Didn't want to clutter the opening post, so here I am - answering my own question :lol:
It was a bit of a mixed bag this time. When I realized at the start that they were going to host that show without Fomenko, my first reaction was a facepalm. But over the course of the show they made a pretty solid job of it - I liked how Oscar took the p*ss out of Fomenko
The taxist thing was good - nothing spectacular, but a nice idea to do some car reviewing with the passengers. I couldn't believe that blond bimbo in Fomenkos car. That chick was the best reason to become gay - she talked faster than an AK-47
The GAZ-killing. Just great - I can't believe how they went to town with that flame thrower

One or two other harsh tests and they could have even eclipsed the Hilux segment. They ended it a bit too early, but in their favour - in contrast to the original, they really tormented that thing, while some of the Hilux tests were rather girlish in comparison.
The SIARPC was so-so. Seen worse one though.
Overall they really start to get the hang of it and TGR by now is a good cure for my TG withdrawal symptoms. I rated this episode lower than 1x3 and 1x4, because, doing the show without one of the presenters is a bad move, no matter how good you're covering it up.