Car Reviews Ariel Atom 2

What’s with all the hype about the Ariel Atom? Especially considering the fact that this vehicle can only boast 245 bhp at 8500 rpm? The hype comes from this simple fact: this no-frills roadster can skyrocket you from 0 to 60 mph in under 3 seconds. That’s right. That wasn’t a typo. The Ariel Atom 3, the newest incarnation of this speed lover’s vehicle, has 0-60 times which clock in anywhere from about 2.7 to 2.9 seconds, depending on who you ask. How can a 4-cylinder car accomplish such a feat? Essentially, the trick is pulled off by the elimination of all luxury components from the vehicle. There is no roof, for example. There are also no doors or windows, along with the fact that there’s no heater. In fact, there’s no windshield in the Atom 3. Instead, Ariel decided to focus everything in their new Atom design on sheer performance. The 4-cylinder Honda i-VTEC engine which powers this car has a displacement of 1998cc and creates around a maximum output of 300 bhp (in the supercharged model). Compared to some other “supercars” those statistics don’t initially seem that over-impressive.The difference, though, between the Atom 3 and, for instance, a Lamborghini Murcilago LP640 (which the Atom 3 dominated in test track times in one recent test), is the fact that the Atom 3 has an insanely high power-to-weight ratio. The basic stock version of the generates roughly 500 bhp per ton, with the supercharged version listing an unbelievable 650 bhp per ton. This is due to the fact that the vehicle only weighs in at slightly over 1000 lbs.To break those statistics down into simple terms: the Ariel Atom 3 is the closest street-legal vehicle you can buy to imitate an honest-to-god-racecar driving experience.And, luckily for all those speed freaks out there, the Atom 3’s price tag doesn’t seem to correlate with its performance specs. These vehicles, of which only around 100 are produced each year, are priced at right around $35,000 for the stock version. This is tremendous when you consider the amazing performance capabilities of this Ariel speed-demon.Of course, the price also reflects the fact that the Atom 3 is a completely impractical, comfort-free automobile. This is not a vehicle which can be driven every day, or even in mildly poor weather. Likewise, Ariel didn’t have the expense of including certain parts which are standard in the majority of other cars, such as doors, electronic windows, or a ventilation system. So, when these factors are taken into account, and everything is finally tallied, it equates to the fact that Ariel is able to offer the Atom 3 to the public at stunningly low cost. Category:Home › Autos • Will the trend toward economy-size car models lead Americans back to buying smaller-sized cars? — part 2 • You should never use after-market auto parts when maintaining or fixing your car • Should a new car be rust-proofed? • Will the trend toward economy-size car models lead Americans back to buying smaller-sized cars? — part 1 • Five safest cars in North America • How to ensure your teen drives safely after getting a license • Pros and cons of using an hydrogen generator for your car • DIY automotive maintenance: How to change the oil