Fifth Gear Shortcuts

Popular award-winning series specializing in test driving the most glamorous dream cars and staging dramatic accident reconstructions. Home of the best drivers on TV - Tiff Needell, Jason Plato and Vicki Butler-Henderson, and expert car journalists Tom Ford and Jon Bentley.

Kyran Bracken

England Rugby Star and Dancing on Ice champion races against Jason Plato in a Formula Palmer Audi race car?

Bugatti Veyron

Tiff Needell gets exclusive access to Bugatti's chateau factory near Strasbourg for a road test of the fastest car in the world.

Peugeot 207 Gti

Vicki Butler-Henderson compares the 207 Gti to iconic 205 Gti.

Mercedes McLaren SLR Roadster

Jonny Smith drives the ultimate cabriolet, the McLaren Mercedes SLR Roadster.

Renault Modus v Volvo 940 Crash Test

Where are you better off in a head-on crash? A modern-day 5* Euro NCAP car, or an old banger that's built like a tank?

Shane Warne

Australian cricket legend Shane Warne gets a driving masterclass from Jason Plato in the Volkswagen Golf R32.

Subaru Impreza

Tiff Needell road tests the latest Subaru Impreza and compares it to his favourite, the P1.

Honda Civic Shoot-Out

Vicki Butler-Henderson races the UK-spec Honda Civic Type R against the Japanese-spec Civic Type R.

Cheapest Cars, Steepest Hill

Jonny Smith tries to take some of the cheapest cars in Britain up the steepest road in Britain, the Hardknott Pass in the Lake District.

BMW M3

Tiff Needell tests the latest BMW M3 on road and track.

Audi TT DSG v Audi TT manual Shoot-Out

Vicki Butler-Henderson tests a manual Audi TT against a TT with the automatic DSG gearbox. Which is quickest round a track?

Bowler Nemesis

Jason Plato drives the insane Bowler Nemsis off-road to try and take the hardcore machine to it's limits

Kia Cee'd

Tom Ford tests Kia's family car by going on a paparazzi hunt for Madonna.

Paddy McGuinness Bike Test

Paddy McGuiness takes his bike test?.will he pass?

Sally Traffic

Vicki Butler-Henderson and Sally Traffic from Radio 2 go to Bentley's exclusive chauffeur school.

Nissan 350 Z Roadster v BMW Z4 Roadster Dogfight

Jason Plato & Tiff Needell race the Nissan 350Z Roadster against the BMW Z4 Roadster.

Mini Clubman

Jonny Smith tests the brand new Mini Clubman.

Maserati GranTurismo

Tom Ford drives the sexy Maserati GranTurismo.

Dukes of Hazzard v Starsky & Hutch Shoot-Out

Vicki Butler-Henderson races two of the most famous TV cars ever - the Dukes of Hazzard's Dodge Charger, the General Lee, versus the Starsky and Hutch's Ford Gran Torino.

Hot Rods

Jonny Smith celebrates the 75th Anniversary of the iconic Deuce Coupe Hot Rod.

Gumpert Apollo

Tiff Needell drives the ultra-rare and ultra-fast Gumpert Apollo supercar.

Fiat 500

Tom Ford drives the cool new Fiat 500. Can it take the place of the Mini as the retro car of choice?

Fuel Additives - do they really make you faster?

Fifth Gear investigates whether fuel additives improve the performance of your car like they claim.

Armoured Rolls-Royce

Jonny Smith and Tom Ford convert a Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow into a tank. And then get shot at?

Ferrari 430 Scuderia

Tiff Needell test the new Ferrari 430 Scuderia on road and track.

Christian O'Connell

Legendary stunt driver Russ Swift teaches radio DJ Christian O'Connell some car stunts.

Chip Fat Mercedes v Apple Powered Jaguar

Jonny Smith lraces his Mercedes powered by chip fat against a Jaguar running on methane harvested from rotting apples.

Ariel Atom 0-60 World Record

We watch as an Ariel Atom tries to beat the 0-60 World Record.

World's Fastest Street Legal Car

Jonny Smith experiences 0-190 in just 8 seconds in an attempt to beat the world record for a road legal car doing the quarter mile.

Iwan Thomas

Iwan Thomas tries his hand at stunt driving under the expert tuition of Russ Swift.

The Ultimate Smart Car

Tom Ford goes extreme off-roading in a one-off monster truck version of the Smart that has been mated to a Unimog.

Lamborghini Murcielago - Super Cars

Gosh what a lot of horsepower, gosh what a narrow road...

Pagani Zonda S - Super Cars

First time the car had ever been on telly; find out why it instantly became one of Tiff's all-time favourites.

Nissan 350Z - Road Tests

Tiff described it as one of the most enjoyable drives he'd had for years - 911 performance for half the price. Re-live his original outing in the 350Z around the mountain roads of California...

BMW Z4 - Road Tests

It looks like a badly ironed shirt, but is the Z4 actually a Boxster beater? Vicki topped up her tan in the Algarve whilst finding out.

Jaguar XJR - Road Tests

A lightweight aluminium body and a 400bhp engine. That'll be quick then. Even with Tom Ford in it.

60mph Head On Crash - Features

This was a world first - two family saloons controlled by remote control driven into each other with a closing speed of 120mph. Giving you the opportunity to see what you normally don't: the anatomy of a high speed collision.

Pagani Zonda Roadster - Super Cars

Vicki driving around topless...

Volkswagen Touareg - Road Tests

It's got more torque than a Viper, can pull a 7 tonne Combine Harvester and has a V10 engine. Not bad for a diesel.

Ford Street Ka - Road Tests

Vicki wrestling to get her top down in the South of France.

Lamborghini Gallardo - Super Cars

£117k 4WD and 500bhp from a V10. Is it good enough to tempt people out of their Ferraris? Tiff finds out.

Ferrari 360 Challange Stradale - Super Cars

See Vicki oversteer her way around Ferrari's own test track in their hardcore street racer.

TVR T350 - Super Cars

Look, it was raining, it was cold, VBH had a thin jumper on, nature took its course. So deal with it and get on with enjoying her lashing the car round a power station.

BMW X3 - Road Tests

We tested the X3 on and off road to see it should become the SUV of choice.

BMW 6 Series - Road Tests

It's a cool looking coupe but should you buy one?

Chrysler Crossfire - Road Tests

Find out Tiff's opinions on this American coupe with Mercedes underpinnings.

Audi TT v Nissan 350Z - Shoot-Outs

What's quickest round our track?

BMW M3 v BMW M3 CSL - Shoot-Outs

How much quicker is a CSL compared to the standard M3 round our track?

Ariel Atom v Radical SR3 - Shoot-Outs

Which of these lightweight specialist trackday specials is quickest round our track?

Mazda RX8 - Road Tests

The unusual door arrangement and radical rotary engine make this car stand out but will it impress Tiff?

Porsche Boxster v BMW Z4 - Shoot-Outs

Which roadster is quickest round our track?

Citroen C2 GT v Ford Sport Ka - Shoot-Outs

Which baby warm hatch is quickest round our track?

Ferrari 612 Scaglietti - Super Cars

The gentleman's Ferrari driven through the snow topped hills surrounding Ferrari's home town. Jason Plato's first ever Fifth Gear outing.

Porsche 911 GT3 v Gazelle Helicopter - Features

There have been plenty of car v plane races throughout history, but nobody's ever raced a helicopter. Until now. Tiff's driving was at its most awe-inspiring, and the flying is simply spectacular. The Gazelle is one of the fastest helicopters in the world so what's going to cross the line first?

Aston Martin DB9 - Super Cars

Remind yourself why everybody in the world wants one.

Mercedes SLK - Road Tests

It's a handsome brute but its predecessor was never really a driver's car so what's it like now?

Skoda Fabia Diesel v Mini Cooper - Shoot-Outs

What's quickest round our track - diesel or petrol? Wrong.

Ascari KZ1 - Super Cars

Tiff tests this 500 horsepower luxury coupe at the exclusive Ascari Race Resort - a hotel with its own private test track.

Noble M12 GTO 3R - Road Tests

0-60mph in less time than it takes to say its name. Tiff in the latest incarnation of his favourite Sports GT.

Chrysler 300C - Road Tests

Great value, impressive looks, huge V8 - but should you buy one?

Lotus Elise v Vauxhall VX220 - Shoot-Outs

Which lightweight sportscar is quickest round our track?

BMW 1 Series - Road Tests

Is the baby Beemer an ultimate driving machine?

F1 Car v Powerboat v Superbike - Features

This was the ultimate showdown, two years in the planning. Jenson Button in his Formula 1 car, versus Michael Rutter on a works Honda Fireblade, versus Steve Curtis in a Formula Four Stroke powerboat. What would be quickest over a quarter of a mile? A unique, world first event.

Ford Focus - Road Tests

Britain's best seller has been revamped but watch this before you buy to make sure it's still a winner.

Mercedes McLaren SLR - Super Cars

We told Tiff it cost £300k so he had to be careful. Mercedes even wrote to him insisting the traction control was to be left switched on. He ignored us all and spent most of the time with the rear wheels smoking.

Porsche 911 Carrera - Super Cars

Tiff takes the new 911 for a thrash around Silverstone

Vauxhall Tigra - Road Tests

It's got a clever roof but is it any good? Vicki finds out.

Aston Martin Vanquish S 200mph Challenge - Features

Aston Martin claimed this was their fastest ever road car. Vicki decided to try and crack 200mph and set her own personal land speed record on the way.

MG ZT V8 v Vauxhall Monaro - Shoot-Outs

Which muscle car is quickest round our track?

Volkswagen Golf GTi - Road Tests

A whole load of accolades and awards followed on from Jason's first road test of the Golf GTi. For the car, not him. See him tear round Bernie Ecclestone's South of France circuit in the car of the moment.

Smart Brabus Roadster v Mini Cooper S Convertible-Shoot-Outs

Which open topped trinket is quickest round our track?

Nissan Murano - Road Tests

Nissan's modern looking SUV, tested in the South of France.

Ferrari F430 - Super Cars

The first TV test of the car in the world - find out why it's so good that Jason decided to order one.

Ford GT - Super Cars

Only 28 of these supercars are officially coming to the UK, which means most of us will never see or hear one. Luckily, Tiff's power-sliding day with the GT has been recorded for posterity and is something we can all enjoy.

BMW Z4 v Porsche Boxster Dogfight - Features

Can the revamped Boxster do something the old model couldn't - beat the Z4 on a track? Tiff has always loved the Boxster and Jason actually bought a Z4. Let battle commence.

Lamp Post Impact - Features

Guy Wadsworth was so sure his revolutionary lamppost could be driven into at speed without damaging car or driver that he was willing to literally put his life on the line.

Mercedes SL55AMG v Mercedes SLK55AMG - Shoot-Outs

What difference does weight make round our track?

Peugeot 1007 - Road Tests

The first small motor since the Daf Citicar to have sliding doors. But is it any good? Tom climbs all over Peugeot's new baby to find out.

BMW X5 v Porsche Cayenne - Shoot-Outs

Which SUV is quickest round our track...and check out that X5 powerslide!

Mercedes A Class - Road Tests

The original A-class was prone to falling over and had rubbish build quality. Vicki finds out if the new one is any better.

Renault Clio v Honda Civic Type R - Shoot-Outs

Which hot hatch is quickest round our track?

Fiat Panda 4x4 v Range Rover - Features

Tom's at the bottom of Britains biggest quarry to find out which off-roader can get out the quickest. Surprising.

TVR Sagaris v TVR Tuscan 2 Dogfight - Features

The first new models since the Russians invaded and took over the company. Vicki and Jason thrash the cars to find out whether TVR deserve to come in from the cold.

Jeep Grand Cherokee - Road Tests

Jason heads for the hills in Jeeps latest offering in the luxury 4x4 sector.

Lamborghini Murcielago e-gear with Vicki's mum - Features

Lamborghini's new paddle shift system was so easy we reckoned anyone could use it. So Vicki borrowed a Murcielago, a track and a supercar virgin. Her mother. Hilarious.

Ariel Atom - Road Tests

The normal arrangement of metal tubing and gaps, but this time with a 300bhp engine. Tom has a go in it and screams a lot. Then he drives it through a car wash. Insane.

BMW M5 - Road Tests

Tiff takes BMWs supercar levelling saloon down to the South of France for a spot of tyre-smoking sideways action at the historic Pau circuit. Awesome car, awesome driving.

Mitsubishi Evo 8 FQ400 v Noble M400 - Shoot-Outs

What's quickest round our track?

Aston Martin V8 Vantage - Road Tests

Tiff canes the Vantage around the track to see if this really is an Aston that drivers can get excited about.

Lancia Delta Integrale v BMW M3 E30 - Shoot-Outs

Which past master is quickest round our track?

Lexus RX400h Hybrid - Road Tests

Tom takes the new Lexus hybrid on a car chase across central London.

Pagani Zonda F - Super Cars

Jason called it the greatest supercar of the moment. Spinetingling.

Porsche 911 Carrera S v Lotus Exige - Shoot-Outs

What's quickest round our track - light car or powerful car?

Mitsubishi Evo 6 v Mitusbishi Evo 9 - Shoot-Outs

Can the old car really be quicker than the new car round our track?

Mercedes CLS 55AMG v Jaguar XJR - Shoot-Outs

Which executive express is quickest round our track?

BMW M6 - Road Tests

Tiff pushes the M Power button at every opportunity to see whether the M6 really is worth 20 grand more than the identically specd M5.

Suzuki GSX R1000 v Westfield XTR4 - Shoot-Outs

What's quickest round our track - track car or superbike?

Audi TT Quattro Sport v Nissan 350Z - Shoot-Outs

Which of these stylish coupes is quickest round our track?

Mercedes R Class - Road Tests

Theres a Mercedes for Everyone goes the advertising line - and now that even includes those that want a combined luxury, off-road, MPV, estate sort of thing. Tom investigates whether it's all a niche too far.

Ferrari 430 Spider - Road Tests

A wonderful car, driven superbly, in beautiful weather, filmed from a helicopter. About as good as it gets.

Lexus IS220d - Road Tests

A diesel Lexus - can it possibly be as dull as it sounds? Tom bravely volunteers to find out.

Volvo V50 T5 v Subaru Legacy Sports Tourer - Shoot-Outs

Which sporty estate is quickest round our track?

Lamborghini Gallardo SE - Road Tests

See Jason get angry and swear a lot whilst trying to drive like a hooligan.

Ford Focus ST - Road Tests

Jason discovers whether Fords latest chav-tastic hot hatch really is a match for the mighty Golf GTi.

Peugeot Jetforce scooter v Suzuki Swift - Shoot-Outs

Which cross-city runabout is quickest round our track?

Porsche Cayman S - Super Cars

With 83 corners in 6.3 miles the A537 is known as the most dangerous road in Britain. Tiff sets about it in Porsche's latest driver focused offering.

Ford Fiesta ST v Mitsubishi Colt CZT - Shoot-Outs

Which baby hot hatch is quickest round our track?

Mazda RX8 v Alfa Romeo GT - Shoot-Outs

Which coupe is quickest round our track?

Jaguar XK

Tiff finds out if the new XK is more of an out and out sports car than its predecessor.

Mazda MX5 Shootout

Vicki races an original MX5 (complete with worried owner) against the brand new version.

4x4 Crash Test

A big, heavy-duty 4x4 is surely the best thing for keeping your little ones safe on the school run - isn't it? We crash one against an MPV to find out.

Audi Q7

Tom drives Audi's new SUV in Arizona and finds out if it's good enough to outrun the California Highway Patrol.

BMW Z4 M Roadster

Jason takes an Alpine tour in BMW's hooligan roadster.

Ferrari F430 Challenge

When Vicki drove Ferrari's new race car, F1 team boss Jean Todt came along to watch.

Alfa Romeo Brera

Another achingly beautiful car from Alfa Romeo - but is it any good?

Peugeot 207

Tom tests this important small car that is set to populate the top of the sales charts.

Superformance GT 40

In South Africa there's a factory making exact replicas of Ford's classic 60's racer. See Tiff revelling in this blast from the past.

BMW M5 VS M6 Shootout

BMW's flagship M-Division cars slug it out on the Anglesey track.

Volkswagen Eos

VW's coupe with a folding hard top.

Ferrari 599 GTB

Tiff drives Ferrari's new £175,000, front engined, luxury Grand Tourer. Some people have all the fun...

Lexus GS450h Hybrid

Jason heads to the Spanish mountains in the latest hybrid from Lexus to find out if you really can be mean, and green.

Chevrolet Corvette Z-06

Tiff driving an American car and eating humble pie at the same time.

Donut World Record

When we heard that a bunch of guys were trying to set a new donut world record we just had to send Tom along. He likes donuts you see...

BMW 130i M Sport v Volkswagen Golf R32 Shootout

Which of these mega-hot hatches is quickest round our track?

Citroen C6

The Citroen C6 - the only road test we've ever done involving gun men.

Audi TT

It was never going to look as iconic as the original, but is it a better drive? Tom finds out.

Ford S-Max Pensioner World Record

The best MPV driven at ludicrous speeds by Vicki with a load of old folks in the back.

Porsche 911 Turbo

Plato ordered a brand new Porsche 911 Turbo without so much as sitting in one. Has he been very, very shrewd - or very, very silly?

BMW 320Si

Vicki sees how much cornering g-force she can pull in this limited edition BMW.

Porsche 911 GT3

Vicki Butler-Henderson gets to grips with a kinder, softer GT3 that's focused on the road use (except she took it on a track so she could drive it really fast).

Alfa Romeo

Tiff Needell tries really, really hard to like the Alfa 159. And nearly succeeds.

Bentley Azure

The new Bentley Azure is clearly aimed at the rich and famous. Despite this we sent Tom ford to check it out.

BMW 335i Coupe

With a silky smooth 306bhp engine and near Supercar performance, is the 355i the thinking man's M3?

Volvo C30 T5 SE Sport

Volvo hasn't produced a small coupe for a few years so Tom Ford was itching to get his hands on the new C30. Can it really be drivers car it's funky looks promise?

Citroen C4 Picasso

Picasso. One of the 20th Century's greatest artists. And quite a good car as well, actually.

Charade

We have no information about the video – but it's probably good

Ford Shelby GT500

This Mustang boasts 500bhp from its supercharged V8. Jason Plato tests it and does a lot of power-sliding and laughing -often both at the same time.

Lotus Exige 265E

This Lotus runs on fuel made from crops- and yet somehow manages to produce more power than the standard car. Going green has never been so much fun.

Lotus Elise S

Vicki gives her big sister a quick lesson in the Lotus Elise S.

Landrover Freelander 2

Tom takes the new Landrover Freelander 2 on Britain's most extreme school run.

Lotus Europa

Is the extra practicality of the new 200bhp Europa enough to make up for those looks? Jason Plato finds out.

Lambo Spyder

Another track driving master class from Tiff, this time in the gorgeous new babay Lamborghini Spyder.

Mitsubishi FQ360

Tiff races an Evo against a stunt plane. Interested?

MINI GP

When Mini announced a special run-out model of the works Cooper S we just had to organise our very own Grand Prix. Sort of.

Merc ML63 AMG

With over 500bhb this is one of the most powerful4X4's out there. We told Tiff to get it sideways, and keep it there.

Mazda MX5 Roadster Coupe

Tom Ford comes up with 3 tests to see if this version really is the perfect car for the british summer.

New Mini

Tom Ford checks out the new, New Mini - a car which manages to look exactly like the old, New Mini whilst being totally different.

Renaultsport Clio

Can the bigger, heavier sporting Clio deliver as much fun as its famous Williams ancestor? Tiff Needell finds out.

Audi S3

Tiff uses Audi's 260bhp S3 to give some tips on track-day driving.

Subaru Impreza (Litchfield Type 25)

Litchfield take the standard car and upgrade pretty much everything to bring you the 415bhp Type25. Unsurprisingly, as Jason Plato finds out, it's quick. Very quick.

Suzuki Swift

Tiff Needell loved the Suzuki Swift even in basic 1.3 guise. So when they brought out a123bhp Sport model he was first with his hand up.

VBH Truck

Vicki Butler-Henderson wanted to drive a Racing Truck. And with over 1000bhp from a 12 litre engine who can blame her?

Vauxhall Monaro

A 500bhp, supercharged special version of the Aussie brute. No wonder they gave Tom a nappy.

VW Sportswagon SWB

A Shoot-out with a twist. Le Mans winner Guy Smith in Volkswagen's groovy new sportline, against Tiff in the A-Team van.