BBC’s Top Gear is back and for their first adventure in the 10th series our trio Jezza, Hamster & Captain slow go on a quest to find the world’s best driving road. The ones with the challenging bends, great views, the long fast straights and obviously no traffic.
more pictures and videos after the jump.
The Cars
The cars are no ordinary ones either, they are extreme versions of already superb supercars.
Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera
This Gallardo lost weight everywhere possible. with many of its parts replaced by carbon fibre ones, it weighs 70 kgs lighter than the base Gallardo. Its air intake, exhaust and the ECU have been upgraded to increase its power to 530 bhp (10 bhp more than base Gallardo) and does the 0-100 km/h (0-60 mph) in 3.8 seconds (0.2 faster).
Porsche 911 GT3 RS
This GT3 RS has same power as the standard GT3 ie 415 bhp but the engine can rev higher up to 8400 rpm and can take higher loads thanks to a close ratio 6-speed gearbox and a single mass flywheel. Its 0-100 km/h (0-60 mph) sprint takes 4.2 seconds and can reach a top speed of 310 km/h (193 mph). A race tuned suspension setup, increased rear track width and bigger & lighter rear spoiler result in more precise handling and greater stability at high speeds.
Aston Martin V8 Vantage N24
Originally made to go racing in the Nurburgring 24 Hours endurance race, N24 is now available as a road legal track day car with better aerodynamics and race ready equipment, N24 qualifies for many championships and is ideal for club racing events. This completely stripped out version has no aircon or airbags and is lighter by 250 kgs. A tweaked engine with many performance mods, this one produces 410 bhp (30 bhp more than the stock V8 Vantage). 0-100 km/h (0-60) sprint takes 4.2 seconds and top speed is 282 km/h (175 mph).
The Roads
As for the world’s best driving road, after their research they’ve decided to look for it in the continental Europe specifically around the alps. They start their quest from Monaco and these roads stand out from the lot.
Col De Turini
photo source: flickr
Col De Turini is a famous mountain top in the south of France and is part of a 32 km rally stage starting from Sospel to La Bollène. It is the highest point in the stage standing at 1607 metres. This stretch of road is one of the most difficult and dangerous but also exciting stages in the WRC. It has the long straights where cars reach upto 180 km/h, 34 challenging hairpins and awesome views – all the things that make for one of the best driving roads in the world.
San Bernardino Pass
San Bernardino Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2065 meters in the Swiss Alps connecting the towns of Hinterrhein and Misox. This road has its share of bends and hairpins but is more known for its scenic views and smooth roads. It also has a 6.6 km long tunnel but with a speed limit of 80km/h (50mph).
Davos to Stelvio via Bormio
Heading south from Davos, Switzerland to Stelvio, Italy they found everything they were looking for, what appears to be a driving enthusiasts heaven, the kind of road that brings everything about a car alive – miles of deserted road with breathtaking views, unending number of curves that would test every aspect of the car – steering, power, grip, brakes & handling. Not to forget a few tunnels for those in the mood for some tunnel blasting.
Stelvio Pass
En route to stelvio via Bormio, we cross the Stelvio pass (Passo dello Stelvio), at 2757 meters it is the second highest paved mountain road in the alps. Regarded by the motorists as one of the most challenging roads in the world, it has 60 hairpins with 48 of them on the northern / eastern ramp.
With the roads narrower on the northern side and the hairpins ridiculously tight, this is the toughest part. Roads are very steep on this side of the pass and the ascent is even more tougher with almost zero visibility to oncoming vehicles.
In contrast the southern / eartern ramp has a bit wider and faster hairpins and better road surface which will be more satisfying for those inclined towards less extreme driving.
Hey
I’m living in Switzerland and I have to say there are even better roads to drive a car…
I mean route to stelvio is quite amazing but there are no fast corners, only cerpentines…too bad
The best roads are near the Gotthardpass (with the famous tunnel)
and have names like Nufenen, Grimsel Susten Furka Klausen or Oberalp.
I mean the scenery is amazing and the roads are awesome.
But don’t forget driving too fast in Switzerland is awesome but could be fucking expensive…the police don’t like fast drivers…
I just want to say, if you drive to south, just don’t rush through Switzerland on the motorway, I never do that…
Dan
Excellent video & roads, would be cool to go there sometime.
Check this out for the trip
What is the best way to see / do the Stelvio pass
A) Davos on 28 east to Sta Maria then south Val Muraunza road to Stelvio summit then down S38 to Stelvio town
or B) St Moritz 29 south then S38 north to Bormio then climb S38 to summit and down S38 to Stelvio town
Or reverse routes??
I should think both ways are as good as each other?
Why not try both and do a large loop?
John—> I think option B will be better. Guys from TOP GEAR used that road.
I thought the Top Gear team went east from Davos on route 28 to Susch. Then south to Zernez, then continued east on 28 to Sluderno, then south to Spondigna and up the Stelvio from that direction. Can anyone confirm this? It’s the route they took from Davos that I’m keen to learn.
I have checked this Top Gear again and i am almost 100% sure they went east from Davos on route 28 to Susch.Then south to Zernez Then south-west on toute 27 to St.Moritz. Then south on route 29 to Tirano and then trough Bormio to Stelvio Pass. I have checked map and is almost iddentical that this in program.
Top Gear, being Top Gear, couldn’t use a Ford Focus, Audi A3 and a Skoda Octavia, NOPE!! Supercars… lol
I wonder if they used ‘normal’ cars would the results have been any different? I doubt it.
Wonder how the M25 didn’t get featured in this episode? hahahah
Well i do a lot of times Gottard (Swiss) Pass but it is really full of Cars so you can’t drive very fast…Better it’s on the Alberg Pass (Austria) but Gottard had a best quick view…
I like to do PAsso Sella and PAsso Pordoi (North Italy near Cortina d’ Ampezzo) it is really amzing street and usually cars free…
They specifically said in the episode that they headed south from Davos.
excellent summary! i couldn’t quite pick out the exact names of the roads that Jeremy mentioned because of bad sound quality, so this helps a lot!!
if only ontario, canada had anything similar to this…
you can probably find these kinds of roads out west in the rockies (alberta, BC)… or get an ocean view on the east coast in the maratimes… or big flat land in the praries lol
For real excitement on Stelvio, try it like we did: No clutch (broken cable) and then having to do two U-turns while climbing from the east (still no clutch) to go back and assist another of our party. (What a shame, we had to do it all over again)
For good measure we had to dodge some BMW’s under test coming the other way and not expecting traffic that late in the day.
For a complete package, nearby Gavia is well worth it, a lovely narrow winding road, dramatic drops and lack of barriers for much of it.
They deinatly headed east out of davos. In the video as Richard is saying “mile afer mile of deserted perfection” there is a shot of two small lakes. They are on the 28 at Fluelapass. Can’t tell where they went from Zernez tho. Hope this helps.
I can imagine the Swiss police buying gillie suits and having their officers hide in cover along side the roads between Davos and the Stelvio pass, ready and waiting with their speed guns.
hi, me and a friend are looking for great roads a little closer to basel, CH for next weekend— any inputs would be appreciated
We just made the Stelvio pass witn 330ci . Grate drive. Gotthart is no less dramatic and more fast, but i love stelvio.
Anyone requiring info please contact http://www.bonneroute.co.uk.
Experts in Alpine Driving & Passes!
We just got back from doing the southern/ramp of the Stelvio Pass, we left Davos on the Fluelapass, onto the Ofenpass and then onto the Umbraipass until we reached the Stelvio pass. We then headed down to Bormio and into Northern Italy.
You head south but you do leave Davos to the east as far as I remember, my brain is a little mashed after the drive from Monaco to home and getting in this morning at 4am.
Truly amazing roads, in all fairness I think any of the roads around that area are simply breathtaking but it was exciting to be on the roads seen on TG! There was quite a bit of traffic around probably as we hit it around midday/early afternoon, bikes mostly.
I’ve been looking very closely too, and I believe the first part from Davos to Zernez through Susch on the 28 is right. But after, still on the 28, they they turned south headed to Livigno. In the film you can clearly see the dam which they cross. After Livigno they got on the 301 to Bormio, then taking the 38 to Stelvio.
I’d like to know why it seems to be very quite the day they were filming this road. Isn’t it normally a very busy one?
I just did the route in a polo and it was great!
actually the low ground clearance of the top gear super cars would have been a problem on the northen descent – only problem with polo was trying to not melt the brakes . . .
Suff your supercars – but a sportsbike and go there in June as I did. CHeap accommodation and the best fun I’ve ever had. Watch our for Austrian Police. I was stopped doing 138mph and fined 25 Euro! I laughed all the way to the cashline and back….
Hi, I’ve been planning this route for a while now, this may seem stupid but I just needed to know if a 50cc moped would be suitable to climb the Stelvio Pass?
Thanks
To those in doubt about the route the boys took there is a map that appears just after they drive by a lake. They went through Livigno
I did the road in June in my 1.1 ford fiesta F reg!! so whoever wanted to no if a 50cc moped had enough power i think so as it has about the same as my car, also loads of people were cycling it. i went from Davos all the way on the 28, then cut across on a small back road from Santa Maria to the start of the stelvio pass, it was an amazing thing to do, even if it did nearly kill the car!!
i have a trip planned out to go to stelvio,turini and other similar locations. the trip is planned out for 8 Oct. till the 15th Oct.. Does anyone know if any of the roads will be closed or if there is still alot of traffic?
i recently went on a motorcycle trip across europe,while in austria i was told by some fellow travelers about this mithical strech of road in Romania called the transfagaran,it was built as a military strategic road after the russians invaded checkoslovakia it s at 2000 meters high between two high mountain peaks and it streches for around 150 km..it has loads of tunnel (including a km long one) bridges dams etc..it s only open for a few months every year because of the weather and except for weekends,it s pretty deserted..so i went there and..it is trully the most magnificent road for a motorcycle..the number of twisties,the landscape,the way the whole mountain seems to echo the engine noise…well..i could describe it on and on but..here are some pics http://www.galeriafoto.com/photos/data/515/medium/62Transfagarasan.JPG http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transfăgărăşan
I have just done the all the roads featured on the top gear episode and also headed further north for a lap on the nurburgring with my brother as my co-driver. We did the trip in a VW Mk1 Golf 16v and it took us six days as we live in England. I can say that the roads and the views are truly breathtaking and I recomend it to anyone. Amazing!
That episode had to be one of the best they had ever done. I hope I have a chance to drive those roads one day in something as spectacular.
We did the Top Gear Best-Ever route in October 08 with our Carrera 1988 and a Cayman. Great weather, great drive and the Stelvio-Pass is not snowed over/closed yet. Apparently hotels close between mid-November and march because the pass is not accessible in the winter.
The route is indeed:
A) Davos – Zernez – Livigno
Note: Livigno is tax freeeeee, so make sure you fill your car there
B) Livigno – Bormio, just before you reach Bormio village, the way towards Stelvio goes up to the left.
C) Bormio – Stelviopass – Stelvio ( = Stilfs)
Great little village with good food. This is the German speaking part of Italy but any language seems to work.
On the way back we went over the Umbraipass and St. Maria Val Müstair and the Ofenpass. CAREFULL HERE !!!! YOU ARE ONLY ALLOWED TO GO 80 KM/H in Switzerland. It has cost me my license and a few thousand Franks. Luckily my wife was allowed to drive back home: the police can also confiscate your car and let you walk to the next train station !!!
Anyway, I’ll hopefully see my license again in 4 months and do the trip again. It’s just brilliant (except for that last bit).
Great info everyone! I’m planning this road trip for May of this year. I’m planning to take a detour from our trip from Venice to Milan.
Anybody know how long stelvi-davos will take? I was hoping to do the whole trip and end up in Milan in 1 day.
Hi Shawn,
Davos to Stelvio can be done in 3-4 hours:
Davos – Zernez = 3/4 hour
Zernez – Livigno = 3/4
Livigno – Bormio = 3/4 hour
Bormio – Stelvio = max 1 hour
Have fun (and don’t take the shortcut via Val Mustair, Cost me 2500 CHF)
@Andreas:
Wow! 2500!CHF, for what?! penality or road charge?!
Hello from Canada!
My vacation is overdue (5 years now). I haven’t left Canana (Toronto) in 7 years actually and I thought what a great way to spend 10 days in April/May in Europe. After watching this episode (being a bit of a car nut myself), I have decided to go on the TopGear journey. My question to everyone here is:
1) What should I rent? I’d assume the drive is not just about the car, but also the small towns and most important the scenery as well.
2) Where can I find rental information? TG starts from Monaco? So the closest rental would be Nice Airport since I’ll be arriving from Canada?
3) Is it possible to do this on a $2000 budget? The less the merrier. This includes ~$700 return flight, so really I’m left with $1300 for car/gas/tolls/accommodation/food/sight-seeing. I will probably drive as far as Florence/Venice because I dont take vacations as often and I’d like to make this one worth while.
4) PLEASE ADVISE! My msn is sajjad365@hotmail.com
This was an amazing episode and I am definitely going to drive on these roads at least one point in my lifetime, or at least that is a goal of mine!
Might anyone who knows tell me if there are any roads in Austria that James wanted to go onto? THey don’t go into Austria in the episode, but James said it would be good and if there are any actual good roads there I’d like to know please! great episode, great cars, incredible road! cheers!
Did it last year in a Fabia vrs with other better roads thrown in, old cobbled Gothard pass petite and grand st bernard, furka, Grossglockner, ventoux, verdon gorge, the col, route napoleon, off again in the mx5 this year and adding grimsell and one or two others and a wiz down to Maranello for good measure.
Awesome info. I was initially gonna take the shortcut thru Switzerland, but now I’ll go the long way (aww shucks..hahaha..thanks to Andreas.)
I’ve never been to Europe so this gave me a proper reason to go. I’m renting an Audi A3 (hopefully) and driving to all the car factories and then doing the Davos to Stelvio run on my way to Vienna.
***Sajjad Ali***, I’m going from Canada in July. You should check if you can rent from Germany. Munich or something. I’m renting for 18 days and it’s CAD 999 all in. There are cheaper cars available like a VW GOLF or ford. so it is possible. check Hertz for a diesel beamer.
Cheers
Omer
we need more moter cycles on the TV maybe through TOP GEAR
Well said. I’m linking to this.
Just come back from this area. On a motorcycle. These roads are meant for a bike. The cars can really get in the way. So many bikes on all the passes we did. Awesome views and a ride that made me go back and do it again.
Brilliant.
Doing the whole trip starting on Sunday via Auxerre and Nice gonna have me a day in Monaco as well leaving Cardiff and the rain behind I hope, was going to do it in my TT but air con broke and cant get it in till next week so doing the trip in a Petrol 4.2 A8 instead so not looking forward to the corners as much now.
i am planning to drive this route in may next year in my bmw 330i any advise about were to stay and anything else would be great , i have started researching now and at present have had bhp increased on car and had had limiter removed so would like a road to get full mph out of car but safely
Hi
Does anyone know if the Bonne Route people are still trading? Their website and email doesn’t appear to be working……
heey..why my previous post dissapeared..?
there was a lot of interestng things written there…
all the best,
E.
Hi all!
These roads look awesome!
Im planning a Fri-Tues Trip witha few friends, for October, travlling from England…
Our inital goal is to do a few laps on the nurburgring…However, with us out in Europe anyway, we’re thinkin about heading down to some of these passes/tunnels/great driving roads…
Just wondering if anyone could recommend anything whihc isnt too far south in Switzerland/Italy…
Thanks in advance!
What roads were used in their recent program where they “raced” the rock climbers?
I’ve been back from Stelvio for a month or so, and while Stelvio is great their are many other good passes out there. My favourite was the drive through Timmelsjoch, similar to Stelvio but a few less hairpins and longer straights. Unfortunately their is 15euro toll at the top but this gives you access to the Ofenpass which is complete contrast to Timmelsjoch. If you’re out there you should really drive these two passes, great fun.
As a note on Stelvio, we came up from the Bormio side at around 6pm and the pass was totally deserted. At the hotel a lot of folks were complaining Stelvio was ruined for them due to the amount of traffic on both sides.
Transfagarasan is the best road in the world now
“…we were wrong…, this is better then stelvio…, this is the best road in the world..!!” – Jeremy Clarkson
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0U_a-EdkfI0&feature=player_embedded
the action starts around min. 5(+/- a couple of seconds)…, enjoy it guys..!!
all the best, salut !
hey guys,
i am planning a trip to monte carlo in feb, am wanting to go via the swiss alps to try some of these roads. now i have NO clue when it comes to where they are lol just a sat nav! is there anyway i can program it to take me via these roads?
any help will be awesome! many thanks
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Pretty much just the name. Infact most utilities that are one are both.
Hey.
Check out the trip from the link.
Any ideas/advice would be great.
Cheers.
I’m doing this trip in June in my Honda 1977 400F, my cusin is yet to buy his bike! Cannot wait!
Transfăgărăşan here we come!