Product Details

• Directors: Brian Klein, Phil Churchward, James Bryce
• Format: AC-3, Box set, Color, Dolby, Full Screen, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 5.1)
• Subtitles: English
• Subtitles for the Hearing Impaired: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
• Number of discs: 3
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: BBC Home Entertainment
• DVD Release Date: June 12, 2012
• Run Time: 406 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B007Q0JHYC
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,479 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

What makes Top Gear such fantastically entertaining television is that it is only in the loosest sense a show about cars. In truth, it's a forum for three delightful Brits to bicker, snipe, and compete with each other as they drive cars hither and yon. Jeremy Clarkson (tall, hefty, urbane, and witheringly witty), James May (understated and sturdy, referred to as "Eeyore" by the others at one point), and Richard Hammond (short and wiry, packed with irrepressible energy) are just about the perfect guys to hang out with--they combine enthusiasm for cars with a gleeful desire to poke fun at each other using dry but infectious humor. Each episode follows a regular pattern: a test drive of a snazzy new vehicle (a Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale, a Vauxhall Corsa VXR Nurburgring, a Fisker Karma, a KTM X-Bow, and many more), a spot of car news (which is really just an excuse for them to toss out competing hyperbole), and having a celebrity drive a reasonably priced car (including will.i.am, Michael Fassbender, Dr. Who's Matt Smith, Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash, Ryan Reynolds, and Matt LeBlanc, who proves himself a pretty good driver). Then the rest of each show is filled out with a bit of variety, which could be launching a car with an air cannon, racing wheelchairs, exploring the obsessiveness of Saab engineers, critiquing the Chinese car industry, and having AC/DC's lead singer Brian Johnson drive an electric car. But perhaps the most enjoyable episode is the special in which they take three British-made cars--a Jaguar, a Rolls-Royce, and a Mini Cooper--to India to improve Anglo-Indian relations… and generally demonstrate that, while they know everything about cars, they know almost nothing about anything else. Top Gear combines the glossy cinematography and razzle-dazzle editing of a car commercial with the rapid-fire dialogue of clever Brits… and really, what more can you want? This is entertainment in its purest form. Sheer delight. --Bret Fetzer

Product Description

In season 18 of the world's most extreme car show, Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May visit India as they attempt to promote British trade armed only with three old cars, a badly behaved lawnmower and a trouser press. They also drive supercars across Italy, make a movie car chase, re-invent the mobility scooter, get soaking wet in track day cars, go motor racing for less than the cost of playing golf, investigate the Chinese car industry, immerse themselves in the world of NASCAR, and drive a brand new Ferrari through a snow field. Plus, The Stig hits the test track in the Mercedes SLS Roadster, BMW M5, Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale, and an insane pre-war Bentley powered by a 27-litre Spitfire engine, and the Reasonably Priced Car feels the raw driving power of stars including will.i.am, Ryan Reynolds, Slash, Matt LeBlanc, Michael Fassbender and Matt Smith.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Top Gear Season EVER - But why NO BLU RAY?? June 5, 2012

By Deborah K. Polk

Format:DVD

After suffering a less than glowing reception for their India Special Top Gear came back guns blazing! It was a solid season about cars - and just enough of the fluff that we love to make it entertaining - but not TOO sweet! My problem is - after being an avid TG head for several years now and making the sizeable investment into their Blu Ray offerings - BBC has decided NOT to release this season in BR. I'm disappointed - and by the chatter on the net - I'm not the only one. TG is visually a treat for the eyes - it's truly beautiful to behold. And the quality of the BR picture only showcased the talents of the hosts and the incredible production team. I will wait to purchase in the hopes that the BBC comes to their senses and releases this season - along with those to come - in the high quality BR format.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Season June 9, 2012

By Kris128183

Format:DVD

Season 18 of Top Gear begins with the India Special as the trio travel across India to promote the U.K. As always, almost everything that could possibly go wrong does go wrong. But in a comical way in Top Gear tradition. Then series continues with 7 more episodes that include: filming a car chase for a movie, a look at China's car industry, a Supercar trip to Italy, a test of Track cars, a look at Chris Evan's collection of Ferraris, Richard's foray into NASCAR and much more. The celebrity interviews in this season include Matt LeBlanc, Will.i.am, Ryan Reynolds, Slash and Formula One driver Kimi Raikkonen. With 7 episodes plus a special this was the most action packed season of Top Gear in about 3-4 years. In the bonus features there's an episode of the American Top Gear. The first episode from season 2 in which the guys find cheap alternatives for pickup trucks in Texas. It's nice that this episode was included because season 2 of the US Top Gear is still not on DVD for some reason. Great DVD for fans of the show and it will provide hours of laughs and entertainment.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great DVD! November 30, 2012

By Matthew Windham Hillis

Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase

Top Gear Season 18 is fantastic, as usual, but the only complaint I have about these US DVD's is that they change the original music seen on the UK version. That's not a huge deal but it's always disappointing to miss "The A-Team" soundtrack when they're modifying the cars, etc. Overall if you like Top Gear, fast cars, or British humor, you can't go wrong!