How fast can a ariel atom go

Skip 12 photos in the image carousel and continue reading. Turn on Javascript to see all the available pictures. Advertisement - Page continues below. Top Gear Newsletter Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Sorry, something went wrong Please try again. Ariel Atom British News. Turn on JavaScript to see all related content. Don't see the price justification. Rather have a GT Flabernat: I'd like to drive this car, at least once, just to see if I'm man enough to handle it.

A hot lap in a car this powerful, this light and this intense is a great way to see what you're made of. The things I would do to get behind the wheel of this, especially on an open track I saw that crash while watching the 24 hours of LeMans race, the car didn't go as high as I remembered, I thought it went over the trees and landed behind them, a door flew up and the driver walked away unharmed.

I'll bet he had to change his underwear. Fangio Man 9y ago. Power is bhp! Scaffolding with lots of plastic stuck to it and an engine also can remove Jeremy Clarkson's face in about 5 years I could build one! Still bags of fun though. This car is sooooo lame, you cant drive it anywhere without a helmet, over a bump, or in the rain, or you will be killed. Not to mention if you have a crash. I know its great for the track but its NOT a road car and I hate how they advertise it as such.

Autocar tested this car with 2 people on board in 3. So i'd say 2. But the Atom gets to 63mph in 1st so the difference would be around 0. Anyway in 2. I was worried the V8 would be an Ariel too far — too fast, to firebreathing, too monstrous and borderline un-driveable. Whisper it, but Ariel thought it might be too; a car just to keep the lunatics satisfied.

The V8 is brilliant to its core. Expect fireworks. What is it? Related reviews. Latest Drives. Ferrari Competizione review. Cupra Formentor VZ2 1. If you happen to find one on your rear-view mirror, the first thing that strikes you is the familiar Ariel F1-inspired nose, with a carbon front splitter. Next up would be more anodized gold of the space frame chassis, flanked by two large cooling ducts on either side. As you move over to give way, it becomes apparent that the buzzing beast next you is actual still quite compact before the large, adjustable rear wing and beautifully made exhaust blast past you in a frenzy of high-revving madness.

Despite the fact that you can see through it, the chassis has high levels of occupant safety that do well to inspire confidence when conditions become challenging, which is more than we can say for the large fire extinguisher next to the driver! In the world of Ariel, things like doors, a windscreen, and roof are considered unnecessary — let alone creature comforts like air-conditioning and a stereo. The LCD is more than just a read out for you to keep an eye on vitals like engine temperatures and pressures, revs, and current speed, but also features a gear indicator, integrated shift light, and complete data logging facilities.

The last feature is the slickest of the lot, allowing hardcore boffin-types to compare telemetry from your escapades. This race-inspired addition can be utilized in different ways such as looking for that extra tenth-of-a-second round Silverstone or showing off to your mates how quickly you can get to 60mph — probably an attribute most would never use, but a neat feature nonetheless.

Behind the fancy display and gear shift paddles are switchgear that manage the adjustable traction and launch controls, wet or dry settings, and ferocity of the gearbox. Visible from the outside, the inboard pushrod suspension of the Atom has been uprated for the V8 with a chromoly aerofoil section, and new wishbones and pushrods. As you would expect, the dampers and springs have been given an upgrade as well.

The most notable improvements are the lightweight aluminum monotubes with remote reservoirs giving 3-way individual adjustment for compression and rebound strokes. The springs can also be adjusted for stiffness in four different ways. In short, the suspension on the V8 is just as adjustable as any pro racecar, ensuring the full-on drivers find the perfect setup, no matter where they are or what they require. On to the most exciting part of the new car — the engine. And what an engine it is!

Apart from how compact and ultra-lightweight it is, the Hartley-built 3. The powerplant is specially made for Ariel and features design influence from their top engineer, Steve Alford, so much so that it actually bears their name. The goal was to take the 2.