Top Gear

Tonight, chasing the Mondeo and the Renault Laguna, the Lamborghini Miura and how it will blow your doors off, and the future may well be bright but does it make sense.

Jason Barlow takes a ride in the new Alfa 147, which Alfa Romeo hopes will make waves in the small-car market. Tiff Needell, meanwhile, road-tests the 180 XKR-R, a souped up performance Jaguar which could soon grace showrooms.

Vicki Butler-Henderson looks at whether the brand new Volkswagen Lupo GTi’s sporty credentials live up to its looks, while Jason Barlow tests the remarkable new Citroën C5.

Jason Barlow tests the new MG F Trophy, one of Rover’s new sporting models, while Vicki Butler-Henderson checks out Vauxhall’s lastest Astra diesel — the Eco 4.

Tonight’s show reveals the results of a special customer satisfaction survey — a study into buying, owning and running a car that reveals the very best and worst of different models, including which car registered an amazing 1,800 faults.

This week in the motoring magazine Vicki Butler-Henderson tests Citroën and Peugeot hatchbacks that offer better-than-average performance for little more than the cost of a standard model. Plus Tiff Needell learns how to handle a high-powered motorcycle on the road.

The latest model from Jaguar’s production lines, the X-Type, marks a radical departure for the luxury brand. Jason Barlow takes the saloon sports car for a spin to see whether its makers will succeed in appealing to a younger demographic, or whether the X-Type will damage their reputation as a top people’s car manufacturer.

A look at the new Peugeot 307 — has it got what it takes to lead the family hatchback pack? Plus, is the recently revived, Dutch-designed Spyker CS Spyder worth its £150,000 price tag?

Tiff Needell sees how BMW’s new Mini One compares with its rivals, and competes against Vicki Butler-Henderson in a downhill race at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Tiff Needell and the team test the quality of the new MG road cars and take a look behind-the-scenes at John Travolta’s new film Swordfish, which features a TVR Tuscan in the spectacular car chase sequence.

Twenty percent of Britain’s income is spent on motoring. Jason Barlow, Vicki Butler-Henderson, Adrian Simpson and Tiff Needell explore ways of halving that figure by offering advice on the best second-hand deals, reducing insurance premiums, fuel economy and inexpensive maintenance.

Tiff Needell test-drives the eagerly-awaited Aston Martin V12 Vanquish, the most talked-about supercar ever to come out of Britain. So does the beautiful two-seater coupe with a top speed of 190mph meet expectations?

Vicki Butler-Henderson road-tests the new Tuscan S, which is rumoured to reach speeds of up to 200mph. Plus a look at where to buy cheap cars, and the new number-plate system.

Jason Barlow tries out the latest update of the Ford Thunderbird, Tiff Needell assesses the merits of the BMW M3 convertible, while Adrian Simpson tries to understand how the inside of a car can tell you about its owner.

Tiff Needell test-drives new models from TVR and AC, while Vicki Butler-Henderson rides in the Arrows three-seater Formula One car. Jason Barlow assesses the future of green-engine technology, and tries out a fuel cell-powered car.

Jason Barlow compares the new Rat Stilo with the Ford Focus, there’s a report from the Frankfurt Motor Show including the lowdown on next year’s new cars, and Tiff Needell drives sideways as he participates in a stunt competition.

Jason Barlow, Adrian Simpson and design guru Richard Seymour assess what makes the Ford Focus a bestseller.

Jason Barlow and Adrian Simpson take a look at the Land Rover Freelander and its competition in the off-roader market, while Tiff Needell test-drives the FBS Census.

Vicki Butler-Henderson sizes up the new Volkswagen Polo, while Jason Barlow and Adrian Simpson report on BMW’s fortunes in the competitive executive-car market.

Vicki Butler-Henderson and Adrian Simpson compare the merits of British roadster the MG F with international counterpart the Mazda MX-5. Tiff Needell races a Mini Cooper and Jason Barlow tests the new Mercedes SL500.