by Mike Gulett –
I wanted an Ariel Atom so bad one time that I bid on one on eBay and eventually lost. My wife does not know that.
The Ariel Atom is like a motorcycle with four wheels and two seats – and thus theoretically safer while still delivering a thrilling ride. The Atom does not look like it should be road legal, it does not even have a body but an exoskeleton instead, yet it is road legal (maybe you should check in your state or country before you buy one though just to be sure).
The Atom makes a terrific track day car but also a great street car for spirited driving as long as you can avoid the local police.
Just look at the performance specs below; 300bhp at 1,010 lbs. This is an amazing power to weight ratio, much better that almost any other road legal car.
The Atom was developed in the UK by Niki Smart at Coventry University.
Ariel Atom (2/3) Specifications Summary:
– 0-60 mph : 2.8 seconds (manufacturer’s claim)
– Top Speed: 155 mph, 250 km/h (155 mph, 249 km/h supercharged)
– Power: 245 bhp (183 kW; 248 PS) @ 8200 rpm (300 bhp supercharged)
– Torque: 210 N·m (150 ft·lbf) @ 6100 rpm
– Weight: 455 kg (1,010 lb)
– Transmission: Honda six-speed with reverse
– Engine: 2.0L Honda K20A1, 4 Cylinder, i-VTEC – their are other options for the engine
– Manufacturer: Ariel Motor Company, Ltd in Crewkerne, Somerset, England under license in North America by TMI Autotech, Inc. in Alton, Virginia.
The Top Gear Video below is fun to watch.
“I have never driven anything that accelerates so fast” – Jeremy Clarkson, Top Gear BBC on May 8, 2014.
Ket us know what you think in the Comments.
Photos by Mike Gulett.
In New York City, you don’r really see these around, but you see plenty of the 3-wheeled Elios, which similarly, New York State classifies as a motorcycle. They look fun, and are also more comfortable and safer than a motorcycle. Glenn in the Bronx, NY.