Top Gear Season 10: Episode Guide & Ratings

With much of the motor industry's major research and development based outside Britain is there still a role for specialist centres like the Cranfield Institute of Technology and can they survive? Ex-racing driver John Miles takes to the track with a revolutionary new Lotus that has a suspension that thinks for itself. And Frank Page road tests a new car.

This week William Woollard Introduces the programme direct from the Frankfurt Motor Show where major manufacturers will be putting their latest technology on display. Sue Baker takes to the autobahns and tests the new Volkswagen Golf, Mercedes' first 'small' car, the 190, and she enjoys the luxury of West Germany's latest super buses.

There's more to motor sport than the glamorous and very expensive world of Grand Prix racing. William Woollard introduces tonight's programme from Prescott near Cheltenham, where vintage and special cars do battle over the twisting hill-climb course. And he goes back to school to learn all about the gentle art of driving sideways - the rough way. In addition Chris Goffey reports on the successful return of 'big cat' Jaguars to the race track.

William Woollard looks at the latest in motoring accessories and garage equipment when he visits Earls Court and the Autoquip '83 Exhibition. Sue Baker, herself a recent victim of car thieves, investigates some of the security systems now available to beat the thief. While well away from a life of crime, she tries out the Orion - Ford's new Escort with a boot. Meanwhile, as winter draws near, Frank Page reports on the menace of spray from heavy lorries. With government legislation planned to reduce this hazard the race is now on to produce a successful anti-spray system.

New car sales have reached record levels over the past few weeks and as a result the secondhand market is booming too. But as William Woollard finds out quite dramatically, buying a used car is still one of the biggest financial gambles anyone can ever take. In tonight's programme he visits Nottingham, one of Britain's busiest car sales areas to find out just how prospective buyers—'punters'—to the trade-can help themselves around the many pitfalls and problems of buying a used car. And Frank Page turns 'punter', trying out some of the secondhand models on offer.

Autumn may not be the time when many people think of hitching up their caravan and setting off on holiday. But as William Woollard reports it is probably the best time of year to buy or change your van and pick up a bargain. On the other hand is it cheaper to rent or buy your travelling home? Tonight's programme also features test drives in the new Vauxhall Cavalier Estate, Citroen BX and the film of the latest big bike from BMW.

Three out of every 100 new cars sold in Britain today have been made in an Iron Curtain country or South Korea. William Woollard travels to Poland for tonight's programme with a special report on the way in which the Poles, along with their Eastern Bloc partners, are carving out a significant foothold for themselves in our marketplace. Meanwhile, back at home, Sue Baker has been conducting her own series of road tests on the cars the communist countries and the Koreans have to offer. They may be cheap - but are they really good value for money?

Safety, energy conservation and environmental pressures have led the Swedes into introducing probably more motoring legislation than any other country in the world. William Woollard visits Volvo and Saab to see some of the exciting new research and development in these areas and finds out what it's like to be a law-abiding driver in Sweden.