5.9/1022 votes#1 - Episode 1
Season 39 Episode 1 - Aired 2/19/1998
Jeremy Clarkson looks at the new Volkswagen Beetle. Will its combination of retro styling and new technology gain it the same cult status as its older brother? We also see Tiff Needell pit a pair of uncompromising sports cars against each other as the latest BMW Z3, with a more powerful engine than an earlier model, meets Britain's TVR Griffith.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.3/1010 votes#2 - Episode 2
Season 39 Episode 2 - Aired 2/26/1998
The VW Golf continues to be one of the most popular small cars as Quentin Willson assesses how it fares in the second-hand market. Plus Jeremy Clarkson preaching the virtues and vices of the new BMW 3 series, and Tiff Needell trying his hand at ice racing at Isola in France.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
6.8/108 votes#3 - Episode 3
Season 39 Episode 3 - Aired 3/5/1998
The new Toyota Avensis enters a fiercely competitive market where sales reps and families are the main customers. Jeremy Clarkson asks whether the Avensis is good enough to win a share of this sector, and looks at the other contenders. And Vicki Butler-Henderson tries out the Peugeot 106 Rallye.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.0/108 votes#4 - Episode 4
Season 39 Episode 4 - Aired 3/12/1998
Jeremy Clarkson test-drives the star of the Geneva Motorshow the new Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph — and, accompanied by Quentin Willson, analyses the pros and cons of the latest debutantes and concept cars.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
- 6.8/108 votes
#5 - Episode 5
Season 39 Episode 5 - Aired 3/19/1998
Tiff Needell takes to the track to test road cars with a racing heritage, such as the Porsche 911, Nissan Skyline and Honda NSX. Jeremy Clarkson reports on Vauxhall’s new Astra — can it continue to attract customers despite growing competition?
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
6.8/109 votes#6 - Episode 6
Season 39 Episode 6 - Aired 3/26/1998
Jeremy Clarkson attempts to prove his assertion that fast cars are the safest, Quentin Willson looks at prices for a second-hand Saab 900, plus a guide to Swedish car-buying.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
- 6.4/1013 votes
#7 - Episode 7
Season 39 Episode 7 - Aired 4/2/1998
Jeremy Clarkson test-drives America’s 170 mph Vector, which boasts a powerful 5.7 litre V12 engine. Has it got what it takes, though, to beat the might of Ferrari and Lamborghini? Meanwhile, Quentin Willson discovers which cars offer credibility and practicality for the young driver on a tight budget.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
- 6.8/108 votes
#8 - Episode 8
Season 39 Episode 8 - Aired 4/9/1998
Quentin Willson discovers the people’s choice in terms of performance, reliability, economy and customer care with the announcement of the results in the fifth annual survey gauging customer satisfaction. In Europe, motor-racing grew on road circuits. In America its home is the oval, where fans are treated to the incredible sight of nose-to-tail racing at speeds of 200 miles per hour. Tiff Needell travels to the US to find out what it takes to be a Nascar racer.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
- 7.0/1010 votes
#9 - Episode 9
Season 39 Episode 9 - Aired 4/16/1998
Jeremy Clarkson squeezes inside the sleek MX5 to find out whether Mazda have improved their modern-day sports classic. In an item postponed from last week, Tiff Needell tries his hand at Nascar racing, and Tony Mason discovers one of the most extraordinary car collections in the world.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
- 6.1/1012 votes
#10 - Episode 10
Season 39 Episode 10 - Aired 4/23/1998
One-third of the half-a-million cars stolen annually in England and Wales are never recovered. Quentin Willson reports on evidence that suggests that many are being given the identities of legitimately owned vehicles. How well does the latest Lotus Esprit compare with its illustrious predecessors? Tiff Needell tests the new supercar. And Jeremy Clarkson sees how the new Mercedes M-class fares in the four-wheel-drive market.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
- 6.4/1021 votes
#11 - Episode 11
Season 39 Episode 11 - Aired 4/30/1998
Jeremy Clarkson reports on successful women and the cars they drive. Have roadsters and coupes replaced diamonds as a girl’s best friend? Quentin Willson reports from the Turin Motor Show and also test-drives Fiat’s new small car, the Seicento, the replacement model for the Cinquecento.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
- 7.0/108 votes
#12 - Episode 12
Season 39 Episode 12 - Aired 5/7/1998
Why is it so difficult to import cheap cars from the continent? Quentin Willson attempts to untangle the red tape. Tony Mason helps Land Rover to celebrate its 50th anniversary, and Jeremy Clarkson takes a look at Renault’s new Clio.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.0/108 votes#13 - Episode 13
Season 39 Episode 13 - Aired 5/14/1998
In the last of the series, Jeremy Clarkson looks at the opposition that the Cougar, Ford's new coupe, will face, while Tiff Needell tests the supercharged version of the Jaguar XK8. Quentin Willson also follows up an earlier report on why it is so hard to buy a right-hand-drive car outside the UK.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
The Best Episodes of Top Gear Season 39
Every episode of Top Gear Season 39 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Top Gear Season 39!
Motoring programme featuring reviews of and reports about cars of all types.
Genre:Documentary
Network:BBC Two
Season 39 Ratings Summary
"Episode 1" is the best rated episode of "Top Gear" season 39. It scored 5.9/10 based on 22 votes. Directed by N/A and written by N/A, it aired on 2/19/1998. This episode is rated 1.4 points higher than the second-best, "Episode 2".