Driven (TV series)
Channel 4's motoring rival to Top Gear.
Driven was a motoring television programme that first aired on Channel 4 in 1998, created to compete with the long-running BBC show *Top Gear*. Its final new episodes were broadcast in 2002.
The programme shared a similar style to its rival but introduced unique segments like the "Driven 100," which tested three cars from the same class, scoring them on practicality, desirability, and cost of ownership to determine a winner. A key difference was its focus on presenters interacting with one another rather than delivering solo segments, though *Top Gear* had already featured presenter interaction in earlier formats. The first series also featured a "headquarters" on a former USAF base at Wethersfield, Essex, where cars were tested on a racing team track. These ideas later appeared in the revived *Top Gear*.
Initially hosted by Mike Brewer, James May, and Jason Barlow, later series included rally driver Penny Mallory and racing driver Jason Plato. Plato reportedly beat Richard Hammond to the role, according to a conversation on the podcast *Fuelling Around*. During the show’s run, May left to join the revived (new format) *Top Gear* in 2002, while Barlow contributed occasionally to the BBC show.
After the launch of *Fifth Gear* and the revival of *Top Gear*, Channel 4 cancelled *Driven* in 2002. Plato went on to present *Fifth Gear*, May joined the relaunched *Top Gear*, Brewer hosted ITV’s *Pulling Power*, and Mallory appeared on ITV4’s *Used Car Roadshow*.
The *Daily Mirror*’s Maeve Quigley praised the series, calling it "fast and furious" yet able to deliver its message without being "as laddish as its nearest BBC rival." The *Liverpool Echo* noted that the end of *Top Gear* left a gap in quality car programming, but described *Driven* as "a sleek new model" being driven to succeed as more than just a replacement for its predecessor.
- field
- Motoring television
- network
- Channel 4
- years_active
- 1998–2002
- known_for
- Rival to Top Gear, 'Driven 100' segment, presenter interaction
Lore & Background
Driven was launched in 1998 by Channel 4 to compete with the BBC's Top Gear. Its style was similar to its rival but included additional features such as the 'Driven 100', a road test of three cars in the same class, where each car received marks for qualities like practicality, desirability and cost of ownership. The car with the highest total score won. The programme featured presenters interacting with each other, though Top Gear had already featured presenter interaction in earlier formats. The first series also featured a 'headquarters', a racing team track set on a former USAF base at Wethersfield, Essex, where cars were put through their paces. These concepts later resurfaced in the reborn Top Gear.
Originally presented by Mike Brewer, James May and Jason Barlow, subsequent series also featured rally driver Penny Mallory and racing driver Jason Plato. Plato pipped Richard Hammond to the role according to their conversation on the motoring podcast Fuelling Around. During the show's run, May left to join the revived (new format) Top Gear in 2002, while Barlow contributed occasionally to the BBC show. Following the creation of Fifth Gear and the revival of Top Gear, Driven was cancelled by Channel 4 in 2002. Plato went on to present Fifth Gear, May joined the newly relaunched Top Gear, Brewer presented ITV's Pulling Power, and Mallory appeared on ITV4's Used Car Roadshow.
Reader's Guide
Driven holds significance as Channel 4's direct attempt to challenge the BBC's dominant motoring programme Top Gear during the late 1990s and early 2000s. Though it lasted only four years, the show introduced several innovations—such as the 'Driven 100' comparative scoring system and a collaborative presenting style—that later influenced the revived Top Gear format. Its legacy is also tied to the careers of its presenters: James May and Jason Barlow moved to Top Gear, Jason Plato became a mainstay of Fifth Gear, Mike Brewer hosted Pulling Power, and Penny Mallory appeared on Used Car Roadshow. The programme received positive press, with The Daily Mirror praising it as 'fast and furious' yet less laddish than its BBC rival, and The Liverpool Echo calling it a 'sleek new model' that could serve as more than an adequate replacement for Top Gear. Driven ultimately ended due to the emergence of Fifth Gear and the revival of Top Gear, but it remains a notable footnote in British motoring television history.
Did You Know?
- Driven launched in 1998 as a Channel 4 rival to the BBC's Top Gear.
- The show featured presenter interaction, though Top Gear had already used this format in earlier series.
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