It promised a lot and, on the numbers at least, the
Zenos E10
has delivered. It will be a little while yet before we get to drive one but expectations are certainly high. How could £25K, 200hp and 650kg not appeal?
A few sweaty palms here perhaps?
But given the kind of car it is and the customer it is aimed at, the Zenos will find itself up against plenty of used alternatives, more so than with most new cars. After all, if it's only going to be used as a weekend plaything for quite a few years, what difference will a few thousand miles make?
Hence a few prospective Zenos customers must be looking at used Ariel Atoms. The Caterham Seven will undoubtedly make the list too, although its more traditional construction means it differs slightly. This 2003 R300 would surely be worthy of a test drive for the same money though.
But it's the Atom that seems to bear the closet resemblance to the Zenos. Mid- and transverse-engined, off-the-shelf powertrain, low mass and very little equipment. Zenos will be hoping the E10 retains its value like the Atom too, this car now actually for sale at more than its £21K new price.
Less powerful than the Zenos, but lighter too
As a 160 it's down on power compared to the Zenos and lacks the new car's fancy Alcon brakes. It will probably be a fraction lighter though, so there can't be much difference in acceleration. We know the Atom is a fabulous steer, but would have to assume the Zenos would be similarly entertaining given who has created it.
It simply boils down to which one you want more. To these eyes the Zenos is the prettier car, the rear in particular redolent of the beautiful Pininfarina Sergio. But of course there's no denying the drama of an Atom; given the shape first appeared in 1999, it remains fabulously shocking and yet almost delicate because of how exposed it is. That the brand is well established now will also add some cachet that Zenos currently lacks.
Having said that, the Zenos is new, exciting and loaded with potential. It's too close to call without driving both of them but what a fascinating conundrum facing a buyer with £25K in hand. Bring on the summer.
ARIEL ATOM 160
Engine: 1,998cc 4-cylinder
Transmission: Five-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 160@6,500rpm
Torque (lb ft): 132@5,000rpm
MPG: N/A
CO2: N/A
First registered: 2006
Recorded mileage: 27,200
Price new: £21,000
Yours for: £24,975
See the original advert here
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