Yokohama-shod Ariel Nomad in Autocar’s Best Driver’s Car 2015 top three

Hot off the back of beating a four wheel-drive Group N rally car on a Wales Rally GB stage ahead of the event recently, a Yokohama-shod Ariel Nomad has again won critical acclaim from the media. The Nomad scored third in Autocar’s Best Driver’s Car 2015, finishing behind the Ferrari 488 GTB in first and the Porsche 911 GT3 RS.

The two-wheel drive, normally-aspirated, 2.4 litre Nomad performed exceptionally across a range of conditions, all of which made up the overall scoring for the accolade. Its suspension made it particularly well suited to roads in Norfolk where part of the test was carried out, according to testers while its performance at the Snetterton racetrack in Norfolk was nothing short of sensational.

The test then took the cars to the Dales and again, the Nomad was praised for its accuracy, superb ride and body control. At the end of the road test, the writer wondered if the Nomad could actually win.

The tested Nomad was fitted with its original equipment Yokohama Geolandar A/T-S all-terrain SUV and off-road tyres. Designed to provide grip and performance both on and off-road, few would have expected them to perform well enough against low-profile equipped supercars to warrant experienced journalists wondering if the car fitted with them could be the Best Driver’s Car of 2015.

In the end, the writers unanimously agreed that the Ferrari was the overall winner but had difficulty separating the Porsche and the Nomad. Eventually, the Porsche won out with its superior performance on the track. However, despite being fitted with off-road tyres, the Nomad ran it a close third place.

In addition to the Yokohama Geolander A/T-S, the Nomad can also be specified with Yokohama’s Advan A053 gravel rally tyres – as used during the pre-Rally GB feature, also in Autocar – or Advan A006T tarmac rally tyres for sealed surface use.