SUNDAY'S episode of Top Gear took presenter James May to Longleat Safari and Adventure Park in a NBFL – New Bus For London – double-decker bus.
James May, or Captain Slow as he is teasingly called by co-hosts Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond, parked the double-decker bus in front of Longleat House in the final episode of the 20th series of Top Gear on Sunday night on BBC2.
Top Gear presenter James May put the New Bus For London through its paces around Somerset, ending up outside Longleat House Picture: BBC
James May test-drove the 14ft 6in high red London bus on the narrow streets of Somerset and Wiltshire, using some choice language along the way, narrowly getting the bus under a low bridge while visiting the area.
Captain Slow's argument that a bus would be a worthy replacement for a car were rebuffed by Richard Hammond but backed by Jeremy Clarkson, who said: "If you want a Lexus LF8 but had a papal attitude to birth control, this is ideal."
Floppy-haired May, in trademark paisley shirt, put the Routemaster replacement through its paces, all one-metre-per-second acceleration of it to many places in the area including Cheddar Gorge, Lacock, Westbury White Horse, Castle Combe and the beach of Weston-super-Mare.
The presenter, who lives in Hammersmith (or the bladder of London as co-presenter Jeremy Clarkson calls it) has family in the Bristol area.
The show's blurb said: "The latest series of the motoring show comes to a close with Jeremy Clarkson driving the Jaguar F-Type sports car on some of Britain's finest roads.
"Richard Hammond jumps inside the new Range Rover Sport and gives it a thorough workout off-road, on a track and in what he believes is its most natural habitat – the lanes of Cheshire.
"Meanwhile, James May goes for a countryside adventure in the New Bus for London, which is propelled by a turbodiesel generator and a powerful electric motor.
"Inspired by the machines they have tested, the trio then meet to celebrate Britain's motor industry with a grand finale in front of Buckingham Palace. Last in the series."
Some random facts given by May about the New Bus For London:
1) It costs £320,000;
2) It's 35ft long;
3) Its designed by the same minds behind the Olympic Cauldron at London 2012;
4) About four million people are expected to board it;
5) It has three doors and two stairs, with a TV screen displaying upstairs occupancy;
6) There are 16 CCTV cameras installed;
7) It will have the same pastel upholstery as the original Routemaster.
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