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'Top Gear' episode 4 recap | A road trip through Borneo

Episode four of "Top Gear" season 27 is officially in the books, and if you like Freddie and Paddy, you probably enjoyed this one. The two went on a hell of an adventure through Borneo, but didn’t bring Chris Harris along for the ride. Maybe we were just getting accustomed to the three of them hanging out together, but the trip felt like it was missing something without Chris. Regardless, the feature film of this episode revolved around Freddie and Paddy driving the cheapest, rarest cars they could find. They bought them in Europe, then drove all throughout the island of Borneo, eventually reaching Brunei. Freddie got himself an Austin Allegro Estate, while Paddy made do with a Matra Bagheera S. If you had to look those cars up, we donÂ’t blame you. TheyÂ’re both rather obscure models, so itÂ’s safe to say they hit their mark on the rare requirement. Back at home base in England, Chris says he was reviewing a Rolls-Royce Cullinan. Funnily enough, Rolls wouldnÂ’t loan a Cullinan to "Top Gear" to test, so they had to go out and borrow one for the review. After listening to ChrisÂ’ thoughts on the SUV, it starts to become clear why Rolls may not have wanted the exposure. We wonÂ’t give it all away, but letÂ’s just say that the ultra-luxury ute didnÂ’t receive the most glowing of reviews. Bob Mortimer was the celebrity guest, so there were plenty of laughs to be had in his segment. He wasnÂ’t exactly fast in any of the car challenges, but the entertainment factor was certainly present with him cracking jokes. Even though the Borneo trip wasnÂ’t exactly the same without Chris, the other two managed quite well on their own. Freddie ate a live bug, and the mid-engine Matra made it to the end against all odds. Perhaps itÂ’s a testament to the companyÂ’s history of weathering tough conditions — Matra did win Le Mans three times throughout its history after all. At the very end of the episode, the boys made an admirable gesture by speaking out against the Sultan of BruneiÂ’s horrific laws against homosexual relations. They said that the filming for the episode occurred before the Sultan announced the new laws, and if "Top Gear" had known these rules would be enacted beforehand, they wouldnÂ’t have featured Borneo in their film. In response, Freddie and Paddy modified their Borneo rides with an epic paint job as a form of protesting the anti-gay laws. Good on ya, "Top Gear." Featured Gallery Top Gear episode 4 photos TV/Movies Rolls-Royce Top Gear

Dubai man shells out $9 million for license plate

An Indian businessman lived up to Dubai's wild reputation last week when he dropped a cool $9 million on a single-digit license plate for his Rolls-Royce. According to the Independent, Balwinder Sahani, an Indian-born property developer living in Dubai, won plate number D5 at a government auction on Saturday, October 29. This isn't the first time Sahani has scored a coveted low-number plate at auction, either. The self-proclaimed 'simple man' spent nearly $7 million dollars on plate O9 at an auction last year for his other Rolls-Royce, and picked up a second, unnamed plate at Saturday's auction for a piddling $272 thousand. Sahani considers the money he spends collecting license plates a form of charity and public service. Dubai has no income tax, and the money spent chasing elite license plates goes directly to Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. "I believe in giving back," Sahani told the Independent. "This city has given me a lot." Single digit license plates are highly sought after as status symbols by the rich and powerful in the UAE, and the lower the number the higher the price. Back in 2008, a businessman named Saeed Al Khouri in Abu Dhabi set a record by paying $14 million for plate number 1. These displays of conspicuous consumption are de rigeur in the Emirates. Earlier this year, a set of gold and diamond encrusted tires certified as " The Most Expensive Tires in the World" by Guinness sold in Dubai for around $600,000 dollars. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. News Source: The Independent, FortuneImage Credit: AP Auto News Weird Car News Rolls-Royce license plate dubai

Rolls-Royce rolls out specials at Dubai show

True to style, Rolls-Royce arrived at the Dubai Motor Show this year with some new special-edition wheels. Leading the charge was the Golf Edition of the Ghost. Ordered up specially by the local importer, the Golf edition "takes its inspiration from the fairways to appeal to discerning sportsmen, incorporating design cues and materials that evoke the history of this gentleman's sport." What that translates to in practical terms (as if a Rolls-Royce could ever be considered "practical") is a two-tone paint job of dark green and beige and a three-tone interior treatment of light cream, dark green, and deep red. The cabin is also augmented by the requisite starlight headliner, custom picnic tables, and lambswool floor mats. Tartan-lined door pockets, mahogany and persimmon wood veneers, and other special touches round out the unique treatment aimed at golf enthusiasts. The special Ghost was joined as well by the one-of-a-kind Tiger edition of the Phantom Coupe. This unique take on Goodwood's big two-door boasts a rather unsubtle paint scheme of dark and light orange, complimented by a tiger-motif coachline. Fortunately things are relatively more toned-down inside, with tan and beige leather and a proliferation of custom accents to conjure the large striped feline. The pair follow hot on the heels of the 1001 Nights edition of the Ghost that was introduced in the UAE mere weeks ago. Rolls also took the occasion to showcase the new Dawn convertible and the Wraith Inspired by Music edition at the Dubai show. Both are based on the same architecture, the former with a fabric top and the latter – revealed this past summer – with a fixed roof and trim drawn from the recording industry. Scope out the lineup in the image gallery above and the press release below. Related Video: ROLLS-ROYCE MOTOR CARS REDEFINES SUPER- LUXURY BESPOKE MOTORING AT THE DUBAI INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SHOW Rolls-Royce Motor Cars reaffirmed its mantle as the undisputed pinnacle of Bespoke automotive luxury with the unveiling of Phantom Coupe Tiger, Ghost Golf and Wraith 'Inspired by Music' at the Dubai International Motor Show, on a day that also saw the Rolls-Royce Dawn make its first public appearance in the region.