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

Manthey Porsche 911 GT3 RS Nürburgring lap proves 1250bhp isn’t enough
Manthey Porsche 911 GT3 RS Nurburgring lap
News

Manthey Porsche 911 GT3 RS Nürburgring lap proves 1250bhp isn’t enough

The 992 Porsche 911 GT3 RS with the Manthey Racing kit has finally recorded an official Nürburgring time, and it makes Corvette’s 1250bhp ZR1X look a …
17 Apr 2026
Aston Martin Vantage S review – does it offer enough to take on Porsche's 911 Turbo S
Aston Martin Vantage S front
Reviews

Aston Martin Vantage S review – does it offer enough to take on Porsche's 911 Turbo S

Tweaks to the chassis and aero, plus more power and attitude – in S form, one of our favourite Astons promises even bigger thrills
15 Apr 2026
The BMW Z8’s last chance at redemption – car pictures of the week
BMW Z8 front
Features

The BMW Z8’s last chance at redemption – car pictures of the week

Perfect ingredients, imperfect whole. But was the Z8 really deserving of its lowly three-star evo rating? We give it another chance
18 Apr 2026