The Ariel Atom 4R laps Top Gear’s track 1.4 seconds faster than the V8, proving lighter, grippier cars can outperform their more powerful predecessors.
The Ariel Atom 4R has outpaced the iconic Atom V8 on the Top Gear test track, despite having 100 fewer horsepower. The Atom V8, with its 500-hp V8 engine, was a revelation when it launched 13 years ago, posting a blistering lap time of 1:15.1. At the time, it was the fastest lap ever recorded on the track, beating even the mighty Bugatti Veyron Super Sport, which clocked a time of 1:16.8.
However, Ariel no longer produces the V8-powered Atom, opting instead for a lighter and more agile 4R model. The 4R is powered by a 400-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine from the Honda Civic Type R, paired with a six-speed sequential transmission. Recently, the 4R, equipped with enhanced aerodynamics, sticky tires, and other performance upgrades, was put through its paces on the famous track.
Driven by the enigmatic Stig, the Atom 4R completed the lap in an astonishing 1:13.7. This performance puts the 4R among the top 15 fastest cars ever tested on the track, and ties it with the McLaren 675LT for 6th place on the leaderboard for street-legal vehicles.
What’s even more impressive is that the Atom 4R, with its smaller engine, lighter weight, and superior grip, managed to outperform many much larger, heavier cars with more horsepower. It’s a testament to how lightweight, highly focused cars are outpacing even the most powerful supercars, demonstrating the extraordinary progress in automotive engineering over the years.
What was once unimaginable—outpacing the Bugatti Veyron, the epitome of speed—has become reality, with the Atom 4R proving that smaller, lighter, and more efficient vehicles can still dominate the track.