Top Gear's Chris Evans and Matt LeBlanc a 'modern-style odd couple'

New Top Gear hosts Matt LeBlanc and Chris Evans.

Chris Evans has dubbed himself and fellow Top Gear presenter Matt LeBlanc the "modern-style odd couple".

The pair have just completed their first challenge for the BBC show - a UK v USA race from London to Blackpool in Reliant Rialtos, emblazoned with their respective country's flags.

LeBlanc hinted that another task would see the pair "in the woods, testing a couple of icons".

Evans said he wanted LeBlanc, best known for playing Joey Tribbiani in US comedy Friends for 10 years, to join the Top Gear team because "he loves his cars".

"He knows so much about his cars, he's a brilliant driver and he's a world star, and that's very important for Top Gear," Evans said.

"Also the transatlantic connection, we are very much like a modern-style odd couple, completely different on first impressions, but actually we've got an awful lot in common."

The pair were in Liverpool for a BBC showcase of its latest programs.

Evans revealed the new seven-presenter line-up would function with him and LeBlanc as the main hosts, and the other stable of presenters would "come in and come out as required".

The new series of the BBC Two show is due to start in May, featuring The Stig, Formula 1 commentator Eddie Jordan, German racing driver Sabine Schmitz, motoring journalist Chris Harris and car reviewer Rory Reid.

The new series will see the Top Gear crew globetrotting through places such as Norway, Kazakhstan, Scotland, South Africa, Morocco and Cuba.

- PAA