Atom 4 on Top Gear

[markwetherall]

Chris Harris is driving the Atom 4 on Top Gear on Sunday. lets hope he does a better review than fifth gear.

[Peter255]

Yeah i spotted that. I have been avoiding TG due to flat earth Freddie and that other comedy prat with the terrible hair transplant.

Harris is testing it (and he is pretty good) so i'd watch it if i was in the country..... but i'm not. lol

[jaylatti]

[jaylatti]

Zoom

[Colzo]

Looking forward to seeing this. That wee clip was much more informative than 5th Gear's effort. Monkey Harris knows how to pedal a car as well, so his feedback will be great to hear. Looks like the waiting list might be about to get a bit longer!

[Anon]

So it looks like Chris is finally happy with an Atom with the 4 I don't have a TV licence so will need to wait until it's up on YouTube or somewhere else.

[DMZ]

Other than production quality and some YouTube friendly slides, not sure I see the big difference between this and the Fifth Gear test. Both saying it’s fast, it’s raw, and great on track. Chris Harris likes a narrative about how the previous version of much anything is a bit rubbish (despite having fawned over it previously) and here he’s not exactly complimentary of the Atom 3 which apparently can’t do corners. I’m sure the 4 is a big step forward but surely a bit unfair on the 3?

[phil4]

I’m sure the 4 is a big step forward but surely a bit unfair on the 3?

It did seem quite harsh. The Atom 3 will go round corners, it's not a yank tank or similar. Perhaps he was just trying to "simplify" for a non-petrol head audience.

And you're right about the comparison with Fifth gear. In this bit alone he just drives it around a track... something it's great at. Whereas the fifth gear test went a bit more back to reality, driving it on normal roads before getting to to the track.

If you are new to Atoms and going to only drive on the track and trailer it there and back, then this seems to be the review for you. If you're more like most members here and drive it on the road, either to/from track or just for a Sunday blast then I'd pay a little heed to the Fifth gear stuff.

[Anon]

It was a bit of an exaggeration, but Chris Harris is a Caterham lad.

[speedmachine]

Is there a link for this available (with the complete scene instead of just 2,5 min)

[DMZ]

It’s on tonight and after that I’m sure it will be available on your favourite download site.

[CAG3D]

Didn’t really sell it to the world did he?

Atom 3 can’t go around corners.... ? An odd statement.

The track time, damp wet conditions etc, nobody cares, all they’ll remember is that it’s a the bottom of the table.

I hope they do get it out in the sunshine, to see what it is capable of.

Also, why do they always get the stats wrong? £40k (he did say it starts from, BT they should and this one is.....), 320bhp, isn’t it the 350 power upgrade?

And just to end..... CRIPPLING MIDLIFE CRISIS. What a plonker!!!




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[speedmachine]

He was pretty enthusiastic, so thumbs up, I was very glas to finally see some track miles on tv in the new Atom, that took some time.

I almost think Ariel dont want them to say 350hp, could it be that the upgrade isnt exactly legal or homologated?

In the wet these things dont go fast, so pitty that it was wet, but cant have it all.

They are not going to put it up again, filming is long ready

[Badders]

And just to end..... CRIPPLING MIDLIFE CRISIS

Yep, that quote ensured my phone started pinging relentlessly. All the nearest and dearest will be reminding me of that for months.

It's a shame about the time, but at least they've committed to trying again when it's dry.

[autobackup]

I found it curious that Harris stated categorically that the Atom 3 has aggressive understeer because I generally experience a degree of oversteer in my 3.5R with Ohlins and 'sticky' tyres fitted - when I had the Bilsteins on the car it did understeer but only very slightly - and only if I was somewhat over enthusiastic with the throttle!

I was disappointed in that the lap-time test was done on a cold and damp day as this obviously prohibited the direct comparison with a 3.5R.

- personally I doubt, given the same conditions and the 350BHP version, if there would be much (if anything) between the 3.5R and the 4 - but as the tested car was apparently the 320BHP version - I rather suspect that it would probably have gone around the lap a bit slower than a 3.5R as the Atom 4 Top Gear tested is both heavier than a 3.5R and with a lower power output!

Like others I am surprised that they didn't review the 350BHP version!