'Top Gear' Season 28 Episode 5: It's Porsche vs Aston Martin vs Ferrari in hunt for best all-round sports car
Spoilers for 'Top Gear' Season 28 Episode 5
Owning racing cars is more than just a matter of pride. For speed freaks, the right machine means going at a speed that's dangerously enjoyable. And while at it, price plays a crucial role. Keeping the factors of speed and cost in mind, 'Top Gear' hosts Paddy McGuinness, Chris Harris, and Freddie Flintoff are tasked by the producers to find the best all-round sports car. In response, Harris arrives with a Porsche 911 Carrera, a classic, while Flintoff comes in an Aston Martin Vantage, while McGuiness, amidst all the trolling, is sure his Ferrari Portifino will give the other two cars a run for their money.
The test is simple: Head to the Elvington Airfield on Top Speed Tuesday to put the cars to test with a 1.4-mile speed trap. Harris has the first go as his Porsche tops off at 176 mph at the finish line while Flintoff and McGuiness reckon he could at least 182 and 183 mph. The former England cricketer's Aston Martin is a disappointment as it finishes 174. McGuiness' Ferrari emerges the clear winner with a whopping 188 mph at the finish line that leaves Harris and Flintoff stumped.
The cost too is varied with the Porsche being the cheapest at £100,000 ($129335.00) while the Vantage is a tad more expensive at £120,000 (155202.00) while the Portifino is the most expensive of the lot at £166,180 ($214696.00) and McGuiness car with some additions including a cup holder takes it over £200,000 ($258670.00). That said the episode is typical 'Top Gear' as it shows off the sports car segment fans eagerly await every season.
Adding to the excitement is a drag race between the trio where McGuiness shows up in a customs shed while Harris sets himself up with a Nissan GTR. Flintoff's vehicle is a three-wheel sled fitted with a powerful engine and is called 'The Time Bandit'. When it's go time, the Nissan races ahead while the shed peacefully chugs its way on the track. The same though, couldn't be said for Flintoff and his contraptions as he finishes the race second and runs out of track doing 124 mph.
Fortunately, it's all good for the all-rounder as he shakes off the fall with a hearty laugh. And since we're talking about fast cars, we also request our readers with sports cars to exercise caution when driving at high speeds and attempting speed trap challenges. The stunts and the drives on the show are performed under expert supervision.
'Top Gear' Season 28 airs Sundays 8 PM ET on BBC America.