Clarkson, Hammond and May Prepare for The Grand Tour

The Grand Tour starts off in Johannesburg

The Grand Tour is Amazon’s new car show, and is hosted by former BBC Top Gear presenters Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May.

The build-up to the premiere of this new show has been hugely anticipated by fans of Top Gear, since last year, when Clarkson, no stranger to controversy, was unceremoniously fired by the BBC last year, for having punched one of the show’s producers. His two co-hosts, Hammond and May also left the show after Clarkson’s axing, and the trio reunited for a new motoring show on Amazon’s subscription service, Amazon Prime.

A new location every episode

So, the Grand Tour (GT for short) will come from a tent, which we will put up in a different location every week. Your town?

— Jeremy Clarkson (@JeremyClarkson) May 11, 2016

A few months ago, Clarkson claimed that “we’ll be travelling the world hosting each episode in a different country, from a giant tent.”  New photos seem to confirm this, having them set up a giant tent in Johannesburg.

So, today we opened our new office. In South Africa this week. Next week … ? pic.twitter.com/xmlsK8tTfg

— Richard Hammond (@RichardHammond) July 17, 2016

Some people came to see our first ever Grand Tour show today. God I love Johannesburg pic.twitter.com/KEUnnyEtJZ

— Jeremy Clarkson (@JeremyClarkson) July 17, 2016

With the confirmed exit of Chris Evans from the BBC Top Gear, it’ll be interesting to see the former Top Gear presenters one-up the show they’ve seemingly left behind. The trio have left big shoes to fill for Matt LeBlanc and Chris Harris, who will probably be taking up the mantle henceforth.

After being picked up by Amazon, the trio weren’t allowed to use the word “Gear” in their show’s name, leading them to call it The Grand Tour.

I still think ‘Nigel’ was a better name.https://t.co/nIlrOaosXF

— James May (@MrJamesMay) May 11, 2016

The set is a tent

The Grand Tour’s theme seems to focus more on the road-trips and exploration, which sets them up for traversing a different country every episode. Confirmed filming locations include America, Germany and their childhood locations of Yorkshire. The new set (tent) itself is smaller but more expeditious; with accompanying decor to fit the mood: numerous hats, posters, giant windows and peregrine carpets.

Most important of all, though, Clarkson, Hammond, and May still appear to be having as much fun as ever.

James forgot to wave, though.

The series is expected to air in Autumn of this year.