2016 Ariel Atom 3.5R

Highlights 

• Iconic open-wheel road legal track car 

• Properly race-focused example with a proven track record

• Vastly upgraded 350bhp, supercharged inline four-cylinder engine

• Six-speed manual gearbox

• Improved suspension, brakes and interior

• Fully serviced by Ariel

• Low mileage, one owner example

Overview

There are track cars and then there are track cars and the Ariel Atom changed everyone’s perception of what a lightweight sports car should be when it broke cover all the way back in 1999. The bar was well and truly raised and the Atom, now onto its fourth generation, continues to set the standard by which performance cars are measured, regardless of price, so if you're after a car of this ilk to have serious, utterly immersive fun on track with then you simply cannot ignore the Ariel Atom.

Purchased new directly from Ariel by the current and only registered keeper, this 2016 Atom may have started life as a 2.4-litre naturally aspirated example with 245bhp – Ariel's most powerful model at the time – but it has since been thoroughly upgraded, not once, but twice. It was initially improved by way of a supercharger that bumped peak power to 310bhp, installed by Ariel point of purchase. The car was later upgraded to 3.5R spec again by Ariel themselves, further pushing power levels to a staggering 350bhp. It's an impressive number in anyone's books but in a car that weighs a gnat's wing over half a ton it becomes frankly ludicrous and this absolute weapon now has a higher power to weight ratio than many a hypercar!

With suitably beefed up brakes and suspension, as well as an upgraded interior and other track-focussed accoutrements – the full list of which can be found below – this is one serious bit of kit. Fully road legal (albeit with most of the car's miles having been covered on track) and with all servicing carried out by Ariel themselves there are no mechanical issues to report and the vendor lists a relocation abroad as the only reason for sale.

History and documentation

• 2016 model year

• V5C present and correct in the vendor's name

• In current ownership since new

• First registered 01 Jul 2016

• Zero registered former keepers

• Two keys (the original security isolator was replaced this year)

• The original Ariel purchase invoice shows that the car was purchased directly from Ariel Motors in 2016 

• VIN: SA9AATH4PFC337121

• Engine number: K24Z7-4016543

• Fully serviced by Ariel with all of the original service documents and owner's manual present

• Record of Ariel inspections at the following intervals: service at 445 miles (2016), service at 2,611 miles (2018), service at 3,596 miles (2018), service at 4,444 miles (2022), service at 5,701 miles (2023), service (2025)

• £16K Ariel invoice for replacement parts dated 24 Oct 2016 

• HPI clear

• IVA tested

• The car does not currently have an MOT but the seller advises that the car has been maintained to road car standards and should pass without issue when fitted with road tyres

• London ULEZ compliant

• 6,767 indicated miles

Interior

• In good, used condition

• No signs of any major damage

• Upgraded carbon fibre instrument panel 

• GPS datalogger system

• Garmin Catalyst fitted showing the track, speed by section, perfect lap modelling and with video capabilities

• Tillett carbon fibre racing bucket seats

• 3" seat belts both sides plus V-type crutch straps

• Fire extinguisher kit plumbed in with internal and external operation

• Passenger and driver footrests

• Quick release removable steering wheel

• FIA battery master switch kit      

• Welded in full roll cage

• Ariel plaque showing build details 

• No reports of any electrical issues or problems with the switchgear

Exterior

• In very good condition as reported by the vendor

• Some marks and blemishes commensurate with regular track use

• No evidence of any significant damage

• Black paint and bodywork remains in good shape overall

• Powder coated chassis in gun metal grey  

• Carbon front and rear aerofoils 

• Aero deflectors 

• Side panel kit

• FIA high intensity Rain Light 

• High-level brake light     

• Front and rear towing eyes for race use     

• Stainless fixings      

• In 2016 a rear wheel and wishbone were replaced by the factory

• In 2025 a front wheel was replaced

• 15” five-spoke wheels are in decent condition overall but do carry some marks here and there

• Hankook Ventus F200 slick tyres all round

• 15” magnesium wheels with track tyres also included

• The vendor reports that both the slick tyres and the semi slicks have been used but have plenty of tread

• Underneath the car looks to be in good condition

Mechanical

• 350bhp, supercharged 2.4-litre inline four-cylinder engine

• Upgraded by Ariel to 3.5R spec with oil and water cooling pods added plus engine re-mapping

• Six-speed manual gearbox

• Rear-wheel drive

• Limited slip differential 

• Baffled sump   

• Race fuel tank  

• Aluminium radiator     

• Cat bypass pipe  

• Front and rear Alcon big brake kit    

• Remote brake bias adjuster   

• Ohlins TTX suspension dampers     

• Battery optimiser

• No mechanical issues to report aside from a perished oil hose that has been replaced

• The vendor informs us that due to the power to weight ratio the Atom is very fast around club circuits, the sound of the supercharger when the car is being driven hard is intoxicating and with slick tyres it has more grip and braking capability than pretty much anything else you will come across 

Summary

As far as thrill rides go you'll be hard pressed to find a more exciting machine than this particular Ariel Atom. Thoroughly upgraded and with insane levels of performance, there's not a lot that will touch this absolute weapon regardless of which track you take it to and thanks to its factory service history mechanical peace of mind is surely guaranteed. Not for the faint of heart, this hugely rewarding machine is sure to put a massive grin on your face whenever you slide behind the wheel.

To arrange a viewing, click the 'Book Viewing' button located under the 'Place Bid' button. Viewings can be booked up until the day before the auction ends, after which the option will change to 'Contact Seller' for further enquiries. This seller is located in Shepton Mallet, Somerset.