: A used-car expert who appeared only in the first series before being replaced by James May in Series 2.
: Motoring journalist and the primary face of the show's revival.
The relaunched Top Gear eventually became the most widely-broadcast factual television program in the world, airing in more than 200 territories at its peak. It successfully reached beyond a niche audience of "petrol-heads" to a broader demographic by prioritizing entertainment and chemistry over technical specifications. 2002 - Top Gear
: Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey, which housed a specialized studio hangar and a race circuit designed with help from Lotus . Core Presenting Team (Series 1)
The 2002 revamp debuted several features that became iconic hallmarks of the series: : A used-car expert who appeared only in
: Presenters argued over the "coolness" of various cars, categorizing them as "Seriously Uncool," "Uncool," "Cool," or "Sub Zero".
: An anonymous, silent test driver portrayed by Perry McCarthy (wearing a black suit) for the first two series. Signature Segments Introduced It successfully reached beyond a niche audience of
: Celebrities were interviewed and then drove a budget car (initially a Suzuki Liana) around the track to record a lap time.