The team crossed into Syria, showcasing the incredible Roman ruins of Palmyra and the bustling streets of Aleppo.
The burqa joke didn't endear them to everyone.
A BMW Z3 , chosen for its German reliability, which ironically suffers some of the worst mechanical issues early on. The Route: Crossing Borders and Broken Terrains
"I’ve brought a Mazda MX-5," Hammond announced, beaming. "It’s the world's best-selling sports car. It’s reliable, it’s nimble—" top gear - middle east special full episode
The Syrian leg of the journey remains a bittersweet capsule of history. Filmed just months before the Syrian Civil War began, the episode captures a peaceful, stunningly beautiful country. The presenters were overwhelmed by the incredible hospitality of the Syrian people, who repeatedly helped them fix their cars and welcomed them with open arms. The Desert Crossing in Jordan
as the best car because it was the most reliable and had the most character.
The Top Gear Middle East Special stands as one of the most ambitious, culturally immersive, and hilarious episodes in the history of television. Originally airing on December 26, 2010, as a Boxing Day bonus during Series 16, this seasonal epic sent hosts Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May on an extraordinary journey across a volatile yet breathtaking region. The team crossed into Syria, showcasing the incredible
The trio chose three vastly different machines for the desert terrain:
The episode is widely regarded as a high-water mark for the Clarkson-Hammond-May era. It successfully balanced the show's signature schoolboy humor with a genuine appreciation for the history, geography, and hospitality of the Middle East. It humanized a region often viewed exclusively through the lens of news media conflict, showcasing the universal language of car trouble and humor. Where to Watch the Full Episode Legally
The ending of the Middle East Special is arguably the best conclusion in the show's history. The Route: Crossing Borders and Broken Terrains "I’ve
Many users upload the full episode in 240p split into three parts. While free, the quality is terrible, and the audio is often out of sync. Worse, the geopolitical humor is often muted to avoid YouTube demonetization. We do not recommend this for a first-time viewing.
On the final leg into Bethlehem, the trio arrived at a stable. Inside, they didn't find gold, frankincense, or myrrh. Instead, they found a small, screaming baby... who looked suspiciously like a miniature version of The Stig, complete with a tiny white racing helmet.
True to form, Jeremy summed up the dynamic by declaring they were not three wise men, but .
Whenever a presenter's car broke down, they were threatened with driving the ultimate punishment vehicle: a brightly colored, incredibly camp Mazda6TS. The fear of this car forced them to repair their own vehicles against all odds.
The route spanned five countries, featuring a mix of historical landmarks and high-risk zones: Iraq Start: