Prime Video is bringing back The Grand Tour this September with a fresh lineup of hosts and a rebooted format. The series, which originally featured Jeremy Clarkson, James May, and Richard Hammond, will return on September 4 with a new trio: James Engelsman, Thomas Holland, and Francis Bourgeois. The show’s official social media accounts announced the return, stating that while the program remains the same, the new season brings “new knobs.” This marks the first time the program has aired without its original hosts since Clarkson, Hammond, and May signed off in late 2024.
James Engelsman and Thomas Holland are well-established figures in the automotive world, best known for their work on the YouTube channel Throttle House. They have been creating content together for years and have developed a reputation for their chemistry on screen. Joining them is Francis Bourgeois, a 26-year-old trainspotter who gained online fame for his viral train videos. The group is set to take over the driving duties and presenting responsibilities that made the original show a global hit.
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The announcement has generated a mixed response from the audience. Many fans are skeptical, noting that the chemistry between the original trio was a defining feature of the series. Top Gear famously struggled following the departure of Clarkson, Hammond, and May, leading some viewers to express doubt about the reboot’s ability to capture the same magic. Others, however, are willing to give the new hosts a chance, acknowledging the strong foundation that Holland and Engelsman have built together.
Details about the upcoming season remain scarce. Amazon has not released an official press calendar entry for the show, and the retail giant has kept marketing efforts minimal so far. Despite the lack of concrete information, the debut is still nearly a month and a half away, leaving plenty of time for teasers and promotional material to be released. It remains to be seen how the new hosts will adapt to the high expectations set by their predecessors, but the automotive community appears divided on whether the show can survive without its original stars.
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The departure of Clarkson, Hammond, and May left a significant void in automotive entertainment, as evidenced by the struggles of the relaunched Top Gear. Viewers spent decades building a personal connection with the original hosts, making the transition to new faces a difficult one for many. While Holland and Engelsman bring years of experience to the table, the legacy of the original series casts a long shadow over the reboot. The success of this new era will likely depend on whether the new trio can establish a similar rapport with the audience, something that has proven elusive in the past.