The Grand Tour Revs Up for New Season With Social Media Stars at the Helm

The Grand Tour has confirmed its return date, announcing a new lineup of hosts for the upcoming season. The motoring series, airing on Amazon Prime Video, will premiere its six-part installment on September 4, featuring social media personalities Thomas Holland, James Engelsman, and Francis Bourgeois.

This transition marks a significant shift for the show, following the departure of original hosts Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May. Clarkson, 66, had previously indicated that the team was running low on ideas and felt they were becoming "unfit, fat and old."

New co-host Francis Bourgeois, whose real name is Luke Magnus Nicolson, expressed his excitement about the upcoming season, stating, "Since completing the filming of the series, I haven't stopped replaying every moment in my head. It has made me laugh, made my heart race and my stomach turn."

James Engelsman shared details about some of the challenges faced during filming, including navigating the West African Desert, dealing with fighter pilots, and protesting "from the mountain tops." He added, "In doing so, the three of us learned our true strength: How to accept defeat gracefully."

Thomas Holland, a YouTuber, commented on the experience of filming largely on their own. "We were on our own in some absolutely wild environments in very, VERY questionable cars," he said. "What did we learn from this experience? Only that we have very poor decision-making skills. When you watch in September, expect a good laugh. And maybe a few butt clenches…"

The new trio will explore various automotive challenges and terrains. Their adventures are set to include crossing the Angolan desert, exploring Malaysia's car culture, and testing performance cars in California.

Holland and Engelsman are known for their YouTube show Throttle House, which boasts over 3.2 million subscribers and focuses on car testing and reviews. Francis Bourgeois, who gained fame for his trainspotting videos, has amassed over 6 million followers across his social media accounts and has been a fan of both trains and cars since childhood. He has previously interacted with notable figures including the Prince and Princess of Wales.

The original presenting team, Clarkson, Hammond, and May, concluded their tenure on The Grand Tour in September 2024. The series, which began in 2016, followed their work after leaving the BBC's Top Gear. Their departure signaled the end of an era for the trio, who had worked together for over two decades.

Clarkson has since appeared in an episode of Car SOS, while Hammond and May revisited their former Top Gear studio, reflecting on their time on the show.