Clarkson’s Farm Car Challenge: £25k v £50k v £100k | Ep 92 | Drive Torque Podcast
About this episode
Broadcasting from the muddy grounds of Jeremy Clarkson's Diddly Squat Farm during the Serials agricultural show, the hosts team up with Michelin to explore the surprising complexity of tractor tires. The core of the action is a farm-themed two-car garage challenge, tasking the hosts with picking the ultimate agricultural duos at £25k, £50k, and £100k price points. From rugged Suzuki Jimnys and dependable Land Rover Discoverys to quirky imports, they debate towing capacities, off-road capability, and daily usability, wrapping up with a look at the ultimate "no-limit" farmer's garage.
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Suzuki Jimny
"But it's the new Suzuki Jimny. Oh! Yeah. Cool. I've gone from... I think it's quite an early one. So it's a late 2018."
The Suzuki Jimny is a tiny, boxy SUV that is famous for being incredibly good at driving over mud, rocks, and steep hills. Unlike most modern small SUVs which are just raised hatchbacks, the Jimny is built like a miniature heavy-duty truck, making it a cult favorite for off-road enthusiasts.
The Suzuki Jimny is a lightweight, body-on-frame four-wheel-drive off-roader. It features a rigid ladder frame chassis, solid front and rear axles, and a part-time four-wheel-drive system with a low-range transfer case, making it exceptionally capable in rough terrain despite its tiny footprint and small-displacement engine.
Land Rover Discovery 4
"So I've gone for a Discovery 4. Yes. For £20,000, or £19.5 grand. Yeah. But you can't see because it's a screenshot, but it's got a really good tow bar."
The Discovery 4 is a large, boxy luxury SUV from Land Rover. It is famous for being incredibly comfortable on long road trips while still being able to climb up muddy mountains and tow heavy trailers with ease.
The Land Rover Discovery 4 (sold as the LR4 in North America) is a mid-size luxury SUV featuring an integrated body-frame construction and height-adjustable air suspension. It is highly regarded for combining premium road comfort with exceptional off-road capability and a 3,500 kg towing capacity.
Subaru Forester Turbo S
"So my five grand special is a Subaru Forester. Oh! Yeah. A 2002 model. Four grand. Last owner, 18 years, 131,000, but that's not many miles for something that's nearly 25 years old. It's a 2-litre Turbo S, which I believe is actually the same engine that was in the Impretza WX at the time."
This is a sporty, boxy wagon from Subaru that uses the same turbocharged engine as their famous rally-inspired sports cars. It gives you the space and grip of an SUV but drives more like a fast hatchback.
The Subaru Forester Turbo S is a performance-oriented crossover utility vehicle powered by a turbocharged EJ-series boxer flat-four engine shared with the Impreza WRX. It features Subaru's symmetrical all-wheel-drive system, offering car-like handling with rugged light off-road capability.
Targa
"It's a two-seater. Yes. And it's a Targa. Yeah. I've got absolutely no idea."
A Targa is a type of car roof where you can take off the middle section over your head, but the rear window and a protective metal bar behind your seat stay in place. It is a middle ground between a normal car and a full convertible.
A Targa top is a semi-convertible car body style featuring a removable roof section and a full-width roll bar behind the seats. Originally popularized by Porsche, it offers an open-air driving experience while maintaining structural rigidity and safety.
Suzuki X90
"That is horrific. But somehow I can see you in it. It's a Suzuki X90. Oh, that is so horrible."
The Suzuki X-90 is a very strange-looking small car from the 1990s. It looks like a tiny two-door sedan but sits high off the ground on a 4x4 truck frame, complete with a removable glass roof.
The Suzuki X-90 is a quirky, two-seat compact SUV built on a traditional body-on-frame Vitara chassis. It features a unique three-box sedan shape, a T-top removable roof, and a four-wheel-drive system, making it one of the most unusual automotive designs of the 1990s.
Land Rover Defender (Classic)
"And I've gone classic Defender. Oh, nice. But this is the pickup one, right? So it's got the canvas back so you can put like your sheepdog in there or sheep or whatever."
This is the classic, boxy British farm truck that Land Rover built for decades. It is loud, slow, and basic, but it can drive through almost any terrain and is incredibly easy to fix.
The classic Land Rover Defender is a rugged, body-on-frame utility vehicle featuring permanent four-wheel drive, solid axles, and an aluminum body. Highly customizable, the pickup variant with a canvas rear cover is a staple of agricultural and utility fleets worldwide.
Porsche Cayenne Turbo S
"So I think it's a facelift second generation because it's a 2015 and a 65. Yeah. It's a KN 4.8 Turbo S. Right."
The Cayenne Turbo S is an incredibly fast luxury SUV from Porsche. It has a massive twin-turbo V8 engine that makes it accelerate like a supercar, while still having four-wheel drive and plenty of space inside.
The second-generation facelift (958.2) Porsche Cayenne Turbo S is a high-performance luxury SUV powered by a 4.8-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine. It features advanced chassis systems including active anti-roll bars, air suspension, and torque vectoring to deliver sports-car handling in a heavy package.
Audi S3
"R3. S3. Very close, but think smaller."
The S3 is a small, sporty luxury car made by Audi. It looks like a normal small sedan or hatchback but has a much more powerful engine and all-wheel drive to help it grip the road better in wet or snowy weather.
The Audi S3 is a premium hot hatchback and compact sedan that offers a step up in performance from the standard A3. It features a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and Audi's signature Quattro all-wheel-drive system, delivering quick, all-weather performance in a subtle package.
Audi S1
"Oh, S1. S1. Oh, cool. Yeah. So this one, 14.5 grand. Why did you stop making those there? Well, cool, weren't they? It's a 2015 again, like my KN, Turbo S. 70,000 miles."
The Audi S1 is a tiny, premium hatchback packed with a powerful turbo engine and all-wheel drive. It is highly sought after because it is incredibly fast, grippy, and fun to drive, especially in slippery conditions.
The Audi S1 is a high-performance subcompact hot hatchback powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged TFSI engine. Uniquely in its class, it features a Haldex-based Quattro permanent all-wheel-drive system and a multi-link rear suspension setup, paired exclusively with a six-speed manual transmission.
Audi Quattro
"... as a farmer's car for me is the fact that it's a Quattro all-wheel drive."
The Quattro is a famous vintage sports car from the 1980s that changed car racing forever by using four-wheel drive to grip dirt and gravel roads incredibly well. Today, Audi uses the word 'Quattro' to describe any of their cars that have all-wheel drive.
The Audi Quattro is a legendary road and rally car introduced in 1980 that revolutionized motorsport by proving that all-wheel drive was superior for high-performance racing. The name 'Quattro' has since become synonymous with Audi's permanent four-wheel-drive technology used across its modern lineup.
Audi A6 Allroad
"It's the new, this is going to sound like an advertising. Is it one that you saw in a studio recently? It's one I saw in a studio very recently. It's the new Audi A6 all-road."
The A6 Allroad is a premium Audi station wagon that sits slightly higher off the ground and has protective body cladding. It uses smart air suspension to raise or lower itself, making it perfect for driving on both smooth highways and muddy farm tracks.
The Audi A6 Allroad is a ruggedized executive estate car featuring standard adaptive air suspension, increased ground clearance, and Quattro all-wheel drive. The latest generation continues to offer a 3.0-liter V6 TDI diesel engine, providing high torque and long-distance efficiency.
Audi Allroad
"It's one I saw in a studio very recently. It's the new Audi A6 all-road. Oh, your favorite SUV?"
The Allroad is a luxury station wagon made by Audi that sits slightly higher off the ground than a normal car. It has extra plastic armor around the wheels and all-wheel drive, making it perfect for driving on rough gravel roads or in bad weather without needing a bulky SUV.
The Audi Allroad (specifically the A6 Allroad) is a ruggedized, lifted luxury station wagon equipped with standard Quattro all-wheel drive and protective body cladding. It is designed for buyers who want the cargo space and comfort of a premium wagon with the light off-road capability of an SUV.
Audi RS5
"...t of the park with their new cars, actually. That RS5 and that look really cool. Yeah, I think, yeah, s..."
The RS5 is a fast, high-end sports car made by Audi that comes as a two-door coupe or a sleek four-door hatchback. It is built to combine luxury and comfort with very fast acceleration and excellent grip on the road.
The Audi RS5 is a high-performance luxury coupe and Sportback designed to compete with the industry's top sport coupes. It features aggressive styling, a powerful twin-turbo V6 engine, and a highly advanced Quattro all-wheel-drive system for effortless high-speed touring.
Land Range Rovers
"...ckup trucks, you know, the kind of workhorses and Range Rovers. Yes."
The Range Rover is a large, highly premium SUV made by a British brand. It is famous because it is incredibly comfortable and fancy on the inside, yet it can drive through tough off-road terrain like mud and snow just as well as a rugged utility vehicle.
The Range Rover is the flagship luxury SUV from Land Rover, renowned for combining high-end, executive-level comfort with legendary off-road capability. It is often discussed as the ultimate 'do-it-all' luxury vehicle, equally at home outside a five-star hotel or wading through deep mud on a country estate.
Porsche 911
"That's like that. What's the 911 Porsche colour? Oak Green."
The 911 is a famous two-door sports car made by the German company Porsche. It is unique because its engine is located in the very back of the car, and it is widely considered one of the best-handling and most reliable sports cars you can buy.
The Porsche 911 is one of the most iconic sports cars in automotive history, famous for its distinctive rear-engine layout and timeless silhouette. It is frequently discussed for its engineering precision, everyday usability, and highly customizable paint-to-sample options like Oak Green.
BMW M2
"No, this is... M2? No."
The M2 is a small, two-door sports car made by BMW. It is highly praised by car enthusiasts because it is small, very powerful, and designed to be incredibly fun and exciting to drive on twisty roads.
The BMW M2 is a compact, high-performance sports coupe designed to offer a more agile and old-school driving experience compared to its larger M3 and M4 siblings. It features a powerful turbocharged engine, rear-wheel drive, and a muscular, wide-body stance.
BMW X5
"Right. An X5. Yes."
The X5 is a popular, mid-sized luxury family SUV made by BMW. It is designed to feel sporty and fun to drive on normal roads, while still offering plenty of passenger space and a high-up driving position.
The BMW X5 is a mid-size luxury SUV that essentially pioneered the 'sport activity vehicle' segment by prioritizing car-like on-road dynamics over rugged off-road utility. It is a staple of the luxury family SUV market, praised for its premium cabin, strong engine options, and sharp handling.
Audi 100
"It's done a few miles. So your 100 grand farmer's really boring then because he's go..."
The Audi 100 is an older, classic sedan that Audi made several decades ago. It was known for being comfortable, safe, and one of the first normal passenger cars to offer all-wheel drive for driving in the snow.
The Audi 100 is a classic mid-size executive car produced from the late 1960s through the mid-1990s, eventually being renamed the Audi A6. It is historically significant for introducing advanced aerodynamics and Audi's Quattro all-wheel-drive system to the premium family car segment.
Ariel Nomad
"Oh, my goodness. Is that a nomad? It's a real nomad, yeah. Mate, you've got a field like that. You've got 40 grand left over. You're going to buy an aerial nomad, aren't you?"
The Ariel Nomad is essentially a street-legal, high-speed dune buggy. It has no doors or roof—just a roll cage, two seats, big knobby tires, and a powerful engine, making it one of the most exciting off-road toys in existence.
The Ariel Nomad is an ultra-lightweight, high-performance off-road buggy built around an exposed steel tube exoskeleton. Powered by a rear-mounted Honda engine, it features long-travel outboard suspension and a minimalist design optimized for high-speed dirt and gravel driving.
Volkswagen Golf
"Yeah. Obviously, the golf carts, as you're very familiar with. And the truc..."
The Golf is a small, practical hatchback car made by the German company Volkswagen. It is one of the best-selling cars in the world because it is easy to park, fuel-efficient, and very well-made.
The Volkswagen Golf is a globally iconic compact hatchback that has served as the benchmark for its class for decades. It is celebrated for its practical design, solid build quality, and its ability to appeal to a wide demographic, from budget-conscious commuters to hot-hatch enthusiasts.
Nissan R34S
"...h, I thought they were the Cerex bib twos. VF 585 R34s. But isn't it funny?"
The Skyline is a famous sports car made by Nissan in Japan. It is incredibly popular in movies and video games because of its high-tech engineering, fast speed, and how easily it can be modified to go even faster.
The Nissan Skyline, particularly the high-performance GT-R variants like the R34, is a legendary Japanese sports car celebrated for its advanced technology, twin-turbocharged inline-six engine, and sophisticated all-wheel-drive system. It is a cornerstone of car culture, highly sought after by collectors worldwide.
BMW M3
"...car show where you're not talking about about the M3 Tourings. Well, I mean, we're surrounded by"
The M3 is a high-performance, faster version of BMW's standard 3 Series compact sedan or wagon. It is designed for driving enthusiasts who want a practical everyday car that can also go incredibly fast on a racetrack.
The BMW M3 is the high-performance benchmark of the compact executive class, developed by BMW's motorsport division. The current generation (including the highly anticipated M3 Touring wagon) is discussed for its aggressive styling, twin-turbo inline-six engine, and track-ready handling dynamics.
BMW M3 Touring
"What? It's an M3 Touring. Why? Why is there an M3 Touring at an agricultural show? I reckon that's here. Did you have a word with them? I didn't, but I really like to spec on that."
The M3 Touring is a very fast station wagon made by BMW. It has a powerful twin-turbo engine, all-wheel drive, and a sporty suspension, allowing it to carry groceries or dogs in the back while driving as fast as a race car.
The BMW M3 Touring (G81) is a high-performance estate car powered by a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged S58 inline-six engine. It features a rear-biased xDrive all-wheel-drive system and an eight-speed automatic transmission, combining supercar-level performance with daily wagon utility.
Bugatti Veyron
"obviously. Begatti Veyron. No, I didn't go that extreme."
The Veyron is an extremely rare, ultra-expensive supercar made by Bugatti. It is famous for having a massive 16-cylinder engine and being one of the first road cars ever built that could drive faster than 250 miles per hour.
The Bugatti Veyron is a legendary hypercar that redefined the limits of automotive engineering in the 2000s by becoming the first production car to exceed 250 mph. Powered by an 8.0-liter quad-turbocharged W16 engine, it is discussed as a monumental achievement in speed, luxury, and excess.
Porsche 911 Dakar
"It's a sports car, but it's capable of going pretty serious off-road, I would say. It's a Dakar. Yay! I so nearly chose a Dakar."
The 911 Dakar is a special version of Porsche's famous sports car that has been modified to drive off-road. It sits higher off the ground, has tough off-road tires, and is designed to slide around on dirt, sand, and mud.
The Porsche 911 Dakar (992 generation) is a limited-production, off-road-focused variant of the iconic sports car. It features a 50mm suspension lift, specially developed Pirelli Scorpion all-terrain tires, rear-axle steering, and recalibrated driving modes designed for loose surfaces.
Land Rover Defender Octa
"I've gone for a Defender Octa. That's the new one. I'm looking at the spec on that one. So, this is like... Actually, I've not gone mad. It's 140 grand."
The Defender Octa is the ultimate, most powerful version of the modern Land Rover Defender. It has a twin-turbo V8 engine and a highly advanced suspension system that makes it incredibly fast on pavement and unstoppable off-road.
The Land Rover Defender Octa is the high-performance flagship of the modern Defender lineup, powered by a mild-hybrid twin-turbo V8 engine sourced from BMW. It features advanced '6D Dynamics' interlinked hydraulic suspension to manage body roll on-road while maximizing wheel articulation off-road.
Lamborghini Huracán Sterrato
"Is that a Storato? So, we can have a race Dakar versus Storato. 240 grand."
The Sterrato is a wild, off-road version of Lamborghini's Huracán supercar. It keeps the loud V10 engine and futuristic styling but adds raised suspension, chunky tires, and protective body panels so you can drive a supercar on dirt roads.
The Lamborghini Huracán Sterrato is an all-terrain supercar powered by a naturally aspirated 5.2-liter V10 engine. It features a raised ride height, updated suspension geometry, underbody protection, and a dedicated 'Rally' driving mode for high-speed dirt track performance.
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