M3 vs. i8

Episode Summary & Review

Summary

Jeremy Clarkson tests the new BMW M3 at the track before switching to another BMW, the space age, hybrid powered i8, for a revealing trip up the A1 to Whitby. When he gets there and is fuelled by a portion offish and chips, Clarkson must decide which of the two cars he would rather take for the drive home.Also in this programme, Richard Hammond marks the imminent demise of the legendary Land Rover Defender with a heart stopping attempt to drive one straight up the side of a dam.Meanwhile, James May makes a rare trip to the Top Gear track to test the brand new 500-horsepower Mercedes-AMG GT.The stars in the Reasonably Priced Car are actress Margot Robbie and Hollywood superstar Will Smith.

Our Take

A solid, if patchy, hour. Clarkson’s M3 versus i8 comparison is the highlight, with genuinely interesting points about where hybrid tech is heading, even if the fish and chips framing feels a bit thin. Hammond’s dam climb delivers real tension, though the AMG GT segment never quite catches fire. Worth watching for the BMW showdown alone.