Top Gear Specials: The Most Iconic Cars Ever Featured
Few TV shows have shaped car culture quite like Top Gear. During the Clarkson, Hammond and May era in particular, the show’s famous “specials” took cars to the absolute limits – deserts, mountains, jungles and frozen wastelands included.
What made these episodes so memorable wasn’t just the locations, but the wildly unsuitable (and occasionally brilliant) cars chosen for the job. Some were expected to fail and somehow survived, while others shocked everyone by being remarkably dependable.
Here are some of the most iconic cars ever used in Top Gear specials – vehicles that earned their place in motoring history the hard way.
Isuzu TX “Sports Lorry” (Myanmar/Burma Trucks Special)
Rolls‑Royce Silver Shadow (India Special)
Jaguar XJ6 (India Special)
Fiat Barchetta (Middle East Special)
Mercedes-Benz 230E (Botswana Special)
James May often picks quirky cars — but this one quietly got the job done.
His Mercedes-Benz 230E proved durable and dependable throughout the Botswana journey, even if it didn’t grab as many headlines as Hammond’s Opel.
It was a reminder that old-school German engineering, when maintained properly, can be incredibly tough — even in conditions far removed from motorway cruising.
5. Subaru Impreza WRX STI (Africa Special)
Sometimes logic does prevail.
Richard Hammond’s Subaru Impreza WRX STI in the Africa Special was arguably the most sensible choice of the trio. Permanent four-wheel drive, strong reliability and excellent off-road capability made it perfectly suited to the terrain.
While not completely trouble-free, it handled rough roads and long distances far better than many would have expected, highlighting why the Impreza remains such an enthusiast favourite.
4. Lotus Esprit V8 (Patagonia Special)
On paper, this was a terrible idea.
James May’s choice of a Lotus Esprit V8 for the Patagonia Special raised plenty of eyebrows. A low-slung sports car with a history of reliability concerns didn’t seem ideal for remote South American roads.
Yet incredibly, it proved to be one of the most dependable cars on the entire journey, handling thousands of miles with far fewer problems than expected and quietly stealing the spotlight.
3. Toyota Hilux Arctic Truck (Polar Special)
If there was ever a vehicle built for punishment, it’s this one.
In the Polar Special, Top Gear helped make history by driving a modified Toyota Hilux to the Magnetic North Pole. The truck’s extreme modifications allowed it to conquer ice, snow and sub-zero temperatures where very few vehicles had ever travelled.
This episode helped reinforce the Hilux’s reputation for near-indestructibility — a reputation the model still carries today.
2. Range Rover Classic (Bolivia Special)
Old Range Rovers have a reputation — and not always a good one.
Jeremy Clarkson’s ageing Range Rover Classic was widely mocked at the start of the Bolivia Special, especially when compared to the Toyota Land Cruiser and Suzuki Jimny. However, as the journey progressed, the supposedly fragile British SUV proved surprisingly tough.
With only minor overheating issues (solved in true Top Gear fashion), it made it through harsh terrain and high altitude roads, cementing its status as an unlikely winner of the trip.
Opel Kadett (Botswana Special)
Possibly the most emotional bond ever formed between presenter and car.
Driven by Richard Hammond during the Botswana Special, the humble Opel Kadett – affectionately named Oliver – was never supposed to be the hero. Yet against all odds, it crossed vast salt flats, survived deep water, and outlasted far more “sensible” choices.
Despite a few dramatic moments (including getting stuck in a river), the Kadett’s resilience turned it into a fan favourite and one of the most beloved cars in Top Gear history.
Why Top Gear Specials Made These Cars Legends
What makes Top Gear specials so powerful is that they strip away marketing hype. These cars weren’t being tested on smooth proving grounds or racetracks — they were pushed through real-world punishment, breakdowns and improvisation.
Survive a Top Gear special, and a car earns a kind of credibility money can’t buy.
It’s also why many of these models continue to attract interest today — not just as used cars, but as genuine icons of motoring television.
Car Special Offers
These are our very best car leasing special offers currently available. Most of these cars are in stock and available for delivery to your front door within a few weeks! Get in touch with the team today to secure yours...
In Stock Car Leasing
Needing a car quick and can't wait for a factory order? Check out our in stock car lease deals available to both business and personal customers below and you can get behind the wheel of a brand ne...
No Deposit Car Leasing
No Deposit, no problem! Whether you’re looking for a personal or business car lease we have a huge selection of brand new cars available with no deposit. No need to pay a hefty upfront payment with...
Electric Car Leasing
Want to make a difference when you drive? Check out our electric car lease deals below and you can start saving your money and give back to the planet. Electric cars are the future and with leasing...
Electric Van Leasing
Want to make a difference when you drive? Check out our electric van lease deals below and you can start saving your money and give back to the planet. Electric vans are the future and with leasing...
Business Car Leasing Deals
Looking to lease something through your business? We've got some great business car leasing deals available on a whole range of vehicles. Check out our fantastic business car lease deals here!
Frequently Asked Questions When Leasing
All our lease deals are delivered free of charge to all Mainland UK addresses. Unless otherwise advised your new vehicle will be driven to your home address by a professional driver on a date and time convenient to yourself.
All our lease deals include road tax for the full duration of your lease. The lease company tax it directly with the DVLA, giving you one less thing to worry about.
At the end of the lease agreement you simply hand the car back to the finance company. They will contact you directly to arrange collecting it from your home address, free of charge. You can either lease another car or look elsewhere. As long as the vehicle is in good condition you won't have anything extra to pay. You can view the fair wear and tear guide here.
The minimum term we offer on our car leasing and van leasing offers are 18 months and the maximum is five years.
The initial rental is a payment you make at the start of your lease agreement. Your initial rental is calculated in multiples of your regular monthly payment and can be based on 1, 3, 6, 9 or 12. As it pays a proportion of your total lease cost it means the more you pay upfront, the lower your monthly payment will be.
