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The eighteenth series of the BBC motoring show Top Gear, starring presenters Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May, premiered on the 29th of January, 2012, and concluded on the 11th of March, 2012. It featured seven regular episodes, and was preceded by a special in India, which aired over the Christmas period. Alongside a Christmas Special, this series featured a three-part three-car comparison like Series 16 before. However, this did not air in Christmas alongside the India Special. Instead it aired as the premiere episode kicking off the series in style.

Viewing figures continued to fall to just 6.07 million viewers per episode; 350,000 less than its immediate predecessor. The polarising India Special would score the series' highest number of views per episode, as was the case for a number of series by this point, with 6.61 million people tuning in. Though by this point it had become increasingly clear that the show was no longer as successful or acclaimed as it had once been, Series 19 would follow almost a year later, reaching the airwaves in January 2013.

Episodes[]

Episode Film(s) Track Test SIARPC
India Special (140) (India Special) The presenters head to India for a trade mission to improve relations with Britain and India. None None
1 (141) The presenters head to Italy for a supercar road trip in an attempt to find a better supercar than a Ferrari 458. None Will.i.am
2 (142) Richard travels to Texas for a look at the uniquely American motorsport of NASCAR, while James and Jeremy are in China to have a look at one of the world's fastest growing car industries. Mercedes SLS Roadster (Jeremy) Matt LeBlanc
3 (143) Jeremy and Richard attempt to film a car chase sequence for 'The Sweeney', an upcoming British film. Vauxhall Corsa VXR Nurburgring, Fiat Panda (James) Ryan Reynolds
4 (144) James travels to Florida to test the Fisker Karma Jeremy heads on the edge of the Arctic circle to test the new Ferrari FF against a Bentley Continental GT. Later all three presenters attempt to recreate mobility scooters testing their creations in Wales. None Michael Fassbender
5 (145) James and Jeremy wave goodbye to Saab by taking a look back at some of the highs and lows off the company while Richard races a jet pack man in a rally car. Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale vs Mercedes C63 Black (Jeremy) Matt Smith
6 (146) The presenters hit Donington in three track-day cars to see which is the best before seeing if they are any good as every day cars. Brutus vs Aero Engine Bentley (Jeremy) Alex James
7 (147) The presenters see if you can go motor racing for less than the cost of playing golf. James drives one of the most expensive Ferrari's ever made, the 250 GT Spyder California SWB, owned by Chris Evans. BMW M5 (Richard) Kimi Räikkönen (Liana), Slash (Cee'd)

Controversy[]

The India Special earned a lot of controversy when it originally aired. The high commission of India in London complained about the toilet humour used by Jeremy. The BBC received 188 complaints about the show criticising their lack of cultural sensitivity, stating: "People are very upset because you cannot run down a whole society, history, culture and sensitivities. India is a developing country, we have very many issues to address, all that is fine but it is not fine to broadcast this toilet humour." In response, Clarkson promised that the series would not be controversial at all at the start of the first episode.

Reception[]

On average the series earned a respectable 8.2/10 on IMDB.

Trailer[]

Top_Gear_Series_18_Trailer

Top Gear Series 18 Trailer

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