James May confirms when we’re getting Amazon Prime’s Top Gear

Much like two nimbly bodied supercars revving their engines on some rainy airfield, it had long been expected that Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond’s forthcoming rival Top Gear programme would go directly head to head with the BBC’s revamped original, now scheduled for 22 May.

Adding further (unleaded) fuel to the fire that these two competitors would be gunning for it in an all-out ratings war, you might have also seen that filming began for both shows at the same time last month. But it’s now been revealed, by May, that this won’t be the case.

When pressed on the date for Amazon Prime’s as yet untitled big money motoring show during a Reddit Q&A, the host said: “The Autumn, or fall if you're in the US. That's as specific as I can be.”

Which we imagine will be news fully welcomed over at the Beeb, where bosses will be hoping Chris Evans can now win back Top Gear’s loyal audience without the added peril of a ratings war.

On the other hand of course, this later TX date could even be an advantage for Amazon. For if the overhauled Top Gear 2.0 was to crash and burn – critically speaking – the good money would be on Amazon running away with it, and the service doubtlessly getting a lot more sign-ups.

Slated for 36 episodes over three years, perhaps Amazon’s approach illustrates how they want to make sure it’s absolutely perfect before they release it.

May’s certainly primed to go.

[Via: Digital Spy]