Robot Wars has powered to a stronger performance in the ratings than the last episode of the revamped Top Gear.

The rebooted robot series on BBC Two is being broadcast in the 8pm Sunday slot recently vacated by the new version of the motoring show.

An average of two million viewers watched Robot Wars, which was a fixture on the BBC from 1998 to 2003.

 Angela Scanlon and Dara O'BriainAngela Scanlon and Dara O’Briain (Alan Peebles/BBC/Mentorn Media Scotland)

Presented by comedian Dara O’Briain and Angela Scanlon, Robot Wars achieved a 10% share of the available viewing audience.

The finale of Top Gear, hosted by Matt LeBlanc and Chris Evans, drew 1.9 million viewers and an 8.8% share earlier this month.

Viewers welcomed the new incarnation of Robot Wars, with many taking to social media to hail an “amazing” comeback.

Dara O Briain in Robot WarsDara O Briain in Robot Wars (Alan Peebles/BBC/Mentorn Media Scotland)

Dara posted a message about the positive reaction on Twitter.

He said: “Am far away filming a thing, but woke to find a million tweets about @RobotWarsUK! Glad you enjoyed the show, many great battles to come!”

The six-part series promises a “raft of technological advances”.

Following on from the old format, teams of engineers do battle with their robots in a special arena with the aim of destroying their competitor.

Sports broadcaster Jonathan Pearce resumes his role as enthusiastic commentator.

The first series of Robot Wars was presented by ex-Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson, before Red Dwarf actor Craig Charles took over.

Alongside Philippa Forrester, the duo went on to become show’s most famous presenting team.

Robot Wars quickly became cult viewing from the late 1990s.

BBC Commissioning Editor Jo Street said: “We are delighted with the success of Robot Wars and thrilled that so many viewers loved the first episode. The reaction to the new series has been brilliant and there is still much robot carnage to come!”