After launching the public relations campaign/lawsuit against Top Gear last week over its withering test of the all-electric Tesla Roadster, Tesla CEO Elon Musk finally spoke out today. His reason for suing? Tesla's investors kept asking about it.

Speaking to The Detroit News after a speech in Washington earlier today, an agitated Musk compared Top Gear, the BBC motoring show, to Milli Vanilli, repeating the claims in Tesla's lawsuit that the show had decided to pan the car before it tested it, a contention Top Gear producer Andy Wilman rebutted here on Jalopnik this weekend.

"For European investors, every single one, except one, specifically asked us why our car broke down on 'Top Gear'," Musk said. "It was fucked up." (The Detroit News changed the word "fucked" into "messed" for their copy. — Ed.)

Musk also said the BBC had apologized to Tesla, but had kept airing the show with no changes: "If somebody punches you in the face and says sorry and then keeps punching you in the face, what are you going to do? It's just wrong."

Musk's ask to stop the fight? Have the episode dropped or altered with a disclaimer, something that's been rejected by the BBC and Top Gear so far.

While Musk has steered Tesla to the point where a Wall Street analyst considers it America's fourth great automaker-in-waiting, the company has yet to turn a profit, and won't until after the Model S sedan goes into production next year. Until then, it has to survive on sales of the Roadster, especially in foreign markets where "Top Gear" is most popular. Regardless of the legal outcome, Musk gives Tesla some added marketing simply by stepping into the ring.

This post originally appeared at Jalopnik.

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Here's Jeremy Clarkson, host of the BBC's popular Top Gear franchise, explaining exactly what he'd do to estimated 2 million public sector workers striking in the UK today.

In case you forgot, is thought to earn around $3 million a year for his hard work.

WATCH:

UPDATE: Apparently, Clarkson's hosts, The One Show, apologized after his comments.

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Yesterday Jeremy Clarkson, host of popular BBC car show Top Gear, told the BBC's One Show that he would shoot the UK's two million striking public sector workers "in front of their family" (check that video HERE).

As you can imagine, not everyone was pleased with these comments, especially given that Clarkson is thought to make around $3 million a year from Top Gear and associated ventures.

Now the BBC has received almost 4,700 complaints from viewers, and trade union Unison has called for his sacking.

Some call for his sacking

While others defended him

Others were simply bemused

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Whether he's tying a dead cow to the roof of his car or donning a burka to avoid publicity in Syria, the BBC's Jeremy Clarkson is someone who enjoys flirting with the controversial.

His comments yesterday about the British public sector strikes may have caused outrage across the UK, but they shouldn't have come as a surprise. 

In hosting motor show "Top Gear" Clarkson often expresses himself in a brash and obtuse way. Yesterday wasn't the first time the presenter has been in hot water, and it probably won't be the last. 

For better or for worse, Jeremy Clarkson is unapologetically Jeremy Clarkson. Here are 13 reasons why the BBC shouldn't be surprised that it's biggest star is also its brashest.

He called Gordon Brown a "one-eyed Scottish idiot"

Clarkson described then British Prime Minister Gordon Brown as a "on-eyed Scottish idiot" while on tour in Australia in 2009 (Brown is blind in one eye).

The remark caused offense to a charity for the blind that claimed the remark was insensitive to the visually impaired. 

He called Americans fat

In a 2010 episode of Top Gear Clarkson appeared surprised to find an American among his audience. 

He accused her of being a fake, because she wasn't fat enough. 

He broke the UK smoking ban on camera

In 2007 Clarkson broke UK law on air by smoking inside. Admittedly, he was smoking tobacco out of a pipe designed by Porsche, making the actions somewhat relevant to his television show. He still incurred complaints from anti-smoking campaigners. 

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There has been fear that TV host Jeremy Clarkson's recent controversial remarks that striking government workers in Britain should be shot in front of their families could spell disaster for the hit BBC program Top Gear. However, the BBC has confirmed that Top Gear will return to TV on December 28th for their annual holiday special.

We cannot wait.

Other than the location, India, details of the challenges the hosts, Jeremy Clarkson, James May, and Richard Hammond, will face have been scarce. Thankfully, there is now a trailer to satiate our appetites until it premieres.

We can gladly report this appears to be classic Top Gear fare. The standard formula of "drive an old cheap British car across India and face various challenges along the way" definitely applies.

 Check it out below (via YouTube):

Now see what people on Twitter are saying about Clarkson's controversial remarks >

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Jeremy Clarkson has done it again. The High Commission of India (HCI) in London has complained to the BBC over Top Gear's 2011 Christmas special, filmed in India, deeming it "offensive" and full of "toilet humour", the BBC News reports.

The 90-minute episode featured jokes about food and trains and a Jaguar car fitted with a toilet seat on its trunk and a toilet roll on its aerial "because everyone who comes here [to India] gets the trots."

The HCI wrote to the BBC after it was contacted by "too many people" who were "very upset" by the program. "People are very upset because you cannot run down a whole society, history, culture and sensitivities," one Indian diplomat told the BBC News.

The BBC, which itself has received 188 complaints about the show, said it would respond to the HCI in due course.

The HCI also took offense to a scene in the episode where Clarkson took off his trousers at a party to demonstrate a trouser press, and the banners "British IT is good for your company" and "Eat English muffins" which the team hung off the sides of a train, which became obscene when the train carriages separated and tore the banners in two, the Press Association reports.

In its letter to Top Gear's producer and the director-general of the BBC, published in the Daily Telegraph, the HCI said the show "was replete with cheap jibes, tasteless humour and lacked cultural sensitivity." It also went on to say the program "breached" the agreement between the Indian authorities and the BBC, stating that the outline of the program the HCI had been furnished with was very different from the finished product.

This is not the first time Top Gear has run into trouble because of comments by Clarkson and the show's other hosts, Richard Hammond and James May. They have managed to offend the Mexicans, the Chinese, and striking workers in the U.K., to name a few. Each time, they have managed to escape with a mere slap on the wrist and an apology by the BBC to the offended party.

However, last month, members of Parliament told Lord Patten, the chairman of the BBC Trust, that Clarkson was a “luxury the BBC cannot afford” and should be sacked. While Clarkson has been able to deflect the blows so far, could this be the beginning of Clarkson's end?

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Top Gear is known for taking regular rides and making some truly amazing cars on a very limited budget.

Now, cars from the United States' version of the popular show are for sale to the general public.

According to Hooniverse, cars that were recently used for filming the program are now for sale on Craigslist.

The original ad has been removed, but Hooniverse was able to get a copy of one of the ads:

1992 Subaru SVX LS-L 141k miles, leather seats, suede interior, power driver’s seat. Suede dash and door panels. Automatic, AWD, good running and driving 3.3L flat 6. Touring package is rare- includes leather wheel, speed sensitive steering. Great overall condition. Just installed 4 new tires, and new radiator.

*The sale of this vehicle will be documented on a popular cable TV automotive show call 323-785-8602 for more information

The popular automotive show is Top Gear. The car absolutely has to be sold today, June 19, 2012. So, if you are in Southern California and need a Subaru SVX, Cadillac Allante, or Merkur XR4Ti, track down the Top Gear guys and you can have one with some History Channel provenance today.

Now check out an awesome performance ride >

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Jeremy Clarkson, a host of the BBC hit show "Top Gear," went on an impressive Twitter rant last night, after American Airlines apparently lost his wife's bag.

Known for his temper, Clarkson threatened to kill the airline (in a nod to Liam Neeson's character in the film "Taken").

He also compared it to North Korea.

According to his earlier tweets, Clarkson had been in Miami.

American Airlines. I have acquired a special set of skills over many years. Find my wife's suitcase or I will find you. And I will kill you.

— Jeremy Clarkson (@JeremyClarkson) December 27, 2012

American Airlines. Literally the worst thing.......in the world.

— Jeremy Clarkson (@JeremyClarkson) December 28, 2012

People of the world. DO NOT USE American Airlines.

— Jeremy Clarkson (@JeremyClarkson) December 28, 2012

If American Airlines was a country, it would be North Korea.

— Jeremy Clarkson (@JeremyClarkson) December 28, 2012

By this morning, Clarkson's tone had shifted from anger to humor, though the bag still seemed to be missing:

American Airlines: the bag you lost contains the secret for bringing peace to the Middle East. Please find it quickly.

— Jeremy Clarkson (@JeremyClarkson) December 28, 2012

Also, in a side pocket, is a formula for curing all known diseases.

— Jeremy Clarkson (@JeremyClarkson) December 28, 2012

Clarkson has gotten in trouble for his temper before. The future of "Top Gear" was threatened last year after the host said he would have UK strikers shot in front of their families.

SEE ALSO: The 10 Biggest Auto Stories Of 2012

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Jeremy Clarkson of the hit BBC show Top Gear unveiled the P45 – the world's smallest car, which was built by Clarkson himself.

The P45 is comically small as it's basically a mobility scooter with a built-in helmet and shoulder pads.

Here's how the P45 drives on a normal road in London:

Clarkson also tested out the P45 on a highway:

Needless to say, Clarkson was in for a bumpy ride.

Watch the P45 in action here:

SEE ALSO: The 20 Coolest Cars We Saw At The Detroit Auto Show

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As he heaved the £92,000 electric sports car off the Top Gear track, little did Jeremy Clarkson know the incident would be the topic of legal argument for years to come.

But that December 2008 episode of the BBC2 show has been examined repeatedly by some of Britain's most senior media judges in a three-year libel battle brought by the US car maker, Tesla.

The court of appeal signalled the end of the road for Tesla's legal claim on Tuesday, rejecting the company's assertion that its reputation was damaged by Clarkson's typically provocative review of the Tesla Roadster car.

Appeal court judge Lord Justice Moore-Bick said he had watched the whole of the one-hour Top Gear episode "a number of times". In his view, the judge explained, the programme did not libel Tesla.

Tesla complained about a passage of Clarkson's commentary in which he said: "Although Tesla say it will do 200 miles, we worked out that on our track it would run out after just 55 miles and if it does run out, it is not a quick job to charge it up again." Clarkson and others are then shown pushing the Roadster into the Top Gear hangar and recharging it.

Moore-Bick questioned whether Top Gear's influence among petrolheads was as great as Tesla claimed.

The electric car maker claimed that the scene cost it the sale of 200 Roadsters, caused costs of $171,000, damaged investor confidence, and prompted adverse comments on YouTube.

Comparing sales of its Roadster to a rival top-of-the-range model, Tesla said it had sold just 7% of what the Lotus Elise had sold in the UK.

The California-based company said pre-sale orders for its new Model S sedan have been far lower than expected in the UK because of Clarkson's bad review.

But the court of appeal was unconvinced. "In my view the case pleaded in support of the claim for special damages is, to say the least, very thin on its own terms," said Moore-Bick, who sat alongside Lord Justice Maurice Kay and Lord Justice Rimer.

He added: "Moreover, on the basis of the material currently before the court I do not think that there is any real prospect of Tesla's being able to demonstrate at trial that it has suffered any quantifiable loss by reason of any of the actionable statements."

There was no immediate comment from Clarkson following the judgment – the Top Gear host is understood to be on his way to Australia to film a live edition of the show.

However, Andy Wilman, the executive producer of Top Gear, said: "I am pleased that the appeal court has upheld the previous ruling and the case has been struck out. I'd also like to apologise to the judges for making them have to watch so much Top Gear."

Last month Tesla got into a tit-for-tat online spat with New York Times writer John Broder over an unflattering review he wrote about its Model S.

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Mazda trotted out the Furai concept at the Detroit Auto Show back in 2007. It wowed crowds, and promised that the future Nagare design language had Mazda machines moving in a delightfully stylish direction.

The Furai wasn't just a pretty concept, however, as it boasted at 450-horsepower three-rotor setup and helped back up the claim that Mazda had produced an actual supercar.

Now that car is a toasted shell, which has been burnt to the ground--while in the hands of Top Gear.

We're not exactly sure how this story managed to stay under wraps for so long, but back in 2008 the car was with the popular television show's crew and it wound up on fire. There's been no official commentary on how this happened just yet, as this story is making its way into 20th anniversary special for the show's magazine. It's a shame that this happened, but we're dying to find out more about how it happened.

Still, in a world where bits of news can travel the globe in seconds, we're a bit shocked that no one knew about this incident for so long. Mazda and Top Gear did a pretty good job about keeping this one hush-hush. If it happened today, it would've wound up on Twitter, Instragram, and Facebook in a matter of minutes.

Our guess as to how this happened? Jeremy Clarkson demanding more power out on the Top Gear runway, while getting the Furai sideways. From there, it was just a matter of a hot three-rotor being pushed hard, probably a bit of an oil leak, and then combustion.

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Between 2003 and 2010, professional driver Ben Collins had a starring, but secret, role on the BBC's "Top Gear."

Collins played "The Stig," clad in a white suit and helmet at all times, and responsible for testing supercars on the track and instructing guest stars on how to improve their times.

On Monday, Collins did an Ask Me Anything (AMA) session on Reddit, fielding questions on his favorite cars, why he was so impressed by Tom Cruise, and how he kept his identity a secret for so long.

Here are the best answers he gave:

How long did you get to drive each supercar?

"the tyres can;t take more than 5 / 6 laps on the supercars and we rarely had spares so it was a 25 minute blind date."

Best Top Gear experience?

"the best thing i did was coach Billy Baxter - the blind driver - he managed to beat 5 sighted drivers and drive the lap100% himself with me shouting expletives and directions as fast as i could. I could have kissed him, had he not been sweating quite as much from the effort. Billy was epic"

Why did you quit?

"Great job but i decided to leave because after 8 years the game was up in terms of keeping it secret. The BBC had leaked my name to the Radio Times and the tabloids ran various stories, so i handed in my notice. I wanted to go full time racing again anyway so it was a new lease of life, but it didn't work out well for the cardboard cut-outs of STIG..!"

What was your favorite Top Gear car?

"Ferrari 458"

How did you become the Stig?

"I got the job by writing to the boss, meeting him and then driving a car - quickly. Quite traditional. I beat the Old Stig's lap times and got hired - SWEET! "

Who was your favorite guest for the "Star in a Reasonably Priced Car" segment?

"Tom Cruise was amazing, he pushed himself to get a fast time and he was incredibly down to earth."

How did you keep your identity secret for so many years?

"i got myself a BBC ID card with a fake name "Richard Jameson" cleverly made of the 3 presenters names - so that i could book hotels and get up to mischief without getting caught. Used to wear a balaclava everywhere to hide my face anywhere near a Top Gear shoot and generally be as sneaky as possible"

Are there any cars you haven't driven you hope to try out?

"The new McLaren - and the Ferrari P4!"

DEBUNKED: 15 Car Myths People Still Believe

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This week, Top Gear Magazine did something rather tricky: It selected five of the world's best hypercars, and figured out which is the very best. Not based on looks, price,  or specs. Just on how they perform on the track.

Top Gear started out with five cars, all of them spectacular: The Aston Martin One-77, Hennessey Venom, Pagani Huayra, Bugatti Veyron, and McLaren P1.

McLaren's P1 knocked out the competition, one by one.

Although it's a "fantastic looking thing, and is surprisingly deft given the size," Top Gear says the $1.4 million Aston Martin One-77 "just can't compete with the P1 on any other level."

Hennessey's Venom is worth about $1.1 million, and it also loses out to the P1, which is "so together, so refined in its reactions, that it makes the Texan wonder feel like a muscle car in comparison."

As the world's fastest production car, the $1.5 million Bugatti Veyron can beat the P1 on a straightaway. But, Top Gear says, "if you want to be more involved in the thrill of it, then the P1 has found a new niche."

The $1.4 million Pagani Huayra is "baroque, bonkers, and brilliant," but loses to the P1 on the grounds of worse ride quality and a slower transmission.

That leaves the P1, with a $1.15 million price tag, the champion. Well played, McLaren.

SEE ALSO: The 26 Coolest Cars At The Los Angeles Auto Show

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The second episode in the new season of the BBC's "Top Gear" got a ratings boost on Sunday night, thanks in part to the appearance of Tom Hiddleston, better known as Loki, the villain/anti-hero of the Marvel films "The Avengers" and "Thor: The Dark World."

Hiddleston's was the guest for this week's installment of "Star in a Reasonably-Priced Car," and he had the bad luck to be racing a Vauxhall Astra Techline around the Top Gear track in the pouring rain.

Despite stalling the car right off the line on his first try, Hiddleston ran the lap in 1 minute, 49.9 seconds. That's faster than the time set a week earlier by Hugh Bonneville of "Downton Abbey" (also in the rain), and the same as Ron Howard, who didn't contend with wet weather.

According to The Mirror, this episode of Top Gear registered 5.5 million viewers, 200,000 more than last week's, the season premiere. The episode also featured Jeremy Clarkson driving on a Formula 1 circuit in the McLaren P1, a strong contender for best car on the planet. U.S. viewers can catch it on BBC America on Monday, February 17.

Here's the full video:

Top Gear: Guest - Tom Hiddleston from neverthesaint on Vimeo.

And some behind the scenes content from the show's blog:

SEE ALSO: This Is What Atlanta's Supermarkets Look Like Before A Storm

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As the dog days of summer drag on, it's the perfect time for anyone who hasn't yet had the pleasure to curl up in an air-conditioned living room and dive into the greatest show currently on TV: "Top Gear." 

Hosted by the charismatic trio of Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May, "Top Gear's" unorthodox and irreverent approach to automotive journalism has made it popular with fans and critics worldwide. Since its inception in 1977 as an automotive news magazine and the show's 2002 reboot into the current format, "Top Gear" has become a British television institution. 

In fact, the BBC-produced, Emmy Award winning car show can be seen in over 200 countries around the world. It's easily accessible to a U.S. audience: seasons 2-20 are available on Netflix right now!

Here's why "Top Gear" is can't-miss TV, even if you aren't a car nut or addicted to that veddy British sense of humor:

1. "Top Gear's" storytelling method gives it universal appeal.

New viewers to "Top Gear" shouldn't mistake it for a run-of-the-mill car show. Because it isn't one. 

At its core, the show aims to be informative, but does so with a unique blend of hyperbolic comedy, action, and drama that crosses the boundaries of age, gender, and culture. According to CBS's 60 Minutes, "Top Gear's" unique storytelling method and irreverent attitude helped the show generate 350 million viewers a week worldwide, as well as a place in the Guinness Book of World Records as the most-watched "factual" TV program.

When asked by 60 Minutes to explain the show's appeal, "Top Gear" executive producer Andy Wilman joked, "It's a journey into the male mind, which I believe, is a really, potentially, very funny place — 'cause, let's face it, nothing happens there." 

He's right — but 40% of "Top Gear's" audience is actually female!

In fact, the show's near-universal appeal has helped turn it into a $1.5 billion brand, with spinoff series in Russia, Australia, South Korea, and the United States.

2. The show's 3 hosts have the greatest on-camera chemistry in TV.

Even though "Top Gear" has spawned an American version on the History Channel, what makes the original the most fun is the inimitable chemistry between the show's trio of hosts. In fact, the program is propelled as much by their sometimes caustic camaraderie as it is by cars. One of the highlights of the show is the constant personality clash between the pedantic James May (nicknamed "Captain Slow" because he favors a non-thrashy driving style) and the bombastic Jeremy Clarkson (who doesn't really have a nickname).

3. Richard Hammond was nearly killed in a jet car crash during filming and didn't miss an episode.

In 2006, Richard Hammond was nearly killed when the right-front tire of the Vampire jet car he was driving burst at nearly 300 mph, leading to a catastrophic crash. The accident, which caused the host to suffer memory loss and brain damage, had safety activists calling for the show's cancelation. Fortunately, Hammond, known on the show as "The Hamster" due to his diminutive stature, returned to show just three months later without missing a single episode.

4. Due to the "unique" way the BBC is funded, "Top Gear" is able to be brutally honest.

Unlike most American network shows, the BBC and "Top Gear" are funded by British taxpayers, which means the hosts can pretty much say or do whatever they want without fear of retribution from sponsors. In fact, when Jay Leno turned down NBC's American spinoff of Top Gear, the comedian cited the potential influence of sponsors on the opinions expressed in the show as a main reason for his decision. 

5. The "Clarkson Effect" is real, and car companies hate it.

Jeremy Clarkson has long been a popular automotive journalist in the UK, but "Top Gear" has catapulted his influence into the stratosphere. In what has become known as the "Clarkson Effect," a positive or negative review from the host can make or break a product. When MG Rover entered bankruptcy in 2005, many at the automaker's Longbridge factory blamed Clarkson's negative reviews for torpedoing the company's sales.

In 2011, Tesla sued "Top Gear" unsuccessfully for libel after Clarkson's exceedingly negative review of the company's Roadster caused panic among investors and led a few customers to cancelled their preorders. When asked by the BBC News about Clarkson, Tesla CEO Elon Musk replied, "He can be very funny and irreverent, but he does have a bias against electric cars. His two pet peeves are American cars and electric cars, and we're an American electric car." 

6. "Top Gear" has an awesome mascot called "The Stig."

One of "Top Gear's" most popular characters is the show's unofficial mascot and mysterious resident professional test driver. Producers created the mute, helmet-clad character because they needed an adequately skillful driver to navigate the show's test track, located at a former air force base. The BBC has gone to great lengths to keep the true identity of the Stig a secret, even resorting to legal action to prevent the release of the information. 

7. The hosts drove to the North Pole, through the Bolivian Jungle, and the plains of Central Africa.

"Top Gear" takes its style of automotive journalism to the extreme via over-the-top globetrotting adventures. Instead of simply telling viewers whether a car is good or bad, the show will also subject vehicles to extreme real-world conditions. In 2007, Clarkson and May became the first people to drive to the North Pole, when the pair piloted a modified Toyota Hilux truck through the Arctic. 

8. It features some of the most beautiful cinematography ever seen on the small screen.

"Top Gear's" groundbreaking use of camera filters and cinematic wizardry has completely changed the way car shows are presented.

9. Then there are hilarious celebrity appearances. 

Nearly every episode features a segment called "A Star In a Reasonably Priced Car," in which a celebrity is asked to tackle the "Top Gear" test track in an underpowered economy car. The result is a series of very entertaining sequences showing off each celebrity's driving prowess — or in many cases, lack thereof. 

 10. Top Gear even has a live stadium show.

"Top Gear's" hosts have enhanced their rock-star status by going on a live stadium tour, complete with pyrotechnics, car stunts, and comedic gags. So far, "Top Gear" live has made its way through 24 counties. Sadly, it does not seem the live action show will come be coming to America any time soon. 

SEE ALSO: Watch A Dreamliner Maneuver Like A Stunt Plane

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"Top Gear"— the BBC's awarding-winning, but controversial, car show — was forced to flee from its shooting location in Argentina by an angry mob last week.

"Top Gear" and its three hosts were filming the show's annual Christmas Special episode in the southern Argentine region of Tiera Del Fuego when the license plate on a car driven by co-host Jeremy Clarkson caused locals to take offense.

The blue Porsche 928's plates — which read "H982 FKL"— were reportedly seen as a reference to the 1982 Falkland conflict between Great Britain and Argentina.  

According to the Daily Telegraph, the angry mob confronted the BBC crew at its hotel in the town of Ushuaia. During the confrontation, the show's hosts — Clarkson, along with James May and Richard Hammond — concealed themselves "under a researcher's mattress." 

After the initial confrontation, the show's hosts and the female members of the crew were ushered onto a chartered plane and flown to safety in Buenos Aires. However, 29 members of the "Top Gear" crew stayed behind and were forced to escape the mob by driving the convoy of production vehicles to safety in nearby Chile. 

Reports on the size of the mob varied widely. Along the way, the convoy and its police escort were met by roadside crowds hurtling rocks and profanity at the cars. 

The Falklands War is a particularly touchy subject for Ushuaia. The port city was the last port for the Argentine battle cruiser General Belgrano before it was sunk by British torpedo's during the conflict — taking the lives of more than 300 sailors. Controversy over the sinking of the warship and ownership of the Falklands Islands still lingers more than 30 years later. 

By last weekend, Clarkson confirmed on twitter that all of the crew had made it out of Argentina. However,the "star cars" driven by the hosts were left behind in South America.  The outspoken host and prolific newspaper columnist took to twitter over the weekend to explain the incident:

All TG crew now safely out of Argentina. I just got back to UK. Horrified to see so many newspapers have the story completely wrong.

— Jeremy Clarkson (@JeremyClarkson) October 4, 2014

The number plate WAS a coincidence. When it was pointed out to us, we changed it. As pics in this morning's Mail show.

— Jeremy Clarkson (@JeremyClarkson) October 4, 2014

This was not a jolly jape that went awry. For once, we did nothing wrong.

— Jeremy Clarkson (@JeremyClarkson) October 4, 2014

My profound thanks to all the people who helped. And to the sensible Argentinians who have apologised.

— Jeremy Clarkson (@JeremyClarkson) October 4, 2014

This is my car on its last day in Argentina. Note the plates that everyone says caused offence. pic.twitter.com/mCfncbMa6F

— Jeremy Clarkson (@JeremyClarkson) October 4, 2014

The wildly popular automotive program and its bombastic lead host are no strangers to controversy. Earlier this year, the host was accused of using a racial epithet in a crass joke during an episode set in Myanmar. Over the past decade, "Top Gear" has drawn criticism from numerous groups ranging from truck drivers to Mexicans.  

Take a look at a video of the Argentine mob as it confronts the "Top Gear" convoy:

SEE ALSO: 10 Reasons Why 'Top Gear' Is The Greatest Show On TV

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The BBC's smash hit car show "Top Gear" just released the trailer for its annual Holiday DVD, and it's as epic as expected.

The DVD — "Top Gear Perfect Road Trip 2"— captures the show's hosts, Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond, as they take an epic journey through southern Europe.

The DVD will not only be a follow-up to last year's "Top Gear Perfect Road Trip," installment 1 — it will also serve as somewhat of a do-over for the first sojourn, which did not end in an ideal manner. 

The first "Road Trip" concluded with Clarkson and Hammond on side of a damp French highway being accosted by police as the duo were issued driving bans for speeding.

As for this year's road trip, Clarkson and Hammond will once again hit the Riviera in search of fast cars and fun times.

From the looks of the trailer, they seem to have found them. 

The dynamic duo take to the streets in everything from a million-dollar McLaren P1 to a classic Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider to '80s-chic Ford Capris. 

The all-conquering Corvette Stingray also takes on Alfa Romeo's pint-sized 4C supercar, in a contest on the track.

As with all "Top Gear" undertakings, comedy is must. Not only does Richard Hammond take a spill in a $100,000 Jaguar F-Type Coupe on what looks to be Italy's Mugello race track — he also fails to successfully order spaghetti bolognese in a restaurant!

Missing from all of this high-speed drama is the third member of the "Top Gear" team. So where was James May while Clarkson and Hammond were road-tripping?

That mystery may be revealed later.

SEE ALSO: Consumer Reports: This Mercedes Is '140% Worse Than The Average Car'

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"Top Gear" is no stranger to controversy, but the wildly popular car show's upcoming "Patagonia Special" may be the most eventful in the program's exceptionally eventful history.

The show and its trio of hosts made waves around the world in October after being driven out of their filming location in southern Argentina by what they described as an "angry mob." After months of anticipation, the episode is finally set to air and fans will get to see the show's mass exodus for themselves.

So what caused all of this trouble? At the heart of the controversy is the license plate on the car driven by host Jeremy Clarkson.

The blue Porsche 928's plates — which read "H982 FKL"— were reportedly seen as a reference to the 1982 Falkland conflict between Great Britain and Argentina.  

According to the Daily Telegraph, the angry mob confronted the BBC crew at a hotel in the town of Ushuaia. During the confrontation, the show's hosts — Clarkson, along with James May and Richard Hammond — concealed themselves "under a researcher's mattress." 

After the initial confrontation, the show's hosts and the female members of the crew were ushered onto a chartered plane and flown to safety in Buenos Aires. However, 29 members of the "Top Gear" crew stayed behind and were forced to escape the mob by driving the convoy of production vehicles to safety in nearby Chile.

Along the way, the convoy and its police escort were met by roadside crowds hurtling rocks and shouting profanities at the cars. 

The Falklands War is a particularly touchy subject for Ushuaia. The city was the last port for the Argentine battle cruiser General Belgrano before it was sunk by British submarine's torpedoes during the conflict — taking the lives of more than 300 sailors. Controversy, over the sinking of the warship and ownership of the Falklands Islands linger more than 30 years on. 

Fans of the show will be treated to the prospect of the dynamic trio's 1,600-mile journey to the southern-most city in the world.

In addition to Clarkson's offending Porsche 928 GT manual, expect to see Hammond in his obligatory muscle car — in the case a classic Mustang — as well as James May in a bright red Lotus Esprit.

The epic-ness of the special could not be contained in just one episode. Producers have decided to split the special into two parts, with the first scheduled for Dec. 27 on BBC2 and BBC2 HD. The second will air the following night. 

Those outside the UK may have to wait bit. No word yet when the episode will hit the US.

SEE ALSO: 10 Reasons Why 'Top Gear' Is The Greatest Show On TV

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"Top Gear" has been pulled from the BBC's television lineup and its lead host Jeremy Clarkson has been suspended by the network after a fracas with one of the show's producers.

For the first time since its rebirth in 2002, the show is facing the very real specter of cancellation. That means Jeremy Clarkson's latest indiscretion may do what the world's most treacherous terrain, dangerous cars, and a lynch mob in Argentina couldn't accomplish – stop "Top Gear." 

Should Clarkson remain sidelined by the bosses at the BBC, "Top Gear" simply would not be able to function. It is only with the sparkling chemistry among the show's charismatic trio of hosts — Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May — that the show can thrive. "Top Gear" is in the middle of its 22nd season with three episodes yet to air. There's no word from the BBC when those episodes will hit the airwaves.

In the meantime, lets take some time to enjoy the show's unorthodox and irreverent approach to automotive journalism that has made "Top Gear" popular with fans and critics worldwide.

In case you need any reminding, here's why "Top Gear" is can't-miss TV, even if you aren't a car nut or addicted to that veddy British sense of humor:

1. "Top Gear's" storytelling method gives it universal appeal.

New viewers to "Top Gear" shouldn't mistake it for a run-of-the-mill car show. Because it isn't one. 

At its core, the show aims to be informative, but does so with a unique blend of hyperbolic comedy, action, and drama that crosses the boundaries of age, gender, and culture. According to CBS's 60 Minutes, "Top Gear's" unique storytelling method and irreverent attitude helped the show generate 350 million viewers a week worldwide, as well as a place in the Guinness Book of World Records as the most-watched "factual" TV program.

When asked by 60 Minutes to explain the show's appeal, "Top Gear" executive producer Andy Wilman joked, "It's a journey into the male mind, which I believe, is a really, potentially, very funny place — 'cause, let's face it, nothing happens there." 

He's right — but 40% of "Top Gear's" audience is actually female!

In fact, the show's near-universal appeal has helped turn it into a $1.5 billion brand, with spinoff series in Russia, Australia, South Korea, and the United States.

2. The show's 3 hosts have the greatest on-camera chemistry in TV.

Even though "Top Gear" has spawned an American version on the History Channel, what makes the original the most fun is the inimitable chemistry between the show's trio of hosts. In fact, the program is propelled as much by their sometimes caustic camaraderie as it is by cars. One of the highlights of the show is the constant personality clash between the pedantic James May (nicknamed "Captain Slow" because he favors a non-thrashy driving style) and the bombastic Jeremy Clarkson (who doesn't really have a nickname).

3. Richard Hammond was nearly killed in a jet car crash during filming and didn't miss an episode.

In 2006, Richard Hammond was nearly killed when the right-front tire of the Vampire jet car he was driving burst at nearly 300 mph, leading to a catastrophic crash. The accident, which caused the host to suffer memory loss and brain damage, had safety activists calling for the show's cancelation. Fortunately, Hammond, known on the show as "The Hamster" due to his diminutive stature, returned to show just three months later without missing a single episode.

4. Due to the "unique" way the BBC is funded, "Top Gear" is able to be brutally honest.

Unlike most American network shows, the BBC and "Top Gear" are funded by British taxpayers, which means the hosts can pretty much say or do whatever they want without fear of retribution from sponsors. In fact, when Jay Leno turned down NBC's American spinoff of Top Gear, the comedian cited the potential influence of sponsors on the opinions expressed in the show as a main reason for his decision. 

5. The "Clarkson Effect" is real, and car companies hate it.

Jeremy Clarkson has long been a popular automotive journalist in the UK, but "Top Gear" has catapulted his influence into the stratosphere. In what has become known as the "Clarkson Effect," a positive or negative review from the host can make or break a product. When MG Rover entered bankruptcy in 2005, many at the automaker's Longbridge factory blamed Clarkson's negative reviews for torpedoing the company's sales.

In 2011, Tesla sued "Top Gear" unsuccessfully for libel after Clarkson's exceedingly negative review of the company's Roadster caused panic among investors and led a few customers to cancelled their preorders. When asked by the BBC News about Clarkson, Tesla CEO Elon Musk replied, "He can be very funny and irreverent, but he does have a bias against electric cars. His two pet peeves are American cars and electric cars, and we're an American electric car." 

6. "Top Gear" has an awesome mascot called "The Stig."

One of "Top Gear's" most popular characters is the show's unofficial mascot and mysterious resident professional test driver. Producers created the mute, helmet-clad character because they needed an adequately skillful driver to navigate the show's test track, located at a former air force base. The BBC has gone to great lengths to keep the true identity of the Stig a secret, even resorting to legal action to prevent the release of the information. 

7. The hosts drove to the North Pole, through the Bolivian Jungle, and the plains of Central Africa.

"Top Gear" takes its style of automotive journalism to the extreme via over-the-top globetrotting adventures. Instead of simply telling viewers whether a car is good or bad, the show will also subject vehicles to extreme real-world conditions. In 2007, Clarkson and May became the first people to drive to the North Pole, when the pair piloted a modified Toyota Hilux truck through the Arctic. 

8. It features some of the most beautiful cinematography ever seen on the small screen.

"Top Gear's" groundbreaking use of camera filters and cinematic wizardry has completely changed the way car shows are presented.

9. Then there are hilarious celebrity appearances. 

Nearly every episode features a segment called "A Star In a Reasonably Priced Car," in which a celebrity is asked to tackle the "Top Gear" test track in an underpowered economy car. The result is a series of very entertaining sequences showing off each celebrity's driving prowess — or in many cases, lack thereof. 

 10. Top Gear even has a live stadium show.

"Top Gear's" hosts have enhanced their rock-star status by going on a live stadium tour, complete with pyrotechnics, car stunts, and comedic gags. So far, "Top Gear" live has made its way through 24 counties. Sadly, it does not seem the live action show will come be coming to America any time soon. 

SEE ALSO: These 40 cars prove the Geneva Motor Show was the greatest in history

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Controversial "Top Gear" host Jeremy Clarkson, 54, has been suspended by the BBC after a "fracas with a producer," the network said.

According to BBC News special correspondent Lucy Manning, Clarkson allegedly hit one of the show's producers last week, but the incident was not reported to the BBC until Monday.

As a result of the suspension, the BBC has pulled Clarkson's highly popular car show "Top Gear" from its television lineup. According to Manning, the remaining three episodes of the show's 22nd season will be canceled. 

Clarkson, who is also a highly paid newspaper columnist, has been reprimanded on several occasions by the BBC for his controversial statements.

This latest incident is not the first dustup in Clarkson's illustrious career.

In 2003, the "Top Gear" host received widespread attention for throwing a glass of water at and threatening Piers Morgan, then the Daily Mirror editor, with physical harm on board the last flight of the Concorde after the newspaper published photos in which Clarkson was embracing a woman who was not his wife.

A year later, at the British Press Awards, Clarkson and archnemesis Morgan confronted each other once again. This time punches were thrown, and Clarkson swung at and hit Morgan in the temple.

Both Clarkson and Morgan would later confirm that the "Top Gear" host broke his finger in the fracas.

In 2014, Clarkson found himself and his show mired in controversy after outtakes from an episode of "Top Gear" showed his using racially insensitive language. Clarkson was reprimanded last year by British government media regulators Ofcom for using another racially insensitive term to describe a person of South Asian origin in an episode of the show.

According to BBC News, Clarkson had been given a "final warning" after his controversial comments in 2014. The network had reportedly threatened to fire the host if there were any further incidents.

"Top Gear," in its present format, has been on the air since 2002 with the trio of Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May at the helm. 

Over the past decade, "Top Gear" has become a global media phenomenon, with 350 million viewers worldwide, and it has spawned local spinoffs in Australia, China, South Korea, Russia, and the US. In total, the "Top Gear" brand is valued at an estimated $1.5 billion.

In addition to the studio broadcast, "Top Gear" also boasts a popular live stadium show, 3 million YouTube subscribers, and a magazine with 1.7 million global readers. 

When asked by reporters, BBC director general Tony Hall admitted being a fan of Clarkson, but also made it clear that the severity of the incident requires that the organization complete a thorough investigation.

Since news of Clarkson's suspension and the show's removal from the airwaves broke, support from fans has been swift.

Within a day, more than half a million of the show's fans have signed an online petition seeking Clarkson's reinstatement. 

Here is the BBC's complete statement:

SEE ALSO: 'Top Gear' is the greatest show on TV — but it's in danger of being pulled off the air

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NOW WATCH: The New Mercedes Driverless Car Even Has The Driver's Seat Facing Away From The Road