’s head!