Top Gear Season 21

Once again Radio Times Rally Quest is searching for a budding rally driver to win a chance-of-a-lifetime drive in November’s Lombard RAC Rally. William Woollard presents the first of a new series from the qualifying rounds at Ellesmere Port in Cheshire. Tony Mason offers advice on rally driving technique with the help of top rally driver Louise Aitken-Walker. The Ford Fiesta, Britain’s best-selling supermini, is relaunched this spring. Chris Goffey assesses whether the new model is good enough to retain class leadership. Sue Baker has been to the Geneva motor show to preview the rest of spring’s new cars while the latest executive toy is the chauffeur to answer the car phone. Jeremy Clarkson reports.

Next Sunday a beautifully restored 1907 Itala sets out to repeat an epic expedition from the pioneering days of motoring. In that year, the same car won the famous Peking-Paris race by three weeks. William Woollard tried it out in Turin, before it left for China. In 1989, a Range Rover might prove a more appropriate choice for such a trip. Chris Goffey compares this latest model with the best Japanese competition, the new V6-engined Mitsubishi Shogun. At 110 mph sideways over slippery dirt on slick tyres, Tiff Needell reports on his initiation into the sport of rallycross at the British Grand Prix.

William Woollard visits the British Commercial Vehicle Museum at Leyland in Lancashire to sample Britain’s unique contribution to the truck and bus industry. The original Audi Quattro was a tough act to follow. Tiff Needell drives the new Audi Coupe with four-wheel drive to see whether it makes the grade. Chris Goffey samples Britain’s latest turbo-charged diesel Montego. Tom Boswell examines how anti-lock brakes work and whether they’re always an asset. 1989 marks 30 years of the Mini. Beki Adam looks at the way this brilliant family car has been raced, rallied, customised and abused.

William Woollard looks at ways to mitigate traffic congestion, while Jeremy Clarkson examines some of the competing solutions to London’s problems and comes to a novel conclusion. Off-road motorcycle rallies have given rise to a new breed of commercial bikes. Chris Goffey assesses their leisure use off the road, and their practicality in towns. The AC Cobra still evokes a special excitement among enthusiasts. Beki Adam reviews this marriage of a big American V8 engine and a sophisticated British sporting chassis. Tiff Needell tests two Grand Prix Karts — 250cc machines capable of 150 mph.

What better way to drive old racing cars than on the limit at Silverstone? William Woollard meets enthusiasts of the Vintage Sports Car Club who do just that. Four-wheel drive has enormous benefits for road cars. Chris Goffey tests the latest Cavalier 4x4 against newcomers from Citroën and Peugeot. Tony Mason reports from the Radio Times Rally Quest finals, and Tiff Needell performs stunts with some of the best drivers.

William Woollard reports from the new Langbaurgh complex on Teesside, catering for a series of two-and four-wheel motorsport events. Tiff Needell looks at the design of Jaguar’s Le-Mans-winning XJR9 and puts it to the test at Silverstone. Back in the north east, Washington is now the site of an important new Nissan car plant. Chris Goffey reviews this spring’s changes to their range and takes a particular look at their redesigned Prairie. Beki Adam assesses the new deal for cyclists in Middlesbrough.

Presented by William Woollard with reports from Tiff Needell, Tony Mason, Chris Goffey. Aston Martin owners from all over the world met last weekend at Brands Hatch to race their cars. William Woollard traces the history of the marque while Tiff Needell drives their latest car, the Virage. Why is Britain one of the very few countries in the world not to close public roads for rallying? Tony Mason investigates. And Chris Goffey drives two new sporting hatchbacks — the Maestro Turbo and the 16-valve Vauxhall Astra GTE.

Presented by William Woollard with reports from Beki Adam, Tom Boswell, Chris Goffey, Tony Mason. For the last of the current series, William Woollard and Beki Adam travel to northern France to report on the pleasures and perils of taking your car abroad, and Tom Boswell looks at how to learn to love your caravan. Lancia are making a determined effort to win back lost markets with their new mid-range saloon. Chris Goffey test drives the Dedra in Spain. For a seasonal touch, Tony Mason takes his car on to the beach at Weston-super-Mare, but finds tough competition in Britain’s only sandrace meeting.