It was powered by naturally aspirated and supercharged Honda motors. The one Clarkson is driving is a 300 BHP supercharged K-Series motor. This may sound impressive but Honda heads build engines with the same induction system and horsepower out put with relative ease. The key to the Atom's abilities is a light weight chassis (1350lbs) and a well developed suspension. It astoundingly knocks super bikes back like they are Chevy Cavaliers as a result of its power to weight ratio.
Ariel has taken their track only super kart to a new level though, with a V8. Ariel claims that the car has a power to weight ratio which equates to 900 bhp (Brake Horse Power) per ton and no the Atom does not weigh a ton. It just has 500bhp.
Ariel also has added a new paddle shift gearbox to the equation. It is pneumatically powered and the company claims one can downshift five times in less than a second. Ariel hand crafts every Atom and they will sell only 25 v8 models.
The base price for a Honda powered Atom is around $50,000. A v8 version will probably double that by the time the owner has his or her way with the options sheet. One note if one wants a windshield look in the options section.
Photo Credit: Ariel USA
Jams for the dreaming ahead
Tags: sublime, atom, ariel, top gear, v8, kseries, 4 cylinder, itr, ahhhhhh
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