Skip advert
Advertisement

Watch the Ariel Nomad go head-to-head with a Fiesta WRC car

1300bhp, some deserted Welsh countryside and not a lot of traction... Welcome to evo's first off-road group test

If you’ve not yet experienced the joy of driving on loose surfaces, perhaps our latest video will convince you to have a go.

Readers will already have seen Henry Catchpole’s written report and Aston Parrott's photography in issue 218 of evo Magazine, but few things are better suited to the medium of motion film than the spectacle of rally cars and purpose-built off-roaders sliding across gravel and mud.

Advertisement - Article continues below

In evo’s first ever gravel group test, we pitch the new Ariel Nomad – undoubtedly the inspiration for this feature – against the Polaris RZR, Ford Fiesta RS WRC, Porsche 911 Safari and Bowler Defender 110 V6.

While we won’t pick a winner – each has such disparate talents and purposes that selecting a favourite would almost be unfair – the conclusion is an easy one to make.

Whether you’re being powered along by a rear-mounted flat six, a twin-cylinder one-litre or a full WRC-spec, 300bhp four, driving on gravel is could be the most fun you can have behind the wheel of a car.

Watch the full video above, and if you’d like to see more action from each car, keep an eye on evo’s Facebook page, where we’ll be posting raw on-board footage over the next few weeks.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Volkswagen Golf GTI review – once the definitive hot hatch, is it still one of the best?
Golf GTI
In-depth reviews

Volkswagen Golf GTI review – once the definitive hot hatch, is it still one of the best?

The latest Golf GTI is fast, capable and easy to live with, now with improved if not perfected HMI and driving dynamics
19 May 2026
Ford Puma ST review – the last gasp for fun fast Fords as we know them?
Ford Puma ST review
Reviews

Ford Puma ST review – the last gasp for fun fast Fords as we know them?

The Puma ST is the last vestige of the combustion-powered Ford ST era, and a far cry from the glorious warbling five-pots of old
14 May 2026
Could the new Nissan Z finally be making its way to the UK?
Nissan Z
News

Could the new Nissan Z finally be making its way to the UK?

The Nissan Z has been forbidden fruit for Europe's drivers, but Nissan is now working on bringing its rear-wheel drive coupe to Europe
13 May 2026