The cars could not be conventional off-roaders or rugged SUVs. The Vehicle Choices
A: Yes, the presenters drove the entire distance. The production crew followed in support vehicles, but the cameras captured every breakdown, wrong turn, and hotel disaster live.
Humor & Presenting
The "Top Gear Middle East Special" is a staple in the Top Gear library. As of 2026, you can often find it streamed on platforms that host the BBC’s Top Gear back catalog. top gear - middle east special full episode
In typical Top Gear fashion, the choice of vehicle was crucial and often disastrously chosen by the hosts:
If you want to watch the Top Gear Middle East Special full episode, you can typically find it streaming on major platforms like BBC iPlayer (in the UK) or services like MotorTrend in the United States.
The producers gave the presenters a budget of £3,500 each to buy a used sports car. Crucially, the cars had to be convertibles, a choice that proved physically grueling under the intense desert sun. The cars could not be conventional off-roaders or
In Jordan, the cars face extreme heat and rocky terrain. The producers introduce classic Top Gear challenges, including a stealth mission across a military training ground where the presenters camouflage their cars. Clarkson famously paints his Mazda to look like a digital camo block, while Hammond goes for a nomadic tent aesthetic. 4. The Arrival in Bethlehem
The final leg saw the trio cross the Jordan River, navigating strict border security checkpoints before finally arriving at their destination in Bethlehem. Iconic Moments and Highlights
The Middle East Special is packed with memorable television gold that fans quote to this day: Humor & Presenting The "Top Gear Middle East
The episode is perhaps most famous for the "Camel Incident." As the trio traversed Syria, they decided to race their cars against camels to prove which was faster (or cheaper) for local transport.
, which he later decorated with a "Technicolor Dreamcoat" paint job. Richard Hammond Fiat Barchetta Riviera , which he famously modified into a nomadic "moving tent". went with a
The narrative framework of the Middle East Special is brilliant in its simplicity: the trio must re-enact the journey of the Three Wise Men.
Chose a 2000 Fiat Barchetta , leaning into its Italian flair and lightweight design, though plagued by typical Fiat electrical woes.
After crossing into Jordan, the trio visits the Dead Sea—the lowest point on Earth. They attempt to demonstrate the high salinity by having a buoyant Clarkson float. But the real drama comes when they try to drive away. The salt and mud have corroded everything. Hammond’s MX-5 refuses to start. May’s BMW makes a sound like a dying walrus. Clarkson’s Fiat begins to smoke. For ten minutes, three of the UK’s most famous motoring journalists look utterly defeated by a puddle of salt.