Has motoring show Top Gear run out of road?

I AM an off-road driving instructor and have to question the four-star rating for the new series of Top Gear (Mail). The presenters getting in and out of cars via the windows made for the worst motoring programme I’ve ever seen. The former presenters Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond may not have been perfect, but at least they told you about the vehicles, tested them and had an opinion about their ability. What we have instead is three children playing in cars. JON WILLIAMS, Ruthin, Denbighshire.

AS A WOMAN who drives a tenyear-old run-around, I realise Top Gear is not designed to appeal to viewers like me. I would rarely watch more than a few minutes of the former line-up of the arrogant Jeremy Clarkson and his sidekicks. But I found myself giggling along with the new presenters. I agree with TV reviewer Christopher Stevens that the show would attract a whole new audience if it had the courage to ditch its old name and tired format, and strike out with a light-hearted motoring show.

M. SPRINGER, Reading, Berks. THE new Top Gear is a jolly boys’ outing for the presenters, with

Paddy McGuinness and Freddie Flintoff acting like a couple of naughty schoolboys. The only ones making any sense were the third presenter Chris Harris, who is a motoring journalist, and the Stig. It’s good to see the TV licence fee is being well spent!

ALAN OAKES, Harlow, Essex. THE current crop of Top Gear presenters may have some qualities, but I would argue there is only one trio who can be affectionately known as The Three Amigos: Clarkson, Hammond and May. C. PALMER, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk.