8.1

Top Gear the Complete Series 11

As Channel 9 poached Top Gear from SBS, it seems that its popularity has only grown which is a good thing for its creators but unfortunately we have to put up with those annoying TV commercials. Damn you channel 9... damn you indeed!

However this is where the DVD releases come into play and Roadshow have released Top Gear the Complete Series 11 which brings together the entire season of Top Gear, without all those annoying ads. With 6 episodes, Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, James May and the Stig take viewers on an entertaining journey of what’s hot and not in the world of high speed cars.

Not only is the series informative but it’s quite humorous, thanks to the rapport between Clarkson and fellow Top Gear stars and dare I say, a little competive as well. Whether it’s watching the gang race some of the most amazing cars in the world or seeing some British Stars engage in the Reasonably Priced Car segment, it's a pure joy to watch. Apart from the tests drives and witty banter, there's even some interesting and over the top stunts which makes Top Gear a winning formula that can be watched by even those who don't like cars.

Best of all, the crew is quite honest when they review the cars but its the relationship between the commentators and the Stig have which makes the series so entertaining to watch. It's fast, it's entertaining and you might even learn a few things such as the following; 

• Episode 1
  Ferrari 430 Scuderia review
  Feature Challenge: £1000 Police Car
  Fuel Economy Investigation
  Alan Carr and Justin Lee Collins are the Stars in the Reasonably Priced Car.

• Episode 2
  Reviews: Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X, Subaru Impreza WRX STi, Audi RS6, Mercedes-Benz CLK63 AMG Black Series
  Feature Race: Audi RS6 vs. French Skiers
  Rupert Penry-Jones and Peter Firth are the Stars in the Reasonably Priced Car.

• Episode 3
  Review: Bentley Brooklands
  Feature Challenge: Cheap Cars—Alfa Romeos for £1000
  James Corden and Rob Brydon are the Stars in the Reasonably Priced Car.

• Episode 4
  Reviews: Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione and Nissan GT-R
  Feature Race: Nissan GT-R VS Japanese Bullet Train—Hakui to Chiba
  Fiona Bruce and Kate Silverton are the Stars in the Reasonably Priced Car.

• Episode 5
  Review: Nissan GT-R
  Feature Challenge: Classic Luxury Limousines: Mercedes-Benz 600 vs. Rolls-Royce Corniche and Daihatsu Terios Fox Hunting
  Peter Jones and Theo Paphitis are the Stars in the Reasonably Priced Car.

• Episode 6
  Reviews: Gumpert Apollo, Mitsuoka Orochi, and Mitsuoka Galue III
  Feature Challenge: The British (Top Gear) vs. The Germans (D Motor)
  Jay Kay is the Star in the Reasonably Priced Car.

As you can see from the diverse episode listing and as mentioned, Top Gear is not a TV show for petrol heads, rather, it can be watched by viewers of all ages, whether car aficionados or not. While watching, it’s hard not to get caught up in the episode and even though the content is thoroughly British, viewers from around the world will get something out of this entertaining TV series that has been running for years.

My favourite segment in series 11 is watching Jeremy, Richard and James attempt to build the perfect police car and of course, attempt to beat the Japanese bullet-train with the sexy Nissan GT-R which is any man's dream.

The DVD quality is great and the BBC are the forefront of their DVD releases and Top Gear Season 11 is no exception to the rule. The release even comes in a cool metal box that would look perfect on your shelf. Brilliantly and Britishly entertaining! Vrooom!