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Netflix exec: 'Top Gear' 'wasn't worth the money' Amazon paid (NFLX)

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In an interview with Digital Spy, Neil Hunt, Netflix's chief product officer, told the site that "Top Gear," the popular car show hosted by Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May, "wasn't worth the money" that Amazon paid for the show. 

Amazon's CEO Jeff Bezos previously said that the rights to the new show the "Top Gear" presenters are making was "very, very, very expensive" at a rumoured $250 million (£164 million) price for 36 episodes. 

Hunt told Digital Spy that "[o]ur buying decisions [of new content] tend to be somewhat data-driven. We have a lot of data to get the deals we want. Clearly [Top Gear] wasn't worth the money to make the deal." 

Later on in the interview Hunt clarified that "there is an audience for everything" and it was not for Netflix "to judge if Amazon has paid too much or not." 

Reports surfaced after Jeremy Clarkson was fired by the BBC following a "fracas" with a producer that a deal would be made with Netflix. Apple was also reportedly involved in the bidding war for the show. Eventually Amazon won out, offering far more than any other bidder. 

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Jeremy Clarkson is being sued for racial discrimination

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Jeremy Clarkson

The BBC producer assaulted by Jeremy Clarkson is allegedly suing the former Top Gear host and the BBC for racial discrimination. 

Lawyers for Clarkson and the broadcaster sat down with Oisin Tymon at an employment tribunal in London on Friday, according to court records seen by Bloomberg

The BBC decided not to renew Clarkson’s Top Gear contract after he launched what it described as an “unprovoked physical assault” on Mr Tymon over the food available following a day’s filming. 

Mr Tymon drove himself to hospital after the ‘fracas’ and was left with a swollen and bleeding lip, according to the BBC’s internal investigation. He did not press charges at the time and has never spoken publically about the incident. 

The case reportedly relates to “verbal abuse” that allegedly accompanied the assault in March. 

Clarkson and his former Top Gear co-hosts James May and Richard Hammond have since signed a lucrative contract for a new motoring show with Amazon Prime worth a reported £10 million.

A BBC spokesperson said: “We will be responding to this claim but will not be commenting further at this time.”

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Chris Harris could be joining the cast of the new 'Top Gear'

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Chris Harris

While Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May have all left Top Gear, the world’s most popular car show will live on, with a new season set to premiere next year.

So far just one person has been confirmed to host the show, British television and radio personality Chris Evans, but now the Telegraph reports he’s set to be joined by none other than Chris Harris and Sabine Schmitz.

Harris needs no introduction here at Motor Authority. His YouTube channel Chris Harris on Cars has provided much entertainment and insights on all things automotive and we think he’d make a great addition to the show.

Likewise, Schmitz would also be a welcome addition, though the German racing driver and instructor hasn’t had as much experience presenting, at least in English. However, she’s previously appeared on Top Gear and knows the Nürburgring race track like the back of her hand.

Former Formula One driver David Coulthard is also rumored for a role on the show.

The new season of Top Gear is expected to commence next May. It will be the 23rd season of the show in its current format and contain 16 episodes as well as some specials.

We’ll update the story as soon as more is known.

SEE ALSO: 15 cars that would make amazing holiday gifts

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'Friends' star Matt LeBlanc will be the new cohost of 'Top Gear'

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Matt LeBlanc will be joining Chris Evans as cohost of "Top Gear."

The news was confirmed by Evans, who tweeted a picture alongside LeBlanc and the show's masked racing driver, The Stig.

In a statement released by the BBC, LeBlanc said: "As a car nut and a massive fan of Top Gear, I'm honoured and excited to be a part of this iconic show's new chapter. What a thrill!"

The "Friends" star will be the first non-British personality to present the show since it first aired in 1977, but he's no stranger to the show. He was the fastest ever "star in the reasonably priced car," drove The Stig around the track in a McLaren MP4-12C, and also hosted the "Top Gear" spin-off series "Top Gear: The Races."

"Matt's a lifelong fellow petrolhead and I'm thrilled he's joining Top Gear," Evans said. "Acting out our craziest car notions on screen is a dream job and I know we'll both be debating some epic road trip ideas.

The actor will be joining Evans on the sofa when the show premieres in May.

Evans' predecessor, Jeremy Clarkson, was sacked last year after a high-profile "fracas" with a producer. The BBC found that Clarkson launched an "unprovoked physical and verbal attack" on the crew member.

Following the BBC's decision to fire Clarkson, his cohosts — Richard Hammond and James May — also announced their departure.

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This video of Matt LeBlanc racing a McLaren 12C shows why he's the perfect addition to 'Top Gear'

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"Friends"star Matt LeBlanc will join Chris Evans as a cohost on Top Gear.

The show's relaunch — which is scheduled to premiere May — has been mired in bad press, but if Matt LeBlanc's past performances on the show are anything to go by, he may be the perfect addition to the team. 

The actor, like Evans, is a self-confessed petrolhead. He was the fastest "star in a reasonably priced car" on a popular weekly "Top Gear" segment, and he even drove The Stig around the Top Gear track in a 600 bhp McLaren MP4-12C at 207 miles per hour.

matt leblanc

LeBlanc took the supercar, which was actually developed and tested on the track, for a spin after he'd finished filming his record-breaking lap in the reasonably priced car, the Kia Cee'd. B but this time he had The Stig as his passenger  — no pressure.

If you needed proof that Matt LeBlanc is a perfect addition to the Top Gear team, this is it.

Check out the video below:

And incase you missed it, here's LeBlanc's leaderboard-topping lap when he was the "star in the reasonably priced car."

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The full 'Top Gear' lineup has been revealed

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Chris Evans has revealed that not one, not two, but six motorheads will be joining him on the new "Top Gear."

The full line up is F1 commentator Eddie Jordan, world-record-breaking German racing driver Sabine Schmitz, US actor Matt LeBlanc, car reviewer and TV presenter Rory Reid, YouTube star Chris Harris, and of course, the Stig.

Evans revealed the news, which will most likely come as a surprise to fans expecting the traditional three-presenter lineup, on his BBC Radio 2 show on Thursday morning.

Heres what the team members had to say about their hair-raising appointments:

Chris Evans

"We really do have a bit of everything for everyone. A fellow lifelong petrolhead from the other side of the pond in Matt; a fearless speed-demon in the irrepressible and effervescent Sabine; the encyclopedic, funny, and wonderfully colourful character that is EJ; Chris, one of the world's top no-nonsense car reviewers; and Rory, who simply blew me away in his audition and fully deserves his place on the team."

Eddie Jordan

"I'm giddy with excitement to be joining Chris and the team. I have such enormous respect for all my fellow presenters and I politely ask that they go easy on these old bones. Cars are in my DNA and although I've been fortunate enough to accomplish most things I ever aspired to in motorsport, presenting 'Top Gear' is quite simply the icing on the cake."

Chris Harris

"'Top Gear' is the thing that helped shape my life with cars, my perception of cars and my obsession with cars, and I'm raring to give it a go. I'm also quite gobby and happy to get into trouble, so I'm hoping I can underpin the programme with journalistic credibility but still cause some mischief. And if it all goes wrong, well, I can say I was once on 'Top Gear,' and just head back to being that annoying small bloke off YouTube."

Sabine Schmitz

"I grew up next to the Nurburgring, and have been racing for most of my life, so the chance to combine both driving and filming was too good an opportunity to pass up. I've appeared on 'Top Gear' a few times in the past, so I know we're going to have a lot of fun."

Rory Reid

"When I submitted my 30-second audition tape, I knew the odds were very firmly against me, as the auditions were open to absolutely everybody. To be the only person to make it through the open audition process makes me immensely proud. I've been a 'Top Gear' fan for decades, but more than that, I live and breathe cars in a way that is perfectly compatible with the show. I'm looking forward to bringing my brand of knowledge, energy and humour to what promises to be a very exciting new series."

The Stig

"-.-. .... . .— .. . —..— / .— . .——. .-. . / .... —- — . .-.-.- "

"Top Gear" returns to BBC Two this May, with an exact air date yet to be announced.

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Jeremy Clarkson's new show for Amazon has started filming — here's what to expect (AMZN)

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Former

Former "Top Gear" presenters Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May have a new show coming this year, airing exclusively on Amazon Prime, and filming has started, according to Clarkson.

The new show came about after Clarkson, who was the lead presenter on "Top Gear,"was fired by the BBC last March after a "fracas" with a producer.

According to reports from social media and Clarkson's column in The Sunday Times, the new show will be much of the same — supercars, stupid challenges, and general fun — but more.

Here's what to expect:

Filming has started.

According to a tweet from Clarkson, filming for the new show started Wednesday. 

Terminal 5 is a terminal at London's Heathrow Airport, strongly suggesting that the team will be jetting off around the world. 

The productions budget is reportedly large after Amazon spent $250 million (£175 million) on 36 episodes of the show. 

Clarkson has previously showed the new team, which includes many of the old "Top Gear" staff members, hard at work. 



There will be a lot of cars.

A tweet, again from Clarkson, in October last year showed a "skeleton crew" and the three presenters in front of three cars. 

The vehicles — a Ferrari LaFerrari, a McLaren P1, and a Porsche 918 — are significant because the BBC show previously failed to get the three manufacturers to agree to their being tested side by side

But it seems Amazon has managed to do it, and this suggests big things are coming on the new show. 



It doesn't have a name yet.

"Gear Knobs," a jokey name that was suggested, was shot down by Clarkson in a tweet

"I see that many people think our new show is called Gear Knobs," he wrote. "Well you heard it here first. It isn't."



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Jeremy Clarkson has said sorry for punching a 'Top Gear' producer after settling a £100,000 racism lawsuit

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Jeremy Clarkson

Jeremy Clarkson has apologised to Top Gear producer Oisin Tymon, who he punched over a "fracas" about a steak, after settling a £100,000 ($139,000) racial discrimination and personal injury claim.

The BBC decided not to renew presenter's contract following the altercation at a hotel near Hawes in Yorkshire after a day's filming last March.

Clarkson was reported to have sworn at Tymon and threatened to get him sacked before launching the 30-second attack after the 55-year-old was unable to get any cooked food at the hotel.

Clarkson has now issued an apology after settling the claim with Tymon.

In a statement released by Tymon's lawyers, Slater & Gordon, Clarkson said:

"I would like to say sorry, once again, to Oisin Tymon for the incident and its regrettable aftermath. I want to reiterate that none of this was in any way his fault.

"I would also like to make it clear that the abuse he has suffered since the incident is unwarranted and I am sorry too that he has had to go through that. I am pleased that this matter is now resolved. Oisin was always a creatively exciting part of Top Gear and I wish him every success with his future projects."

Tymon's lawyer, Paul Daniels, from Slater & Gordon, said: "The action involving Mr Tymon has been concluded. Oisin is keen to put the matter behind him now that it has been brought to a close. Oisin greatly appreciates all of the support he has received, including from the BBC. He remains focused on the creative work he loves at the BBC."

North Yorkshire Police confirmed they would not investigate the incident after Tymon confirmed he did not want to take any action against Clarkson.

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The presenter of Top Gear has said sorry after the show performed and filmed stunts near a London war memorial

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Top Gear presenter Chris Evans has issued an apology for images which show fellow presenter Matt LeBlanc performing stunts near a famous London war memorial. 

LeBlanc and a professional driver were pictured performing 'donuts' near the Cenotaph on Whitehall in central London during filming for the revamped BBC show. 

Speaking on his BBC Radio 2 breakfast show on Monday morning, Evans said he wanted to "apologise unreservedly for what these images seem to portray."

Evans, who was announced as one of the hit show's new presenters in June last year, said:

"The images on the front pages of the papers today — it doesn't matter what actually happened — what is important is what these images look like. It does not look good at all. There have been some completely incendiary comments written alongside these pictures and I completely understand all this furore, but the Top Gear team would never, ever, do that.

He added: "Retrospectively it was unwise to be anywhere near the Cenotaph with this motorcar."

'Donuts' are stunts involving the driver rotating the rear of the car around the front and often leave circular skid marks on the road as well as typically producing large amounts of smoke and noise.

Evans' apology came after retired British military commander Col Richard Kemp criticised the stunt during an interview with BBC Radio 5 live. 

Kemp described the cenotaph, which was first erected to mark the end of the First World War, as a "cemetary" and said he did not want to see any footage of the memorial in the final edit. 

He told presenter Stephen Nolan the cenotaph "does not need to have people screaming around in cars and generating smoke from their tyres all over it."

The former commander added: "People like Matt LeBlanc and other stars of Top Gear could never give to this country, or their own country, what those who have died fighting for it have given and I think a degree of respect is due to them."

A spokesman for Top Gear said images taken by paparazzi made it look like filming had taken place closer to the Cenotaph than it had in reality.

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The BBC also said the filming had been permitted by Westminster Council in advance. 

Evans and LeBlanc make up a six-person presenting team which replaced the trio of Jeremy Clarkson, James May and, Richard Hammond who left the BBC after Clarkson punched one of the show's producers. 

The new series of the BBC Two show is due to be aired in May.

UPDATE: On Monday afternoon, the BBC released a statement confirming the footage will not be used in the final edit. 

A part of the statement read:

The Cenotaph was at no point intended to feature in the programme and therefore will not appear in the final film. However, we are acutely aware of how some of the images in the press look today via the angle and distance they were taken and for which, as Chris Evans has already said, we sincerely apologise.

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Jeremy Clarkson gave up booze to 'stay sharp' while negotiating his Amazon Prime deal (AMZN)

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Jeremy Clarkson, the former BBC "Top Gear" presenter who has a new car show coming out this year on Amazon Prime, revealed he gave up drinking in order to "stay sharp" while negotiating his deal with the tech company.

In a wide-ranging interview with The Times' Charlotte Edwardes, Clarkson admitted that last summer he went away for a month to a place he describes as "like prison"— although he later clarified he did not go to rehab.

After that, he gave up drinking for four or five months as he began talks with Amazon for the new show with his "Top Gear" co-presenters Richard Hammond and James May. 

“You can’t deal with Californian lawyers if you’ve had a couple of glasses of wine," Clarkson said.

He didn't, however, appear to keep his sobriety up. Edwardes says Clarkson told her he was hungover when he met her for the interview in Barbados, where he was shooting for the show.

Clarkson will be earning £10 million (about $14.5 million) a year for his involvement in the new Amazon Prime series, which has a production budget of £4.5 million (about $6.5 million) per programme, The Daily Mirror reported last year. "Top Gear," meanwhile had a budget of around £1 million (about $1.5 million) per show, according to The Daily Mirror.

Clarkson says his gruff persona is 'an act'

Jeremy ClarksonClarkson was fired by the BBC in March 2015 for punching "Top Gear" producer Oison Tymon in what was described as a "fracas" in a hotel in North Yorkshire, England.

Last month, Clarkson apologised and Tymon's lawyers said they had settled for an undisclosed fee reported by The Guardian to be in excess of £100,000 (about $145,000)

Clarkson said he couldn't talk about the incident, for legal reasons.

When asked if he argues a lot, Clarkson responded: "I don’t usually argue with people; I discuss. If I’m in a mood and I’m talking to an idiot, I might tell them to eff off. If you and I found a subject we disagreed on, you’d see."

Earlier in the interview, he described his grumpy persona as "an act."

"My job, my TV persona. ‘Jeremy Clarkson.’ It’s a mask. We all wear masks. It’s not the real me," he said.

Former At the end of the article, Edwardes notes that Clarkson's eyes were "damp behind his sunglasses" when he talked about missing his mother, who died last year.

Clarkson said he received the news of his mother's death from breast cancer when he had just arrived in Moscow to do a live show in front of 15,000 people.

He carried on with the show that day but claims the BBC was "very unhelpful" as he mourned the loss of his mother. At the time, the corporation was in the middle of an inquiry investigating whether Clarkson had used a racist insult in an episode of "Top Gear."

Clarkson said:

I said, ‘My mother’s just died. Please leave me alone.’ But they wouldn’t. And it was bad. We were doing the TV show and the live shows, and three newspaper columns a week and endless investigations into whether or not we’d said this or done that or whether or not my hair was straight or my teeth were cleaned. It went on and on and on. It was very tricky. So there was quite a lot of pressure that year even for a jovial soul like me to handle. I was very close to my mum.

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We just got our first look at Top Gear without Jeremy Clarkson

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Top Gear Trailer Matt LeBlanc

The BBC released the trailer for their new Top Gear reboot Thursday.

It is the first official footage released for the new season since the sacking of famous host Jeremy Clarkson after he punched a producer in a dispute over a hot meal. 

Clarkson was followed out the door by fellow Top Gear hosts Richard Hammond and James May, who have since begun production of a new $250 million series on Amazon.

The new BBC Top Gear, which will now feature six hosts including British radio personality Chris Evans and "Friends" actor Matt LeBlanc, is set to premier this May.

The trailer revealed a variety of stunts in the classic Clarksonian Top Gear tradition: Evans drifting a McLaren supercar with Formula 1 driver Jenson Button, LeBlanc driving about in a ridiculously modified three-wheeled Reliant Robin, and what appeared to be a C7 Corvette with a roof-mounted machine gun. 

Devoted Top Gear fans, many vocally skeptical of any replacement for the Clarkson-Hammond-May triumvirate, may be relieved to see antics resembling the previous show.

 Here's the trailer.

 

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The former 'Top Gear' hosts finally have a name for their new Amazon show

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Jeremy Clarkson Top Gear

Former "Top Gear" hosts Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May have finally chosen a name for their new, $7 million-an-episode motoring show on Amazon Prime.

According to announcements via the show's Facebook page and the host's twitter accounts, the new series will be called "The Grand Tour."

"Not only will the guys travel to different locations, but for the first time ever the studio audience recordings will travel every week, all housed within a giant tent," the show's page on Amazon said.

Apparently not all of the hosts were pleased with the choice:

The show is expected to premier sometime this fall.

SEE ALSO: Amazon is paying former 'Top Gear' host Jeremy Clarkson a ridiculous amount of money

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Forget Jeremy Clarkson — 'Top Gear' has replaced the notorious host with Joey from 'Friends'

Top Gear's Eddie Jordan just put his yacht up for sale

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Eddie Jordan, the former owner of the Jordan Grand Prix Formula 1 team and current Top Gear co-presenter, has put his 47m yacht, Blush up for sale. Represented by Camper and Nicholsons International, Blush's asking price has been set at £19,500,000.

Eddie Jordan Yacht

Blush was launched in 2014 as Sunseeker's flagship which it remains to this day. First in the Sunseeker 155 series, Blush has a length of 47 meters and was designed by the yard's in-house team. Built out of GRP, the yacht can accommodate 10 guests in 5 cabins and carries a crew of 10. Blush is the 9th Sunseeker yacht that Mr. Jordan has owned over the years.

Eddie Jordan Yacht

Amongst the yacht's key features are an open sun deck, complete with a large Jacuzzi and sunbathing areas as well as a clever use of foldable balconies and glass that maximize entertaining space on the yacht. 

Eddie Jordan Yacht

The owner's cabin, located forward on the main deck, has its own private balcony, a rare feature on yachts of this size. A beach club and swimming platform are further located aft of the yacht.

Eddie Jordan Yacht

From a technical standpoint, Blush is powered by twin MTU engines of 2,950hp each giving the yacht a maximum speed of 20 knots and a cruising speed of 15 knots. Blush is also available for charter this summer in the Mediterranean from €200,000 per week.

Eddie Jordan Yacht

UK-based, Sunseeker was sold itself to the Wanda Group, China's largest commercial real estate operator, in 2013 for near 300 million pounds as Yacht Harbour reported.

SEE ALSO: The Philippines is putting its presidential yacht up for sale

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'Top Gear USA' was just killed by the History Channel

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Cast of Top Gear USATomorrow evening's episode of “Top Gear USA" on the History Channel will be the show's last. Co-host Rutledge Wood announced the show's demise on Facebook.

Hosted by Tanner Foust, Adam Ferrara, and Wood, the show was supposed to give Americans our own version of the popular "Top Gear" by the BBC.

The show had a shaky start and has always fought an uphill battle with its competitor from the U.K., but it was good enough to be renewed for a second season. Season six debuted on April 26, 2016, and will be cut short with tomorrow's episode being its last.

Wood mentions in the post that the show itself might not die for good, rather it's run on the History Channel has come to an end, implying the trio might try to shop around for a new network.

In his statement, Wood is quite gracious to the network that gave him a chance, his co-hosts, the production crew, and the fans. It actually sounds like the hosts built up the type of camaraderie that made the British show so popular. Viewers may have given up on the show too soon to see it, or it still wasn't coming through.

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Amazon's $250 million 'Top Gear' hosts have a hilarious new video (AMZN)

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Jeremy Clarkson Amazon

Former "Top Gear" hosts Jeremy Clarkson, James May, and Richard Hammond are known for their great comedic chemistry.

In fact, it's what helped make their previous show the most-watched in the world.

Recently, the trio took some time off ahead of the launch of their upcoming Amazon Prime show to remind us of what we have been missing in the year they have been off the air. 

Uploaded earlier this month to May's YouTube channel, the video shows Clarkson attempting assemble a DHL shipping box.

It's a simple premise, but the comedy is real. At one point, in true Clarkson form, he requests the use of a hammer to assist in the assembly process.

In fact, one can even argue that this is much more entertaining than the current iteration of the BBC's "Top Gear" which as seen it ratings plummet in recent weeks

So far, the box assembly video has been viewed more than 1.6 million times.

In March of 2015, Clarkson was dismissed from the BBC after he punched a producer for not being able to obtain a hot steak dinner.

Hammond, May, and long-time "Top Gear" executive producer Andy Wilman voluntary left the BBC following Clarkson's exit. 

In April 2015, Clarkson, Hammond, May, and Wilman signed a three-year deal with Amazon Prime to produce a new car show worth as much as $250 million.

Although the trio has spent the past few months taping segments for the new show called "The Grand Tour", the first live studio taping won't take place until next month in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Check out the video here:

SEE ALSO: Audi figured out how to make this iconic supercar even better

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A social network founded by the former 'Top Gear' presenters is launching this year

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Top Gear

A social network for car fans founded by the three former presenters of BBC motoring show "Top Gear" says it will launch later this year, Digital Trends reports.

DriveTribe aims to be a place for people who like cars to come together and share videos, photos, and debates. It sounds almost like a specialised version of Reddit. DriveTribe says on its site that it will launch in the Autumn.

Jeremy Clarkson left the BBC show in 2015 after a "fracas" in which he was accused of punching producer Oisin Tymon, who was treated in hospital. His co-presenters, Richard Hammond and James May, left the show with him.

Now Clarkson, Hammond, and May are working on a TV show: "The Grand Tour," which will be shown to Amazon Video subscribers.

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Chris Evans has quit 'Top Gear'

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Chris Evans, the new lead presenter of "Top Gear," has announced he is quitting the show after just one series.

In a tweet, Evans said he "gave it my best shot but sometimes that's not enough."

The show's ratings slid to their lowest of the new series on Sunday night as Evans and his ensemble of co-hosts — including Matt LeBlanc, Rory Reid, Chris Harris, Eddie Jordan, and Sabine Schmitz — failed to match the audiences amassed by previous hosts Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May, who are now presenting their own car show for Amazon. 

Clarkson was sacked from "Top Gear" last year for his involvement in a "fracas" with one of the show's producers. Evans signed a three-year deal with the BBC to present the show in June last year.

Sunday night's series finale on BBC Two pulled in just 1.9 million viewers — only 8.6% of the possible audience — as 6.6 million people instead opted to watch the Euro 2016 clash between France and Iceland, the BBC reported.

That number was down 800,000 on last week's episode and far lower than the 4 million who tuned into the series debut — however, the overnight ratings number will not include the people who may have been waiting to watch the show on the BBC's on-demand platform, BBC iPlayer.

chris evansA source told Business Insider that Evans had handed in his resignation to BBC Studios director Mark Linsey last week. The source said there are no plans to replace Evans at this time.

In a statement provided by The BBC, Linsey said: "Chris is stepping down from his duties on Top Gear. He says he gave it his best shot doing everything he could to make the show a success. He firmly believes that the right people remain, on both the production team and presenting team to take the show forward and make it the hit we want it to be. The new series has so far notched up over 30m views in the UK alone and has already been sold to 130 territories worldwide."

In a statement, Evans said: "I have never worked with a more committed and driven team than the team I have worked with over the last twelve months. I feel like my standing aside is the single best thing I can now do to help the cause. I remain a huge fan of the show, always have been, always will be. I will continue to focus on my radio show and the allied events that it encompasses."

Chris EvansEvans has been criticized by fans and critics for his shouty presenting style. The Guardian said of his debut: "Chris Evans needs to relax and stop trying so hard to be Jeremy Clarkson."

His decision to leave "Top Gear" will not affect his other BBC commitments, including his BBC Radio 2 breakfast show, CarFest, the Children in Need charity event, and the 500 Words story competition.

Earlier on Monday, the Metropolitan Police confirmed a woman alleged she had been sexually assaulted in the Tower Hamlets area of London by a man in the 1990s, The Telegraph reported, saying the allegations referred to Evans.

There has been no arrest and no person has been interviewed under caution in relation to the incident, The Metropolitan Police told Business Insider in a statement.

Evans has denied the allegations, referring to previous reports about the claims as a "witch-hunt,"The Guardian reported. 

Filming for the second series of "Top Gear" is scheduled to start in September.

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The police are questioning Chris Evans' former coworkers about his behavior on 'Big Breakfast' following a sexual assault claim

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chris evans

Police are speaking to a number of Chris Evans' former coworkers following a string of allegations about the former "Top Gear" presenter’s sexual behaviour on the 1990s Channel 4 TV show "The Big Breakfast."

A source tells Business Insider that, as part of enquiries into a complaint of sexual assault made against the presenter, Metropolitan Police officers have spoken to at least one TV producer who worked with Evans on the iconic breakfast show.

The original complaint was made by an unnamed female TV executive on May 23 and police have since made telephone contact with other former colleagues of Evans.

The alleged victim, a former coworker of Evans, told Heat Street, the News Corp-owned right-wing news website: "He often said I was crap at my job and he would sometimes grab my breasts. I became totally desensitised to his behaviour. He would scream and shout and swear at me if I told him something simple such as reminding him he was due on air in 10 minutes' time."

The woman, who spoke to Heat Street under a condition of anonymity, said Evans would also expose himself to her regularly and that she made a statement about the events to a lawyer five years ago.

The Metropolitan Police declined to comment on the individuals in the case or their additional lines of enquiry.  A spokesman referred Business Insider to a statement released on Monday:

"An allegation of non-recent sexual assault was made to police on Monday, 23 May,” the statement said. “The allegation was made by a woman against a man. It relates to incidents in Tower Hamlets in the 1990s. There has been no arrest and no person has been interviewed under caution. Enquiries continue."

Evans' agent, Michael Foster, has yet to respond to Business Insider's request for comment. A Channel 4 spokesman declined to comment. The BBC — where Evans is currently employed as a Radio 2 host — also declined to comment.

“There was a working bathtub in the Big Breakfast house so it was very easy for him to be naked"

A source told Business Insider that they had been questioned directly by officers at Bethnal Green Police Station in London about Evans’ behaviour on "The Big Breakfast," which he hosted between 1992 and 1994.

The television executive, who wished to remain anonymous, added that they expect to be asked to make a formal statement, which could be used as evidence if the investigation progresses.

The source said Evans would regularly parade around "The Big Breakfast" house naked, often after using the bathroom, which was part of the show’s set.

“There was a working bathtub in the Big Breakfast house so it was very easy for him to be naked. His behaviour was really unusual and quite shocking, particularly if you were a young woman working on the show,” the source said.

Heat Street has also reported on other more lurid allegations about Evans behaviour, and on Sunday claimed that he will be informally questioned by police in the “near future”.

The original Heat Street story reported on a conversation between Evans' former colleagues on Facebook, where they swapped stories, including claims that the host would drop his towel in front of them after washing. One said it was part of his early morning "ritual". 

Evans screen grab

Friends of Evans have claimed that accusations of bullying and assault made against him were part of a "witch hunt" since he took over the BBC's "Top Gear," but the presenter has admitted to exposing himself during meetings at his company Ginger Group Media before.

He is reported to have told The Sunday Times newspaper in 2005: “I haven’t done it for a while, but I will do it again … If you get your willy out, it’s the funniest thing in the world.”

twitter top gearEvans' resignation from "Top Gear" is not related to the police enquiries, BBC sources told Business Insider. The presenter announced he was stepping down on Monday, claiming that he had given the BBC2 motoring programme his “best shot”.

He will continue to present his Radio 2 breakfast programme, which he today dedicated to the "Top Gear" production team.

Evans said on the show that his slogan for the day was: "Breathe in, breathe out, move on."

Sources have suggested to Business Insider that Evans decided to resign because he was being “overwhelmed” by his workload and had tired of the critical press stories that have dogged him since taking the "Top Gear" job in June last year.

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Joey from 'Friends' is now the most powerful man in automotive media

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"Top Gear" isn't just the biggest car show in the world — it's the biggest show, period. 

So fans were understandably concerned last year when former host Jeremy Clarkson punched a producer, leading to always controversial Clarkson's resignation.

Co-hosts James May and Richard Hammond followed him — straight into the arms of Amazon, which is paying the trio handsomely to create a new show that will debut later this year.

The BBC, which owns "Top Gear," scrambled to pull a new cast together for the next season, singing up British radio celeb Chris Evans and American actor Matt LeBlanc, well know for his portrayal of dimwit latter-day Casanova Joey Tribbiani in the 1990s and early 2000s prime-time ensemble comedy "Friends," in addition to a passel of other journalist, broadcasters, and people who actually know how to drive hot cars.

Now it's all gone horribly wrong, with the unpopular Evans leaving the new "Top Gear" after one season.

This means Joey from "Friends" is now running the show.

There was unsubstantiated chatter before Evans stepped down that LeBlanc and his co-host weren't having a lot of  "Hey ... How ya doin?" moments.

This creates a weird new world of "Top Gear," with an American is charge of a show renowned for its charming and at times offensive Britishness, while the Brits responsible for the successful BBC series are now, effectively, coming to America — or at taking advantage of the very deep pockets of an American company.

"Top Gear," it's now safe to say, is officially in crisis. Fans have responded well to LeBlanc, and everybody seems to like Chris Harris, a YouTube star who has always seemed like he should get a shot at the big time.

But although Joey from "Friends" is charming, he's hardly some funny looking lanky buffoon, nor is he a fusty long-haired professorial type, and he certainly isn't a peppy little guy who become sullen when he wrecks a fabulous car on a racetrack.

And Harris is enthusiastic and British, but he's just so darn competent. It's had to see why anyone would want to make him look foolish.

What we have, then, is the prospect of a much more responsible, Americanized "Top Gear."

And Matt LeBlanc, it seems, will control its destiny.

SEE ALSO: Chris Evans has quit 'Top Gear'

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NOW WATCH: Forget Jeremy Clarkson — 'Top Gear' has replaced the notorious host with Joey from 'Friends'

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