6. Lamborghini Murciélago / Pagani Zonda
(Season 1, Episode 1)
Where it all began. Way back in 2002, The Stig made its debut in ‘Perry McCarthy black’ during the very first episode of the reborn Top Gear. Suitable vehicles were required, and few were more up to the task than the Murciélago – then Lamborghini’s flagship – and the Zonda, the first ever model produced by Italian independent Horracio Pagani.
Avid fans will notice a few changes to not only the track (remember Wilson corner and the skid pad through Hammerhead?) but also the times. The Murciélago would set the first ever laptime at 1m 29S, around the same time a Ford Focus RS would do in the coming years. Its record lap would also not last long, the Zonda smashing that just seconds later with a 1m 23s. And so a legacy had begun.
TOP 10 continues on page 7
