[16x08] July 27th, 2009

[SL65]

Episode 8 of 8

The motoring show concludes its 16th run with presenters Tiff Needell, Jason Plato, Tom Ford, Jonny Smith and Tim Shaw. In the series finale, Jason takes chef James Martin to Silverstone, Tim investigates car-share clubs and Tom and Jonny are offered a ride in a Formula Ford race car – but only if they fit the engine themselves...

This week’s show kicks off with an end-of-term shoot-out treat featuring one of the most iconic names in motorsport. Two of the finest examples of the Cosworth racing engine, the Ford Sierra Cosworth and the Mercedes 190E Cosworth, are pitted against each other – but which beefed-up 1980s family car will come out on top?

Elsewhere, Jason meets celebrity chef and car fanatic James Martin. His impressive collection of motors includes a Formula One car... which no longer works! To help James realise his dream of driving a functioning F1 car, Jason arranges a trip in a 1996 Benetton at Silverstone.

Tim heads off to the big smoke to investigate the new craze of car-share clubs in London. Under these schemes, drivers rent cars by the hour and can pick up and drop off the vehicles wherever they choose. Tim spends the day getting about using three different clubs. Will he be sufficiently impressed to ditch his own motor?

Tiff and Jonny have a massive amount of fun with four tiny hot hatches – the 500 Abarth, the Mitsubishi Colt Ralliart, the RenaultSport Twingo and the Suzuki Swift Sport. This new class of cars has grown rapidly, with more traditional examples like the Golf GTI becoming bigger and heavier. Tiff and Jonny devise some driving challenges to find out which of the new breed is the most sizzling.

Tom and Jonny are offered a drive in a Formula Ford race car, but there is a catch – they have to fit the engine themselves. Since the car uses the same engine as a Ford Focus, the challenge is to remove the family car’s engine, fit it to the Formula Ford car and get behind the wheel before the track closes.
Have the boys met their motoring match?

Finally, Tom test-drives one of the wildest cars of the year – the brand new Tramontana R. A singleseat car designed in Spain, the Tramontana costs over £300,000 and has a twin turbo V12 engine. Tom heads to historic Goodwood to put it through its paces before unleashing it on the public.

This is the Tramontana:


Never heard or seen it before, but it looks pretty neat!

[ahpadt]

Elsewhere, Jason meets celebrity chef and car fanatic James Martin. His impressive collection of motors includes a Formula One car... which no longer works! To help James realise his dream of driving a functioning F1 car, Jason arranges a trip in a 1996 Benetton at Silverstone.

Most people hate the sound of that, but I know he's a proper petrolhead and looking forward to it.

[bartboy9891]

Sounds like the best ep of the series.

[Posmo]

Sierra Cosworth..!!

[Aiolos]

They gave the Tramontana to TOM?! WTF?

WHY!!!!!!!

This is one of the mostly interesting supercars in a while. Sigh, just like the V10 R8 to Jonny.

Ahh, what a disappointment.

[anthrax]

Tom and Jonny are offered a drive in a Formula Ford race car, but there is a catch – they have to fit the engine themselves. Since the car uses the same engine as a Ford Focus, the challenge is to remove the family car’s engine, fit it to the Formula Ford car and get behind the wheel before the track closes.
Have the boys met their motoring match?

Challenge seems quite interesting... looking forward to the results...

[Orange1984]

Seems like an ok to great last episode of the series! And can't wait for the dog fight part..Hope the Ford Cosworth wins

[Wyvern]

Sounds like a good way to wrap up what has been a very solid series. Looking forward to it!