New Zealand Yacht Race

Episode Summary & Review

Summary

The motoring magazine returns with the action kicking off in New Zealand, as Jeremy Clarkson and James May race a car against a boat in a nail biting battle up the beautiful coastline to the very tip of theNorth Island. The boat is a state of the art America’s Cup yacht, while the car is of a type many are familiar with yet have never before seen on Top Gear.Meanwhile, back in the UK, Richard Hammond attempts to find a hot hatch hero from a trio of newcomers, the Renaultsport Clio 200, Peugeot 208 GTI and Ford Fiesta ST, and a cavalcade of top stars assemble at the track to welcome a brand new Reasonably Priced Car

Our Take

A solid season opener that leans on familiar formulas without embarrassing itself. The New Zealand race looks gorgeous and the yacht genuinely threatens to beat Clarkson, which gives the film some real tension. The hot hatch comparison is enjoyable but forgettable, and the celebrity segment runs long. Worth a watch if you like the old race format, just don’t expect surprises.