Ariel Atom 4R v Caterham Seven ‘evo25’: power-to-weight heroes go head-to-head

[Vovchandr]

https://www.evo.co.uk/ariel/atom/206830/ariel-atom-4r-v-caterham-seven-evo25-power-to-weight-heroes-go-head-to-head

 

 

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The comparative lap times are misleading. Yes, the Atom’s 1:31.67 monsters the Seven’s 1:37.51, but interrogate the Vbox and you see the Ariel’s advantage comes between the corners rather than through them. By the end of Park Straight it’s at almost 135mph compared to a little over 118mph for the Caterham. However, look at cornering speeds and the Seven’s tenacity is clear to see, almost matching the Atom’s turn-in speed into Coppice (103mph v 104.7mph), carrying more speed into Charlie’s (97.9/97.3), and maintaining higher minimum speeds through the Gooseneck (75.3/73.1) and Hall Bends (61.3/60.7). 

 

I’m not sure you could find two cars separated by such a chunk of time that are so closely aligned in terms of the excitement and satisfaction they deliver. A Caterham defines the track driving experience in so many ways it is effectively beyond comparison. ‘After all these years, it’s still such a great entertainer,’ says Barker. For its part, the Atom 4R boldly moves things on while remaining true to the Ariel ethos. Both are magnificent, singular experiences. Can it really get any better than this?