Video: on track with the Civic Type R-engined Ariel Atom 4R

This is the new Atom 4R and you’re right, it features wings and carbon. And the small matter of a 25 per cent power boost. As standard it hits 60mph in under 2.7 seconds, 100mph in less than 6.5s and should go on to a 170mph max. Rapid enough.

It costs £77,940, a substantial hike over the regular car which starts at – well, it doesn’t matter really, because Ariel’s waiting list is so long the cars don’t lose any money. But it’s best to think of this one as a 4R+. It’s had everything thrown at it, from carbon wheels and brakes (saving 26kg), plus carbon panels and wings, to Ohlins exotic four-way adjustable dampers and a Quaife six-speed sequential gearbox with pneumatic activation. So, this one costs about £140,000 as tested.

Overall? It’s a bonkers loon of a device that never takes itself too seriously. It just wants to have fun, as Top gear magazine’s Ollie Marriage finds out when he gets behind the wheel.

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