The popular British motoring show, Fifth Gear, is being resurrected and rebranded as it shifts focus towards highlighting electric vehicles. Now known as a Fifth Gear: Recharged, the show is being brought back after a hiatus of two years.
The 2021 relaunch will mark the third time the show has returned from the dead, with it first being canceled in 2009, before dropping off the airwaves again between 2016–2018.
Fifth Gear, which was born out of the original format TopGear show after it was canceled in 2001, has signed yet another alumnus from the BBC. Rory Reid, who co-presented TG from 2016–2019, will join Fifth Gear regulars Vicky Butler Henderson and Jason Plato. Also returning to the show is former Formula One driver, and Sky F1 pundit Karun Chandok.
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The core team of presenters will be assisted by EV consumer journalist Grace Webb and engineering ace Jimmy de Ville. However, Notable absentees from the new line-up include Tiff Needell, who most recently fronted ITV’s Lovecars: On The Road, and Jonny Smith, who now presents The Late Brake Show web series.
EVs such as the Cupra Born, Ford Mustang Mach-E GT, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Polestar 2, Audi e-Tron GT, Munroe Mark 1, Porsche Taycan, VW ID.3, MG ZS Electric, Skoda Enyaq iV, and Honda e will feature in the series. Also set to be included are electrified ICE-equipped cars, such as the Peugeot 508 PSE and Ferrari SF90.
Speaking to Deadline, Fifth Gear exec Neil Duncanson said, “Electric was a byline in the original Fifth Gear but now internal combustion engines would be a byline. We are reflecting changing attitudes and audience behavior.”
Season 29 of the new Fifth Gear will premier on November 25th, 2021. It will initially launch in the UK on Discovery+ before moving to Quest on December 2nd. There’s no word for a U.S air date, but the series is set to be syndicated around the globe.