Nearly two decades after its conception, the Middle East Special remains a gold standard for travel and automotive television, proving that a shared love of cars and comedy can bridge even the widest cultural divides.
The episode kicks off with a unique challenge. The producers drop the trio at Iraq's Erbil International Airport with a budget of £3,500 each. Their mission is to buy a used open-top sports car and drive it across the Middle East to Bethlehem.
It is a perfect piece of television: May, usually the calm voice of reason, losing his mind in the heat, only for Clarkson to point out that he has now made his car "open top" (and technically illegal for the next checkpoint). top gear - middle east special full episode
If you have been searching for the , you are looking for more than just a car show. You are looking for a 75-minute cinematic road trip that stretches from the holy cities of Iraq to the glowing shores of the Jordanian Riviera. Released as part of Series 16 (Season 16), Episode 0 (often aired as a standalone Christmas Special in 2010), this episode represents the pinnacle of the Clarkson, Hammond, and May era.
As is tradition with Top Gear challenges, the presenters chose three utterly unsuitable used convertibles for a rugged, cross-desert trek. Jeremy Clarkson: Mazda MX-5 Nearly two decades after its conception, the Middle
The Top Gear Middle East Special is widely regarded as one of the greatest episodes in the history of the franchise. Airing as a Boxing Day special in 2010 to kick off Series 16, this feature-length episode transcended the boundaries of a standard motoring show. It transformed Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May from automotive journalists into three wise men embarking on an epic, cross-continental journey.
Equipped with three affordable, open-top sports cars, the trio embarked on a treacherous 1,200-mile trek across some of the most politically sensitive and geographically challenging terrains on the planet. Here is the ultimate deep dive into the iconic episode, covering the cars, the route, the challenges, and why it remains a fan favourite. The Premise and the Controversial Route Their mission is to buy a used open-top
Practical lessons for viewers planning similar trips
This segment is now a poignant historical record, featuring high-definition footage of the ancient city of Palmyra and the bustling streets of Damascus before the Syrian Civil War.
May arrived in a sleek, silver BMW Z3 featuring a robust 1.9-liter engine. True to his "Captain Slow" persona, May focused on German engineering and comfort. Remarkably, the BMW proved to be the most resilient vehicle of the trip, conquering rough terrain that should have torn its oil pan to shreds. The Route: Navigating a Geopolitical Minefield
The central narrative of the Middle East Special is a playful, modern-day reenactment of the biblical journey of the Magi. The trio is dropped off at Iraq's Erbil International Airport with a budget of £3,500 each to buy a used open-top sports car. The overarching goal is to drive across the rugged terrains of Iraq, Turkey, Syria, and Jordan, eventually arriving at the birthplace of Jesus in Bethlehem.