Top Gear Weds!

[Hou]

Top Gear are doing a "Polar" special on Wednesday, BBC2 at 8pm!

Don't miss it guys, looks really good.

This Wednesday sees the Top Gear boys in their most arduous challenge to date: a 450-mile race across the Arctic to the North Pole.

And, to shake things up a bit, the traditional 'Jeremy in a supercar v James and Hammond on grotty public transport' head-to-head has been dispensed with. Instead, the Polar Challenge sees JC and Captain Slow armed with a heavily modified Toyota Hilux taking on Richard... and a team of Inuit sled-dogs.

[msherry21]

Spotted that aswell, looks like proper TG is back, should be awesome!

[Pompey Gaz]

the guy who dropped off the hospitality trailer at JAE was on about it, i think

[msherry21]

Ha! That'll have been dawsey then, fantastic!

[Pompey Gaz]

not dawesy, he was from portsmouth and had lost his boss..was outside, i dunno lol was you the bloke with the mighty mk1 mr2 and red alpinestar jacket?

[msherry21]

yeah, thats me. also known as Michael.

When you meant "dropped off" I thought you meant "Fell off" sorry Dawsey.

[Pompey Gaz]

yeah, thats me. also known as Michael.

HAha quality untill you went "I'm off to get more drink. Promice I'll be back!" and never did! we waited for ages in them stands for you lol

When you meant "dropped off" I thought you meant "Fell off" sorry Dawsey.

haha quality

[Norfolk n Chance]

Now i really want a Hilux!!!

[msherry21]

That should SOOOO have been at JAE, I would have bought one there and then.

[Pompey Gaz]

is that a gun rack on the back?

[cfc1]

I nearly bought one.. but opted for the '2 instead.. would have regretted it if I didn't

[Devil-ish]

Oooooooooo mustn't miss this one.....................................

[msherry21]

theres also a longer version on Sunday 29th 8pm till 9.30pm

[Norfolk n Chance]

is that a gun rack on the back?

It most certainly is!

Gotta watch out for Polar Bears you see!!

[Ed_Shek]

Should be interesting. I'll be out but will make sure the recorder is set!

[Toyota PR]

Some info for you;

DESTINATION POLE FOR ARCTIC HERO HILUX

Intrepid Toyota aims for the top of the world

Battling across boulder fields, braving sea ice and running the gauntlet of predatory polar bears, a Toyota Hilux Invincible has pushed motoring endurance to new limits by embarking on an expedition to the Magnetic North Pole.

The attempt was made by Jeremy Clarkson and James May as an adventure feature for a special edition of BBC Television’s Top Gear. Supported by a small team of guides and specialist mechanics, they set out on their icy odyssey at the end of April. Whether or not they succeeded in reaching the pole will be revealed when the programme is screened on 25th July.

The pioneering journey was the culmination of months of planning between Toyota (GB), engineering experts Arctic Trucks from Iceland and the organisers of the 2007 Polar Challenge. With Clarkson and May piloting the Hilux, fellow presenter Richard Hammond attempted the route by more traditional polar transport, a sled pulled by a team of 10 huskies.

“The Arctic is one of the most hostile environments on earth for man and machine,” said Emil Grimsson, Chairman of Arctic Trucks. “The expedition demanded pinpoint planning and scouting to plot a route that could be safely negotiated. Even then there were times when there was no way forward unless we physically cut our way through the ice and boulders.

“No other car has attempted to tackle such extreme conditions and it says much about the strength of the Toyota Hilux’s design and engineering that it was considered the machine for the job.”

Before being transported to Canada, the Hilux – a Double Cab model – underwent detailed preparation in Arctic Trucks’ Reykjavik workshops. Key modifications to cope with deep snow and rough terrain included: -

• 38-inch studded snow tyres, running at pressures as low as 4psi

• Underbody shielding

• Revised suspension and springs, with specially tuned shock absorbers

• Bespoke exhaust system

• Satellite positioning and communications equipment

• Lubricant and coolant pre heating protection

• Specially blended diesel fuel, stored in 180-litre tanks

The 3.0-litre D-4D turbodiesel engine was largely unchanged, but modified to cope with the extreme cold with a heavy duty Battery, raised air intake and fuel heater. A standard Hilux automatic transmission was used.

On board, the crews carried a full survival kit, recovery equipment and ice axes and chainsaws to help clear their route. They were also armed with shotguns to warn off Polar Bears.

The expedition adds yet more muscle to Hilux’s legendary robust reputation. In a previous Top Gear endurance trial, a Hilux continued to fire up after being crashed, washed out to sea, burned and crushed in the rubble of a blown up block of flats.

[Pompey Gaz]

wow. I can't wait to see it :D

[The Red Man]

are all the diesel Hilux's 3.0????? Its just it says the engine remained virtually unchanged and only last week I got left behind by a Navarro like I was standing still!!! lol I suppose its the torque there after but even so a small tweak would have been an idea!

[Demonic Angel]

I've missed my boys intently!

And.... Heroes is on after - I desperately want to see that!

[Boro Sera]

And.... Heroes is on after - I desperately want to see that!

Quite right too, superb stuff !

[chatman]

Lets just hope the DMF (Dual Mass Flywheel) lasted the whole journey...... :blink:

Looks like a good night of telly tomorrow then.... :thumbsup:

[Karma Supra]

Urg...

I really really want a Hilux, have done for a long time now... getting really itchy for one geared up, getting insurance quotes and choosing what I am after now this!!!

It'll A, make me want one even more, B probably put the prices up!

Oh and they are not all 3.0 TDi, they did a 2.4 too, which ate heads lots!

I am probably after a gen 3 surf, lifted, bull barred, snorkeled and winched for off road fun!

They are worrying on my site lol

Means I can pile all my sh it in the truck, and put the supra on a trailer for shows :D - oh and drive about on my daily business without worrying about idiots damaging my car 24/7!

[Toyota PR]

As small taster for what is in store, here's a link to a photo feature on the Radio Times web site.

Radio Times Top Gear Polar Special

[Pompey Gaz]

haha it was brilliant

[GIDDLEPIN]

It's always good but I'm getting a bit weary of it being Sooo scripted all the time.