The Grand Tour returns in 2026 with a new format and surprise signings

The Grand Tour isn't dead, but it's going to be very different starting in 2026. According to The Drive, Amazon is preparing a new season of the show, without Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, or James May, opting instead for a mix of car YouTubers and a TikTok star. Amazon's plan involves relaunching The Grand Tour brand with a new cast and a tone more attuned to the generation that consumes automotive content on social media. Leading the project would be Tibor Horvath, known on YouTube as Shmee150, one of the platform's most veteran and consistent automotive content creators, specializing in supercars, road trips, and visits to private collections.

Alongside him is another YouTube personality: Alex Kersten, former host of Car Throttle and currently running his own channel. His style is closer to the everyday life of the average enthusiast: used compact cars, low-budget projects, and road trips in cars with far more history than market value. Amazon's idea would be to combine these two perspectives: the world of supercars and that of real-life "daily drivers." The third pillar of the new The Grand Tour would be Francis Bourgeois, the famous British "trainspotter" who went viral on TikTok for his POV videos filmed while watching trains go by. He's a striking addition because he doesn't come from the automotive world, but his profile fits the search for a young and very digital audience. His presence suggests more content about travel and transportation culture, not just cars. The information published by The Drive indicates that Amazon has already filmed material with this trio, although at the moment there is no concrete release date or firm details about the format, length, or locations of the episodes.

There's no official confirmation of the number of episodes, nor is there any talk of a studio audience like in the Top Gear era. This relaunch comes after Clarkson, Hammond, and May concluded their run with Amazon. Their final specials marked the end of the classic formula: three motoring veterans, a tightly structured script, and big-budget productions around the world. Amazon is keeping The Grand Tour brand but is aiming for a lighter, more flexible tone, adapted to the content dynamics that are thriving on platforms like YouTube and TikTok. Key to this new phase: less rigid television format and more of a digital creator's style. Horvath brings access to brands and a very exclusive fleet of vehicles. Kersten brings a perspective closer to the economic reality of many viewers, with affordable cars and more modest projects. Bourgeois opens the door to trains, stations, and journeys that combine different modes of transport. For now, there's no information on whether the show will retain classic track test segments, guest stars, or challenges with limited budgets. It's also unknown whether it will retain the full name The Grand Tour or if it will be accompanied by a subtitle or new label to differentiate this new phase. Amazon's strategy aligns with the trend already seen in other motoring formats: blending entertainment, travel, and transportation culture with creators who already have their own established communities. It remains to be seen how the Clarkson-era fanbase will react and how much weight this nostalgia will carry against a proposal clearly aimed at new audiences. What does seem certain is that The Grand Tour, as a brand, will live on beyond its original trio. The 2026 project will be the first major test: to see if a format born on traditional television can definitively reinvent itself for the internet without losing its place in motoring culture.