Ariel Atom - The Amazingly Fast Solution To Your Mid-Life Crisis | Car Review | Top Gear

[@bismuthguy8844]

I've been to the factory, they aren't kidding when they say 7 employees

[@cradilyz]

poor dave

[@absolutcabbagery3661]

whopeter I mean clearly Dave enjoys what he does, which is why he put so much passion into this car

[@chistophee]

absolut cabbagery Dave is chasing the bag 🤑

[@Akotski-ys9rr]

I wouldn’t mind helping Dave build the car

[@jiv32]

Factory? You mean shed?

[@lukemoores6763]

This review literally made that company

[@value_sniper4056]

Helped

[@value_sniper4056]

Helped the company

[@frowlinian8175]

@@value_sniper4056 made it, nobody had ever heard of the ariel atom before this and likely never would have.... and now, while they're not a household name necessarily, they're a fairly well known company just from the meme of Jeremy getting his face ripped off... they wouldnt be what they are today without it

[@value_sniper4056]

Frowlinian that’s cool to know

[@ARB6769]

After creating the Atom they deserved it

[@trentrubenacker9718]

"it destroyed my entire face. Five stars" ~Jeremy Clarkson

[@BlueHopi144]

lolllll

[@EnVec0]

The car is so fast it turns Jeremy Clarkson into Arnold Schwarzenegger!

[@oil1252]

LOL finally someone mentioned it!

[@ggburnitup4055]

True

[@Josh-ts9sr]

I went to say something and then seem this lmao

[@ADD_AJ]

Thought it was John Prescott ;)

[@daanvos194]

IL BE BACK in a giffy

[@Toastmaster_5000]

Funny how such a small company did more with a Honda engine than Honda

[@Stephen-uz8dm]

Hahaha

[@cutdepiefails6596]

+Peter Schmidt It's common.

[@Toastmaster_5000]

***** Well yeah obviously - of course Honda could make this if they really wanted to. Honda, to my knowledge, has made F1 cars too. They're not idiots, I'm just saying that for something that's street legal, Honda hasn't made anything like this. Making the engine isn't all that hard either when you've got one as [relatively] basic as this one. The real hard part is getting every last drop of power out of it without destroying it. Your Lego analogy is a good one, but doesn't necessarily detract from my point. I'm not saying it's a bad thing that Honda never made a car like this. Probably too many legal issues to be worth the trouble. But they easily could have, and they'd yield more of a profit if they did; just like the people who build amazing things with Legos that don't sell their work to the company.

[@alexradev1412]

+Peter Schmidt I'm pretty sure if Honda was seeing profit, they would do it. What is good for a small company isn't necessity good too for a big one. Honda had way more HP from an 1.5 liter turbo engine than Atom from this one. There are enough regulations they have to look at and I guess it's just not worth the trouble for them. 300 HP from turbocharged or supercharged 2L engine is nothing spectacular anyway.

[@cutdepiefails6596]

Alexander Radev Actually it is, when you have vtec.

[@oliverhilton6086]

_”come over, my parents aren’t home”_ 3:07

[@majorgeneralsherman1348]

This needs more likes

[@getchasome6230]

Oof

[@Wireddred]

Wow nice one

[@GECKOZFTW]

Supercharger whine ftw

[@jm6289]

G-d is always home

[@MrROTD]

LOL His face has flappy paddles

[@hazardousfromage]

Nice

[@bradsmith3454]

Lol!

[@XavierBetoN]

At 3:08 Jeremy looks like Arnold Schwartseneger

[@nonamesinenomine]

My dog makes the same face with its head out the window lol

[@sbh_tx]

it became a meme

[@ilonajarasiuniene6216]

7 people created this....

[@Splinter4077]

Also after it hit Test Drive Unlimited 2, as that car was in there and quite a few people knew about it then.

[@RUFuggingKidding]

Splinter4077 seriously...comparing that to this video is like comparing the Egyptian military to the American Military.

[@cgaurd52]

DownBefore Clarkson says the most memorable stuff. lol

[@absolutcabbagery3661]

I'd like to think they were friends

[@KabzieMusic]

insane

[@Phulax.]

Proven fact: You will look younger, when driving the Ariel Atom.

[@charliebmxmx9501]

Phulax I agree

[@frankgile1996]

I don't think people will get enough time to see you, let alone guess your age...

[@global8198]

Untill your face falls apart in the wind

[@SailingSarah]

Gives "face lift" new meaning

[@capz3217]

When you revisit this video a decade later, only to realize that you are now the middle aged bloke with a (slight) gut that bought himself a motorcycle...

[@bradman7281]

Worst part is that the atoms are north of 60 thousand pounds now, lol

[@skrillah6259]

@@bradman7281 I would go for a caterham super seven they are in the same price range better/equal acceleration and they look a lot better.

[@skeletonwguitar4383]

Not middle aged but now Im building a gut thanks to covid and yes, I do have a bike (Yamaha) and can never have an access to purchase an Atom because my region is called the "Sea." :(

[@gamo_art6957]

Oof

[@stephans1990]

Biggest smack in the face to me was that he calls 35-40 middle aged!

[@npaul4171]

I can't even begin to imagine how fun/terrifying it must be to drive the 500 horsepower variant of this thing.

[@BlueHopi144]

lollllll😂

[@nez9751]

It’d be the best way to commit suicide

[@NeetuSingh-gl1ue]

The car in the video has a Honda engine. If it's 500 horsepower, the we may see a very old ghost rider without the fire.

[@dominicbeltz9057]

@@NeetuSingh-gl1ue its two hayabusa engines

[@amandev6]

@@NeetuSingh-gl1ue this ones 310hp. The V8 has 500

[@Ghostdog15]

Apparently the owner of Ariel teared up when he heard what Jeremy said at 5:27

[@mayoite160]

you have a source?

[@tanishhandique5139]

@@mayoite160 damn mayoite in the wild, go mayo!

[@mayoite160]

@@tanishhandique5139 go mayo!

[@its_only_karma7440]

@@tanishhandique5139 is that a cult?

[@sylasviper715]

@@its_only_karma7440 It's a tactical telephone company.

[@yanava]

To me this style of top gear is so much better than later years and grand tour. It has some 90s and mid2000s pro consumer vibe. It was silly in the right measure. How I miss these times.

[@sparkgrid]

Exactly my man

[@IronMan3582]

I find it pretty astounding that Ariel was able to get 300hp supercharging a Civic Type-R engine from 2008 whereas Honda has only done that recently by way of turbocharging with the current Type-R. Just shows how clever that group was to be ahead of the curve by ten years.

[@wings4max]

well honda also has different goals. even if it's a civic type r, it still has to be an everyday car. and the engine should have a higher life expectancy, than in an atom. also Honda has to put money in infotainment and sh*t, atom doesn't :D

[@grimoire9419]

@@wings4max at the time Honda was also solely focused on NA power. they tried turboing some of their cars (namely the SuperGT NSX) but they realized that NA power would be better suited for it.

[@martinfreund6737]

3:10 looks like Arnold Schwarzenegger :D

[@uptempo5318]

rust in piece Clarkson he was too young

[@kurafutomine9874]

A Megadeth and a Metallica fan. Great

[@bro-ic7uw]

uptempo trash dad rock

[@adityavajandar5433]

Nice profile pic

[@gigas81]

I have to hand it to Ariel. To make a street legal car like that is amazing. No mercedes benz, bmw, or dodge charger will ever challenge you at stoplights. And you can also wave to people as you make your turns at instersections at 45mph. :P

[@amaarhaque820]

but tesla might :)

[@jdmuscle1015]

The Dodge Demon will (:

[@eroy5448]

Amaar Haque Xd tesla what a joke

[@testy462]

It "only" runs 11.20s at 121. Plenty of cars will trap more than that.

[@outdoorsfishingdream]

Do that under the rain hahahaha

[@plarglia]

K ill have a whiff

[@nooblangpoo]

Ery Noice

[@lorin3894]

@@nooblangpoo no jeremia car gas bad for helth

[@randomboi8218]

@@lorin3894 shut mouth hammock

[@commietearsdrinker]

*Cock*

[@lorin3894]

@@commietearsdrinker shut up jams

[@moemotors2570]

I remember meeting the CEO of Ariel Atom and I thought he was just an older student intern! Brimming with passion, humility, and a pure love for performance. A MEGA Company!

[@theamazinggamerhd2976]

I want that car so bad I've heard now I could get a V8 aerial atom for only £25,000! And a standard 2.0litere version for £10,000 but the limited edition version with 500bhp is £35,000 so relatively cheep for a small terrifying car with no wind screen

[@ajeshkt1041]

so...did you get one yet?

[@Jdmfan-fu1kj]

@@ajeshkt1041 it's been 5 years mate here probably got one

[@martinarbe1]

And now, those ariel v8 go for around 100k

[@henneyhemmi8496]

@@martinarbe1 I know. When I saw this I marveled at the price. And now its so far out of reach. Wish they would have kept them cheaper. Guess it's back to cbr600rr

[@ombre_blanco1725]

You should consider the DF Goblin. The DF Goblin costs $11,000 for a full build and it can beat super cars on the drag strip. It uses a Chevy Cobalt SS as the donor car and it’s nicknamed “the poor mans atom” 😂

[@EDPistons]

One of my earliest KZbin memories is seeing Jeremy Clarkson get his face rearranged by one of these

[@arcuswear]

Over the years I've flown F15 fighters, done power slides in airboats, straffed the desert from helicopter gunships, but for sheer ecitement this thing is off the scale.

[@jshepard152]

But have you seen Wall Drug, in Wall, South Dakota?

[@dalelumina3]

how is flying an eagle not as thrilling as driving an atom my good sir

[@Daz555Daz]

Drove one of these at a track day at the Top Gear track today. Absolutely mind blowing. An absolute weapon of a car.

[@Andyfishing23]

I went on a track day for my 21st too pal, 10 years ago. I didn’t drive it but had 2 laps with a professional driver. Absolutely terrifying how fast this thing is but loved it at the same time 😂

[@mantrabeeg]

Today on medium gear, what happens when taste exhoost fum K, I'll have a whiff 3:07 Ery nice

[@timothykock6799]

Ery noice😂😂😂

[@pikgus]

No Jeremia, car gad bas for health

[@friun.6824]

tody*

[@Dingmao.]

Cock

[@pikgus]

@@Dingmao. shut up jams

[@memes4themasses365]

The best advertisement for a car company is a positive review on top gear / the grand tour

[@musawergulzar]

you can tell by his expressions you can tell by his laugh, he's never have had this much fun before. i bet this machine is amazing .

[@bakerXderek]

LOL at 3:05

[@kingk3379]

he looks like an ouragoutang

[@misterjersey5460]

3:05

[@glitch9722]

@@misterjersey5460 clarkson's face tho lol

[@daylineli]

@@glitch9722 clarkson wasnt kidding when he said it can destroy ur entire face lol

[@NiggaYouStink]

Cheaaaah 👌🏼👌🏼👌🏼

[@dkproductions]

god help the man who flips one of these going 80 around a corner

[@AttilaThebung]

That's why brainbuckets and 5 point racing harnesses exist. That, and you'd be hard pressed to turn it over.

[@G3rain1]

With such a low center of gravity it's be pretty difficult to flip one, short of an inverse banked curve.

[@cameronriccio6050]

DKproductions unless you slide it into a curb, it won’t roll

[@StevensJared]

I bet Ariel would pay you if you somehow managed to flip one of these SOBs...

[@jds355]

I'm sure hamster could've managed to flip it.

[@jamesccockburn1907]

3:00 - Agent Smith has taken control of Clarkson

[@FightingDicks]

dad?

[@namenamename390]

This is such an iconic top gear review. And there are a lot to choose from

[@Wireddred]

One of the best car drives I’ve ever had was 3 laps in the passenger seat of this car it was such an experience

[@justasgriskevicius3492]

3:12 "K I'll have a whiff"

[@DaManDaMythDaLegend]

i believe the song is "Disco Science" by Mirwais. It should be on the album called "Production". It came up while I was listening to it on Pandora like 20 min after I heard watched this lol. Thought I'd share since I remembered seeing your comment.

[@Thefirehawkman]

Gotta love how this one segment is the reason Ariel is still around today

[@KaiOfDestruction]

The sound of the Supercharger at 3:07 is just BEAUTIFUL It sounded SO happy to be given full beans

[@leotavora2108]

The Clarkson face is in the Ariel site ;-;

[@BIGBLOCK5022006]

The older version of the Atom had a Ecotec engine in it. The newer version has a Honda K20 series engine in it with a 6 speed close-ratio gearbox.

[@fulddakkedak1598]

4:22 ARGH HA HAHA HA! This is how I will always remember mad Jeremy Clarkson!

[@eliasshersy4108]

10 years later exactly and still the best

[@ihak707]

I like how he specifically says "Stick that, in your sports exhaust, Mr. Kawasaki" In 2015, now granted, that's 7 years after this but anyways, Kawasaki made the Ninja H2R, a bike that weighs 215kg and produces 310 hp from a 998cc supercharged i4 That means it has aproximately 1440 hp/ton which is more than double this cars HP/Ton

[@samsungtab3977]

_They did what he said. And that brought a succesful bike._

[@PaulKellermen]

Comparing a bike to a car 😂

[@gemspotting6252]

Not doubting the power outputs or indeed the performance - but the precision of an atom, I promise you, can not be matched by anything on 2 wheels - in terms of thrills? Well, I’ve only ever riden a 750 and that was plenty enough a thrill and I suspect anything more is just plain terrifying - the atom allows you to exploit more of the performance without the fear and that in itself is beyond thrilling

[@sergiofreitas9368]

This is the fastest a Honda Civic engine will ever be

[@mackcummy4976]

wrong. It's a stock Type-R engine.

[@SpinachLeaf]

Lol someone new to the internet or have you really never seen any of the videos of tuned 1000hp mustangs vipers gtrs cars getting gapped by civics and k20 swaps

[@vitamins6611]

Type R u nub didnt u even listen

[@KR15MES]

SpinachCookie power doesn’t garuntee speed

[@ps2bndled]

Just wait till the VTEC kicks in.

[@ThisisBrak]

You know my favorite part? It has a Honda CTR heart

[@HCR_CA15]

VTEC all the way...

[@rystdin]

Lol i laughed at jeremys last phrase. "They are offering a big brake pack, go for that, or you wont be back here in the spring" XD

[@then00brathalos]

Haters insult the atom for resembling a street legal go-kart, when that's the whole point of it. The fun and responsive action of go karts paired with the shear power and speed of F1 racing with the reliability of a daily driver. Even as a massive Honda Boi, i gotta admit, Ariel did real good work with the K20C. Not because Honda doesn't want to, but Honda can't due to legal issues. Ariel basically fulfilled Honda's dream of making a street legal F1 car.

[@Call555JackChop]

3:28 Thanks Rimmy Tim

[@foxhorn9196]

4:20 this is the laugh of a man who is enjoying pure happiness

[@revelare_xvii6269]

“K I’ll have a whiff.” 3:10

[@voodoo2006]

revving that engine up mate

[@shadowhaziq4326]

3:05 when VTEC kickin yo 😆

[@TheMrWillje]

All the years since I saw this on the night this episode aired, I've wanted one. I absolutely love it.

[@TWOxTONE_773]

04:20. Just a big kid playing with his toy car.

[@DJOpaixMusic]

3:00 best 15 seconds on youtube XD lmao

[@garcemac]

The Ariel Atom is the "spider" of the motorcar world. I HATE spiders. I love the Ariel Atom. 3:10 My new desktop background.

[@GTO2710]

I've driven an atom around the top gear track so I know what he's talking about on a personal level, the most I same thing I've ever driven. cars don't scare me but I was terrified of the throttle, it's like lightspeed. Honestly Clarkson is absolutely spot on in what he says. Immense car

[@InvagPrune]

@@rubbishui old bump sorry but if you didn't know they do track days and tours at dunsfold, i went round in a xbow

[@anagennao]

Two wheels and four wheels are completely different machines. I ride/drive them both and love them both for their unique qualities.

[@lmn28021992]

Just got a passenger ride in a 340bhp version of one of these at Crail Raceway in Scotland. Brutal acceleration! Very quick driver and the supercharger whine is so loud from the centre air intake. Incredible machine!

[@Me-zo8yc]

3:13 Clarkson has Ram Air [Breathing Intensifies]

[@nojyt]

This was one of Clarkson's funniest episodes. I laughed out loud a few times.

[@Mercurial_Phantom]

When Jeremy accelerated he turned into Agent Smith

[@kokodjamba6657]

So that's how matrix began.....

[@BeeABaw]

The first Top Gear video to go viral and bringing Top Gear to the US. The rest is history.

[@tonkinesenchill4240]

I had a passenger ride in one of these on an airfield being driven on the limit. Anyone who is into cars you HAVE to experience it, senses could barely comprehend the sheer performance of this thing! On the same day I was driving a 400hp R34 GTR and the atom passed me on the straight like I was standing still

[@janoskurko8383]

when this was aired the Ariel atom was almost 10 years old, the original review by top gear was aired in1999

[@MondySpartan]

This was from 2004.

[@jaz2791]

in the road test jeramy says its so good you will never miss an apex.when the stig is doing the flying lap he misses hammerhead so badly and misses the apex on the last corner.i think they did this delibratly to make the lap time slower otherwise nothing would ever beat it

[@dfk1991]

The track is: Mirwais - Disco Science from Snatch

[@Kacey3]

You are most welcome. I have found over the years that the Top Gear music department and I have very similar tastes.

[@tubularap]

5:56 - I'd watch an episode of Badger Watch, filmed on Jeremy's head. :-)

[@erickaldana1186]

What a beautiful piece of engineering!!

[@marsgal42]

More high def, please. It looks *good*. More Top Gear, please. Keep up the good work!

[@aidaaliten8817]

Old comment pog

[@gabrielv.4358]

This is a museum comment!

[@GlitchanBlack]

3:07 "It's so quick it can destroy your entire face." IT'S BEAUTIFUL! XD

[@Finnjaymakes]

3:07 Legendary.

[@53lennox]

I had the pleasure of being driven round the track in an Atom. Everything Jeremy Clarkson say is true. The thing he did not mention was that a prayer book and sick bag are not part of the equipment. Seriously though what an experience, loved it.

[@Andyfishing23]

I did the same mate 10 years ago. Absolutely awesome how fast that thing is. I will never go in anything faster on the ground anyway!

[@sugunapan]

2:54 I thought Jeremy Clarkson looked like Arnold Schwarzenegger

[@Carlito_622]

Now that idea is stuck in my mind and yes I see it lol

[@TheBowerbird]

This is the single greatest review in Top Gear history, and that's saying a lot : )

[@JackFoxtrotEDM]

I often wonder how well the original Atom holds up to this day. I always had a soft spot for that supercharged Honda engine track toy.

[@SgtSteel1]

Absolute classic, even after all these years.

[@donnierhodes3465]

I've never seen Jeremy so happy. Utterly ecstatic!!

[@John-us2ns]

4:20 is so good. Long live Top Gear with these three!

[@dominiccroucher3389]

"You hit every apex, every single time." ...proceeds to show Stig missing every apex lol

[@scrumpymanjack]

The company owner told me that Top Gear had been "very kind" to him and his creation...but I didn't realise they had been THIS kind. That's quite the review!

[@johnbaker4915]

Starting at 20k, now they start at 80k....

[@mk5_3]

As it should

[@FightingDicks]

dad?

[@D-Man_Jam]

"Most beautiful car in the world." It has one body panel...

[@soupsandwch]

"A designer knows he has achieved perfection not when there is nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left to take away."

[@fercav4814]

@@soupsandwch Oh, golden words

[@1337penguinman]

Exactly. Also, as a Mechanic, I would happily work on this car any day of the week.

[@jessehitchcock9141]

4:21 that’s the laugh of someone loving the moment.

[@daunteuflay4859]

3:04 listen to that soundtrack

[@DJMixXxery]

disco science

[@Locked.gRaveyard]

3:06 Arnold Swarzenegger mode activated

[@andrewmckenzie292]

"..or I'm John Merrick"...not very PC there Jeremy lol.

[@carmelacioppa7440]

THAT ACELLERATES SO FAST! 3:04

[@240pixel]

2:40 soundtrack from :"Snatch" movie

[@KabzieMusic]

classic

[@zacharygraham5965]

YES! I noticed the same thing. Best movie ever btw!

[@totallynotthetroll]

What's the song?

[@chameleon1001]

Mirwais - Disco Science

[@johni6138]

Amazing vehicle to be sure but how did it go from roughly $33,000 equivalent USD in 2010 to $80,000 in 2022? That's insane...but maybe it's just me.

[@marzsit9833]

because the us versions are built under license in the states, and that company wants it's share of the american dream.... the uk/europe version is actually illegal to import and license here in the states.

[@789456456123]

The same way trucks went from 30k to 90k

[@cosaqueexiste9647]

@@marzsit9833 why's it illegal?

[@cavedweller2000]

"Disco Science" by Mirwais. It's from the film "Snatch" :)

[@manifesto52]

It's amazing that the original Ariel Atom was £29,000 at the time this episode of TG was filmed. As of 2023 here in the US, the Ariel Atom 4 starts at $83,750. How the times have changed. Regardless, I still want one.

[@JonesyTerp1]

I was equally shocked at how much it currently costs. I wonder if it is that much better a machine now vs then. Probably they've built market equity and people will pay that price. I would bet they took real losses selling this thing for the first few years.

[@MNGLD-do2kc]

why do people dislike this video? its completely harmless it doesn't even diss this car??

[@divoarioo]

As I'm growing to became Middle aged Man, I'm watching this video once in while when it pops up in my KZbin dashboard. It's reminds me that I've a dream to buy a car to fulfill joy like a 10 years old kid, like Jeremy show in this video. What a review!

[@crtgamer2355]

0:47, I laughed way too hard at this comment.

[@Xstung0nceX]

I love how there comparing the atom to a cbr600 like come on compare it to a cbr 1000

[@fernweh8709]

It would still lose in the corners

[@rodrigoalmendro3118]

The cbr 1000 is heavier, so worse in the corners

[@colinjohn5454]

@@fernweh8709 not really... The way he took the Apex shows he isn't taking it full on... Not leaned over and was so slower than usual on corners( can go 100+)

[@cat-em3mj]

@@colinjohn5454 he was racing Clarkson. and Clarkson isn't a race car driver

[@TakumisBizarreRacingAdventure]

@@colinjohn5454 Maybe he's the best motorcycle guy they could find XDXD. But it was nowhere near the bike's full potential that's for sure.

[@onetwothreefourfive12345]

3:04 If you only watch one part of this vid, make it this.

[@MinZilla]

3:09 kay, I'll have a whiff

[@KevinAbillGaming]

Wheezing intensifies *_Ery noice_*

[@gemspotting6252]

One of the most incredible car’s I’ve ever driven - and then I was driven round the same track by someone who actually knew how to drive it properly and it was stunning - the apex comment is bang on the money

[@ThePPPTrainAndCarFan]

2:15 you can see the clouds change slightly 'quickly' XD

[@tirimut]

I can't wait for Clarkson's review of the V8 Atom.

[@slateeagle2131]

Need to get this for my first car

[@KabzieMusic]

first car? bit dangerous lol

[@3dgar7eandro]

3:11 Hello Mr Anderson... 😎💨

[@vivian40bday]

This review made me buy an Atom. I'm on my second one and love it!