We haven’t seen an Aussie version of hit series Top Gear since 2012, and now it’s back with a bang louder than a backfiring Monaro.
Top Gear Australia is relaunching with three brand-new hosts who know their gearboxes from their gaskets: Australian Survivor host and actor Jonathan LaPaglia, NRL-star-turned-TV-personality Beau Ryan and Blair Joscelyne from popular Aussie YouTube channel Mighty Car Mods.
The co-hosts may have bonded over a shared love of cars and adventure, but Beau, 38, says they aren’t trying to emulate those who came before them.
“We didn’t try to be the original guys,” Beau tells TV WEEK. “We were true to ourselves: what we liked, what we didn’t like, how we spoke, our interests. We were honest with each other, and you can see that from the get-go.”
The show takes the trio on wild four-wheel adventures in Australia and around the world, hitting the road in places such as the French Alps, Rome, St Tropez and Colombia.
“There were a lot of ‘pinch me’ moments,” Beau recalls.
“Like when I drove an $11 million car,” Jonathan points out.
“I loved going to Colombia,” Blair, 45, chimes in. “At one point, we had six armed guards and a police escort.”
Along with armed protection units, the gang is also joined by celebrity guests, including former politician Julie Bishop, cricket legend Mitchell Johnson and comedy duo The Inspired Unemployed.
The stars take on helmeted mystery man The Stig in time trials around the track – which gets predictably heated.
“It’s interesting how competitive they all get,” Jonathan, 54, says. “There’s a board where everyone’s time goes up, and the times are close. Sometimes, you get [a winning margin of] around a millisecond.”
Just like the original versions of the show, you can expect plenty of mayhem in the new Top Gear Australia.
“There’s no script telling you, ‘Now pretend to break down,’” Blair says. “You get given a car and you’ve got to get from point A to point B. And whatever happens, legitimately happens.
“My car got stuck in a tree, so I spent the rest of the day with a handsaw trying to cut through it to save my car. That’s not scripted or planned!”
“That was actually self-inflicted,” Beau reveals.
“He tried to drive over a tree. We told him not to, but he did it anyway,” Jonathan agrees. “And then he was complaining that he had to cut the tree.”
“And these guys didn’t help!” Blair says with a laugh.
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