Ariel Atom on Top Gear 0-60 2.9 seconds

[turbo6bar]

I like this car. The Radical just doesn't float me. Performance specs with the Atom are crazy, silly stupid. 0-60 in 2.9 seconds if you can shift fast enough. 2.0L Honda VTEC engine with supercharger = 300 HP. 550 kg weight. Totally open cockpit. Handling is a no-brainer.

Obtaining an equivalent power:weight ratio would require 681HP in a 911SC (1250kg,2750lbs).



Ariel Motors

Makes me consider adding lightness instead of HP to my 911. Perhaps adding lightness and HP would be preferred.

[widebody911]

Sorry, it needs some sort of body, or it just looks like ass. The open chassis has to have an aero penalty as well.

Their web site compares it to a 911, various Lambos, etc - street cars. Why aren't the comparing it to other specialty-chassis track cars?

[kach22i]

On the Speed Channel they recently put that car up against one with a full body/super bike engined racer (SR3). They liked the full body car better...................it had slightly better track times.

[Wrecked944]

I really like it. True, I'd be tempted to put some sort of body on it - if only a thin fg or cf shell for aerodynamics. But the tradition of designing simple, yet strong and ultra lightweight sports cars is a long one and IMO pretty cool. That Atom chassis design is slick. Wouldn't you just love to build one in your garage? I wonder how many other manufacturers there are out there building low production sports cars that stay true to the purist tradition (like Radical, Noble, Diaso, and Ultima)? I ask mainly because I just stumbled on another manufacturer last night...

http://www.moslerauto.com

[turbo6bar]

The allure of this car is the power and handling of a motorbike, as well as the feel of being in the open. I can imagine myself wearing goggles and a wool-lined bomber cap while driving down backroads on a balmy 50 degree day.

Something with a body bridges the gap between motorcycle and automobile and is too much of a compromise.

As far as the Radical vs. Atom, you can't drive the Radical on the street without monster truck tires or jacked suspension. The Atom can, because it lacks the bodywork.

[widebody911]

So the Atom is a motorcycle for those with an inner ear problem?

If the power, handling, and openness of a motorcycle is the allure, then why not get a motorcycle, and cut your tyre costs by 75%?

I've never been keen on motorcycles, so maybe it's lost on me anyway.

I like the Radical, and there's another one like it, can't recall the name (or maybe it's also a radical) that has a closed top, looks like a 956.

I'm not thrilled about the idea of being exposed like that on a track with other cars, and I wonder how thrilled various sanctioning bodies are about it either.

[Wrecked944]

I checked the website and some of the used models are going for less than $30k USD. Add a wing to the nose and they look very F1-ish...



Great toy for the money if you ask me. And the car that looks like a 956 is, I think, the Diaso. Yet another fun little toy for bombing around. Damn, if I only had a garage and a few extra grand lying around...I'd have one of each of these things...

[turbo6bar]

4 wheels and cage feel safer than 2 wheels on the street. Of course, my bicycle odometer reads 3500 miles for year 2004, so you should forego asking me common sense questions.

[widebody911]

I don't get the sense that this is a street car, although they seem to be going out of their way to compare it's performance to other street cars. Yet all of the pix I saw of it were on the track. My 911 has better accelleration than an SD40-2T, whohoo! Never mind the fact that the SD40-2T is a diesel locomotive...

Is it a track car? If so, then let's compare it to other track cars, ie various spec racer cars.

Is it a street car? Then let's compare other street car features other than just 0-60. Ok, the Atom is faster than a 911; I sure as hell wouldn't want to drive to work in one! And good luck with any TUV or USA vechicle certification!

So, it looks like it's a quick, fun little car, but only useful for DE's, or if a spec class was created for it. It's like an oversized shifter kart.

[PeteBrown]

Thom:
You're thinking of the Diasio Car Company D962. http://www.diasio.com/
They are built in Indiana at Putnam and are common attendees at DEs and NASA race events here in the Midwest. Many owners claim it was the best $30k they've spent as they are a lot cheaper to race than 911s and M3s, against which they are very competitive.

[rob justice]

The Ariel Atom also posted a quicker lap time than the Porsche Carerra GT - if it was not for running wide on a single corner - It would have beat the Enzo's lap time also!!!

[Langers]

The Atom can be used every day, whereas the Radical would never make it over speedbumps. I'd love an Ariel as a daily driver! Would keep you awake on long trips as well. And cops would struggle to get laser lock.

[kach22i]

Originally posted by PeteBrown
You're thinking of the Diasio Car Company D962. http://www.diasio.com/

Now that does look like a real race car.

[masraum]

If I wanted an open wheel "street" car I'd much rather have a Caterham 7, if I wanted a no nonsense track car I'd rather have the Radical.