Next Sunday, the 1990 Lombard RAC Rally starts in Harrogate. William Woollard previews the action and Tony Mason meets the new world rally champion, Carlos Sainz. Honda’s new supercar, the NSX, combines technical innovation and startling performance. Tiff Needell assesses whether it will become a real rival to Porsche and Ferrari. And Radio Times contributor Chris Goffey visits the Monteverdi Museum in Switzerland to take a look at some of the beautiful vehicles which have borne that name.

On Sunday, 180 competitors started at Harrogate in this year’s Lombard RAC Rally. Drivers have been battling through the tough forest stages in the north of England and the Scottish Borders. William Woollard, Alan Douglas and Tony Mason report on this last event in the 1990 world rallying calendar.

The Jaguar Mk II, Inspector Morse’s runabout, was one of the classic investments of the 80s, but as values tumble is it still so? And another classic: Tony Mason welcomes the revival of the Morecambe Illuminations Rally.

Reports on Vauxhall’s new off-road car, the Frontera; the truth behind the car industry’s recycling claims; and vehicles that could go twice round the world on a tankful of petrol.

Jeremy Clarkson takes an exclusive drive in the first new Bentley for 40 years. And at the other end of the scale, Quentin Willson offers some advice on buying a car for just £1,000.

Including a road and track test of the Rocket, a new sports car that looks like a 60s racer. Plus the safety of Britain’s ten most popular cars and the history of the early Ford Thunderbird.

In the last of the series, Jeremy Clarkson drives Hitler’s Mercedes convertible and Mussolini’s 1939 Lancia.

Launched 26 years ago, the Toyota Corolla has become the world’s best-selling car and has been revised no fewer than six times. Can the latest Corollas stay on top? Plus the Mobil One Top Gear British Rally Championship — the Manx International. With Jeremy Clarkson and Tony Mason.

Formula 1 driver Martin Brundle road-tests the fastest and most expensive (£415,544) car in the world — the Jaguar XJ220 — to see if it can justify another superlative: the world’s best supercar. Three unlikely imports from an earlier age are also tried out: the Hindustan Ambassador and Enfield motorcycle from India, and the VW Beetle from Mexico. And there’s a look at new automatic cameras aiming to catch speeding motorists. Presented by Tiff Needell, Chris Goffey and Janet Trewin.

Rover’s new coupe version of the 800 has all the extras, but is it worth its £30,000 price tag? Jeremy Clarkson finds out. And Chris Goffey goes motor racing in a VW Beetle.

On the first day of the Motor Show, the programme comes from the NEC, Birmingham, and features the most important new models, including Rover’s fastest road car, the 200 coupe, Ford’s updated Escort, and the British-built Nissan Micra. Plus a road test of two new exciting sports coupes, the Mazda RX7 and the Mitsubishi 3000GT. And a chance to win a highspeed ride in a Jaguar XJ220.

Jeremy Clarkson drives some of the glorious Maseratis that made the firm famous, as well as its new model, the 222. And Tony Mason reports on the Midland Rally, the final round of the Mobil One Top Gear British Rally Championship.

Road-testing new competition to the big Volvo estate from Ford, BMW and Toyota — can they threaten its pre-eminence as family transport? For the last 24 years, drivers in Northern Ireland have had to display an “R” plate for 12 months after passing their test. Does the system work and should it be followed in the rest of the UK? And a look at Formula Ford, celebrating its 25th anniversary at Brands Hatch.

A visit to the Isle of Man TT Races, and the two-week festival of motorcycling that accompanies them, and a road-test for Alfa Romeo’s new 155.

Chris Goffey examines two new diesel cars from Citroën and Honda. And Tony Mason sets up a challenge between British rally champions past and present — Colin McRae, who next week seeks to win the Lombard RAC Rally, and Roger Clark, who won it 20 years ago.

Tests for two high-powered four-wheel-drive saloons, Ford’s new Escort Cosworth and Vauxhall’s Calibra turbo. Plus a look behind the scenes of the Lombard RAC Rally.

A look back at the 50s and 60s when bigger meant better, especially in America, with a visit to Frank Lancaster’s collection of “Yank tanks”.

Last in the series pays a visit to the Le Mans 24-hour kart race. Plus the Syclone pick-up truck and Subaru’s new coupe.

Can the V8 turbo of Aston Martin’s new Vantage match the Lamborghini Diablo? Jeremy Clarkson tests it and takes a look at the prototype for Aston’s small, relatively cheap sports car at the Geneva Show. There’s also his second report from the Alaska Highway.

Including an assessment of the appeal of the Daimler Dart; a test drive of the new Toyota Carina E, described as the Japanese answer to the Vauxhall Cavalier; and a visit to a Honda Goldwing owners’ club meeting.

Including an investigation into the causes and remedies of falling asleep at the wheel, which could be the cause of one accident in four. There’s also a preview of the 1993 British Touring Car Championship, plus a road test of the Jeep Cherokee and Ford Explorer.

Can Jaguar’s new V12 flagship, their fastest, most opulent saloon yet, take on its rivals from BMW and Mercedes? Jeremy Clarkson road-tests it to find out. And Tony Mason reports on the opening round of the British Rally Championship around north Wales.

Peugeot’s 205 was such a success that some have called it the car of the 1980s. Now the company hopes to grab the limelight again in the 90s with its new 306 range. Built in Coventry, the car goes on sale this month. Jeremy Clarkson tests it to see if Peugeot’s hopes are justified.

Includes a road test of Rover’s 200 Coupe Turbo — the fastest road car the company has ever made — on Germany’s classic Nürburgring circuit; and a visit to the English collector who owns all six Trabant models produced in Zwickau, East Germany. Plus a report on the Charringtons RAC Historic Rally, a battle between classic models like the Porsche 911, Lotus Cortina and BMC Mini.

Including reports on a car with candelabras as well as lights — Liberace’s 1981 Zimmer. And a test drive of a £93,000 Mercedes 600SEC.