Video | Ariel Atom 4RR versus BMW S 1000 RR

The age-old bike versus car battle has been done many times before, of course. But perhaps not to this level! For context, around a lap superbikes typically win on power to weight for the straights where supercars fight back through the corners with the ability brake and turn on four wheels, not just two.

But what happens when the car threatens the bike’s power-to-weight advantage from the off? That would take some car. And the Ariel Atom 4RR is just that. With 525 horsepower from an uprated turbocharged 2.0-litre engine from a Honda Civic Type R it’s got punch. And without so much as bodywork to carry round it weighs just 650kg – comparable with the weight of the battery alone in a bigger EV! As you’ll see from Rory’s first few laps, the Ariel is a proper animal.

What bike could stand a chance? Maybe the BMW S 1000 RR, which is basically a race bike with mirrors and a numberplate. Indeed, take those off and you literally could go racing on it. Its 999cc engine has 210 horsepower but the bike and rider together weigh less than half an Atom. And Rory. You obviously need someone able to do the bike justice, motorcycle racer and performance coach Mason Law. Can he beat Rory and the Atom? You’ll have to watch the video to find out!

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