Car shows are some of the most popular shows on television Worldwide. The biggest show globally in 2015 was the UK version of Top Gear, but much has changed since then.
Here are the top 5 car shows around the World.
It is on shows like these that we see our dream supercars raced at high speed and adventurous road trips in used cars across Africa. We see the cars we all drive and strive for everyday reviewed on track and on road. It is one TV shows like the following ones that inspire us to want a different car or strive for a better one either through car finance or buying out right.
Top Gear
Two years ago this was the greatest car show around, but a lot has changed since then. With the departure of Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond, there was much speculation about the future of this beloved show.
However, over the summer, the show returned with a new team led by Chris Evans and Matt Leblanc. It was slightly revamped, but tried to retain as much as possible from the previous trio and the viewing figures slumped dramatically.
The show was revamped with Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond in 2002 with James May joining the show a year later. It ran for 22 series with this trio. The 23rd series was presented by a group of six, Chris Evans, Matt Leblanc, Chris Harris, Rory Reid, Sabine Schmitz and Eddie Jordan. Rory Reid also hosted a spin off show in the 23rd season called Extra Gear.
At the height of its hay day, the BBC’s favourite naughty child brought in over 8 million viewers, whilst exploring the World in supercars and used cars, smashing lap times in hypercars and pretty much offending the World.
Fifth Gear
Fifth Gear was a direct challenge and rival to the BBC’s Top Gear. It came into being after the BBC cancelled the original Top Gear back in 2001. Many of the original staff and presenters, except Clarkson, went to Channel 5 and started Fifth Gear.
The show ran from 2002 until 2016, outlasting the Top Gear of Clarkson, Hammond and May by one year due to lack of funding. At the time of its cancellation, the show was presented by Tiff Needell and Vicki Butler-Henderson (both ex-Top Gear presenters) and Jonny Smith.
In comparison to its BBC rival, Fifth Gear was more consumer focused. Whilst they did cover powerful supercars and did perform outrageous challenges, they also focused on proper reviews of affordable cars more often, which clearly defined them as different to Top Gear.
Fast N Loud
This is a very different show to Top Gear and Fifth Gear. This American favourite is a reality motor show about the Gas Monkey Garage run by Richard Rawlings. The show consists of them finding tired, run-down cars that are in desperate need of help and restoring them in order to sell them.
Since being launched in 2012, the show has had 10 successful seasons and has a spin off show called the Misfit Garage. They have turned some of the worst abandoned cars back into true beauties that many of you would love to drive away with. And although it isn’t very appropriate at all, they have also launched their own brand of tequila (never drink and drive under no circumstances and no excuses).
Wheeler Dealer
Returning to the UK, we have the Wheeler Dealer. This show is hosted by Mike Brewer and Edd China and they are on a mission to save old, enthusiast vehicles and repair and improve them before selling them on. A British version of Fast N Loud.
The show has been going for 13 series. The first four series were all based in the UK, but since series 5, we have seen them travel to Europe (Series 5+) and the United States (Series 8+). The show began in 2003 and is still continuing this year with the new series starting in May 2016. It also has a spin off show called Trading Up that ran for two series of 6 episodes in 2013-2014.
The Grand Tour
This one is a little bit cheeky considering it hasn’t been launched yet. But it has to be included as it is the new show for the Top Gear Trio, Clarkson, Hammond and May. Since their departure from the BBC, the motoring world’s favourite sons have set up at Amazon and are preparing to deliver this new motoring show this coming November.
We can expect over the top stunts, beautiful and fast sports cars and witty humour and it all starts again very soon.
Everyone knows that at times choosing a car can be really difficult, especially if you have a few to choose from or have no idea what so ever. Shows like these can be really help in making up your mind. You can know exactly which car you want and how to finance cars for personal use or purchase them outright.
