fifth gear(8/8)

Concluding its 12th series this evening, Fifth Gear presents the usual mix of stunts and challenges that push cars and presenters to their limits. Tonight, Tom Ford and Jonny Smith pay tribute to the Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost by building a modern-day version of the car; Tiff Needell gets behind the wheel of the cutting-edge Ferrari 430 Scuderia; and the team presents this year’s Fifth Gear Awards.

This week, Fifth Gear marks the 100th anniversary of the Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost, proclaimed ‘the greatest car in the world’ during its heyday in the early 20th century. The car proved so reliable that armoured versions were produced to serve the troops during the First World War. Tom Ford and Jonny Smith pay special tribute to this remarkable vehicle, and the enduring reputation of RollsRoyce as the world’s greatest car maker, by building a modern-day version of the armoured model. The boys turn a dilapidated ex-wedding hire Silver Shadow into a spectacular-looking tank. But just how much firepower will the car be able to withstand when Tom and Jonny put it on their own front line?

Also this week, Tiff Needell travels to Maranello in Italy to get his hands on the fastest, lightest, meanest Ferrari ever: the 430 Scuderia. This £172,000 car is capable of a staggering198mph, boasts innovative technology derived from Ferrari’s Formula One programme, and Michael Schumacher himself has had a personal hand in its development. Tiff is keen to find out if this highly desirable sports car is –as rumoured –a couple of seconds quicker around a track than the fabled Enzo supercar.

Finally, the current series wraps up with the Fifth Gear team gathering together to review the best cars they have driven during 2007. They must choose from a list of exciting and innovative machinery and name this year’s Best Small Car, Best Family Car and Best Fast Car. But will the gang agree on the winners? And which car will walk off with the ultimate accolade –Fifth Gear’s overall Car of the Year?