Top Gear’s Richard Hammond was stunned inside the car after being struck by lightning

Victor Boolen

Top Gear’s Richard Hammond was stunned inside the car after being struck by lightning

Former Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond previously showed what would happen if lightning struck vehicles in a hilarious skit.

Richard attended a special facility in Germany with a Volkswagen Golf and had engineers shoot 800,000 volts directly into the vehicle.

The Top Gear star carried out the assessment after admitting most car manufacturers “don’t test” whether their cars can withstand lightning.

The TV host was sure he would be fine if the Golf’s shell acted as a “Faraday cage” and blocked all current.

The iconic skit is one of the most memorable in Top Gear history and was filmed two decades ago in 2004.

It comes with thunderstorm warnings across the country, with 40-60mm of rain expected to hit parts of the UK.

Richard explained: “You might think the tires protect me by isolating the car from the ground because they are rubber.

“No. If electricity can get from the sky to the car, it can get from the car to the ground.

“What protects me is this, the shell of the body itself. Like all cars, the Golf’s body forms a Faraday cage.

“A Faraday cage is something that attracts electricity and then sends it out, so what’s inside shouldn’t be harmed.”

Despite his confidence, Mr Hammond looked visibly worried behind the cockpit seconds before the beam was fired directly at the model.

When the lightning struck the car, Richard complained that his hands began to tingle and the car showed signs of wear and tear seconds later.

Immediately after the beam hit, an error code appeared on the Volkswagen, where the handbrake light also flashes.

But it appeared to be a false alarm as the car stood strong and remained in top condition.

After the test, Richard was amazed to find that the model had no damage and could even be driven away with all components working normally.

He said, “So it works, assuming I’m not talking to you now with wings and a harp. I’m alive

“Question is the car? Power windows work clearly.. Lights? They work. Stereos? It’s nice, lovely.

“Indicators? I mean everything, And it starts, It still works. Amazing.”

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