AssetID: 55819197
Headline: British Ariel Atom car breaks Porsche record at top Welsh circuit
Caption: BY MARK WORGAN A superlightweight British vehicle has broken Porsche’s road car lap record at the Anglesey International (GP) Circuit in North Wales. The Ariel Atom 4RR, driven by test driver Phil Keen, completed a fastest lap of 1 minute 27.77 seconds in the road-legal vehicle fitted with road tyres. The time smashed the previous benchmark of 1 minute 29.35 seconds set by a Manthey Porsche 911 GT2 RS. Set against the North Wales coastline, Anglesey Circuit is known for its fast and flowing layout, elevation changes and challenging crosswinds. Ariel said the Atom 4RR's lightweight construction and balanced chassis enabled it to maintain high speeds through the circuit's faster corners while remaining stable at the limit. Ariel said technology and refinements developed for the Atom 4RR would benefit the wider Atom range, whose entry-level model starts at £48,000 before taxes. Henry Siebert-Saunders, Ariel's managing director, said: “The Atom has always evolved through a process of continuous development, driven by both engineering ambition and feedback from our customers. The 4RR represents the most focused expression of that philosophy to date. Seeing it perform at this level, in the hands of Phil Keen, reflects not only the capability of the car but also the skill and dedication of the entire Ariel team.” The Atom 4RR marks the latest evolution of the Ariel Atom, a model that has been in development for 25 years and is now in its fourth generation. Built around the company's emphasis on lightweight engineering and mechanical simplicity, the car weighs less than 700kg and is powered by a bespoke motorsport-derived engine producing 525bhp. Ariel describes the 4RR as the most extreme Atom it has produced, with development focused on maximising circuit performance while retaining full road legality. The company says its engine, chassis, suspension and aerodynamic package have all been refined to improve precision, consistency and driver feedback during extended high-performance driving. The Ariel Atom range starts at £48,000 before taxes, while the flagship Atom 4RR is priced from £208,000 before taxes and will be available in limited numbers on a build-to-order basis. The company has also confirmed that the Atom 4RR will be displayed at the 2026 Goodwood Festival of Speed.
Keywords: feature,photo,video,ariel atom,motoring,cars
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