Episode _top_ | Top Gear - Middle East Special Full

A Mazda MX-5 (NA). Known for its reliability, Jeremy gave it a custom "desert camo" paint job.

This public link is valid for 7 days and shares a thread, including any personal information you added. This link or copies made by others cannot be deleted. If you share with third parties, their policies apply. Can’t copy the link right now. Try again later.

Finding classic Top Gear episodes online can be tricky due to shifting streaming rights. You can legally watch the full Middle East Special (Series 16, Episode 7 / Boxing Day Special) on these platforms: Free for viewers in the UK with a TV license.

To bypass dangerous conflict zones, the team headed north into Turkey. This detour forced the low-riding sports cars into the snow-capped, rocky terrain of the Taurus Mountains. The treacherous mountain passes caused significant mechanical strain, leading to the episode's first major breakdowns and testing James May’s patience with his temperamental BMW. 3. The Syrian Desert top gear - middle east special full episode

As of 2025, the special is available on Netflix. The streaming rights for Top Gear vary by country, but it has generally been absent from the service for a few years. Your best bet for legal streaming is Amazon Prime Video or a digital purchase.

Each presenter was given a strict budget of £3,500 to purchase their vehicle. The catch, which added immediate tension to the episode, was that the starting location was undisclosed until they landed. The team touched down at an airfield in Erbil, a city in the Kurdistan region of northern Iraq—marking the first time a major Western television production had filmed extensively in the region since the Iraq War. The Vehicle Lineup

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. A Mazda MX-5 (NA)

The Middle East Special stands as a testament to the chemistry of the original hosts, blending automotive testing with travelogue storytelling and a touch of irreverent humor. It remains a "must-watch" for any petrolhead or fan of adventure television.

Filming took place over 10 days across 1,200 miles of some of the most politically volatile land on Earth. The crew traveled through Iraq, Jordan, Syria (pre-civil war), and into the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Unlike studio-based challenges, the threat here was real—from military checkpoints, extreme heat, and the constant risk of their cheap cars dissolving into dust.

Beyond the comedy and engine roars, the 2010 special serves as a fascinating historical time capsule. The footage of Aleppo and Palmyra, filmed before the Syrian Civil War, provides a rare look at these historic cities and landmarks before they were severely damaged. Where to Watch the Full Episode This link or copies made by others cannot be deleted

When fans debate the greatest episodes in the 22-year history of Top Gear , three specials always rise to the top: the Bolivia Special, the Botswana Special, and what many call the perfect balance of chaos, beauty, and danger—.

These subscription services frequently host the classic BBC eras of Top Gear , including the major holiday specials.

The trio buys three used, convertible two-seater sports cars for £3,500 each and attempts to drive from northern Iraq (Erbil) to the birthplace of Jesus in Bethlehem, through Syria, Jordan, and the West Bank.

Selected a BMW Z3 . The most premium choice on paper, May’s German roadster suffered from structural rigidity complaints. He customized it with a unique sand-and-camouflage paint scheme inspired by the British Long Range Desert Group from World War II. The Route: Crossing Borders and Broken Terrains