The Grand Tour’s new trio may have found the secret to avoiding another Top Gear-style failure
The Grand Tour’s new trio may have found the secret to avoiding another Top Gear-style failure
Vatsala Chauhan Thu, August 20, 2026 at 6:26 AM UTC
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The Grand Tour ©YouTube/@Amazon Prime Video UK & IE
Prime Video has released the one-minute and fourteen-second trailer for The Grand Tour. From the trailer, it seems like the new trio, consisting of Francis Bourgeois, Thomas Holland, and James Engelsman, could finally succeed after past Top Gear failures. Francis Bourgeois is a famous trainspotter and media personality who will appear on the show with Thomas Holland and James Engelsman, who runs a YouTube channel named Throttle House with over three million subscribers.
Until the six seasons of The Grand Tour, released between 2016 and 2024, the show starred the trio from Top Gear, which includes Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May, following the same style and attracting a similar audience as Top Gear.
While the format became popular among viewers, many other versions of the same failed to make the same impression as they tried to follow the original trio formula too closely. However, from the recently released trailer, the new trio seems to bring a new dynamic to The Grand Tour. They don't seem to follow the past trio dynamic, which could help the show stand on its own.
How might The Grand Tour's new trio avoid another Top Gear-style setback?
The new trio in The Grand Tour (Image via YouTube/@Amazon Prime Video UK & IE)
Created by Andy Wilman, known for Clarkson's Farm and Top Gear, the show starred Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May as presenters. While the trio soon became an icon and favorite of many with their car reviews and humor, later attempts to bring back the same style with new hosts failed to gain the same response.
However, the new trailer of The Grand Tour shows that the three presenters have a chemistry of their own. The three are seen cracking jokes at times and sharing car knowledge. The trailer includes multiple humorous moments with the trio making jokes even at serious moments, showing their bond with each other, making it more interesting and exciting at the same time.
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Not to forget, the new hosts are no strangers to the car world either, as Holland and Engelsman are already known for their YouTube channel Throttle House, where they share car reviews, track tests, and automotive adventures. With over five hundred videos, they've gained over three million subscribers.
On the other hand, Francis Bourgeois, who is a mechanical engineer, as per his Instagram bio, and a trainspotter, is also famous on social media for his personality, with over 2.7 million followers on Instagram. This combination of car expertise, entertainment, and Bourgeois' unique personality could give The Grand Tour a different dynamic from the hosts who came before them.
The new Grand Tour hosts also seem to be putting their own spin on the show rather than mirroring the original trio. While the new trio is bringing something different, the show is not moving too far from what made The Grand Tour and Top Gear popular, as it mainly revolves around car challenges, exploring different countries, test cars, and adventures.
Talking about the good times and bond he shared with his co-hosts while filming the show, Francis Bourgeois recalled how the experience made him laugh, feel nervous, and uncomfortable at times, while also remembering the funny moments of sharing a tent with Thomas and James. Thomas Holland also talked about filming, saying he thought someone would guide them through the journey. However, the three had to handle wild places and "questionable" cars on their own, which he joked proved they were not very good at making decisions.
The Grand Tour will be available to stream on September 4 on Prime Video.
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Source: “AOL Entertainment”
