‘Top Gear’ Recap: ‘Season 26, Episode 3’

Written by John Edward Betancourt 

The last time we settled in to discuss the wondrous show that is Top Gear, I made mention of a grave mistake on my part, in that, I tempered my expectations when it came to the last episode of the series. Because ‘Episode 2’ featured some supremely cool moments with the tiny car known as the Tuk-Tuk and because of that I vowed to never undercut this show again and embrace everything it had to offer and well I’m glad I stuck to that little promise to myself. Because ‘Episode 3’ of this series managed to top the prior week by delivering a tour de force of car related moments from the get-go, since I found myself entranced by the lovely Bentley that Chris and Matt introduced us to first thing.

For the Bentley GT really was quite the marvel in engineering from this company, in just about every way imaginable. For not only was the vehicle gorgeous inside and out, and filled with lovely toys, what it had under the hood mattered most since this sucker could handle up to 200 miles an hour, and its ability to fly and its handling and aesthetics prompted Matt to declare it as the finest Bentley ever made, something that Chris wanted to put to the test in the best way possible, by way of a race. So, Chris pulled a Le Mans winning Bentley out of mothballs to see what the new GT could do and well, the GT handled that race car with little effort and man, it was just cool to see a ride this advanced perform so well under pressure.

In fact, the show had more cars to put to the test since we also got to spend a little time with Chris and the wondrous Porsche 911 GT2 RS, a car that quite frankly, is about as top of the line as it gets. Because this beast was souped up in every single way imaginable, with an engine that is outright top of the line, and every bit of its frame was designed with speed and power in mind and well, without its support systems being activated, this little car can become quite the thrill to drive, so much in fact that Chris was able to measure his terror and while seeing the raw potential of this vehicle was awesome in its own right, what made this car so damn impressive, is how it managed to earn the best time possible on the Top Gear Track with the Stig at the helm.

But the show still had more awesome moments to offer up our way since Rory was able to educate us about the wonder of the hot hatch, which was fascinating for me at least. Because I hadn’t a clue that these tiny cars were so popular but Renault has clearly satisfied a need for years with their respective line of them and Rory took the time to introduce us to their latest model, the Megane RS, which turned out to be the proverbial minivan of the Renault line since it offered up all kinds of wondrous technology that made the ride as smooth as possible, but offered none of the thrill of its other hot hatches. And it was simply fascinating to know that the fun is definitely a factor that needs to remain for some lines and some drivers and while it didn’t resonate with Rory on a personal level, he did make some solid points on why this car is a blast to drive.

Plus, the celebrity segment was equally as fun this go round since singer Gregory Porter was like a kid in a candy store by being on the track and hanging with the guys and his infectious personality made watching him take on the track to be an utter delight and well, I really loved this episode when all is said and done. Because I feel as though this one really schooled me when it comes to my floundering knowledge of cars, in fact the whole series is helping with that since I knew some of what the guys were talking about this go round, but I digress. Because what matters the most is that this one was just good old fashioned fun, and it’s just cool to see the see what these guys are able to do with a car and well, I’m definitely ready for next week’s episode and I’m excited to see what beautiful vehicles we get to take out in vicarious fashion. Until then.  

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