After escaping the high-stress environment of Iraq, the boys crossed the mountains into Turkey. Here, they faced treacherous, unpaved mountain passes that pushed their low-slung sports cars to the absolute absolute limit. 2. The Beauty of Syria
What makes this episode stand out today is its unintentional status as a historical record. It contains some of the last high-definition footage of the ancient city of
The episode was not without its hurdles. During a segment in the desert, James May suffered a serious head injury after being knocked over by a tow rope. He was rushed to a local hospital, providing a rare moment of genuine concern and somberness in an otherwise comedic show. top gear - middle east special full episode
Entering Syria, the tone shifted from cold mountain roads to punishing desert heat. The cars traveled through historic landscapes, stopping in the ancient city of Palmyra and the bustling streets of Damascus. This segment remains highly poignant for fans today, capturing the beauty, architectural heritage, and hospitality of Syria just months before the outbreak of the civil war. 4. Jordan and the Dead Sea
The episode received critical acclaim for its cinematography, narrative structure, and the chemistry between the hosts. Unlike standard episodes focused purely on track times and supercar reviews, the Middle East Special functioned as a high-stakes travel documentary. It humanized regions often only seen through the lens of news broadcasts, showing the hospitality of local citizens in Iraq and Syria. After escaping the high-stress environment of Iraq, the
Hammond chose a left-hand-drive Fiat Barchetta. Painted in a striking ocean blue, it was arguably the prettiest car of the trio. However, it was also the most unreliable. The Fiat suffered from constant electrical gremlins, cooling issues, and a catastrophic fuel leak that nearly ended Hammond's journey prematurely. James May: BMW Z3
As always, the presenters chose three wildly different vehicles, each reflecting their distinct personalities—and each completely unsuited for desert desert tracks and mountain passes. 1. Jeremy Clarkson: Mazda MX-5 (Miata) The Beauty of Syria What makes this episode
It proved that you didn't need supercars or explosions to make great television. You just needed three friends, three terrible cars, and a map. As the credits rolled to the sound of Silent Night, viewers realized they hadn't just watched a car show; they had watched a Christmas story for the petrolhead generation.