What happens when you let Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond loose in Australia's Top End driving one million dollar's worth of supercars?

Automotive enthusiasts around the world tuned in to watch the result earlier this month, when Top Gear UK televised its recent Australian outback visit. Armed with three exotic machines worth more than $1 million, the popular trio took to the Northern Territory in October last year to herd thousands of cattle across a 3.2 million acre station. As part of the outback adventure, the three presenters also created a race in a decommissioned open-pit mine.

What the episode didn't shine a light on was the damage sustained to the three cars during the shoot.

Photos have emerged on website The Supercar Kids of the Bentley Continental GT V8S driven by Hammond during the episode. The $400,000 (plus on-road costs) supercar is seen covered in red dust on a workshop hoist, with its entire front bumper and grille assembly pulled off.

Bentley UK has confirmed the vehicle required a full respray.

"After the completion of filming work, the car was returned to Bentley for a full inspection," Mike Sayer, a spokesman for the car maker said.

Seen better days: the $400,000 Bentley Continental GT V8S used by Top Gear during a recent episode in Australia. Photo: thesupercarkids.com

"The rectification work required was indeed cosmetic, to repair paint chips and scratches etc, which is unsurprising and acceptable after hundreds of miles on unsealed roads in the Northern Territory. Mechanically, the car was fine."

Fairfax Media loaned the exact GT V8S for a review in Sydney last year. It is believed the vehicle is no longer on Bentley Australia's press fleet.

In addition, Fairfax Media has learned that both the $170,000 (plus on-road costs) Nissan GT-R driven by May and the $300,000 (plus on-road costs) BMW M6 Gran Coupe driven by Clarkson were also in need of a full paint respray and other cosmetic overhauls. Nissan even went to the length of pulling almost every part off its GT-R to ensure it was completely rid of the invasive red outback dust.

The Northern Territory's notorious red dust left its mark on the $400,000 Bentley. Photo: thesupercarkids.com

However, a Nissan Australia spokesman said there was no animosity towards Top Gear because the hosts and their crew were completely up front about what they were doing with the cars.

"Top Gear were excellent to deal with," the spokesman said.

"They got in contact with us and said up front 'this is what we'd like to do with the cars, are you comfortable with it?' Mechanically, the car returned in great condition and will soon be back on the road again, once the respray is complete."

The Top Gear filming exercise involved a significant investment from Bentley, Nissan and BMW. All three car makers sent a crew of their own technicians to the Northern Territory to ensure the cars stood up to the punishment of the three experienced hosts.

Hammond recently confirmed the purpose of the shoot was to take "the cars well out of their comfort zone" and said that, for the first time, the trio came away impressed by all three.

Despite the cosmetic damaged sustained to each car, the Nissan spokesman said the exercise was extremely worthwhile for the brand.

"That's something you weigh up when you lend out a press car – the possible damage it might sustain versus the exposure. Having our product on a television show with a global audience was a great exercise for Nissan and the GT-R," he said.

Seen better days: the $400,000 Bentley Continental GT V8S used by Top Gear during a recent episode in Australia. Photo: thesupercarkids.com

"The bigger issue for car makers is when journalists borrow vehicles without briefing us on what they plan to do with them. Top Gear were really professional with how they conducted the loan."

The Northern Territory's notorious red dust left its mark on the $400,000 Bentley. Photo: thesupercarkids.com The Northern Territory's notorious red dust left its mark on the $400,000 Bentley. Photo: thesupercarkids.com

Seen better days: the $400,000 Bentley Continental GT V8S used by Top Gear during a recent episode in Australia. Photo: thesupercarkids.com The Bentley reportedly required a full paint respray following the Top Gear episode. Photo: thesupercarkids.com