Is the Ariel Atom 4R faster than the 500bhp Atom V8? That is the question, as Stig puts it to the test…
The Stig is once again roaming free at Dunsfold, and in this eight-part series, Top Gear has gathered eight cars to set new timed Power Laps at the Top Gear Test Track.
So far, we’ve seen the Koenigsegg Jesko Attack, Ford SuperVan 4.2, and Porsche 911 GT3 RS set impressive lap times. These vehicles are all vastly different, yet they share one common feature: they are equipped with massive splitters and wings. Today’s contender is no exception!
Meet the Ariel Atom 4R, a model with numerous options, including carbon wings and panels and a pneumatic six-speed sequential gearbox. It rides on forged wheels with steel discs, although carbon alternatives are also available. With all the upgrades, the price is about £140,000—almost double that of the standard 4R.
But what price progress? Thirteen years ago, a first-generation Atom fitted with a 500bhp V8 set a record on the Top Gear track with a time of 1:15.1. Although this new version has an inferior power-to-weight ratio and only half the cylinders, advancements in brakes, tires, and aerodynamics have made significant strides since then.
Now, let’s turn it over to Top Gear’s Editor-in-Chief, Jack Rix, and The Stig…
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