Ariel Nomad R | Spotted
There's no such thing as a normal Ariel - but there is one madder than all the rest
For cars that seem so similar to the untrained eye, the Ariel Atom and Nomad are very different - and very tempting - propositions. Which is probably why Ariel can't make enough of them. The Atom is turbocharged and built for fast road or track use; the Nomad, with a naturally aspirated or supercharged 2.4, is really designed for off-road frolics. However, some weather protection and springier suspension also makes it a bit more suitable for driving longer distances than an Atom.
Then in one fell swoop the Nomad R came to represent both sides of Ariel in one limited edition model. Here was the off-road one, dropped via stiffer suspension onto lightweight wheels and track tyres. The 2.4-litre Honda engine was swapped for a 2.0-litre one - basically the Atom 3.5R powertrain, supercharged once more for the ultimate in visceral performance. A sequential gearbox as used in the really serious Atoms was also standard fit, pointing at just how focused this Nomad - once pitched as the farmyard plaything - had become.
The Nomad R was a daft idea because that's exactly what Ariel wanted; the aim was for something "a bit bonkers", and the car was certainly that. Here was a 340hp rally raid buggy, almost, that weighed less than 700kg and was only geared to 120mph - and featured track ready upgrades on top. 'A bit bonkers' probably sells the Nomad R rather short.
Ariel made just five in 2020, priced at almost £80,000, and all were sold before the car was announced. After all, nobody knows what car to offer Ariel customers quite like Ariel itself. The R doesn't really make any sense at all, but that is exactly the point. And clearly five diehard Ariel fans thought it sounded like a great idea.
This is one of the fab five, a Nomad R that's for sale after a couple of thousand miles unforgettable driving. It looks awfully like the car that featured in the PH video, with the same colours, wheels and Ohlins suspension. Plus this is a 2019 registered Nomad, and the R wasn't launched until June 2020, suggesting it might be the very first one. So a little bit of Ariel history, potentially, as well as one of the wildest driving experiences out there.
It's for sale at £100,000, which is a healthy premium over new price even accounting for the £5k suspension and £3k Road Pack. It's fully 50 per cent more than any other Ariel in the classifieds. But then the R was always tens of thousands more than anything else in the range, and delivery mileage Atoms are for sale at significantly more than their RRP - it's quite literally the price that must be paid to jump the Ariel queue. Add into that the incredible rarity of the R and the unrepeatable spec and it's easy to see why six figures is being asked. Moreover, five customers eagerly snapped up the R a couple of years ago; don't be surprised if a new member of the gang grabs this one before you can say 'loopy'.
SPECIFICATION | ARIEL NOMAD R
Engine: 1,998cc, four-cylinder supercharged
Transmission: Six-speed sequential, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 340@7,600rpm
Torque (lb ft): 243@5,500rpm
MPG: N/A
CO2: N/A
Year registered: 2019
Recorded mileage: 2,000
Price new: £77,400 (before options)
Yours for: £99,950
Donkervoort D8 GTO models.
they look long, but those are only 3740mm long and pretty wide wheel basis and ow audi 5cyll for the grunt.
those 5 cyl versions started back in 2013 or so, those early models looked more like this, not yet the full hard doors.
still expensive, even as a 2013 car, but I bet you can get one for that 100k gbp
But this sort of feels like an odd mix, why not just go Atom?
With my epic lack of real knowledge, I think for me the normal Nomad just has more - perhaps charisma?
It isn’t the ultimate point to point weapon on the road compared to an Atom but is quick enough to give you some real fun, thrills and challenge.
Off road I’ve just been using local byways so far and you don’t have to be going fast fast to have a great time, you can still go sideways everywhere and feel like a hero at sensible speeds, 10-50mph but I am looking at getting onto some grass or dirt tracks with it.
Had it on a trackday recently, I’ve been tracking a variety of cars for about 20 years now and nothing has come close to the fun I had in the Nomad. Didn’t embarrass itself either speed wise, even through the corners.
It isn’t the ultimate point to point weapon on the road compared to an Atom but is quick enough to give you some real fun, thrills and challenge.
Off road I’ve just been using local byways so far and you don’t have to be going fast fast to have a great time, you can still go sideways everywhere and feel like a hero at sensible speeds, 10-50mph but I am looking at getting onto some grass or dirt tracks with it.
Had it on a trackday recently, I’ve been tracking a variety of cars for about 20 years now and nothing has come close to the fun I had in the Nomad. Didn’t embarrass itself either speed wise, even through the corners.
Is it as rear weight biased as an Atom? That handling characteristic kind of put me off an Atom but I love the Nomad.
your 100k gbp is about 118k euro, this garage asks 139k euro for this early 2013 example, but they have mostly to high priced cars, often 10-20% higher.
so it can happen that your 118k euro (100k gbp) could buy this car, I would not be amazed, or something like this, this is a 1 of 25 series, so I guess there is a little premium for such.
https://www.autowereld.nl/donkervoort/d8-gto/premi...
Is it as rear weight biased as an Atom? That handling characteristic kind of put me off an Atom but I love the Nomad.
I’ve only passengered in an Atom on track so can’t really comment on the handling comparison.
Handling of the Nomad is very dependent on how you move the weight around. Get the weight on the nose and the back end will come out to play but it is very easy and progressive. Off the brakes into a corner and it was very stable.
I was quite surprised and pleased with how easy it was to control.
Mine is on the most basic suspension too, if you get the upgraded Blsteins or Ohlins they are adjustable and you can set it up how you like.
The number of mass produced lumps of crappy metal manufacturers ask (and receive!) 100k for these days is criminal anyway; I’d much rather see people buy something like this with a bit of character and joy to it.
From what I've seen it's a car/toy you can own for a couple of years and not lose much financially, maybe an owner can comment here on the residuals?
Probably just a dream, but the man maths calculator always starts running in the background every time I see a Nomad..
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