They’re everywhere else, so why not a podcast as well?

TOP Gear may be best known as the television show that introduced us to the antics of Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond. But did you know the BBC-funded motoring powerhouse publishes a podcast too? It sure does.

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-top-gear-magazine-podcast/

Aptly named the Top Gear Magazine podcast, the show’s premise is to drive other people’s cars and deliver the stories behind the stories. But does it live up to the hype?

Hosted by Top Gear magazine editor Jack Rix and his main wingman, Rowan Horncastle, the pod is a British perspective on the modern world of motoring (with some older content thrown into good measure).

Unlike its competition, the audiocast seems to attract an endless supply of big-name guests – and with the BBC as their main backer, it ought to do so too. How do Indy 500 legend Dario Franchitti, former F1 champion Jenson Button and the godfather of the McLaren F1 Gordon Murray sound? Yep, those names would lure anyone to tune in.

Then there is Chris Harris. For the uninitiated, Harris fronts alongside Paddy McGuinness and Andrew Flintoff of the TV series bearing the pod’s name. Appearing as a regular guest, he brings an entire grid of automotive and racing knowledge that compliments the insightful nature of the audiocast.

 Picking a standout episode is tough when they’re all a great listen. One particular highlight was Mate Rimac (pronounced Mah-tay Ree-mats), founder of the Croatian electric supercar manufacturer Rimac offering insight into his new venture with Bugatti.

You are sorely mistaken if you’re like this writer in thinking that the Bugatti-Rimac CEO is an EV evangelist. Mate turns out to be an utter petrolhead who views the current BMW M5 as one of the best vehicles on the market. In fact, he had to persuade Bugatti’s top brass not to go all-electric on the French automaker’s next-generation of hypercars. Nice!

 Fascinating industry insights aside, every interview ends with a series of trivial questions to help listeners get to know the guests better. Asking the likes of Christian von Koenigsegg when they last got a speeding ticket may result in an awkward pause, but it’s an excellent, warming way to end the conversation.

Does the pod live up to its premise? Based on the many hours yours truly has listened to it, that would be an unequivocal yes. So go on, pour a pint and hit subscribe. 

The Top Gear Magazine podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all other good platforms.

The Top Gear Magazine Podcast Homepage: https://shows.acast.com/the-top-gear-magazine-podcast/episodes/mate-rimac-bugatti-rimac-ceo-on-death-of-the-w16-the-track-o