Tuesday 14th October 2014

US-spec Ariel Atom 3S detailed

Bigger engine, more power and new tech for latest Atom derivative

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The need to know stuff about the Atom 3S is conveniently red highlighted in the press release: 365hp at 7,500rpm, 310lb ft at 4,400rpm, Borg Warner EFR 7163 turbo, 0-60mph in less than 2.8 seconds. Remember when the Atom was launched with 120?

Sidepods aid cooling for the turbo

The American alternative to the Atom 3.5R launched here earlier this year, the 3S is being built by TMI Autotech, the official US retailer for Ariel Atoms since 2008. It is promising new features 'never before seen on the the Ariel Atom 3 platform'. It again uses Honda power, taking the 2.4-litre engine used in American Atom 3s as well as the Honda Crosstour (woo) but of course with the turbo and 365hp - 15hp more than the supercharged 3.5R. As well as that very brisk 60mph sprint time, TMI claims a 0-100mph time of 6.7 seconds and an estimated 1/4 mile time of 10.7 seconds. So if you owe anyone a ten-second car then the 3S could be just the ticket...

Adjustable traction control makes its debut on the Ariel Atom with the 3S. A dash mounted dial offers five settings of TC intervention. Might be handy with 506lb ft per ton... Stopping the 3S are 290mm discs at each corner with four-pot Alcon calipers. Moreover, a Sadev sequential transmission similar to that used in the Atom V8 is optional. Two manual choices are there too, a standard set of gears and a close-ratio box on the extras list. Over the Atom 3 the 3S also received JRI adjustable dampers, a quick-release wheel, a brake bias adjuster and a battery master switch. Y'know, just in case an Atom wasn't track-focused enough already.

Order are being taken for the Atom 3S in America now with a price of $89,750, $25,000 more than the standard Atom 3. A back to back with the UK-spec 3.5R would make for a fascinating comparison too, if one requiring brave pills for those taking part. Any offers?

Video of the 3S at Virginia International Raceway here.

[Frimley111R]

Really don't like those side pods.

[xRIEx]

Frimley111R said:

Really don't like those side pods.

I don't dislike them, but my first thought was they'll get peppered with stones flicked up by the front wheels.

[daytona365]

This little turd makes a mockery of nearly every other car available, including top line Ferraris and Cobras. 0 to 100mph in 6.7 ? Wwwhhoooo!!

[AlpinaB5s]

Wow, that looks like a quick track.

As an aside, it irks me that the big plaque states that its hand built in the USA but fails to acknowledge where it was largely conceived and designed.....

[Evo]

I love the side pods

[rhinochopig]

I'm ambivalent about the side pods.

[soad]

article said:

Remember when the Atom was launched with 120?

Rover’s 1.8-litre K-series engine?

Wasn't there also a 1.6 version (with 112 bhp)?

Crazy how this car has evolved over time, performance-wise.

[htrowsoc]

Guessing this one will have stloads of airbags, cupholders etc

[RoverP6B]

AlpinaB5s said:

Wow, that looks like a quick track.

As an aside, it irks me that the big plaque states that its hand built in the USA but fails to acknowledge where it was largely conceived and designed.....

Why are you surprised? Don't you remember the McDonnell-Douglas AV-8B Harrier, entirely a product of St Louis, Missouri and not in any way merely assembling components built at Brough and Kingston nor using a Derby-built Rolls-Royce engine...

[Lowtimer]

Nope. The completely new wing and heavily revised fuselage of the Harrier II were McDoug designs, not BAe designs.

[T0MMY]

Not sure I'd want one of these with forced induction to be honest, doesn't seem appropriate in this type of car. If they want entirely unnecessary levels of power in these they ought to use one of them thar (double) hayabusa derived 2.8 litre 400bhp V8s.

More powerful, more manic, lighter and naturally aspirated.

[soad]

I assume, a Hayabusa-derived V8 engine would be more expensive to source?
Erm, what about CO2 emissions?

[T0MMY]

soad said:

I assume, a Hayabusa-derived V8 engine would be more expensive to source?
Erm, what about CO2 emissions?

Undoubtedly

and...

No idea

[RoverP6B]

Lowtimer said:

Nope. The completely new wing and heavily revised fuselage of the Harrier II were McDoug designs, not BAe designs.

That's what you think... I worked at Kingston on the Harrier project...

[DiscoColin]

AlpinaB5s said:

Wow, that looks like a quick track.

As an aside, it irks me that the big plaque states that its hand built in the USA but fails to acknowledge where it was largely conceived and designed.....

Yes and no. I would speculate that very few buyers of these won't know exactly what it is by the time they hand over their hard earned, and if a hint of stars and stripes helps to finesse the deal with their other half, impress their beer buddies and possibly fuel some extra sales, I don't really see it as a bad thing.

[Mound Dawg]

AlpinaB5s said:

Wow, that looks like a quick track.

As an aside, it irks me that the big plaque states that its hand built in the USA but fails to acknowledge where it was largely conceived and designed.....

It's U571 all over again.

[Ozzie Osmond]

daytona365 said:

This little turd makes a mockery of nearly every other car available, including top line Ferraris and Cobras. 0 to 100mph in 6.7 ? Wwwhhoooo!!

Except they are cars which can be driven on the road in USA and the Atom .... can't.

[anglophile]

Nearly 100 large for a track-day-only toy that has no racing class in can participate in, that cannot be driven on the public roads?

Last I checked, one can have a used Range Rover, AND a used Jaguar XJR R1, AND a decent Porsche 911, AND a decent motorcycle, AND have change left over?

Me thinks they seek far deeper pockets than this mere mortal.

[iloveboost]

anglophile said:

Nearly 100 large for a track-day-only toy that has no racing class in can participate in, that cannot be driven on the public roads?

Last I checked, one can have a used Range Rover, AND a used Jaguar XJR R1, AND a decent Porsche 911, AND a decent motorcycle, AND have change left over?

Me thinks they seek far deeper pockets than this mere mortal.

Me thinks you're right.
It's a lot of money for a toy and £55K-ish for an Atom sounds mad, but how much is a Caterham R620? Probably similar money.

[P4ROT]

Just not the same without the supercharger whine or the hard edged K20 induction roar.