British designer, writer, and well-known Grand Designs presenter Kevin McCloud is leaving the building sites behind for the open road. In a brand-new travel and culture series for Channel 4, titled Kevin McCloud’s Classic Car Road Trips, he is trading architectural marvels for automotive icons. Premiering on Sunday, October 18, 2026, at 8:00 PM, the program pairs historically significant vehicles with the regions that manufactured and inspired them. At the same time, it sharply critiques the current state of modern vehicle manufacturing and environmental sustainability.
Exploring European Heritage Behind the Wheel
The six-part documentary series takes viewers across France, Sweden, Italy, England, Northern Ireland, and Germany. Rather than serving as a standard motoring show, McCloud uses each journey to examine regional culture, local cuisine, art collections, architectural landmarks, and industrial heritage.
The opening episode sets the tone as McCloud gets behind the wheel of a classic 1960s Citroën DS convertible. Celebrated as one of the most stunning production cars ever built, the vehicle’s two-letter designation is a play on the French word déesse, meaning goddess. McCloud guides the classic machine along the French Riviera from Cannes to Monaco via a carefully chosen, roundabout route.
Key Stops on the French Riviera Premiere
- Design School Near Nice: McCloud engages with students born decades after the car’s creation. He wants to see how a new generation of creatives evaluates mid-century automotive aesthetics.
- The Family Art Collection: He visits a local family whose entire art inventory was gifted by artists who once ate at their restaurant.
- Square Boules: McCloud attempts the regional game in a village built steeply into the hillside.
- Villa E-1027: He explores the landmark modernist seaside house designed by Eileen Gray, which endured decades of neglect prior to its careful restoration.
- Monaco Grand Prix Circuit: The episode wraps up with a leisurely lap around the famous racing circuit in a completely different classic Citroën.
Challenging Modern Car Design and Uniformity
Beneath the scenic vistas and rich cultural stops lies a critical thesis. McCloud’s growing frustration with contemporary automotive styling heavily influences the project. During a routine three-hour drive along the M6 motorway prior to filming, he noticed a striking visual monotony among modern vehicles. This prompted him to question why the current car manufacturing industry places such a diminishing emphasis on distinct, brave, and individual design choices.
By contrasting the character, craftsmanship, and thoughtful engineering of past decades with modern mass-market production, McCloud challenges viewers to reconsider what we value in everyday transport and the built environment.
Broadcast Details
Kevin McCloud’s Classic Car Road Trips begins airing on Sunday, October 18, 2026, at 8:00 PM on Channel 4. Subsequent episodes roll out weekly to explore classic automotive engineering and cultural touchstones across the UK and mainland Europe.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Kevin McCloud’s Classic Car Road Trips premiere?
The series premieres on Sunday, October 18, 2026, at 8:00 PM on Channel 4.
What car does Kevin McCloud drive in the first episode?
In the opening episode, he drives a classic 1960s Citroën DS convertible along the French Riviera.
Which countries are featured in the series?
The six journeys span France, Sweden, Italy, England, Northern Ireland, and Germany.
What is the main premise of the show?
The series combines drives in historically significant classic cars with explorations of local craftsmanship, architecture, culture, and cuisine, while examining the evolution of automotive design.
Why is Kevin McCloud critical of modern cars?
McCloud has expressed concern over a lack of distinct styling in contemporary vehicles. He notes that modern cars often look uniform and lack the unique character and craftsmanship of classic designs.
