RE: PH Carpool: Ariel Atom

[BoostMonkey]

NoelWatson said:

Basis for that comment (for standard RS) is aforementioned Vmax, Autocar getting 146 at Millbrook (and other numerous tests) backed up by theoretical calcs based on drag factor and frontal area (these numbers were taken from internet, so could be wrong)

Done some sum's for you

Using a gear ratio calculator with the RS tyre size at 7100 RPM(Aftermarket tuned) puts gear max speeds of
1 = 39
2 = 65
3 = 93
4 = 123
5 = 154
6 = 192

at 6175 RPM (which is posted max revs of mountune)
1 = 34
2 = 57
3 = 81
4 = 107
5 = 134
6 = 167
These are actual speed not Speedo shown speeds

These results have been seen on a regular basis by many RS drivers.

[356Speedster]

BoostMonkey said:

Done some sum's for you.........

at 6175 RPM (which is posted max revs of mountune)
1 = 34
2 = 57
3 = 81
4 = 107
5 = 134
6 = 167
These are actual speed not Speedo shown speeds

These results have been seen on a regular basis by many RS drivers.

Cheers BoostMonkey, good research! I see you're local too

NoelWatson said:

Let me know if you plan on going to VMax at some point. Would be interested to see what non standard is like.

Probably not, to be honest I'm not a track person (going around in circles or straight lines is not my thing). I much prefer the challenges of our roads... we're doing a run to mid/south Wales at the end of the month, see the Midlands forum for more details, if you'd like to join us and see some interesting cars out in their element. I'm planning on taking the Atom, but if the weather's iffy, I'll be in the RS

[NoelWatson]

BoostMonkey said:

These are actual speed not Speedo shown speeds

These results have been seen on a regular basis by many RS drivers.

What timing beams were you using, and did you do a 2 way run?

[NoelWatson]

356Speedster said:

Probably not, to be honest I'm not a track person (going around in circles or straight lines is not my thing).

Agreed on track thing (I do a few in R26.R) but VMax is useful for comparing cars in near identical conditions.

[BoostMonkey]

NoelWatson said:

What timing beams were you using, and did you do a 2 way run?

None of that lot, just using GPS timing equipment and a Scanguadge 2 for verification.
2 Satnav's and a gauge plugged into the OBD port showing the same speed don’t lie.

I'v also seen 168mph out of a tunned focus ST in the past, in that car it is a little easier as it has less drag vs. the RS

[NoelWatson]

BoostMonkey said:

2 Satnav's and a gauge plugged into the OBD port showing the same speed don’t lie.

I'm not sure how accurate Sat navs are. Would OBD port give a different reading to speedo?

I would love to see an RS (with ~350bhp) break 160mph at VMax, and will give a few quid to charity if/when proven wrong.

[BoostMonkey]

NoelWatson said:

I'm not sure how accurate Sat navs are. Would OBD port give a different reading to speedo?

I would love to see an RS (with ~350bhp) break 160mph at VMax, and will give a few quid to charity if/when proven wrong.

Yes the speed that the scanguadge produces is usually the same as the GPS, at worst the gauge is 1mph out.
Is VMax a standing start?
The RS will need a significant run to reach its top speed maybe 1.5/2.5miles(Guess) how long is the VMax track?

One thing that you do need to keep in mind through, and I’m not sure if you’ve driven an RS but with them it’s the 20 - 100mph acceleration which is main feature of the power delivery not really to top speed.
You may max the car once or twice in its live buy you will do many many 20-70mph at full chat.

[NoelWatson]

BoostMonkey said:

NoelWatson said:

I'm not sure how accurate Sat navs are. Would OBD port give a different reading to speedo?

I would love to see an RS (with ~350bhp) break 160mph at VMax, and will give a few quid to charity if/when proven wrong.

Yes the speed that the scanguadge produces is usually the same as the GPS, at worst the gauge is 1mph out.
Is VMax a standing start?
The RS will need a significant run to reach its top speed maybe 1.5/2.5miles(Guess) how long is the VMax track?

One thing that you do need to keep in mind through, and I’m not sure if you’ve driven an RS but with them it’s the 20 - 100mph acceleration which is main feature of the power delivery not really to top speed.
You may max the car once or twice in its live buy you will do many many 20-70mph at full chat.

Vmax is around 1.6 miles to timing beams. Should be able to enter main straight at 80-90mph.

[993Targa]

Great thread hijack, well done!

Is any of this chuntering about the VMax of a Mountune RS Focus relevant to this thread?

In fact is the Vmax relevant full stop?

[sone]

993Targa said:

Great thread hijack, well done!

Is any of this chuntering about the VMax of a Mountune RS Focus relevant to this thread?

In fact is the Vmax relevant full stop?

Just about to say the same thing lets not turn this into a knob waving thread.

Great write up Mark, I appreciate the capabilities of the Atom as I've spent many an hour chasing it accross the country (at legal speeds ofcourse).
Great little car!!

[GT3 APE]

Mark, how would you compare the super charged Atom at 300bhp to the 245 ?

Also what options would you consider a must have for an Atom, as it's easy to spend some serious dish in that dept ?

Edited by GT3 APE on Wednesday 13th April 15:18

[356Speedster]

GT3 APE said:

Mark, how would you compare the super charged Atom at 300bhp to the 245 ?

Also what options would you consider a must have for an Atom, as it's easy to spend some serious dish in that dept ?

Oooo, the 300 vs 245 debate! There’s a lot of discussion on that one between owners, with folks all having a different opinion. Having driven both, I’d say that the extra torque of the 300 dominates the experience and can turn a flowing / challenging road into a battle of right foot and tyre grip. The 245 is able to get it’s power down in the lower gears a lot better than the 300. 3rd gear in a 300 still requires careful throttle control. On a give and take, twisty / bumpy road, a 245 will flow better and be less prone to wheelspin. On a nice smooth, open track, you’d really be able to exploit a 300 tho’. There’s a lot of debate over which is actually quickest…. A 300 has the outright speed advantage on the straights, but a lot of people comment how a 245 can be pushed harder on the exit of a bend in the lower gears, therefore, stealing a bit of an advantage, before a straight.

This is all subjective of course and you’d need to get the two back to back to really see the differences. Of course on a less than ideal surface (slippy / wet), the 245 has an obvious advantage with less torque, so again, you can work the car harder without having to grab too much oppo

The options list on an Atom is quite extensive. When I spec’d my car, it was my ideal spec put together with feedback of other owners and the factory. I’m not a fan of black-bling, so carbon was never on the list. What I paid for were (mostly!) functional items aimed at enhancing the driving experience. So: Quaife LSD; uprated brakes front & rear; fully adjustable dampers (10 settings); 2-piece springs all round; remote brake bias adjuster on the dash; uprated bell-cranks & rod-ends; larger rear wheels & tyres (15” front, 16” rear); de-cat pipe (and hand polished exhaust); 3” 4-point FIA harnesses; aero screens (an absolute must!!); quick release steering wheel; passenger & clutch footrest; different coloured chassis & panels; 12v feeds (for Sat-Nav & heated waistcoat). Oh and of course the big PH smiley for the Smurf hat on the back

[GT3 APE]

So not a fan of the CF wings then ? <whistle>

I thought I'd read somewhere else that having 15" wheels on rear was better for track ? From memory RichardR had that setup on his 300 ?

[356Speedster]

GT3 APE said:

So not a fan of the CF wings then ? <whistle>

I thought I'd read somewhere else that having 15" wheels on rear was better for track ? From memory RichardR had that setup on his 300 ?

Not a fan of wings at all to be honest. Not seen anyone on the AAOC say that 15" rears are better on track, but as I'm not a track monster, can't say I've looked for such comments.... Maybe it gives a wider choice of track rubber? 16's are restricted a bit in that dept.

[BigBen]

356Speedster said:

GT3 APE said:

So not a fan of the CF wings then ? <whistle>

I thought I'd read somewhere else that having 15" wheels on rear was better for track ? From memory RichardR had that setup on his 300 ?

Not a fan of wings at all to be honest. Not seen anyone on the AAOC say that 15" rears are better on track, but as I'm not a track monster, can't say I've looked for such comments.... Maybe it gives a wider choice of track rubber? 16's are restricted a bit in that dept.

Spot on, 15s give a much wider choice of track tyres so are the preferred options, 16s look better so are what most owners go for!

[NoelWatson]

356Speedster said:

Oooo, the 300 vs 245 debate!

Any idea if there has been demand for the Mugen engined variant?

[Mellow Matt]

Out of interest, what makes you choose an Atom over, say, a bike engined car, or a high spec Caterham/Westfield?

[356Speedster]

NoelWatson said:

Any idea if there has been demand for the Mugen engined variant?

I believe there's half a dozen'ish left...

Mellow Matt said:

Out of interest, what makes you choose an Atom over, say, a bike engined car, or a high spec Caterham/Westfield?

It was the complete package to be honest. I don't like bike engined cars, as I'm not a fan of the peeky power delivery, drivetrain or rebuild intervals. The 2.0 Type-R in 245bhp tune suits me to a tee, as it's tractable at low revs, yet it still punches hard when it comes on cam. It's a bomb proof unit and comes with a lovely gearbox. Then there's the engineering.... something that amazes people when they get up close to it, is just how well detailed & finished the car is. Due to it's nakedness, everything you can see is well detailed and there to do a job. Plus it's very, very light, looks like it's come from outerspace, one of the most accelerative cars on the planet and it's rare

I did consider a Radical, but didnt like the drivetrain. The new one is too expensive, as is the new Caterham, which is a shame as they're both fab machines. I've always said that one day, I'll build a Caterfield of some type, but for now, the Atom ticks just about every box.

[spikeyhead]

Mellow Matt said:

Out of interest, what makes you choose an Atom over, say, a bike engined car, or a high spec Caterham/Westfield?

I had the Atom, Caterham R400 or 500 or a Radical on the list.

At the time I was making the decision the caterham was running the K series that needed a cambelt change every 3k miles, that's more than six times more ofteen than an Audi needs an oil change. I'd heard horror stories about the need for engine rebuilds on the Radical. As impractical as the Atom is, I just didn't see the Radical being anywhere near as practical. To borrow a quote from Spianl Tap, the impracticality of the Radical goes up to 11.

The Caterham may be a little more drivable, the Radical quicker on teh track, but the Atom seemed like the common sense choice and really somethign very special without being delicate.

[Mellow Matt]

Interesting, ta chaps. I did laugh at the Atom being the "common sense" approach though