The Grand Tour: New Hosts, Everything to Know

Why did the original trio actually step away from hosting duties?

Their tenure formally concluded with Season 6, which ended with the special The Grand Tour: One for the Road in September 2024. Following that, W Chump and Sons, the production company Clarkson, Hammond, May, and executive producer Andy Wilman founded together in July 2015, was formally wound up, marking a genuine, definitive end to their specific chapter of the franchise before Amazon moved forward with a new presenting lineup.

Who are the new hosts, and what are their actual backgrounds?

Thomas Holland and James Engelsman are the creators of Throttle House, a popular automotive YouTube channel they've run together for nearly a decade, known for a humorous approach to vehicle reviews and track battles. Holland, originally from Canada, started the channel in 2015 while holding a biology degree; Engelsman, from the UK, joined in 2018 after suggesting video ideas to Holland, with the two first meeting in person at a Mazda Miata owner gathering. Francis Bourgeois, the third new host, is a mechanical engineer known for viral TikTok content about trainspotting, bringing genuinely different but complementary practical and enthusiast credentials to the group.

Why did producers specifically choose YouTube creators rather than established celebrities?

According to reporting, executive producer Andy Wilman and Jeremy Clarkson himself specifically pushed to hire real motoring enthusiasts who'd built their passion naturally, rather than parachuting in mainstream celebrities unfamiliar with car culture, a deliberate departure from how some past Top Gear reboot attempts have been cast, with the notable exception of Chris Harris.

Do the original hosts actually appear in the new season at all?

Yes, genuinely, as planned cameo appearances rather than any ongoing hosting role. Executive producer Andy Wilman confirmed the cameos are specifically intended as a symbolic handover, letting Clarkson, Hammond, and May pass the baton directly to the new trio on screen rather than the show simply disappearing them from the franchise's history entirely.

What's the actual structure and scope of the new season?

Six episodes, all released simultaneously on the September 4 premiere date, following the same broadly global motoring-adventure format the show has always used. Confirmed locations and activities include crossing the Angolan desert in track cars, exploring Malaysia's car culture, testing performance cars in California, and challenges involving fighter pilots, maintaining the franchise's established sense of international scale.

How has the new trio described their own chemistry heading into this new era?

With genuine enthusiasm and a sense of long-building anticipation. Engelsman said in a statement: "I've worked with Thomas for almost a decade making car films. Who knew that all this time, the one ingredient that was missing was a Francis Bourgeois? Let the car adventures commence."

Has early reaction to the new format addressed whether it still feels like The Grand Tour?

Genuinely mixed but cautiously positive so far, based on early trailer reaction. Coverage has noted the production deliberately retained the show's established sense of scale and absurdity while giving the new presenters real room to establish their own specific chemistry rather than simply imitating the outgoing trio's established dynamic.

Is this considered a full reboot, or a continuation of the same numbered series?

A continuation rather than a full reboot, officially designated as the show's seventh series, maintaining the same overall Grand Tour branding and international format even as its presenting lineup changes entirely.

Frequently asked questions

When did The Grand Tour's new season premiere? September 4, 2026, on Prime Video, with all six episodes released simultaneously.

Who are the new hosts of The Grand Tour? Thomas Holland and James Engelsman of Throttle House, alongside trainspotting personality Francis Bourgeois.

Do Clarkson, Hammond, and May appear in the new season at all? Yes, as cameo appearances specifically designed to hand off hosting duties to the new trio.

Why were YouTube creators chosen over established celebrities? Producers specifically wanted real motoring enthusiasts rather than mainstream celebrities unfamiliar with car culture.