The new Ariel Atom 4, the fourth generation of the high-performance sports car launched in 1999, is the fastest standard version yet and has been entirely rebuilt from the ground up.
The Atom 4 can achieve 0-60mph in 2.8sec, matching its BAC Mono rival, and 0-100mph in 6.8sec. Priced from £39,975, it has made its public debut at this week’s Goodwood Festival of Speed. Deliveries are due to commence in spring 2019.
It uses the latest Honda Type R's 320bhp turbocharged engine and features a new chassis, suspension, steering, brakes and bodywork with “significant aerodynamic improvements”, says Ariel, as well as new seating and instrumentation.
Ariel boss Simon Saunders said: “The Atom 4 is the biggest change to the car since we originally released it in 1999.
"It really is an all-new car. In fact, there are only three parts carried over from the last Atom: the clutch and brake pedals and the fuel cap.”
Ariel plans to make 100 cars annually alongside its Nomad and Ace motorbike at its factory in Somerset. It will also be built under licence in the US, a vital market for the maker. Plus, it will be the first Ariel vehicle to undergo a specific type approval that allows it to be sold throughout Europe and Australasia.
Ariel director Tom Siebert said the move helped answer the “enormous demand in [Europe] and elsewhere in the world”. He added: “British-built, low-volume vehicles appeal on many different levels, and type approval is key to our future commitment to service these markets effectively.”
The basis of the Atom 4 is a new tubular chassis, built in-house, which features larger-diameter main and diagonal tubes than previous Atoms. Torsional stiffness has been increased by 15% compared with the previous-generation Atom 3.5, launched in 2013.
The chassis also promises more interior space and leg room, and it has been proven to exceed the demands of a full-frontal 50km/h (31mph) barrier impact, seatbelt and rear impact test, said Ariel.
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0 to 60mph
Why do manufacturers of cars like this continue to boast about the 0 to 60mph time? Of course, like any very powerful rwd car it around 2.8 seconds, since this corresponds with 1g acceleration which can't be bettered without slick tyres and downforce. It's just another way of saying that acceleration is traction limited at low speeds. I doubt whether even an F1 car could do much better.
Frankly, I'm more impressed by the fact that the latest Atom has type approval. Now that must have been really challenging!
“significant aerodynamic improvements”
The car looks less aerodynamic than scaffolding
sabre wrote:
As long as it's stable at speed, who cares? What matters is that it will be huge fun to drive.
If they wanted
They could add plastic panels enclose the car to a greater degree to the wind massively reducing drag without adding substantive weight which could significantly raise top speed with merly slight weight increase. Doubt that the vehicle would feel any less fun.
Hyper car acceleration, bargain price
The Atom provides amazing performance, holds its vale over time and has a unique style, great British engineering....