One of Top Gear's most thrilling segments just got even more interesting.
ONE of Top Gear's most renowned segments just got even more interesting.
The famed Star in a Reasonably Priced car section of the show, which has seen more major celebrities than you can count get behind the wheel, has been re-imagined for the 24th season.
The new Top Gear celebrity car has undergone a severe makeover.Most recently featuring a dazzling red Vauxhall Astra hatchback, the skit showed celebrities flying around an empty racetrack, in the pursuit of the title of fastest Top Gear celeb.
After a change of cast and massive overhaul ahead of the 23rd season, the segment changed to the Star in a Rallycross Car, with an all-wheel-drive Mini Countryman the vehicle of choice for a custom dirt rally track.
However, after a less than welcoming reception from fans, the original track at the Dunsfold Aerodrome is back and this year's car has more firepower than ever.
Renaming the segment Star in a Reasonably Fast Car, the show's producers have introduced the Toyota GT86 as their chariot for an celebrity brave enough to take up the challenge.
It's no Bugatti Veryon, in fact its not particularly rapid by any stretch of the imagination – 205 horsepower and a two-litre flat-four boxer engine will tell you that much.
But compared to the Astra, it's a rocket.
And considering the majority of stars that get behind the wheel have little to no track experience, this rear-wheel drive sports car is bound to give heavy footed guests plenty of sideways action.
"It's rear-wheel drive and its got skinny tires, so not loads of grip. This thing is designed to move around, to skid about, to generally cause havoc," Jack Rix, deputy editor of Top Gear Magazine, said.
Toyota's GT86 promises to cause chaos for Top Gear's guests.The car has already proven too much for a handful of celebrities, with Strictly star Ore Obuda seen spinning out and marooning the car on the grass during filming of the new segment last month.
Jockey Frankie Dettori and Olympian Max Whitlock both reportedly lost control of the car during the same day of filming.
Also in February, the show's old Reasonably Priced car went up for auction in London.
The red Vauxhall Astra went under the hammer for £6,000, despite its modifications making it illegal for UK roads.
Olly Murs held the record for the fastest lap in the Astra, at 01:44.6However, having hosted a range of Hollywood celebrities including Will Smith, Hugh Jackman and Margot Robbie, it's no surprise it is an attractive piece for auto collectors.
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