Wednesday 23rd January 2019

Ariel Atom Supercharged: Spotted

Few cars will set your hair on fire as effectively as a supercharged - and aero-kitted - Ariel Atom

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If you've ever seen (or driven) an Ariel Atom at a track day, you'll know just how blindingly quick they are on the asphalt. They're pretty much the closest thing to a thoroughbred racing car you can stick number plates on, after all, with the design comprising little more than a bare skeleton chassis, powertrain and a pair of seats.

That's certainly been the case since the Ariel was launched back in 2000, when it evolved from a Coventry University project to an actual for-sale track car. Today, of course, the segment is more crowded than ever, and the competition more intense than ever - see Caterham 620S and BAC Mono as two compelling alternatives. Yet to many, nothing can match the Atom for its mixture of rawness and open-to-the-elements focus.

This is especially true when you find an Atom with £10k worth of upgrades fitted, like today's Spotted. This 2005 car uses a 310hp supercharged Honda VTEC motor that provides it with 560hp per tonne, so it's presumably not short of eye-watering pace. It also features the optional Ariel aero kit, comprised of front and rear wings.

Add in a set of 200-mile-old Toyo 888Rs and you've got yourself a machine capable of reaching some rather extreme levels of lateral G. Hypercars aside, there isn't much else you can legitimately strap a number plate to and expect to lap much quicker in. Certainly not for the price of high-spec hot hatch.

The current owner has certainly put this to the test, as shown by the pictures of the car at the Nurburgring. Following its stints on circuit it looks to have been well maintained, with upgraded bearings and driveshafts fitted three months ago and a recent oil change in its service history. It's described as being "in perfect condition".

As far as plug and play track cars capable of shaming just about anything on track go, this has to be one of the most exciting options in the classifieds. We can't think of a more thrilling way to part with £34k...

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SPECIFICATION - ARIEL ATOM SUPERCHARGED
Engine: 1,997cc, four-cylinder, supercharged
Transmission: 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 310
Torque (lb ft): NA (car is remapped)
MPG: NA
CO2: NA
First registered: 2005
Recorded mileage: 17,000
Price new: N/A
Yours for: £33,995

See the original advert here.

[Itsallicanafford]

Spectacular in every way, sadly not a good match for my own skill set...Happy to keep right on track and let this one fly past!

[Dr G]

Are they really that racing-car like? Raw and exposed like a bike certainly, but Radical, Ultima etc. are considerably more race than an Ariel.

[JMF894]

Always loved the Atom but I'd happily take a slower version than this as I'd want time to savour what was happing!

[don logan]

Can be tricky on Park Lane, this started a couple of hundred feet back and ended like this, I don’t know anymore than that, “cockpit” all looked intact with no intrusions etc

[framerateuk]

I would absolutely love an Atom. Unforutnately I've found that I get less and less time to use my Caterham these days, and an Atom is even less practical - I fear I'd never use it.

I think a Lotus is next for me.

On the safety point, the Atoms seem to stand up pretty well certainly better than a Caterham in a side impact!

[livinginasia]

Yes please ! Amazing piece of machinery, that must be so much fun.

[Fastlane]

Bought my Atom, a 2008 supercharged 3, in August.
I absolutely love it - the fastest, most visceral car I've ever driven. When the supercharger kicks in, everything goes blurry - I can only liken the experience to this:

Autocar figured a supercharged Atom 2 (like the one in the article) back in 2007 at 0-100 in 6.07 seconds! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cbo4mHIzQD0

[Amirhussain]

Remember JC testing the Atom way back and I’ve wanted one ever since.

[Frimley111R]

They are amazing but not cheap and when you look at them I think 'There's not actually much here for the money'

[Fastlane]

Frimley111R said:

They are amazing but not cheap and when you look at them I think 'There's not actually much here for the money'

Once you spend a bit of time looking at them closely, you can start to see what a high quality and well engineered product an Atom is. Even my wife (who has zero interest in cars) concedes this. Once you factor in the performance, the relatively low running costs, and their rarity (I have never seen another one on the road) you can see why they hold their value - so it even makes a very sensible second hand buy.

Edited by Fastlane on Wednesday 23 January 19:06

[anonymous-user]

Bloody awful things, not even that quick.

[BFleming]

I've driven a regular Atom, and I wouldn't care if I never drove one again. It was a 6th gear track day, and a lot of their cars are 'milers'. The Atom felt like a go-kart that wanted to kill me in the most violent way possible. Not a nice experience, but maybe a fresher one, with a tight gearchange, decent clutch and functional brakes would re-educate me.

[750turbo]

yonex said:

Bloody awful things, not even that quick.

<Checks Garage>

[Turn7]

Frimley111R said:

They are amazing but not cheap and when you look at them I think 'There's not actually much here for the money'

Until you look closely, and see the engineering....

[cheeky_chops]

Wanted one since I saw one 15 years ago. Lucky to have some spare funds and purchased a supercharged 2014 3.5 model last year. Its a total weapon, gets fantastic attention (99% of the time...) and my kids love it!

Sometimes i just go in the garage and sit in it....

[big_rob_sydney]

Arial vs superbike vs rally car:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTAUV1Yj4NE

[Frimley111R]

Turn7 said:

Frimley111R said:

They are amazing but not cheap and when you look at them I think 'There's not actually much here for the money'

Until you look closely, and see the engineering....

Yes, accepted but standing next to one I really felt like I was looking at a frame with an engine and bear in mind I had an Elise which is hardly bursting at the seams for a fair chunk of cash.

[st4]

Fastlane said:

Once you spend a bit of time looking at them closely, you can start to see what a high quality and well engineered product an Atom is. Even my wife (who has zero interest in cars) concedes this. Once you factor in the performance, the relatively low running costs, and their rarity (I have never seen another one on the road) you can see why they hold their value - so it even makes a very sensible second hand buy.

Edited by Fastlane on Wednesday 23 January 19:06

This - I've seen one up close and they're exquisite - plus with Honda engines totally mechanically strong. Probably the best sports car you can buy.

[Turn7]

Frimley111R said:

Turn7 said:

Frimley111R said:

They are amazing but not cheap and when you look at them I think 'There's not actually much here for the money'

Until you look closely, and see the engineering....

Yes, accepted but standing next to one I really felt like I was looking at a frame with an engine and bear in mind I had an Elise which is hardly bursting at the seams for a fair chunk of cash.

See also : Caterham....

[soad]

Amirhussain said:

Remember JC testing the Atom way back and I’ve wanted one ever since.