Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
In this clip, Jeremy Clarkson causes a PR disaster for Vauxhall as he expresses his (un)interest towards reviewing the successor to the fleet car favourite Cavalier, the Vectra.
Production code: NBMX408X
TX: 28/09/1995
This segment is historically important to Top Gear, as it was one of the many iconic segments on the show that were shortlisted to be used for the "Best Top Gear Item" segment of Top Gear Awards 2000 (shown on 10.02.2000) - as for why is it important, this segment was one of the leading reasons why the Vauxhall factory in Luton met massive layoffs in 2000, with most of the workers pinpointing the original Vectra test as the reason.
Similar disappointment was shared towards the Frontera when Quentin tested it on Series 36, Episode 12 (21/11/1996), calling it "dull to drive, hideously slow and a fair bit common", and when Jeremy tested the Astra on Series 39, Episode 5 (19/03/1998).
For Series 44, Episode 9 (02/11/2000), Jason Barlow might have took heavy inspiration from how this Vectra segment was presented, and road tested the Audi A4 to a style similar to this item that started it all.
#topgear #jeremyclarkson #cars #topgearuk #vauxhall
In this clip, Jeremy Clarkson causes a PR disaster for Vauxhall as he expresses his (un)interest towards reviewing the successor to the fleet car favourite Cavalier, the Vectra.
Production code: NBMX408X
TX: 28/09/1995
This segment is historically important to Top Gear, as it was one of the many iconic segments on the show that were shortlisted to be used for the "Best Top Gear Item" segment of Top Gear Awards 2000 (shown on 10.02.2000) - as for why is it important, this segment was one of the leading reasons why the Vauxhall factory in Luton met massive layoffs in 2000, with most of the workers pinpointing the original Vectra test as the reason.
Similar disappointment was shared towards the Frontera when Quentin tested it on Series 36, Episode 12 (21/11/1996), calling it "dull to drive, hideously slow and a fair bit common", and when Jeremy tested the Astra on Series 39, Episode 5 (19/03/1998).
For Series 44, Episode 9 (02/11/2000), Jason Barlow might have took heavy inspiration from how this Vectra segment was presented, and road tested the Audi A4 to a style similar to this item that started it all.
#topgear #jeremyclarkson #cars #topgearuk #vauxhall
