Prime Gear followers will keep in mind the Ariel Atom V8, the wild followup to the automobile that deformed Jeremy Clarkson’s face. 13 years in the past, the 500-horsepower monitor particular confirmed the world what a real light-weight automobile might do, posting a 1:15.1 lap across the present’s take a look at monitor. That was the quickest time but recorded, and miles forward of the following quickest automobile, a Bugatti Veyron Tremendous Sport, which posted a 1:16.8. 

Ariel not sells a V-8-powered Atom, however it’ll promote you one thing faster. The 4R makes use of a 400-hp model of the Honda Civic Kind R’s 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder and pairs that with a six-speed sequential transmission. Prime Gear not too long ago examined the final word model of the 4R, full with the next downforce aero equipment, sticky tires, and almost each different go-fast half you possibly can throw at it.

With the nameless Stig on the wheel, the Atom 4R lays down a 1:13.7. In case you embrace all of the full-on race automobiles TG’s examined through the years, it is the fifteenth quickest automobile on the leaderboard. Restrict the rankings to street-legal automobiles, and it ties the McLaren 675LT for sixth. That is what progress seems like.

I am unsure what’s extra spectacular—what the Atom can do with much less energy and extra grip, or the truth that many bigger, heavier automobiles with, uh, actual bodywork can lap the Prime Gear take a look at monitor faster. Or simply how far we have moved on from the likes of the mighty Veyron, which as soon as appeared impossibly quick.