Completed Projects
Ariel Atom
The Ariel Atom has arrived. It will make it’s first appearance at the June 4th track day. Check back for more pictures soon.
Rear suspension
Front suspension
The Ariel Atom
History
The Atom began as a student project by Coventry University transport design student, Nik Smart. Known then as the LSC (Lightweight Sports Car), it was developed at the university in 1996 with input and funding from various automotive industry members, including British Steel and TWR. Ariel Motor Company boss Simon Saunders was a senior lecturer whose responsibility for the project was primarily as financial manager and design critic for Smart, whom he described as “The best all-round design student I’ve ever seen.” The car was first shown publicly at the British International Motor Show at the NEC in Birmingham in October 1996.
Production
The Ariel Atom is a high performance sports car made by the Ariel Motor Company based in Somerset, England. The car is also manufactured under license in the United States, originally by Brammo Motorsports, and currently by TMI AutoTech Inc located at Virginia Motor Speedway. There have been three Ariel Atom incarnations to date: Ariel Atom, Ariel Atom 2 and Ariel Atom 3. The current model is the Ariel Atom 3 which is also the most powerful of the three. Ariel has recently announced an RS Performance model with a motorcycle-derived 500 bhp (373 kW; 507 PS) V8 engine.
The Ariel Atom is unusual in that it is exoskeletal - the chassis is prominently visible from the outside - and therefore lacks a roof, windows and other features normally found on road cars. It is available with a range of engines, the top of the range being a supercharged Honda Civic Type-R K20 and a supercharged 2.0 litre, 300 hp (220 kW) GM Ecotec engine. With each of these engines it can achieve acceleration rivaling that of much more expensive automobiles. Although the top speed of approximately 140 mph (230 km/h)-150 mph (240 km/h) is relatively tame compared to more exotic sports cars, the high power-to-weight ratio (approximately 500 bhp/ton, or 650 bhp/ton supercharged) affords it very fast acceleration and the low weight provides excellent control through corners.
Specifications:
0-60 mph : 2.7 seconds (manufacturer’s claim)
Top Speed: 155 mph, supercharged
Power: 300 bhp supercharged @ 8200 rpm
Torque: 150 ft-lbf @ 6100 rpm
Weight: 1,005 lb
Transmission: Honda six-speed with reverse
Price: cost in the US is over $65,000 + options
Engine: 2.0L Honda K20Z, 4 Cylinder, i-VTEC
Manufacturer: TMI Autotech (in US)
Length: 3,410 mm (134 in)
Width: 1,798 mm (70.8 in) / 1,828 mm (72.0 in) with 225 Tyres
Height: 1,195 mm (47.0 in)
Track: 1,600 mm (63 in) front and rear
Wheelbase: 2,345 mm (92.3 in)
Designer: Nik Smart
Recently, Ariel has announced intentions to build a new version of the Atom, the Atom 500 V8. This version will feature a 2.4L supercharged V8 engine putting out at least 500 bhp (373 kW; 507 PS), coupled with a six-speed sequential gearbox. The Atom 500 V8 is scheduled to be released during 2009. -Wikipedia.org
The Video:
The British Motor News Show “Top Gear” has a video on Youtube.com that has been viewed over 5 million times and is the best Ariel Atom video around. See it here.
Our Car
Our car was delivered this spring from TMI outfitted with the 300hp Honda supercharged 4 cylinder. It is equipped with an upgraded brake system, the track package, and a host of other subtle additions, the least of which is the extensive use of carbon fiber. Eschewing driver aids such as traction control and ABS for a pure experience, drivers need to exercise right-foot restraint while hot-lapping the track. We’ve properly set ours up for the track after an initial run-in at the June 4th track day event (see pictures here). We’ll have an update as to how it drives and some ‘embedded reporting’ from the left seat soon, so check back often.
Track time for the Atom
The Ariel Atom spent the day lapping Grattan Raceway. Time was spent dialing in the suspension and trying to keep the front end pointed down the straight. 300hp with 1400lbs and no driver aids really demands your full attention. It has wonderful potential as a track dominating ride, it just needs a little adjusting. Stay tuned…..
Delivery of the Ariel Atom
At approx. 1400 lbs and a quoted 300hp from the supercharged engine, 0-60mph comes up in as little as 2.8 seconds.
A little peek.
