Thursday 24th July 2008

Ariel In Windscreen Shocker

New bolt-on windscreen for the Atom can be removed for track days

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'I can't stop smiling'

Ariel has developed the ultimate luxury for its drivers - a windscreen. It seems some owners don't mind having no body panels and doors but the thought of wearing a motorbike helmet is just too much.

The Atom screen has taken a year to develop and is removable for those days out at the track. The one piece structure including composite surround, glass, wiper, washer system, switchgear and wiring is removed with only five fixings plus a quick release electrical connector.

Ariel says the screen makes driving an Ariel more relaxing on long journies and it no doubt cuts out those hours wasted plucking flies from your teeth. Simon Saunders, Director of Ariel, said: ‘We believe in offering Atom customers maximum choice and being able to build a car that is exactly right for their use, from simply good fun to full on track use. The screen widens that choice, the Atom’s appeal to new customers and is the first in a range of options dedicated to keeping the Atom the best in its class’.

[Snoggledog]

Other manufacturers are offering parking sensors, multi change CD, DVD player etc..

Ariel on the other hand offers a windscreen

[Insight]

mighty impressive engineering, i wonder how they did it so that it all works and can be take out, well done to them. wonder what the cost is? around £1k i suppose?

[GingerWizard]

That looks like a nice bit of kit, prevents one from having a face decorated by bugs..... espically flying ants at the moment!

[Frimley111R]

Looks like a good idea. Having spent some time around someone who has one (an Atom) even wearing bulletproof sunglasses isn't enough protection for the face. And who wants to wear a helmet in nice weather anyway?

[MrTappets]

Looks like the atom 3 was designed with this in mind from the outset

[sprinter885]

Frimley111R said:

Looks like a good idea. Having spent some time around someone who has one (an Atom) even wearing bulletproof sunglasses isn't enough protection for the face. And who wants to wear a helmet in nice weather anyway?

Bikers? We HAVE to !!

[jamiebae]

Saw this yesterday at the motor show, it looks very well done.

[Mutton]

It looks like a very nice installation. I wonder if it affects the air flow into the airbox behind the seats?

[Mr POD]

Mutton said:

It looks like a very nice installation. I wonder if it affects the air flow into the airbox behind the seats?

The RAM effect is actually a negligiable effect, less than 1% in terms of air flow. Mate of mine, who held a Phd in airflow dynamics, working on advanced turbo's showed mathematically that a forward facing inlet at 100 mph did very little. (He did it in the pub on a beer mat whilst pissed, but later checked it on some advanced software they'd developed.

[lonefurrow]

That's interesting, as the 1989 ferrari 640 was changed after Monaco from having 2 intakes either side of the roll hoop to having the now familiar intake above the drivers' head, as they were down on power compared with the Hondas in the Mclarens.

[ScoobieWRX]

I think it looks alright and in keeping with the car although i still think wearing a helmet looks pretty cool and adds to the thrill of the whole deal!!

I wonder how much air noise that screen cuts out and wether or not you still need to have an intercom to stop you losing your voice.

Nice one Ariel!!

[nismohks]

i think someone needs to get out more.

[cowellsj]

So it's still fine to have gravel and road spray blown up you trouser legs, but atleast you won't get flies in your teeth anymore.

[stuart-b]

How do you keep a car like that clean?

[Dr G]

I guess not everyone wants to have to trailer their track toy - I can see this widening the appeal of the car considerably

[SpunkyM]

It really should have had one from the start. But I guess this way they can ask another £1000 on top of the asking price just to give it sensible usability off track. Personally I hate wearing helmets in cars - isolating and heavy. Plus it limits your peripheral vision.

Edited by SpunkyM on Thursday 24th July 13:19

[Tony*T3]

Scared of KTM Xbow sales I would rekon. KTM have already said they will be supplying a screen in the near fureure, havent they?

[Ravell]

Mr POD said:

Mutton said:

It looks like a very nice installation. I wonder if it affects the air flow into the airbox behind the seats?

The RAM effect is actually a negligiable effect, less than 1% in terms of air flow. Mate of mine, who held a Phd in airflow dynamics, working on advanced turbo's showed mathematically that a forward facing inlet at 100 mph did very little. (He did it in the pub on a beer mat whilst pissed, but later checked it on some advanced software they'd developed.

Although I can understand there is little to no ram air effect at any resonable speeds, I'm sure you still need clean airflow to the inlet for the airbox to work properly. No use having it directed away and forming a low pressure area in front of it. It would cause a reverse ram air effect. I'm tempted to fire up Ansys CFX at the uni and check it out.

[Droptheclutch]

Ravell said:

Mr POD said:

Mutton said:

It looks like a very nice installation. I wonder if it affects the air flow into the airbox behind the seats?

The RAM effect is actually a negligiable effect, less than 1% in terms of air flow. Mate of mine, who held a Phd in airflow dynamics, working on advanced turbo's showed mathematically that a forward facing inlet at 100 mph did very little. (He did it in the pub on a beer mat whilst pissed, but later checked it on some advanced software they'd developed.

Although I can understand there is little to no ram air effect at any resonable speeds, I'm sure you still need clean airflow to the inlet for the airbox to work properly. No use having it directed away and forming a low pressure area in front of it. It would cause a reverse ram air effect. I'm tempted to fire up Ansys CFX at the uni and check it out.

Oh, go on, please...

[John MGB]

How about having a word with Chris Bangle about his fabric covering material? Cover up those side tubes & you almost have an all weather Atom!