The Ariel Atom: Somerset's own speed demon car that 'pulled Jeremy Clarkson’s face off'

Thousands of Somerset locals will have driven past a small and inconspicuous red brick building next to the A30, but many may not realise that one of the most thrilling cars in the world is made there. One of the fastest accelerating road cars in history is produced at the small workshop between Crewkerne and Yeovil.

It's called the Ariel Atom, and is a Top Gear favourite, having featured on the popular car television show numerous times. It doesn't have any doors or windows, and looks almost like a large go-cart, but it certainly packs a punch and "pulled Jeremy Clarkson’s face off" on one episode of Top Gear.

The stripped-back vehicle's lack of creature comforts is what makes the tiny two-seater great at what it does. Powered by a 320bhp version of the Honda Civic Type-R’s turbocharged 2-litre engine, the flyweight Atom is one of the most electrifying and breathtaking driver’s cars on road or track.

The Ariel Atom is made at a small workshop next to the A30 between Yeovil and Crewkerne

According to Autocar magazine, "you won’t believe any car could be as fast across open ground as this, and if you opt to leave the engine in the most powerful setting, you’ll be braver than most". It's newest version, Ariel Atom 4, has won Trackday Car of the Year, Performance Car of the Year, Britain's Best Drivers Car and won the only 5 Star road test from Autocar in 2021.

The Ariel Atom website reads: "Launched in 1999, the Atom quickly became the star of the developing trackday scene and captured the motoring world’s imagination. The car was the original ‘NO DOORS NO SCREEN NO ROOF’ and demonstrated that light weight gave giant-slaying capability, no matter what the opposition.

"The introduction of Honda power with the 220bhp Civic K20A Type R engine gave rise to the Atom 2 in 2003. The supercharger option arrived in 2005 and not only gave the Atom that unmistakable noise but started ticking off the records, consistently winning 0-60mph and 0-100-0mph challenges against all comers. It’s also the car that pulled Jeremy Clarkson’s face off."

You can watch the Atom's Top Gear debut below.

When first testing the Ariel Atom back in 2004 for Top Gear, a smitten Jeremy Clarkson said: "I think this is one of the most beautiful cars in the world - partly because it is so elegant, and partly because it's just such a wonderful piece of engineering. Using the chassis as a kind of exo-skeleton is just inspired.

"The Atom is fast on an entirely new level - I have never, ever driven anything that accelerates so fast. It's so quick, it can destroy your entire face.

"Anyone who wants to know how a car should behave should drive one of these - this is driving nirvana. You can forget anything you have driven, there is no car on four wheels that is as fast as this."

The Ariel Atom was for some time the fastest accelerating road car in the world. However, it now ranks at number 11, according to Auto Express, with its newest fourth generation able to move from 0mph to 60mph in just 2.8 seconds.