1 00:00:11,720 --> 00:00:16,359 Tonight, James asks a girl for a favour. No. 2 00:00:16,360 --> 00:00:18,919 Richard listens to a man. 3 00:00:18,920 --> 00:00:21,440 And I polish a bishop. 4 00:00:28,920 --> 00:00:30,999 Hello, good evening! 5 00:00:31,000 --> 00:00:34,719 Hello, thank you, everybody, thank you. Now. 6 00:00:34,720 --> 00:00:37,679 New cars come out so fast these days, 7 00:00:37,680 --> 00:00:40,759 sometimes it is difficult to keep up. 8 00:00:40,760 --> 00:00:44,279 Nissan, for example, said the other day that over the next six years, 9 00:00:44,280 --> 00:00:47,719 they will be bringing out a new model every six weeks. 10 00:00:47,720 --> 00:00:50,919 Happily, however, there are some car companies, 11 00:00:50,920 --> 00:00:53,839 usually Italian ones, that won't be rushed. 12 00:00:53,840 --> 00:00:57,279 That like to take their time, have some lunch. 13 00:00:57,280 --> 00:01:00,519 And nobody is better at this than Lamborghini, 14 00:01:00,520 --> 00:01:03,440 as Richard Hammond shall now explain. 15 00:01:12,240 --> 00:01:14,599 When it comes to their big V12 cars, 16 00:01:14,600 --> 00:01:16,879 their flagship battle cruisers, 17 00:01:16,880 --> 00:01:21,160 Lamborghini really, really like to take their time. 18 00:01:22,400 --> 00:01:25,399 Just these four - the Miura, 19 00:01:25,400 --> 00:01:28,400 the Countash, the Diablo... 20 00:01:29,840 --> 00:01:33,279 and the Murcielago, span half a century. 21 00:01:33,280 --> 00:01:36,520 And now, at last, there's a new one. 22 00:01:41,040 --> 00:01:42,920 It's called the Aventador. 23 00:01:44,040 --> 00:01:47,439 It costs £248,000. 24 00:01:47,440 --> 00:01:51,039 And it's the closest thing to a stealth fighter jet 25 00:01:51,040 --> 00:01:53,240 that you'll ever see on the road. 26 00:01:56,000 --> 00:02:00,480 It even has a starter button that's straight out of Top Gun. 27 00:02:11,560 --> 00:02:16,599 The current boss of Lamborghini said recently that in the old days, 28 00:02:16,600 --> 00:02:20,679 the order of priority for Lamborghini was top speed, acceleration, 29 00:02:20,680 --> 00:02:22,480 and handling, in that order. 30 00:02:24,320 --> 00:02:25,839 The thing is, for this car, 31 00:02:25,840 --> 00:02:28,159 he says that order is the other way round. 32 00:02:28,160 --> 00:02:32,079 Handling comes first, with top speed being given a lower priority. 33 00:02:32,080 --> 00:02:35,920 So, let's find out just how low a priority that is, shall we? 34 00:02:43,000 --> 00:02:46,000 Whooooa! Waaaah-hah! 35 00:02:47,840 --> 00:02:49,519 0 to 60, 2.9 seconds. 36 00:02:49,520 --> 00:02:52,640 So they still care about acceleration, then! 37 00:02:53,960 --> 00:02:55,839 220 kilometres an hour, 38 00:02:55,840 --> 00:02:58,120 250! 39 00:02:59,400 --> 00:03:00,560 260! 40 00:03:03,640 --> 00:03:06,400 270. 280 kilometres. 41 00:03:07,880 --> 00:03:09,359 Oh! 42 00:03:09,360 --> 00:03:11,279 290 kilometres an hour. 43 00:03:11,280 --> 00:03:13,960 Oh my God! 44 00:03:16,440 --> 00:03:18,600 Oh, OK, and relax. 45 00:03:19,920 --> 00:03:24,000 If that's them giving top speed a low priority, bring it on! 46 00:03:24,880 --> 00:03:29,999 Flat out, the Aventador will do 217 mph... 47 00:03:30,000 --> 00:03:33,400 which makes it faster than the old Murcielago. 48 00:03:36,400 --> 00:03:37,799 How Italian is that? 49 00:03:37,800 --> 00:03:42,320 No top speed, OK, 270, no more, no more than that! 50 00:03:44,760 --> 00:03:51,320 This pulverising performance comes courtesy of the Aventador's massive 6.5 litre engine... 51 00:03:52,520 --> 00:03:56,919 their first all-new V12 for almost 50 years. 52 00:03:56,920 --> 00:04:00,560 But what's surprising is that they bothered to make one at all. 53 00:04:02,400 --> 00:04:07,119 You see, these days, a lot of carmakers are shying away from bigger engines. 54 00:04:07,120 --> 00:04:10,479 BMW's new M5, for example, will have a V8 instead of a V10. 55 00:04:10,480 --> 00:04:14,119 AMG are ditching V12s in favour of V8s. 56 00:04:14,120 --> 00:04:16,399 It's called moving with the times. 57 00:04:16,400 --> 00:04:20,159 But that's not so easy with a big Lamborghini. 58 00:04:20,160 --> 00:04:24,559 A V12 is kind of its signature dish, it defines the car. 59 00:04:24,560 --> 00:04:28,599 And the engineers insisted that whatever happened with the Aventador, 60 00:04:28,600 --> 00:04:30,719 it had to have a V12. 61 00:04:30,720 --> 00:04:35,920 And, of course, the by-product of a V12 is lots of horsepowers. 62 00:04:38,120 --> 00:04:43,400 This has got 691 of them, which in Top Gear maths is 700. 63 00:04:47,120 --> 00:04:49,599 That power is fed to all four wheels 64 00:04:49,600 --> 00:04:53,319 through a unique design of flappy paddle gearbox. 65 00:04:53,320 --> 00:04:56,719 It can change in less than 50 milliseconds, which... 66 00:04:56,720 --> 00:04:59,240 I can't demonstrate that even if I blink an eye. 67 00:05:00,560 --> 00:05:03,239 There are other high-tech features too. 68 00:05:03,240 --> 00:05:06,599 We're in strada mode right now, which is for the road. 69 00:05:06,600 --> 00:05:09,080 Let's put it in corsa, track mode. 70 00:05:11,200 --> 00:05:13,120 Whoa, hang on! 71 00:05:14,160 --> 00:05:16,840 All right, fella, all right! 72 00:05:18,520 --> 00:05:23,280 That's absolutely brutal! It kicks you in the back of the head. 73 00:05:24,560 --> 00:05:26,559 And now we're in corsa mode, 74 00:05:26,560 --> 00:05:30,559 let's find out how they've got on with their new number-one priority... 75 00:05:30,560 --> 00:05:31,800 handling. 76 00:05:33,960 --> 00:05:38,519 Traditionally, always the scariest part of testing a big Lambo. 77 00:05:38,520 --> 00:05:40,680 OK, here we go, I'm nervous. 78 00:05:45,480 --> 00:05:46,560 I'm OK. 79 00:05:47,800 --> 00:05:49,160 Still on the track. 80 00:05:59,360 --> 00:06:03,079 I'm in a V12 Lambo, I just threw it at a corner at insane speed, 81 00:06:03,080 --> 00:06:04,800 and it went round. 82 00:06:07,200 --> 00:06:12,479 So why am I not buried in row 85 of that 747? 83 00:06:12,480 --> 00:06:17,359 This is partly because the grip is just unbelievable. 84 00:06:17,360 --> 00:06:20,479 Also it's got push-rod suspension which is very clever, 85 00:06:20,480 --> 00:06:24,280 and unheard of in an road car - that's F1 stuff. 86 00:06:26,360 --> 00:06:30,239 So even when it's coming under some pressure, like that, 87 00:06:30,240 --> 00:06:32,599 the steering is just... 88 00:06:32,600 --> 00:06:34,240 It's just... I'm turning a dial. 89 00:06:38,760 --> 00:06:42,239 So, whilst the Aventador looks as Miami Vice mental 90 00:06:42,240 --> 00:06:47,400 as everything else in its family tree, it's now a serious player. 91 00:06:48,720 --> 00:06:53,399 The noise it makes is spirited rather than deafening. 92 00:06:53,400 --> 00:06:56,679 The chassis is made from carbon fibre, not pig iron. 93 00:06:56,680 --> 00:06:59,199 The air-conditioning works. 94 00:06:59,200 --> 00:07:03,840 It's a proper car, rather than a machine that wants, most of all, to kill you. 95 00:07:05,640 --> 00:07:08,560 And that makes me a bit sad. 96 00:07:10,360 --> 00:07:13,759 Basically, what's missing is that Lambo fear factor, 97 00:07:13,760 --> 00:07:17,439 that knot in the stomach test pilots must have felt in the '50s 98 00:07:17,440 --> 00:07:21,320 when they headed for the sound barrier in unproven jet aircraft. 99 00:07:22,600 --> 00:07:26,360 Of course, you might think that's a good thing. 100 00:07:27,360 --> 00:07:29,840 To be honest, I'm not so sure. 101 00:07:31,040 --> 00:07:35,840 If a big Lamborghini is all about pantomime, drama, theatre, which it is... 102 00:07:37,200 --> 00:07:39,359 then I want people watching 103 00:07:39,360 --> 00:07:42,399 not just to go, "Wow, that's a stunning-looking thing." 104 00:07:42,400 --> 00:07:47,159 I want them to look at me inside and think, "Whoa, there goes Chuck Yeager Hammond. 105 00:07:47,160 --> 00:07:51,239 "He's brave." But in this, I'm not being brave. 106 00:07:51,240 --> 00:07:55,319 It's as easy to drive as a big Audi, that's the truth of it. 107 00:07:55,320 --> 00:07:59,519 I finally understand what they mean by that, is it Helsinki syndrome? 108 00:07:59,520 --> 00:08:01,479 When people who've been kidnapped, 109 00:08:01,480 --> 00:08:04,600 when they're released, miss their kidnappers. 110 00:08:06,280 --> 00:08:10,039 I don't know that I want to be in a big, loud V12 Lambo 111 00:08:10,040 --> 00:08:13,919 that doesn't every now and again try and kill me. 112 00:08:13,920 --> 00:08:15,800 I miss that. 113 00:08:25,520 --> 00:08:28,199 Very good. It's beautiful but it's just not... 114 00:08:28,200 --> 00:08:30,359 I think he made a mistake. 115 00:08:30,360 --> 00:08:33,119 Hammond... Whoa, hang on, hang on. 116 00:08:33,120 --> 00:08:37,679 Hammond, did you say, did you say Helsinki syndrome? Yes, I did. 117 00:08:37,680 --> 00:08:39,280 You mean Stockholm syndrome. 118 00:08:40,920 --> 00:08:45,399 Yes I do. Yes. What is Helsinki syndrome? 119 00:08:45,400 --> 00:08:48,719 I think it's when you're an idiot and get your syndromes mixed up. 120 00:08:48,720 --> 00:08:50,000 Yeah, I've got it. 121 00:08:50,001 --> 00:08:55,199 Anyway, the Lamborghini. What you're saying is, it would be better if it were a bit worse. 122 00:08:55,200 --> 00:08:58,279 No, it's like that McLaren MP4-12C you drove the other week. 123 00:08:58,280 --> 00:09:00,119 It is brilliant, undeniably. 124 00:09:00,120 --> 00:09:04,199 But somehow it's just not exciting enough. He's right, actually. 125 00:09:04,200 --> 00:09:06,679 I've driven this as well and it isn't boring 126 00:09:06,680 --> 00:09:10,559 but it somehow lacks that sort of Lamborghini theatre. 127 00:09:10,560 --> 00:09:13,519 It's too refined and it's sort of too clever. 128 00:09:13,520 --> 00:09:16,399 It's as though Lamborghini are trying to be Ferrari 129 00:09:16,400 --> 00:09:18,919 instead of making cars specifically for... 130 00:09:18,920 --> 00:09:20,639 Lunatics. Rod Stewart. Fish. 131 00:09:20,640 --> 00:09:23,959 Tadpoles. What? No, people who like a laugh. 132 00:09:23,960 --> 00:09:28,079 A Lamborghini should be an instrument of terror and this just isn't. 133 00:09:28,080 --> 00:09:30,999 Well, now, let's examine the scale of their failure 134 00:09:31,000 --> 00:09:33,519 by seeing how fast it goes round our track. 135 00:09:33,520 --> 00:09:36,319 That means handing it over to our tame racing driver. 136 00:09:36,320 --> 00:09:39,079 Some say that his favourite T-shirt 137 00:09:39,080 --> 00:09:43,319 has a picture on the front of a T-shirt. 138 00:09:43,320 --> 00:09:47,559 And that he spent all week waiting for a big cheque from the Germans, 139 00:09:47,560 --> 00:09:50,719 because he too has spent the last 2,000 years 140 00:09:50,720 --> 00:09:54,720 sitting on his backside doing absolutely nothing at all. 141 00:09:55,920 --> 00:09:58,560 All we know is, he's called The Stig. 142 00:09:59,560 --> 00:10:03,799 And he's off! Ooh, I love that pop as it shifts up. 143 00:10:03,800 --> 00:10:05,959 Single rather than double clutch system. 144 00:10:05,960 --> 00:10:10,839 Changes are still lightning-fast as he spears into the first corner. 145 00:10:10,840 --> 00:10:14,679 Wobble under braking, shows how much speed he's already carrying. 146 00:10:14,680 --> 00:10:17,079 He's got it all together for the exit. 147 00:10:20,160 --> 00:10:24,039 Stig listening to Petula Clark in French, very unusual. 148 00:10:24,040 --> 00:10:28,039 Clean through Chicago. Coming up now to Hammerhead. 149 00:10:28,040 --> 00:10:31,719 Despite carbon fibre construction, this is still a big, heavy car. 150 00:10:31,720 --> 00:10:34,319 Will it get out of shape? Not a bit of it. 151 00:10:34,320 --> 00:10:38,399 None of the traditional Lambo flamboyance there. 152 00:10:45,440 --> 00:10:49,439 Now, follow-through, the spoiler fully extends at 80 miles an hour. 153 00:10:49,440 --> 00:10:51,559 He's doing a lot more than that now. 154 00:10:51,560 --> 00:10:55,679 Fast through the tyres, just two corners left. 155 00:10:55,680 --> 00:10:58,719 Here he comes now. Hard on the ceramic brakes, 156 00:10:58,720 --> 00:11:02,399 an old V12 Lambo would have bitten him in the face by now. 157 00:11:02,400 --> 00:11:04,480 Through Gambon and across the line. 158 00:11:06,480 --> 00:11:08,280 Now... 159 00:11:09,800 --> 00:11:11,400 Now, if we look here... 160 00:11:12,800 --> 00:11:15,399 this is the old Lamborghini, the Murcielago, 161 00:11:15,400 --> 00:11:19,560 the LP670 did it in 1:19. Here's the Aventador. 162 00:11:22,360 --> 00:11:25,079 Ooooooh... 163 00:11:25,080 --> 00:11:28,639 1:16.5. 164 00:11:32,840 --> 00:11:36,359 That's interesting, isn't it? 165 00:11:36,360 --> 00:11:42,119 So... So it looks absolutely fantastic. 166 00:11:42,120 --> 00:11:46,759 And it's faster round our track than a Bugatti Veyron Super Sport. 167 00:11:46,760 --> 00:11:50,400 And I think it's clear now why Hammond and May hate it so much. 168 00:11:52,800 --> 00:11:55,999 He's no idea. He knows what we're on about, he does know. 169 00:11:56,000 --> 00:11:59,359 Right, it's time for us to do the news and we begin with this. 170 00:11:59,360 --> 00:12:01,199 Attention morons everywhere. 171 00:12:01,200 --> 00:12:05,639 Mercedes have a new hardcore AMG version of one of their cars. 172 00:12:05,640 --> 00:12:09,359 It's from their especially ridiculous range of black editions. 173 00:12:09,360 --> 00:12:13,399 Oh, now, I'm sorry, this is a car for connoisseurs. 174 00:12:13,400 --> 00:12:18,519 It's a car for idiots. It's for people who know the difference between Sweden and Finland. 175 00:12:18,520 --> 00:12:20,239 Yes, all right, sorry. 176 00:12:20,240 --> 00:12:23,559 This is the new black edition of the C-class. 177 00:12:23,560 --> 00:12:27,999 It will cost you £110,000. It's got the old 6.2 litre V8, 178 00:12:28,000 --> 00:12:33,119 tuned version of that, rather than the twin turbo AMG engines of today. 179 00:12:33,120 --> 00:12:37,199 You also get the seven-speed flappy paddle gearbox from an SLS. 180 00:12:37,200 --> 00:12:41,879 But I think it looks fantastic. Ridiculous. It's fantastic! 181 00:12:41,880 --> 00:12:43,559 I think it looks infantile. 182 00:12:43,560 --> 00:12:45,239 It does. 183 00:12:45,240 --> 00:12:49,599 James, you are so old, you think Werther's Originals are infantile. 184 00:12:49,600 --> 00:12:54,239 Can I just clarify this a little bit? He has got the old CLK black. 185 00:12:54,240 --> 00:12:57,799 Yes, I do. And I went in it the other day. 186 00:12:57,800 --> 00:13:00,519 And you loved it. I hated it! 187 00:13:00,520 --> 00:13:04,279 It's ridiculous! The ride is stupid. 188 00:13:04,280 --> 00:13:08,039 It's like being in a touring car. What's wrong with that? 189 00:13:08,040 --> 00:13:11,799 Nothing at all, if you're, I don't know, let's say, in a touring car race. 190 00:13:11,800 --> 00:13:16,359 If you want to use it, let's imagine, on a road, 191 00:13:16,360 --> 00:13:17,800 in, let's say, the world, 192 00:13:17,801 --> 00:13:22,559 it's absolutely stupid. It's a terrible car. You may mock... 193 00:13:22,560 --> 00:13:24,719 Thank you, it's ridiculous. 194 00:13:24,720 --> 00:13:29,719 The fact is, the fact is, that the CLK black is holding its value 195 00:13:29,720 --> 00:13:32,759 a lot better than, I don't know, 911s that you two have. 196 00:13:32,760 --> 00:13:36,079 Because they only sold 100 of them. Yes, they did. 197 00:13:36,080 --> 00:13:39,079 They'd have sold more but most of the people who bought them 198 00:13:39,080 --> 00:13:42,039 were wearing those jackets that do up at the back. 199 00:13:42,040 --> 00:13:45,399 They were only out for the day. "I want one of those!" 200 00:13:45,400 --> 00:13:49,199 Like that. They'd eaten the pens you use to fill the options form in. 201 00:13:49,200 --> 00:13:53,959 It's a stupid car. It is a stupid car. It's ridiculous. 202 00:13:53,960 --> 00:13:57,239 Oh, don't feel sorry for him! Look at the wheel arches on it! 203 00:13:57,240 --> 00:13:58,959 Aaaah! 204 00:13:58,960 --> 00:14:03,399 Let's move on. Yes, let's move on. Now... 205 00:14:03,400 --> 00:14:05,479 we have been sent, by a viewer, 206 00:14:05,480 --> 00:14:08,359 a copy of a motorcycling magazine from 1976. 207 00:14:08,360 --> 00:14:11,239 We have a picture of it here, the front cover. 208 00:14:11,240 --> 00:14:13,479 Sort of thing you love, isn't it, James? 209 00:14:13,480 --> 00:14:16,359 Mmm. Lovely. What distressed us greatly was, 210 00:14:16,360 --> 00:14:20,719 there was an advertisement on the back page, for some leathers. 211 00:14:20,720 --> 00:14:24,519 And it was the model that was being used that has terrified us. 212 00:14:24,520 --> 00:14:26,239 Here it is. 213 00:14:33,840 --> 00:14:37,640 Now... don't say that isn't you, look! 214 00:14:39,800 --> 00:14:43,359 1976! Is that 1976? 1976. 215 00:14:43,360 --> 00:14:47,319 There is no point denying that it's you. He's wearing brown shoes. 216 00:14:47,320 --> 00:14:49,959 It's got to be you. It is you. 217 00:14:49,960 --> 00:14:53,839 You looked exactly the same in 1976 as... When were you born?! 218 00:14:53,840 --> 00:14:58,359 I was only 12! You weren't, though, were you? 219 00:14:58,360 --> 00:15:02,439 You know, I have speculated many, many, many times over the years 220 00:15:02,440 --> 00:15:06,119 on what sort of a man appears as a model in leather. 221 00:15:06,120 --> 00:15:11,679 Yeah. You've let the motorcycling side down there, badly. 222 00:15:11,680 --> 00:15:14,359 Lewis Hamilton has been in the news this week 223 00:15:14,360 --> 00:15:17,319 saying that the national anthem is too short. 224 00:15:17,320 --> 00:15:19,839 He can't milk it on the podium, it's over in 44 seconds. 225 00:15:19,840 --> 00:15:22,639 He says it's not fair, because when Massa wins, 226 00:15:22,640 --> 00:15:27,479 who's Brazilian, that national anthem goes on for 16 hours. 227 00:15:27,480 --> 00:15:28,879 So I've had an idea. 228 00:15:28,880 --> 00:15:30,879 Why don't we change our national anthem 229 00:15:30,880 --> 00:15:32,599 to Wish You Were Here, Pink Floyd. 230 00:15:32,600 --> 00:15:35,759 27 minutes... Of hell. It isn't hell. 231 00:15:35,760 --> 00:15:38,479 The problem isn't that ours is too short, 232 00:15:38,480 --> 00:15:40,759 it's that everybody else's is too long. 233 00:15:40,760 --> 00:15:44,599 The Greek one is. 158 verses. What?! 234 00:15:44,600 --> 00:15:47,879 I promise you. The Greek national anthem... 235 00:15:47,880 --> 00:15:51,839 How many times can you say, "We're completely screwed"? 236 00:15:51,840 --> 00:15:54,919 So you're saying ours is too... They're all too long. 237 00:15:54,920 --> 00:15:59,439 I think we could set an example to the world, actually, with the Olympics coming up in 2012 238 00:15:59,440 --> 00:16:01,400 by making national anthems shorter. 239 00:16:01,401 --> 00:16:04,199 We could get ours pared right down. 240 00:16:04,200 --> 00:16:07,279 What, "we hope she's victorious and lives a long time." No. 241 00:16:07,280 --> 00:16:10,079 That's too long. Not very long. 242 00:16:10,080 --> 00:16:12,439 I'm thinking more along the lines of... 243 00:16:12,440 --> 00:16:14,759 There you go. 244 00:16:14,760 --> 00:16:16,959 So he gets up on the podium and... 245 00:16:16,960 --> 00:16:21,359 Exactly. You'd have to have the roll on the drums so that people got ready. 246 00:16:24,880 --> 00:16:28,320 That's quick, I like it. That is actually a brilliant idea. 247 00:16:29,600 --> 00:16:32,119 Last year, my CLK Mercedes... 248 00:16:32,120 --> 00:16:38,119 Stupid, stupid car. With stupid wheel arches. 249 00:16:38,120 --> 00:16:40,799 You may think it's stupid, but it's very determined. 250 00:16:40,800 --> 00:16:42,999 My CLK, it said one day when I got in it, 251 00:16:43,000 --> 00:16:44,879 "24 days until the next service." 252 00:16:44,880 --> 00:16:47,559 I mentioned this on the programme a year ago. 253 00:16:47,560 --> 00:16:50,519 I thought, I wonder what will happen if I take it to 25 days. 254 00:16:50,520 --> 00:16:55,880 Its German brain won't be able to compute the fact that somebody has disobeyed a direct order. 255 00:16:57,280 --> 00:17:01,919 Thing was, on the 24th day, Mercedes turned up while I was out 256 00:17:01,920 --> 00:17:06,959 and took it away for a service, which really annoyed me. Good news. 257 00:17:06,960 --> 00:17:10,639 Yesterday, it suddenly said, "Nine days until service due." 258 00:17:10,640 --> 00:17:13,839 What I've done this time is I've parked it 259 00:17:13,840 --> 00:17:15,599 in a London underground garage 260 00:17:15,600 --> 00:17:18,039 and I'm not going to tell anybody which one. 261 00:17:18,040 --> 00:17:22,439 I want to see what happens when it goes to minus one. 262 00:17:22,440 --> 00:17:25,559 No! That's dangerous. It could panic, 263 00:17:25,560 --> 00:17:27,999 like a horse in a stable, and just go mad. 264 00:17:28,000 --> 00:17:32,119 Or it's probably already been building a glider so it can escape. 265 00:17:32,120 --> 00:17:35,639 That's why I've put it in an underground car park 266 00:17:35,640 --> 00:17:38,639 and not a multi-storey, so it can't fly away. 267 00:17:38,640 --> 00:17:42,559 It's probably been specially trained to take a cyanide pill. 268 00:17:42,560 --> 00:17:45,119 It's hidden it in one of its massive wheel arches. 269 00:17:45,120 --> 00:17:47,399 "I must end it now!" 270 00:17:47,400 --> 00:17:49,840 So when I go back to it, you think it'll be dead? 271 00:17:49,841 --> 00:17:51,400 Completely. 272 00:17:52,920 --> 00:17:56,359 Last week, we had the Lotus T125 down here. 273 00:17:56,360 --> 00:17:58,639 It's kind of a Formula 1 car that you can buy 274 00:17:58,640 --> 00:18:01,679 if you have £650,000 lying around. 275 00:18:01,680 --> 00:18:05,079 We wondered how fast it would go around our track, 276 00:18:05,080 --> 00:18:09,039 whether it would be faster than an actual Formula One car. 277 00:18:09,040 --> 00:18:12,119 Sadly on the day we were going to try for a lap, it was raining. 278 00:18:12,120 --> 00:18:15,599 So we said we'd bring it back when it wasn't. We have. 279 00:18:15,600 --> 00:18:17,919 And it isn't. Did that make sense? 280 00:18:17,920 --> 00:18:19,200 I know what you mean. 281 00:18:19,201 --> 00:18:22,320 Anyway, let's find out how it got on. 282 00:18:24,000 --> 00:18:26,760 Away he goes. Lighting up the back tyres a treat. 283 00:18:28,080 --> 00:18:31,359 Not quite the sound of an F1 car. Not as high-pitched. 284 00:18:31,360 --> 00:18:33,199 That is the sound of torque. 285 00:18:33,200 --> 00:18:35,359 The first corner. 286 00:18:35,360 --> 00:18:40,119 The Stig sawing away at the wheel. It is an animal, this thing. 287 00:18:40,120 --> 00:18:42,120 Down the gears, into Chicago. 288 00:18:44,400 --> 00:18:46,359 Wrestling it through there. 289 00:18:46,360 --> 00:18:49,559 Stig actually demanded a softer chassis set-up 290 00:18:49,560 --> 00:18:51,519 and a softer tyres for today. 291 00:18:51,520 --> 00:18:54,239 Will it have enough heat in those tyres 292 00:18:54,240 --> 00:18:56,559 to cling on through Hammerhead? 293 00:18:56,560 --> 00:18:59,199 Yes, he does. Bit of a wiggle there. 294 00:18:59,200 --> 00:19:02,679 Now he can really open it up. Through the follow-through. 295 00:19:02,680 --> 00:19:06,959 Stationary, this car weighs 640 kilos. 296 00:19:06,960 --> 00:19:10,119 Flat out, thanks to the air pressing down on those wings, 297 00:19:10,120 --> 00:19:14,479 it weighs two-and-a-quarter tonnes. Coming up to the penultimate corner, 298 00:19:14,480 --> 00:19:16,799 hard on the brakes. 299 00:19:16,800 --> 00:19:19,319 Crackle on the over-run up to Gambon, 300 00:19:19,320 --> 00:19:21,879 Stig still working hard. And across the line. 301 00:19:24,440 --> 00:19:25,919 Now... 302 00:19:25,920 --> 00:19:30,159 the actual Formula 1 car we had down here a few years ago, 303 00:19:30,160 --> 00:19:33,719 that did it in 59 seconds. 304 00:19:33,720 --> 00:19:39,079 The T125 did it in 1 minute 3.8. 305 00:19:39,080 --> 00:19:43,519 So it's about four seconds a lap slower than the Renault F1 car, 306 00:19:43,520 --> 00:19:47,079 which means it's the same pace as a current Lotus F1 car. 307 00:19:49,800 --> 00:19:53,799 The fact is that the electric car is very much with us. 308 00:19:53,800 --> 00:19:58,839 You can actually go into a dealership and simply buy one but the big question is, should you? 309 00:19:58,840 --> 00:20:02,119 What are the pitfalls? What are the advantages? 310 00:20:02,120 --> 00:20:05,479 To find out, James and I decided to do a sensible test. 311 00:20:05,480 --> 00:20:09,479 No clocking about, no catching fire, no Richard Hammond. 312 00:20:09,480 --> 00:20:14,279 We would simply get two of the cars that you can actually buy these days 313 00:20:14,280 --> 00:20:18,280 and take them on a perfectly ordinary run to the seaside. 314 00:20:21,040 --> 00:20:23,439 This is the Nissan Leaf 315 00:20:23,440 --> 00:20:26,879 and there are no visual clues that it's powered by electricity. 316 00:20:26,880 --> 00:20:29,559 It looks like every other five-door hatchback. 317 00:20:29,560 --> 00:20:33,839 It also drives like every other five-door hatchback, 318 00:20:33,840 --> 00:20:38,039 except the engine doesn't shout or bellow or roar. 319 00:20:38,040 --> 00:20:42,559 It just sort of... hums, like a monk. 320 00:20:42,560 --> 00:20:44,200 Hmmmmmmm. 321 00:20:47,320 --> 00:20:50,359 Peugeot has gone down a different styling route. 322 00:20:50,360 --> 00:20:54,879 Their new electric car, the Ion, is designed to look futuristic 323 00:20:54,880 --> 00:20:57,759 and different and unusual. 324 00:20:57,760 --> 00:21:02,759 But, just like the Nissan, it is like a car. 325 00:21:02,760 --> 00:21:05,759 Here I am driving along the A46 towards Cleethorpes 326 00:21:05,760 --> 00:21:09,960 and the situation is completely normal. 327 00:21:11,160 --> 00:21:16,559 Clarkson, May. Yeah, what? Is your Nissan like a car? 328 00:21:16,560 --> 00:21:18,679 Yes, nothing to see here. 329 00:21:18,680 --> 00:21:22,719 And as I said before, nothing to hear. 330 00:21:22,720 --> 00:21:24,879 This car is so quiet, 331 00:21:24,880 --> 00:21:28,039 they had to design a special windscreen wiper motor for it 332 00:21:28,040 --> 00:21:31,879 because the one they fit in all other Nissan's was too loud. 333 00:21:31,880 --> 00:21:34,919 They had a similar problem with the door mirrors 334 00:21:34,920 --> 00:21:40,159 cos as you were driving all you could hear was the air rushing over them, not a nice sound. 335 00:21:40,160 --> 00:21:42,319 So they've sculpted the head lamps 336 00:21:42,320 --> 00:21:44,640 to deflect air away from the mirrors. 337 00:21:45,800 --> 00:21:47,959 So, what about performance? 338 00:21:47,960 --> 00:21:52,159 The top speed is only 81 miles an hour. 339 00:21:52,160 --> 00:21:54,959 And 0-60 takes something like 16 seconds. 340 00:21:54,960 --> 00:21:57,599 It doesn't feel like you're a liability on the roads. 341 00:21:57,600 --> 00:22:01,479 It doesn't feel like I'm holding people up or anything like that. 342 00:22:01,480 --> 00:22:05,079 The Nissan has a much bigger electric motor. 343 00:22:05,080 --> 00:22:08,599 It develops the equivalent of 108 brake horsepower. 344 00:22:08,600 --> 00:22:10,719 That means a top speed of 90 miles an hour 345 00:22:10,720 --> 00:22:13,199 and sufficient acceleration to consider, 346 00:22:13,200 --> 00:22:16,559 at least, overtaking someone. 347 00:22:16,560 --> 00:22:19,279 James for example. Here we go. 348 00:22:19,280 --> 00:22:22,639 One problem I have with electric cars is they're not very heroic. 349 00:22:22,640 --> 00:22:24,999 "Quick, James, I have the antidote. 350 00:22:25,000 --> 00:22:27,239 "We need to be at the hospital in 20 minutes. 351 00:22:27,240 --> 00:22:28,839 "Only you can save me." 352 00:22:28,840 --> 00:22:30,439 Hmmmmm... 353 00:22:33,480 --> 00:22:35,199 You may regret that. 354 00:22:35,200 --> 00:22:39,639 68, 69 miles an hour. 70. 355 00:22:39,640 --> 00:22:42,799 - Or let me put it this way. - 70. 356 00:22:42,800 --> 00:22:48,079 Soon we pulled over to examine our cars more closely. 357 00:22:48,080 --> 00:22:50,479 I want to see what it is that's making no noise, 358 00:22:50,480 --> 00:22:52,479 that's humming like a Trappist monk. 359 00:22:52,480 --> 00:22:56,599 Oh, that's an electric, is that an electric... 360 00:22:56,600 --> 00:22:59,759 that's an electric motor, is it? It must be. 361 00:22:59,760 --> 00:23:02,999 And one moving part. Effectively, yes. And no gearbox. 362 00:23:03,000 --> 00:23:07,680 And there's no fuel tank so you get a big boot. That's not bad. 363 00:23:09,480 --> 00:23:13,159 What's that for? Solar panel. Is it? Yes. 364 00:23:13,160 --> 00:23:15,679 It's a £260 option which means you could use 365 00:23:15,680 --> 00:23:17,799 the air-conditioning while parked, 366 00:23:17,800 --> 00:23:21,919 so you don't drain the main batteries. Very clever. I like that. 367 00:23:21,920 --> 00:23:25,319 'The Peugeot, though, is even cleverer.' 368 00:23:25,320 --> 00:23:29,159 Where's the engine? Ah, it's in the back. Is it? 369 00:23:29,160 --> 00:23:34,639 It's rear-engined, rear-wheel drive. It's a 911. It is a 911. 370 00:23:34,640 --> 00:23:37,839 This is what the 911 will look like in another 10 - 15 years' time. 371 00:23:37,840 --> 00:23:39,320 So the engine's in there. 372 00:23:39,321 --> 00:23:41,959 It's under there, the batteries are under there. 373 00:23:41,960 --> 00:23:45,079 That's not a very big boot. You wouldn't get a dog in there. 374 00:23:45,080 --> 00:23:48,759 Discussing luggage space is like I'm back on old Top Gear. 375 00:23:48,760 --> 00:23:50,639 Can I get a beard? 376 00:23:50,640 --> 00:23:53,279 So far then, all seems well with these cars. 377 00:23:53,280 --> 00:23:56,439 But they're not what you'd call cheap. 378 00:23:56,440 --> 00:24:00,599 The Nissan is £30,990. 379 00:24:00,600 --> 00:24:04,079 Nearly twice what you'd pay for a normal car of this size. 380 00:24:04,080 --> 00:24:07,119 The Peugeot is even more expensive, 381 00:24:07,120 --> 00:24:11,600 £33,155. 382 00:24:13,880 --> 00:24:17,839 Yes, with both you get £5,000 back from the Government 383 00:24:17,840 --> 00:24:20,959 but even with that, they're not good value. 384 00:24:20,960 --> 00:24:23,399 Mine isn't even very well equipped. 385 00:24:23,400 --> 00:24:25,439 Have you got Sat Nav in your car, James? 386 00:24:25,440 --> 00:24:29,319 No, I haven't. Have you? Yes. Cruise control? 387 00:24:29,320 --> 00:24:33,759 No. So that's £3,000 more expensive than this 388 00:24:33,760 --> 00:24:37,239 and isn't as well-equipped or as big? 389 00:24:37,240 --> 00:24:39,119 And what's more, 390 00:24:39,120 --> 00:24:43,520 the Leaf can even deliver your own personal Greenpeace lecture. 391 00:24:44,880 --> 00:24:46,119 It's talking! 392 00:24:46,120 --> 00:24:50,279 'By the 12th of May, electric cars worldwide 393 00:24:50,280 --> 00:24:52,639 'saved a total of 344,000 eco-trees.' 394 00:24:52,640 --> 00:24:57,159 What!? 'And 659 tonnes of carbon-dioxide has been reduced.' 395 00:24:57,160 --> 00:25:01,759 What does that mean? What's an eco-tree? What are you saying? 396 00:25:01,760 --> 00:25:06,199 Still, there is an upside to the nagging and the cost. 397 00:25:06,200 --> 00:25:10,599 These days eco-ism is seen as cool. 398 00:25:10,600 --> 00:25:14,719 People like James May and me, petrol heads, we're dinosaurs. 399 00:25:14,720 --> 00:25:17,759 If you have one of these cars with zero emission 400 00:25:17,760 --> 00:25:20,759 and full electric plastered down the side, 401 00:25:20,760 --> 00:25:23,119 you are more likely to get a girlfriend. 402 00:25:23,120 --> 00:25:25,679 You just have to hope she doesn't live 403 00:25:25,680 --> 00:25:27,879 at the other end of the country. 404 00:25:27,880 --> 00:25:31,879 James, can I just ask, what range do you have left? 405 00:25:31,880 --> 00:25:35,319 I have 19 miles. 406 00:25:35,320 --> 00:25:39,519 I was down to 14 miles. So, as is the way with all cars, 407 00:25:39,520 --> 00:25:43,439 we decided to buy some go juice in the next town, 408 00:25:43,440 --> 00:25:45,439 which turned out to be Lincoln. 409 00:25:45,440 --> 00:25:50,479 And then I realised we might be there for quite a while. 410 00:25:50,480 --> 00:25:54,999 James, I have another read-out on my dashboard. 411 00:25:55,000 --> 00:25:57,199 Guess how long it will take 412 00:25:57,200 --> 00:26:00,559 to charge this up to 100% fully charged? 413 00:26:00,560 --> 00:26:03,519 Well, a few hours I suppose. Is it? 414 00:26:03,520 --> 00:26:07,239 '11 hours.' What?! 415 00:26:07,240 --> 00:26:09,479 By the time we reached the city centre, 416 00:26:09,480 --> 00:26:12,479 my range was down to seven miles. 417 00:26:12,480 --> 00:26:17,599 So I looked on the Sat Nav for the nearest official charging point. 418 00:26:17,600 --> 00:26:23,359 The nearest charging space it gives me is 45 miles away. 419 00:26:23,360 --> 00:26:24,999 I can only go seven. 420 00:26:25,000 --> 00:26:27,559 That's very useful function you've got there! 421 00:26:27,560 --> 00:26:31,719 OK, Covent Garden car park. 77 miles away. 422 00:26:31,720 --> 00:26:34,480 'What possible use is that?!' 423 00:26:36,680 --> 00:26:40,679 We pulled in at the council offices to see if they could help. 424 00:26:40,680 --> 00:26:44,359 Do you have any idea where we can charge electric cars up in Lincoln? 425 00:26:44,360 --> 00:26:46,519 Electric cars... 426 00:26:46,520 --> 00:26:49,959 It just needs a socket, really. You do, don't you? 427 00:26:49,960 --> 00:26:52,839 'We didn't have to wait long for an answer.' 428 00:26:52,840 --> 00:26:58,119 I checked with our team, there are definitely no points within Lincolnshire. Not in Lincolnshire? 429 00:26:58,120 --> 00:27:01,119 Who's pushing who? 430 00:27:01,120 --> 00:27:05,839 'Various people suggested friends who might be able to help 431 00:27:05,840 --> 00:27:08,159 'but they were all too far away.' 432 00:27:08,160 --> 00:27:11,880 32 miles. 32? 32 miles. 433 00:27:13,280 --> 00:27:15,519 So, we stopped at a restaurant in the marina 434 00:27:15,520 --> 00:27:18,119 to ask if we could buy some of their electricity. 435 00:27:18,120 --> 00:27:22,479 Use some of your charm. It will begin with the word "hello". 436 00:27:22,480 --> 00:27:25,079 Ready? "Hello." Hello. 437 00:27:25,080 --> 00:27:29,159 We were just wondering, we're trying to... We've got two electric cars. 438 00:27:29,160 --> 00:27:30,959 Right. 439 00:27:30,960 --> 00:27:32,639 James has a way with women. 440 00:27:32,640 --> 00:27:35,839 I should imagine he'll be able to talk her into it, no problem. 441 00:27:35,840 --> 00:27:38,520 ..it's going to take 12 hours. 442 00:27:42,760 --> 00:27:43,959 No. 443 00:27:43,960 --> 00:27:46,599 James, I do apologise, 444 00:27:46,600 --> 00:27:49,759 those boats must be getting power from the shore. 445 00:27:49,760 --> 00:27:52,280 Yes, they'll have plugs like caravan sites do. 446 00:27:54,120 --> 00:27:56,519 Getting to the boat park meant more driving, 447 00:27:56,520 --> 00:27:59,919 so now my car was saying it would need 13 hours to charge up. 448 00:27:59,920 --> 00:28:04,439 'Very low battery charge. Search for nearest charging station.' 449 00:28:06,360 --> 00:28:09,199 You're just wasting electricity telling me that. 450 00:28:09,200 --> 00:28:12,959 I've only got four miles left, Jeremy must be running on 451 00:28:12,960 --> 00:28:15,919 whatever the equivalent of empty is for a battery. 452 00:28:15,920 --> 00:28:19,119 We've just got to stop somewhere and beg for the use of a socket. 453 00:28:19,120 --> 00:28:20,559 'Hello, that's it.' 454 00:28:20,560 --> 00:28:22,279 That's it, that's it. 455 00:28:22,280 --> 00:28:24,320 Oh, not there. 456 00:28:26,400 --> 00:28:29,839 This is the future of motoring here. 457 00:28:29,840 --> 00:28:31,599 This is all of you lives here. 458 00:28:31,600 --> 00:28:34,239 This is what's going to become of you all. 459 00:28:34,240 --> 00:28:38,239 Obviously, the solution would be to get a tow from James. 460 00:28:38,240 --> 00:28:42,759 However... "Do not tow this vehicle with all four wheels on the ground. 461 00:28:42,760 --> 00:28:46,799 "This may cause serious and expensive damage to the motor." 462 00:28:46,800 --> 00:28:48,199 Thank you. 463 00:28:48,200 --> 00:28:53,439 Thankfully, some of the large crowd we'd attracted kindly pushed me to the boat park. 464 00:28:53,440 --> 00:28:54,480 However... 465 00:28:56,440 --> 00:28:58,119 I can see two problems with this. 466 00:28:58,120 --> 00:29:00,080 You have got to get across that water. 467 00:29:00,081 --> 00:29:02,439 And the other one is... It's too short. Yes. 468 00:29:02,440 --> 00:29:04,640 We'll have to push it somewhere else. 469 00:29:06,280 --> 00:29:09,959 So, once more, we appealed to the good people of Lincoln 470 00:29:09,960 --> 00:29:15,640 who pushed me to the university where, finally, we found somewhere to charge up. 471 00:29:16,560 --> 00:29:18,919 See that, blue light on the dashboard. 472 00:29:18,920 --> 00:29:23,399 When all three are flashing, it's fully charged. OK? Right. 473 00:29:23,400 --> 00:29:30,599 We now had a 13-hour wait but, thankfully, we were in the magnificent city of Lincoln, 474 00:29:30,600 --> 00:29:33,239 where there are many things to see and do. 475 00:29:33,240 --> 00:29:35,960 I like a good cathedral. 476 00:29:38,000 --> 00:29:40,639 I would never normally be brass rubbing 477 00:29:40,640 --> 00:29:43,239 and do you know why I've never done it? 478 00:29:43,240 --> 00:29:46,599 All the cars I've ever owned have been powered by petrol or diesel. 479 00:29:46,600 --> 00:29:49,399 Look, it's Hammond, only in a diving bell. 480 00:29:49,400 --> 00:29:52,200 It does look a bit like Hammond, actually. 481 00:29:54,000 --> 00:29:57,839 Lincoln Castle was founded by William the Conqueror 1068, 482 00:29:57,840 --> 00:30:00,079 two years after the Norman Conquest. 483 00:30:00,080 --> 00:30:03,239 You can't build a stone castle on the earth and banks, 484 00:30:03,240 --> 00:30:07,039 initially, you have to wait for the banks to compact down. 485 00:30:07,040 --> 00:30:09,959 That is the best building in the world. Really? 486 00:30:09,960 --> 00:30:14,240 For a department store, that's a fantastic piece of architecture. 487 00:30:16,520 --> 00:30:19,879 What's he doing? I'm doing an abstract floor rubbing. 488 00:30:19,880 --> 00:30:22,119 Look at that, that's quite interesting. 489 00:30:22,120 --> 00:30:24,959 Basically, in the Ice Age, 490 00:30:24,960 --> 00:30:27,759 the Lincolnshire edge - a big lump of limestone. 491 00:30:27,760 --> 00:30:30,279 Do you know what this hill is called? Hill? 492 00:30:30,280 --> 00:30:34,680 No. Steep Hill. Is it? Yes, it really is. They spent ages thinking of that. 493 00:30:35,600 --> 00:30:37,439 Can you see the square frontage? 494 00:30:37,440 --> 00:30:40,719 Yeah. There's a square within the square. Yeah. 495 00:30:40,720 --> 00:30:43,560 That is like a Norman fortified building... 496 00:30:45,000 --> 00:30:47,759 You know Nissan are going to start putting 497 00:30:47,760 --> 00:30:50,599 fast-charge points at all their dealerships? 498 00:30:50,600 --> 00:30:53,239 You'll be able to charge your car up in 30 minutes. Hmm. 499 00:30:53,240 --> 00:30:55,680 The problem is, do that all the time, then you could 500 00:30:55,681 --> 00:30:59,319 ruin the battery pack in three years. 501 00:30:59,320 --> 00:31:01,959 Yeah, how much is a new battery pack? £7,000. 502 00:31:01,960 --> 00:31:04,359 Really? Actually, Nissan can't say how much, 503 00:31:04,360 --> 00:31:07,959 but we rang an expert. He said, in today's money, £7,000. 504 00:31:07,960 --> 00:31:12,079 How long do they think batteries last if you charge them slowly and don't thrash them? 505 00:31:12,080 --> 00:31:15,639 If you charge them up when they're half empty, rather than 506 00:31:15,640 --> 00:31:20,239 letting them get all the way flat, maximum, ten years. 507 00:31:20,240 --> 00:31:25,039 Possibly five. It's not that long, is it? No. 508 00:31:25,040 --> 00:31:28,759 Are you going to go? I can't go, actually. 509 00:31:28,760 --> 00:31:32,720 Since you put that in... my word doesn't fit any more. 510 00:31:36,080 --> 00:31:40,160 As evening fell, we really were running out of things to do. 511 00:31:41,320 --> 00:31:46,719 I think mine's worked quite well. Yeah, not bad. Hurt like hell. 512 00:31:46,720 --> 00:31:49,599 Is mine all right? Look. 513 00:31:51,920 --> 00:31:54,360 What is it? What does it say? 514 00:31:58,080 --> 00:31:59,120 What? 515 00:32:02,560 --> 00:32:05,719 The next morning, after the longest refuelling stop in history, 516 00:32:05,720 --> 00:32:08,240 we set out once more for Cleethorpes. 517 00:32:10,120 --> 00:32:16,320 'As of the 12th May, your energy economy was 0.1 kilowatt hours per mile.' 518 00:32:18,480 --> 00:32:24,519 The cost of charging this up at the University with its cheap deal was £2.34. 519 00:32:24,520 --> 00:32:27,399 But, if you charge it up during the day, depending on 520 00:32:27,400 --> 00:32:33,279 who your supplier is and what deal you've done, it could cost you £8.30. 521 00:32:33,280 --> 00:32:37,400 That's £8.30 to do - it says - 100 miles. 522 00:32:38,720 --> 00:32:42,599 To do 100 miles in a Golf BlueMotion diesel will cost about the same. 523 00:32:42,600 --> 00:32:48,039 But remember, the Golf is over £7,000 cheaper to buy. 524 00:32:48,040 --> 00:32:51,759 And its fuel tank is unlikely to be worn out after five years. 525 00:32:51,760 --> 00:32:55,159 There are other issues, too. 526 00:32:55,160 --> 00:32:57,839 One of the problems with the electric car is 527 00:32:57,840 --> 00:33:02,159 you drive constantly as if on an economy run, because a part of your brain is acutely aware 528 00:33:02,160 --> 00:33:05,799 that when it's gone, you're in for a big wait. 529 00:33:05,800 --> 00:33:08,439 It will get different. They'll have quick charging, 530 00:33:08,440 --> 00:33:11,079 three-phase charging, batteries will improve, yes. 531 00:33:11,080 --> 00:33:15,719 But today, with this car on sale, you simply have to accept 532 00:33:15,720 --> 00:33:18,680 that you're going to learn a lot of medieval history. 533 00:33:19,720 --> 00:33:23,639 Plus you really do need to be able to work out where you'll be 534 00:33:23,640 --> 00:33:25,679 when the charge runs out. 535 00:33:25,680 --> 00:33:27,359 And that's not easy. 536 00:33:27,360 --> 00:33:30,919 So I've now done 26 miles since I set off 537 00:33:30,920 --> 00:33:34,680 but I've lost 40 miles of range. 538 00:33:36,360 --> 00:33:40,159 Interesting. I've also done 26 miles but this is the bit you'll like, 539 00:33:40,160 --> 00:33:42,120 I've gained two miles of range. 540 00:33:45,080 --> 00:33:48,039 A lot of people think I have a downer on the electric motor. 541 00:33:48,040 --> 00:33:50,079 I don't. Nothing wrong with it at all. 542 00:33:50,080 --> 00:33:54,119 Theoretically, it could be immensely powerful. And I like the Leaf. 543 00:33:54,120 --> 00:33:57,279 Beautifully made, is very quiet. It's extremely comfortable. 544 00:33:57,280 --> 00:34:00,639 And spacious. Good car. 545 00:34:00,640 --> 00:34:04,719 But the batteries it uses have to be recharged from the mains 546 00:34:04,720 --> 00:34:07,119 and I don't think that's the answer. 547 00:34:07,120 --> 00:34:12,119 I think that what I'm actually driving is a squariel or a laser disc 548 00:34:12,120 --> 00:34:13,600 or a Beta tape machine. 549 00:34:16,160 --> 00:34:20,799 Batteries? Batteries are rubbish. Batteries are rubbish in everything. 550 00:34:20,800 --> 00:34:23,679 Think of all the things that are battery-powered. 551 00:34:23,680 --> 00:34:27,199 Torches and mobile phones and digital cameras and laptops. 552 00:34:27,200 --> 00:34:31,440 I bet you, they're all either completely flat or going flat very quickly. 553 00:34:34,040 --> 00:34:37,639 Eventually we arrived in Cleethorpes. 554 00:34:37,640 --> 00:34:39,600 We've made it to the seaside. 555 00:34:45,760 --> 00:34:48,560 And it was on the dodgems that we had an epiphany. 556 00:34:51,000 --> 00:34:56,319 This is an electric car. But it has no on-board battery. 557 00:34:56,320 --> 00:34:59,479 It takes its power from the chicken wire in the roof. 558 00:34:59,480 --> 00:35:02,159 Yes, all we have to do, really, is put chicken wire 559 00:35:02,160 --> 00:35:05,079 above all the motorways and dual carriageways in Britain. 560 00:35:05,080 --> 00:35:08,639 You drive to your nearest one, extend the pole on the back of your car, 561 00:35:08,640 --> 00:35:10,959 and off you go driving on the mains. 562 00:35:10,960 --> 00:35:14,319 It gets better than that, you know, because if the traffic's 563 00:35:14,320 --> 00:35:18,119 really busy on the motorway, the government could just cut the power a bit 564 00:35:18,120 --> 00:35:20,919 and everyone would go slowly, then if it was empty they 565 00:35:20,920 --> 00:35:23,119 increase the power and everyone goes fast. 566 00:35:23,120 --> 00:35:26,519 Actually if there was an accident or some bad congestion ahead 567 00:35:26,520 --> 00:35:30,479 they could just turn it off and everybody would glide to a safe halt at the same rate. 568 00:35:30,480 --> 00:35:32,479 We have solved it. 569 00:35:32,480 --> 00:35:34,399 We have solved it. 570 00:35:34,400 --> 00:35:39,559 If you think about it, if you're driving along the motorway and you're really bored, 571 00:35:39,560 --> 00:35:42,999 you could just deliberately crash into someone to amuse yourself. 572 00:35:43,000 --> 00:35:45,919 That's true. Motorways are boring, aren't they? Exactly. 573 00:35:45,920 --> 00:35:48,679 So you just drive along doing this to the man next to you... 574 00:35:48,680 --> 00:35:51,200 These cars, then, are not the future. 575 00:35:53,720 --> 00:35:57,119 But they did at least bring us to where the future lies. 576 00:35:57,120 --> 00:35:58,639 Oh, no, I've got oversteer. 577 00:35:58,640 --> 00:36:02,079 Nobody does this deliberately on the motorway. Do they? 578 00:36:08,000 --> 00:36:11,839 Er... What? Chaps. 579 00:36:11,840 --> 00:36:16,719 So, you are proposing a sort of chicken-wire grid above all of 580 00:36:16,720 --> 00:36:19,999 the nation's motorways. Have you two completely lost your minds? 581 00:36:20,000 --> 00:36:22,159 Bringing you out in a Helsinki syndrome? 582 00:36:22,160 --> 00:36:25,239 Yeah, it's itching. It's bad, it is. It is a brilliant idea. 583 00:36:25,240 --> 00:36:28,639 I've had another one. It's based on the London tube network. 584 00:36:28,640 --> 00:36:31,079 It's electrified roads. Yeah, brilliant. 585 00:36:31,080 --> 00:36:34,160 I'll just cross the road to that shop there. Dzzzz. It's a stupid idea. 586 00:36:35,160 --> 00:36:39,439 I've had an even better idea. What about, you fit a car with a special tank, 587 00:36:39,440 --> 00:36:43,799 into which you put a flammable liquid. 588 00:36:43,800 --> 00:36:47,999 When the liquid runs out, you pull into, let's call it a petrol station, fill it up 589 00:36:48,000 --> 00:36:52,239 in a couple of minutes, and you'd never have to go brass rubbing. 590 00:36:52,240 --> 00:36:54,679 I think that might catch on. But seriously, 591 00:36:54,680 --> 00:36:57,559 what are we all going to do when the oil finally becomes 592 00:36:57,560 --> 00:37:01,359 too expensive to use for personal transport? Which it will. 593 00:37:01,360 --> 00:37:06,639 Well, it's tricky, the government recently said that there will never be a charge point. 594 00:37:06,640 --> 00:37:10,039 On every street corner so you will be reduced to going to universities... 595 00:37:10,040 --> 00:37:12,199 and that's not practical - like what we did. 596 00:37:12,200 --> 00:37:17,839 And you can't use a hybrid because that uses a petrol engine to charge up the batteries. 597 00:37:17,840 --> 00:37:22,439 So, we're going to have to have a whole new approach. Dodgems. 598 00:37:22,440 --> 00:37:25,319 No, Honda are already there. It's hydrogen. It has to be. 599 00:37:25,320 --> 00:37:27,679 Truth be told, it is hydrogen. 600 00:37:27,680 --> 00:37:30,999 Yes, but isn't hydrogen very complicated to work out? 601 00:37:31,000 --> 00:37:34,799 Yes, but it was complicated to take television from Logie Baird's attic 602 00:37:34,800 --> 00:37:39,519 to the point where you're now appearing on a television in Syria, but they did it. 603 00:37:39,520 --> 00:37:41,000 In a very short time. They did. 604 00:37:41,001 --> 00:37:46,759 Anyway, it is now time to put a star in our reasonably priced car. 605 00:37:46,760 --> 00:37:50,359 My guest tonight is responsible for bands such as Boyzone, 606 00:37:50,360 --> 00:37:52,479 Westlife, and Jedward. 607 00:37:52,480 --> 00:37:57,759 And yet surprisingly, he hasn't been tried for crimes against humanity. 608 00:37:57,760 --> 00:38:01,400 Ladies and gentlemen, it's the other one from the X Factor, Louis Walsh. 609 00:38:07,240 --> 00:38:08,839 Have a seat. 610 00:38:08,840 --> 00:38:10,439 Have a seat. 611 00:38:10,440 --> 00:38:13,320 Louis Walsh, he's come among us. 612 00:38:14,680 --> 00:38:20,439 And, um, now, to be fair, 613 00:38:20,440 --> 00:38:23,959 I happen to know you do have very good musical taste. 614 00:38:23,960 --> 00:38:26,799 Of course I do, yeah. I mean, it doesn't LOOK like you do. 615 00:38:26,800 --> 00:38:30,319 In my job, in my day job? Yeah. That's what I sell. 616 00:38:30,320 --> 00:38:32,799 I'm in the music business. So, you sell? 617 00:38:32,800 --> 00:38:35,559 What I listen to at home is totally different. 618 00:38:35,560 --> 00:38:37,559 I happen to know that you and I share a... 619 00:38:37,560 --> 00:38:41,719 What, one person, yeah. Bob Segar. And the Silver Bullet Band. Silver Bullet Band. 620 00:38:41,720 --> 00:38:45,959 Who here is familiar with Bob Segar and the Silver Bullet Band? Yes. 621 00:38:45,960 --> 00:38:50,159 Yes? A big fan? That's one big fan and I think that's enough of a reason 622 00:38:50,160 --> 00:38:52,759 to discuss Bob Segar at some length. 623 00:38:52,760 --> 00:38:56,199 What is your favourite Bob Segar song? 624 00:38:56,200 --> 00:38:59,119 Ooh. Night Moves, I think. 625 00:38:59,120 --> 00:39:02,359 I agree. What would you go with, Night Moves, best one? 626 00:39:02,360 --> 00:39:04,919 No, Old Time Rock And Roll. Old Time Rock And Roll. 627 00:39:04,920 --> 00:39:08,079 Old Time is good, yeah. As used in Risky Business? Absolutely. 628 00:39:08,080 --> 00:39:10,519 Starring Tom Cruise. I've a Wurlitzer jukebox, 629 00:39:10,520 --> 00:39:13,239 all the old 45s. I'm a fan of music. 630 00:39:13,240 --> 00:39:17,199 So are you just flogging the noises that come out of...? I sell. 631 00:39:17,200 --> 00:39:19,879 You sell Jedward? Yeah, they do incredibly well. 632 00:39:19,880 --> 00:39:25,759 Do you listen to Jedward at home? No. Honestly, no, no, I don't. 633 00:39:25,760 --> 00:39:27,639 Does anybody own a Jedward record? 634 00:39:27,640 --> 00:39:32,399 They've a new album out next week. Have they? Yeah. I'm not interested. Doing really well around Europe. 635 00:39:32,400 --> 00:39:35,879 Still not interested. Your kids would like them. No, they wouldn't. 636 00:39:35,880 --> 00:39:39,719 They would! Kids love Jedward. They'd get savagely beaten! 637 00:39:39,720 --> 00:39:42,399 Kids like Jedward and Westlife and Take That. 638 00:39:42,400 --> 00:39:46,119 Having established that you are a man of great musical taste. 639 00:39:46,120 --> 00:39:48,719 At home. At home, yes. At home. 640 00:39:48,720 --> 00:39:53,199 Is it Cowell, then, that's got the Celine Dion fixation? 641 00:39:53,200 --> 00:39:56,319 Has Simon Cowell got a rubbish musical taste? 642 00:39:56,320 --> 00:39:57,639 Yes. 643 00:39:57,640 --> 00:40:02,159 Absolutely. He gave us Robson and Jerome. He did, actually. 644 00:40:02,160 --> 00:40:03,959 And he gave us Zig and Zag. 645 00:40:03,960 --> 00:40:07,839 Has he, do you think, in his house got any Led Zeppelin at all? 646 00:40:07,840 --> 00:40:10,879 No. Absolutely not. I have Led Zeppelin albums at home. 647 00:40:10,880 --> 00:40:12,399 Bad Company? 648 00:40:12,400 --> 00:40:15,359 Bad Company, Can't Get Enough? He wouldn't know who they were. 649 00:40:15,360 --> 00:40:19,039 He has a lot of bad company but it is not the band. 650 00:40:19,040 --> 00:40:22,919 So, anyway, X Factor, when is that back? What stage are we at now? 651 00:40:22,920 --> 00:40:26,119 That's series eight, it's back, we've got three new judges. 652 00:40:26,120 --> 00:40:28,559 We've got Gary Barlow, Kelly Rowland, who was in 653 00:40:28,560 --> 00:40:31,919 Destiny's Child, and we've got Tulisa from the N-Dubz. 654 00:40:31,920 --> 00:40:35,399 I know Gary Barlow. Yeah. You'd know Destiny's Child. 655 00:40:35,400 --> 00:40:38,359 It's three girls, Beyonce was like the front lady in the band. 656 00:40:38,360 --> 00:40:42,479 Boncey what? Beyonce. Beyonce! She's like a big, big star. 657 00:40:42,480 --> 00:40:47,679 Boncey and who? She's married to Jay-Z. What? 658 00:40:47,680 --> 00:40:49,639 Jay-Z. He's very cool. 659 00:40:49,640 --> 00:40:52,679 Literally no idea what you're talking about now. So, anyway, 660 00:40:52,680 --> 00:40:55,759 the important thing to establish is when is the X Factor back? 661 00:40:55,760 --> 00:40:59,439 Back on TV August, ITV. Until September? 662 00:40:59,440 --> 00:41:01,639 December 12th. 663 00:41:01,640 --> 00:41:04,279 I have to ask you this because we have to go out 664 00:41:04,280 --> 00:41:06,478 on Top Gear on a Sunday night when you're not on. 665 00:41:06,479 --> 00:41:07,760 And my children say, 666 00:41:07,761 --> 00:41:10,919 when we are sitting on a beach freezing ourselves to death 667 00:41:10,920 --> 00:41:13,279 in December, "Daddy, why are we here now?" 668 00:41:13,280 --> 00:41:16,519 "Because Louis and Simon..." Simon's not on this year. 669 00:41:16,520 --> 00:41:20,279 Oh, he's gone. "Because Louis and Boncey's mate..." 670 00:41:20,280 --> 00:41:24,639 Beyonce. "..are watching a girl who last week was working behind a till in Asda 671 00:41:24,640 --> 00:41:26,240 "and she's on a journey." 672 00:41:27,960 --> 00:41:29,599 Everyone's on a journey. 673 00:41:29,600 --> 00:41:34,399 We have to move Top Gear to get out the way of the ratings juggernaut. 674 00:41:34,400 --> 00:41:37,999 Because people wouldn't watch Top Gear. They'd prefer X Factor. 675 00:41:38,000 --> 00:41:40,799 We know, which is really annoying! But anyway... Anyway! 676 00:41:40,800 --> 00:41:42,919 ..while we're on the subject of the X Factor. 677 00:41:42,920 --> 00:41:47,839 Is it true that Simon Cowell bought you all Botox vouchers? 678 00:41:47,840 --> 00:41:49,679 He actually did, last Christmas. 679 00:41:49,680 --> 00:41:53,079 You know what, you know something? I haven't used mine. No! 680 00:41:53,080 --> 00:41:58,159 I'd like to... Jeremy, Jeremy... 681 00:41:58,160 --> 00:42:01,759 I'd like to offer it to you. Seriously. I won't use them. 682 00:42:01,760 --> 00:42:04,319 Is that where you get injected, or is that collagen? 683 00:42:04,320 --> 00:42:06,679 What do you do with Botox? It's your face. 684 00:42:06,680 --> 00:42:09,479 What do you do with it? Ask Simon next time he's on. 685 00:42:09,480 --> 00:42:12,759 Does he do Botox? Hello! 686 00:42:12,760 --> 00:42:15,200 Every time he's on he goes, "You really should..." 687 00:42:15,201 --> 00:42:19,519 "Darling!" "Darling, take more care of your appearance." 688 00:42:19,520 --> 00:42:22,319 I always think, but what could I do to improve myself? 689 00:42:22,320 --> 00:42:25,999 Do you want my Botox vouchers? No! 690 00:42:26,000 --> 00:42:29,399 I want to talk to you about cars. Because this is a car show. 691 00:42:29,400 --> 00:42:34,079 What turns you on about a car? I like the look of cars. I just love looking at cars. 692 00:42:34,080 --> 00:42:37,839 I love looking at Lamborghinis, Maseratis, Ferraris. 693 00:42:37,840 --> 00:42:40,959 Bentleys, Rolls, I love... I'm always taking pictures of them. 694 00:42:40,960 --> 00:42:43,679 I don't like driving fast but I love looking at cars. 695 00:42:43,680 --> 00:42:47,959 It's the aesthetics of a car? Absolutely. After... Which was the first one? Boy's World? 696 00:42:47,960 --> 00:42:51,399 I had a Toledo. Boyzone was my first band. Your first band? 697 00:42:51,400 --> 00:42:54,479 My first car was a Toledo. It was a white Toledo. 698 00:42:54,480 --> 00:42:57,999 Yes, and I took it out the very first time ever. 699 00:42:58,000 --> 00:43:01,119 I was parking it at home and I put my foot on the accelerator. 700 00:43:01,120 --> 00:43:03,599 I went bang into the wall and wrecked the car. 701 00:43:03,600 --> 00:43:05,759 The first time I took it out. The first time? 702 00:43:05,760 --> 00:43:10,079 The first time I'd taken it out. And were you employed as a record-company chauffeur? 703 00:43:10,080 --> 00:43:15,479 I wasn't employed as a chauffeur, I was an agent. I used to bring artists to Ireland, singers, 704 00:43:15,480 --> 00:43:20,239 different singers, like Sinitta. I used to drive them around to the gigs. In your Toledo? 705 00:43:20,240 --> 00:43:23,999 No, I had a Mustang. I had a really nice Mustang. 706 00:43:24,000 --> 00:43:26,119 Do you remember what period Mustang? 707 00:43:26,120 --> 00:43:29,679 It was red and black, that's all I remember. 708 00:43:29,680 --> 00:43:35,799 I'm driving a Maserati now. I've had it three years. A Gran Turismo. I've done 3,000 miles in it. 3,000 miles? 709 00:43:35,800 --> 00:43:38,119 3,000 miles. In three years? 710 00:43:38,120 --> 00:43:44,719 Yeah. Do you like it? I love it! I love looking at it. I wash it every week. I love the car. 711 00:43:44,720 --> 00:43:47,519 That's the first time we've ever had a guest who says, 712 00:43:47,520 --> 00:43:49,559 "I love my car, I watch it every week." 713 00:43:49,560 --> 00:43:53,119 I wash it. Wash it. Oh, wash it! I'm a bit mutton. 714 00:43:53,120 --> 00:43:57,239 So you have a penchant for American cars and good-looking cars. 715 00:43:57,240 --> 00:44:02,079 But you're not really a driver? I'm not a fast driver. So, the bad news. 716 00:44:02,080 --> 00:44:05,799 I know I'm a terrible driver. I know. 717 00:44:05,800 --> 00:44:11,999 How do we know? I know! I drove around that bloody track. 718 00:44:12,000 --> 00:44:16,359 I ended up on the grass. I know I'm not good. I'm probably the worst you've ever had. 719 00:44:16,360 --> 00:44:19,359 Sadly, when you went on the grass, the cameras weren't running. 720 00:44:19,360 --> 00:44:26,280 Oh, good. Yes, they were! Unusually, I believe this is the first corner. 721 00:44:28,760 --> 00:44:31,719 Yes, look, here you go. Foot still in it. 722 00:44:31,720 --> 00:44:36,159 That's the dictionary definition of understeer. Still in it! 723 00:44:36,160 --> 00:44:39,679 I love the way that you had the hope that it was going to be 724 00:44:39,680 --> 00:44:43,079 OK as a lap time. "Still keep going!" Have many people done that? 725 00:44:43,080 --> 00:44:48,119 The only person who ever went off there was Lionel Richie. 726 00:44:48,120 --> 00:44:52,519 Lionel? The wheel fell off. That was the only reason. OK, OK. 727 00:44:52,520 --> 00:44:59,280 Who would like to see the actual lap? YEAH! Let's have a look. Here we go. 728 00:45:00,840 --> 00:45:02,080 Racy start. 729 00:45:03,240 --> 00:45:04,639 No wheel spin. Why not? 730 00:45:04,640 --> 00:45:09,239 There's a terrible smell of oil. The handbrake is on. 731 00:45:09,240 --> 00:45:11,720 It was on, yes! You set off with the handbrake on? 732 00:45:11,721 --> 00:45:15,639 OK, let's have a look at turn one. Have we got it right this time? 733 00:45:18,680 --> 00:45:20,999 Yes, no, yes. Just held it all together there. 734 00:45:21,000 --> 00:45:25,199 Ooh, changed gear. I need Stig, badly. 735 00:45:25,200 --> 00:45:27,719 I need Stig, yes. He was good. 736 00:45:27,720 --> 00:45:30,199 You're going a very long way round. 737 00:45:30,200 --> 00:45:31,279 Argh! 738 00:45:31,280 --> 00:45:32,319 Oh... 739 00:45:32,320 --> 00:45:34,599 I'm going to be the last person ever. 740 00:45:34,600 --> 00:45:38,079 You really do need to get those gear-changes worked out. 741 00:45:38,080 --> 00:45:40,680 It's going, ra-ra-ra! I drive an automatic car. 742 00:45:42,920 --> 00:45:44,039 Change gear! 743 00:45:44,040 --> 00:45:47,680 Change gear. What are gears? There we go, that's it. 744 00:45:48,640 --> 00:45:51,760 OK, here we go. I'm finally going to fly this one. 745 00:45:55,040 --> 00:45:56,559 Scary doing that. Here we go. 746 00:45:56,560 --> 00:45:58,360 I hope I'm insured. 747 00:46:01,080 --> 00:46:04,359 No, you don't needs to be insured. Nothing to hit. 748 00:46:04,360 --> 00:46:08,599 Second to last corner. That's rather a neat line through there, if I may say. 749 00:46:08,600 --> 00:46:13,519 And Gambon. That's also very nicely done. 750 00:46:13,520 --> 00:46:15,159 Across the line, everybody. 751 00:46:21,640 --> 00:46:22,880 So... 752 00:46:24,640 --> 00:46:26,599 There it is, where do you think? 753 00:46:26,600 --> 00:46:28,319 I'm near the bottom. 754 00:46:28,320 --> 00:46:31,959 These are wet times. Ignore the wet times. Anything with W after it. 755 00:46:31,960 --> 00:46:35,679 The slowest we've ever had was Amber Heard, and she did a 1.50.3. 756 00:46:35,680 --> 00:46:39,239 You think you were slower than that? Am I under Angelina Jolie? 757 00:46:41,760 --> 00:46:42,680 I don't know! 758 00:46:42,681 --> 00:46:46,400 Right, 1:53 is the slowest so far. You did it in 1... 759 00:46:48,400 --> 00:46:50,999 40... Oh, really? 760 00:46:51,000 --> 00:46:53,959 7.7. That's not bad. 761 00:46:55,440 --> 00:46:56,920 That's good! 762 00:47:00,840 --> 00:47:03,919 Sitting there between Alastair Campbell and Danny Boyle. 763 00:47:03,920 --> 00:47:06,559 Wow. A weird place to find yourself. 764 00:47:06,560 --> 00:47:09,679 So I did better than Geldof? You what? 765 00:47:09,680 --> 00:47:14,159 I did better than Bob Geldof. Oh yes, you beat Gob Beldof. I'm happy. 766 00:47:14,160 --> 00:47:16,719 And Al Murray. So there we are. There we are. 767 00:47:16,720 --> 00:47:20,159 The audience loves you, the Stig loves you, we all love you. 768 00:47:20,160 --> 00:47:24,199 Ladies and gentlemen, Louis Walsh! 769 00:47:24,200 --> 00:47:25,560 Louis Walsh! 770 00:47:33,360 --> 00:47:39,839 Now, we recently received an invitation to a motorsport event. 771 00:47:39,840 --> 00:47:44,319 And as it involved mud and 4x4s and it was in Wales, 772 00:47:44,320 --> 00:47:46,399 who better to attend, we thought, 773 00:47:46,400 --> 00:47:50,880 than Top Gear's own Minister for Rural Affairs, Richard Hammond? 774 00:47:54,480 --> 00:47:57,719 'This is cross-country racing.' 775 00:47:57,720 --> 00:48:00,559 'It takes place at various locations across Britain 776 00:48:00,560 --> 00:48:03,199 'and for the teams taking part, 777 00:48:03,200 --> 00:48:06,200 'it's one of the toughest amateur motor sports around.' 778 00:48:10,600 --> 00:48:15,879 We're here to follow one of those teams as they take part in their very first event. 779 00:48:15,880 --> 00:48:19,399 But here's the thing, there's something about these guys 780 00:48:19,400 --> 00:48:22,920 that takes that challenge to a whole new level. 781 00:48:26,880 --> 00:48:33,279 'This team is made up of soldiers who've all suffered massive injuries whilst fighting in Afghanistan.' 782 00:48:33,280 --> 00:48:36,160 'Soldiers like Tom, the co-driver.' 783 00:48:37,120 --> 00:48:38,839 I was a sniper out there. 784 00:48:38,840 --> 00:48:43,039 I shifted a sandbag and detonated a booby-trap IED. 785 00:48:43,040 --> 00:48:46,319 I just lost my feet to begin with and through infection, 786 00:48:46,320 --> 00:48:50,319 and other various things, I kept having to have aggressive surgery 787 00:48:50,320 --> 00:48:54,719 and ended up basically losing my left arm and having my legs amputated. 788 00:48:54,720 --> 00:48:58,319 'Then there's Gav, the team's mechanic.' 789 00:48:58,320 --> 00:49:00,999 I was unlucky enough to strike an IED, 790 00:49:01,000 --> 00:49:05,399 obviously maiming me, leaving me a bilateral amputee. 791 00:49:05,400 --> 00:49:08,999 I lost both my femoral arteries. 792 00:49:09,000 --> 00:49:11,720 I've got no idea how I survived that, to be fair. 793 00:49:13,400 --> 00:49:18,800 'Compared to those two, Tony the driver actually feels quite lucky.' 794 00:49:20,200 --> 00:49:22,400 I'm a below-knee scratch. Is that what you call it!? 795 00:49:22,401 --> 00:49:26,879 Having been mercilessly ripped by Tom and others for being, 796 00:49:26,880 --> 00:49:31,119 well, it's just a flesh wound, really - to quote Monty Python. 797 00:49:31,120 --> 00:49:34,559 'These soldiers are using motor sport as a way of helping them 798 00:49:34,560 --> 00:49:36,679 'come to terms with their injuries.' 799 00:49:36,680 --> 00:49:41,039 'They've set themselves an incredible challenge, because in just 18 months, 800 00:49:41,040 --> 00:49:45,880 'they aim to compete in the world's most gruelling race...' 801 00:49:47,080 --> 00:49:50,920 'The fearsome Dakar rally.' 802 00:49:54,840 --> 00:49:57,199 I know there's amputees all round the world 803 00:49:57,200 --> 00:49:59,999 but for us, it's like pushing it as far as we can. 804 00:50:00,000 --> 00:50:03,879 If you can crack on in a Dakar rally when you're doing 18-hour days 805 00:50:03,880 --> 00:50:07,280 for two weeks solid, you can pretty much achieve anything. 806 00:50:08,640 --> 00:50:12,119 Your career's going one direction and all of a sudden it grinds to a halt 807 00:50:12,120 --> 00:50:16,639 and you have to think about a totally different way of living your life. 808 00:50:16,640 --> 00:50:20,680 It's important to challenge yourself, to keep on challenging yourself. 809 00:50:22,040 --> 00:50:26,119 'Out on the eight-mile course, most of the other competitors 810 00:50:26,120 --> 00:50:28,680 'are running in powerful, bespoke 4x4s.' 811 00:50:30,360 --> 00:50:33,719 'But the soldiers must begin their long climb to the Dakar 812 00:50:33,720 --> 00:50:37,039 'in a humble Land Rover Freelander.' 813 00:50:37,040 --> 00:50:39,720 First disabled team to do this, mate. 814 00:50:40,720 --> 00:50:44,200 Amber. 3, 2, 1, go. 815 00:50:47,320 --> 00:50:49,320 Straight down here, mate. 816 00:50:51,080 --> 00:50:53,439 Brake, brake, brake, brake. 817 00:50:53,440 --> 00:50:54,560 Good, good. 818 00:50:56,560 --> 00:50:59,119 What would you like to see come out of this weekend? 819 00:50:59,120 --> 00:51:02,399 I'd like to see it function, for a start. 820 00:51:02,400 --> 00:51:05,719 To find out where our weaknesses are and work on them, 821 00:51:05,720 --> 00:51:07,880 just keep focusing on our weaknesses. 822 00:51:09,200 --> 00:51:14,759 That's it. 'Tony and Tom complete their first run in 12 minutes 14, 823 00:51:14,760 --> 00:51:17,680 'some four minutes shy of the big boys.' 824 00:51:19,200 --> 00:51:22,479 'Already, they've discovered a problem that is unique to them.' 825 00:51:22,480 --> 00:51:25,159 The problem we've got is obviously 826 00:51:25,160 --> 00:51:29,399 because Tony's missing his left leg, he can't feel the palm of his foot 827 00:51:29,400 --> 00:51:33,039 on the clutch and that's going to give slip and you'll lose power. 828 00:51:33,040 --> 00:51:36,239 I think what we're going to do is devise a light that comes on 829 00:51:36,240 --> 00:51:40,919 and warns him he's riding the clutch, so he can pull his leg off. Neat idea. 830 00:51:40,920 --> 00:51:44,999 'The clutch fix isn't one that can be done on site. 831 00:51:45,000 --> 00:51:48,280 'So, for now, the team must crack on regardless.' 832 00:51:50,960 --> 00:51:53,359 'And crack on, they do.' 833 00:51:53,360 --> 00:51:55,680 You did 10.54 on that last one. 834 00:51:57,520 --> 00:51:59,840 Hairpin. First gear, mate. 835 00:52:01,040 --> 00:52:02,200 10.41 on that one. 836 00:52:05,320 --> 00:52:07,879 Go through, go through, go through. 837 00:52:07,880 --> 00:52:11,039 'Spending a day with them, 838 00:52:11,040 --> 00:52:14,959 'it becomes obvious their injuries are more than just physical.' 839 00:52:14,960 --> 00:52:18,239 The bloke alongside you, killed? 840 00:52:18,240 --> 00:52:19,759 Yes, Anthony Lombardi. 841 00:52:19,760 --> 00:52:22,999 He was also a mechanic. Young lad, 21 year old. 842 00:52:23,000 --> 00:52:25,719 He was a really good bloke, yes... 843 00:52:25,720 --> 00:52:27,359 It just, I think, 844 00:52:27,360 --> 00:52:31,160 it's difficult because... Um... 845 00:52:34,120 --> 00:52:36,800 Can you just give us a minute? Please. As long as you want, mate. 846 00:52:42,040 --> 00:52:42,960 Oh, mate... 847 00:52:46,320 --> 00:52:51,519 'It's then that you start to realise the value of a project like this.' 848 00:52:51,520 --> 00:52:54,279 These guys are soldiers, they're men of action. 849 00:52:54,280 --> 00:52:57,159 They're used to having challenges, problems, 850 00:52:57,160 --> 00:53:00,199 obstacles to overcome by working together as a team. 851 00:53:00,200 --> 00:53:05,639 This isn't a treat. This is therapy, it's something they need to do 852 00:53:05,640 --> 00:53:09,160 if they're going to recover as well as they possibly can. 853 00:53:11,480 --> 00:53:16,880 'By the end of the first day, the amputee team are running second in the Freelander class.' 854 00:53:17,840 --> 00:53:21,400 Hey, mate! 'But there's little time for celebration... 855 00:53:24,440 --> 00:53:30,120 'because they must very quickly get to grips with the car they'll be driving in the Dakar, 856 00:53:31,080 --> 00:53:35,440 'a four-litre, V8 engine Wildcat.' 857 00:53:39,640 --> 00:53:41,559 To make the move to this, 858 00:53:41,560 --> 00:53:45,359 the guys are going to need some training from an expert driver. 859 00:53:45,360 --> 00:53:47,840 And we've got one. 860 00:53:50,320 --> 00:53:54,079 'Yes, it's ex-Stig, special forces driving instructor 861 00:53:54,080 --> 00:53:56,680 'and romantic novelist, Ben Collins.' 862 00:53:57,640 --> 00:54:02,319 All right? Are we ready? Yes, very good, looking forward to it. Good, good. 863 00:54:02,320 --> 00:54:06,799 When you're going round, don't tell him anything, he'll put it in a book. Make sure of that. 864 00:54:06,800 --> 00:54:09,959 All right, men? All right? Aye! 865 00:54:09,960 --> 00:54:13,879 If you see Ryan, stop talking. Leave it at that, all right? 866 00:54:13,880 --> 00:54:16,000 Have fun. Happy days. OK, let's crank it. 867 00:54:19,240 --> 00:54:23,719 Do you know, to be honest, I am quite glad to see the old splitter back. 868 00:54:23,720 --> 00:54:27,560 And I do know how much giving these guys a hand means to him. 869 00:54:28,920 --> 00:54:31,360 So, this is all right. 870 00:54:36,080 --> 00:54:39,760 'Clearly, Jilly Cooper had lost none of his teaching skills.' 871 00:54:41,360 --> 00:54:45,679 Pop it back into second. You don't want to use the brakes, just pop in the gas. 872 00:54:45,680 --> 00:54:51,080 Go. 'Which meant on their first solo outing, Tony and Tom didn't disappoint.' 873 00:54:52,040 --> 00:54:55,719 Just remember this bit here, Tone. Nice. 874 00:54:55,720 --> 00:54:59,199 That's a nine minute 51 guys. We'll do it faster next time. Yes. 875 00:54:59,200 --> 00:55:01,919 'But mastering the Wildcat is just the beginning, 876 00:55:01,920 --> 00:55:06,679 'because these guys face problems that their rivals won't encounter.' 877 00:55:06,680 --> 00:55:11,159 There you go, mate. 'Gavin, for example, has had to devise a unique system 878 00:55:11,160 --> 00:55:13,760 'for doing repairs in the middle of nowhere.' 879 00:55:15,480 --> 00:55:19,319 'Tiredness is an issue too. As a triple amputee, 880 00:55:19,320 --> 00:55:25,240 'Tom uses 300% more energy than an able-bodied person, just to move around.' 881 00:55:26,560 --> 00:55:28,759 'And then, there's their prosthetics. 882 00:55:28,760 --> 00:55:31,479 If I show you the back of mine, 883 00:55:31,480 --> 00:55:33,999 it makes more sense. See the back of here? 884 00:55:34,000 --> 00:55:38,239 That is quite unnerving when you do that. You just wanted to do that. 885 00:55:38,240 --> 00:55:41,439 Sand's getting into the piston there, 886 00:55:41,440 --> 00:55:44,799 getting water into the electronics, it's all electronic 887 00:55:44,800 --> 00:55:47,759 but if the legs play up and that, I can just... 888 00:55:47,760 --> 00:55:50,519 pop them in the back and just crack on. 889 00:55:52,520 --> 00:55:55,439 'One thing that won't let them down is their camaraderie, 890 00:55:55,440 --> 00:56:00,479 'which shows up best when they talk about the kind of tricks they'd play on each other in hospital.' 891 00:56:00,480 --> 00:56:04,519 One of the big ones was swapping their wheelchair by the bedside while they slept, 892 00:56:04,520 --> 00:56:06,919 with maybe an office chair with castor wheels, 893 00:56:06,920 --> 00:56:10,599 and then pushing them around and that for the rest of the day. 894 00:56:10,600 --> 00:56:14,399 Or padlocking them to their beds. So they set off and...?! 895 00:56:14,400 --> 00:56:18,439 I got injured about a week after a guy, a ranger, Andy Allen. 896 00:56:18,440 --> 00:56:22,119 Basically he lost his eyesight and both his legs as well. 897 00:56:22,120 --> 00:56:24,519 He was a big Manchester United fan, huge. 898 00:56:24,520 --> 00:56:27,079 The guy obviously had Manchester United shirts 899 00:56:27,080 --> 00:56:29,679 and we swapped them all for Liverpool shirts 900 00:56:29,680 --> 00:56:34,479 and the guy would be cutting round in Liverpool shirts. That is a properly devious idea! 901 00:56:34,480 --> 00:56:38,079 But when he started to get his eyesight back a little bit, 902 00:56:38,080 --> 00:56:41,079 he basically just let loose on us then. 903 00:56:41,080 --> 00:56:45,199 It feeds the sense of humour that you're used to and takes it a step further. 904 00:56:45,200 --> 00:56:48,159 It also makes you come to terms with what's happened to you. 905 00:56:48,160 --> 00:56:51,599 You don't have to stop being you just because of what's happened. 906 00:56:51,600 --> 00:56:54,200 You don't have to... People shouldn't pity you. 907 00:56:57,680 --> 00:56:58,959 Come on. 908 00:56:58,960 --> 00:57:04,160 'Throughout the day, the lads have been getting faster and faster.' 909 00:57:05,240 --> 00:57:10,079 You've just done two runs. That was a 9.17 and a 9.08. 910 00:57:10,080 --> 00:57:13,440 Break that barrier! Eight second. 911 00:57:15,240 --> 00:57:18,479 'And as they lined up for the last run of the weekend, 912 00:57:18,480 --> 00:57:21,839 'everybody - us, the organisers, the other competitors, 913 00:57:21,840 --> 00:57:25,280 'wanted to see them break the nine-minute barrier.' 914 00:57:28,760 --> 00:57:31,719 Mate, if we don't do it less than nine minutes... 915 00:57:31,720 --> 00:57:33,519 Right, amber. 916 00:57:33,520 --> 00:57:36,360 3, 2, 1, go. 917 00:57:39,840 --> 00:57:42,720 Keep accelerating this bit, mate. Keep going, keep going. 918 00:57:49,480 --> 00:57:51,320 Second, yes? Second gear's good. 919 00:57:53,000 --> 00:57:54,240 Boot it, boot it, boot it. 920 00:57:58,360 --> 00:57:59,600 Nice! 921 00:58:00,560 --> 00:58:01,840 This is awesome! 922 00:58:09,320 --> 00:58:11,400 Keep going, keep going. 923 00:58:14,040 --> 00:58:17,479 Here he is, here he is! Oh my God. 924 00:58:17,480 --> 00:58:18,920 That's it! 925 00:58:20,040 --> 00:58:23,279 'Sadly, they hadn't broken that nine-minute barrier, 926 00:58:23,280 --> 00:58:26,559 'probably because they HAD broken something else.' 927 00:58:26,560 --> 00:58:28,359 Oh, yes! 928 00:58:28,360 --> 00:58:30,359 Most of that will polish out. 929 00:58:30,360 --> 00:58:32,759 Largely, yes, largely. 930 00:58:32,760 --> 00:58:36,120 That's a below centre point scratch. 931 00:58:37,480 --> 00:58:40,519 'I really hope that these guys do make it to the Dakar, 932 00:58:40,520 --> 00:58:44,280 'because on spirit alone, they deserve to be there.' 933 00:58:46,400 --> 00:58:50,959 On that day I got blown up, I never thought I'd make this stage where I'm at now. 934 00:58:50,960 --> 00:58:54,439 We said this in the car before, who'd ever have thought 935 00:58:54,440 --> 00:58:57,199 we'd be sat in a Wildcat on a Sunday morning, rallying around? 936 00:58:57,200 --> 00:58:59,920 What an experience. 937 00:59:06,200 --> 00:59:11,040 You DO deserve to be in the Wildcat on a Sunday morning. 938 00:59:12,560 --> 00:59:15,400 And they are here with us tonight! 939 00:59:19,600 --> 00:59:21,920 Now, can I just say, really, 940 00:59:22,880 --> 00:59:26,879 I think everybody here will join us in wishing you all the very best. 941 00:59:26,880 --> 00:59:30,799 We really do hope you make it to the start and the finish of the Dakar. 942 00:59:30,800 --> 00:59:34,720 You really do deserve it, guys. You do deserve it. 943 00:59:38,960 --> 00:59:40,639 That's it! 944 00:59:40,640 --> 00:59:44,119 Not only for this programme, but for this series. 945 00:59:44,120 --> 00:59:46,599 We'll be back whenever the X Factor's finished. 946 00:59:46,600 --> 00:59:48,240 See you then, good night. 947 01:00:05,280 --> 01:00:07,640 Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd