Wheels vs propellers: A Top Gear classic concept revived

Almost two decades after Top Gear saw a car vs plane matchup (Bugatti Veyron vs Cessna 182), former cast members Richard Hammond and James May have revived the concept for the DriveTribe YouTube channel, pitting the all-electric Porsche Taycan Turbo GT against the Pipistrel Velis Electro, one of the world’s first commercially available electric aircraft.

Heading east across the south of England, the 174km race began at Henstridge Airfield on the Somerset/Dorset border and finished at Dunsfold Aerodrome, the former workplace of the two presenters and home of the famous television test track.

The Taycan Turbo GT offers a range of up to 555km, and requires just 18 minutes of DC fast charging at 320kW to recharge its battery from 10% to 80%

While the car would have to contend with traffic, roadworks, and speed limits; the plane would be able to make unimpeded progress. What would level the playing field, however, was the aircraft's maximum flight time of about 50 minutes. To complete the journey, it would need to make a planned charging stop at Thruxton Aerodrome, roughly halfway.

Viewers interested to find out more about the race progression and outcome can do so at the DriveTribe YouTube channel.