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Ariel Atom Series III

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Old 05-06-2009, 06:28 PM
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Ariel Atom Series III






Specifications - Ariel Atom 3 - Base Price $65,000

Drivetrain
* Engine : '09 Honda K20 (Drive By Wire)
* Transmission : 6-speed Close-Ratio Syncromesh

Chassis
* Bronze Welded DOM/ERW Steel Tubing
* Powder Coated
* Left Hand Drive
* Aluminum Bulkheads

Brakes (4 Piston Calipers)
* Sport Version
* Track Version

Suspension
* Double unequal length fabricated wishbones
* Lightweight fabricated uprights
* Rocker Arm/Pushrod Type
* Adjustable Rod Ends
* Adjustable Push Rods

Steering
* Rack and Pinion cast alloy steering rack
* Quick Ratio

Body
* Non-structural composite panels

Dimensions
* Length 3410mm (134 inches)
* Height 1195mm (47 inches)
* Width 1798mm (70.5 inches)
* Track 1600mm (63 inches)
* Wheelbase 2345mm (92.3 inches)

Curb Weight
* 1,400 lbs

Power-to-Weight
* 5.7 lbs/bhp (245bhp)
* 4.7 lbs/bhp (300bhp)

Performance
* 0-60 sub 3 seconds
* 0-100-0 sub 11 seconds


FAQ
Q – What is the Base Price of an Ariel Atom 3?
A - The base price of an Ariel Atom 3 is $65,000 USD

Q – How do I buy an Ariel Atom 3?
A – Contact TMI AutoTech, Inc. directly to discuss what specifications will best suit your desired end use.

Q – How many different models of Ariel Atoms are available?
A – Each vehicle is built to owner’s specifications and start as a base vehicle with options being added.

Q - Can I get an Ariel Atom 3 with a Honda Drivetrain?
A – Yes. All North American built Ariel Atom 3’s utilize a Japanese specification 2.0L Honda engine.

Q – What are some differences between an Ariel Atom 2 and an Ariel Atom 3?
A – The main difference in North America is the exclusive use of Honda engines within the Ariel Atom 3 platform; The previous Ariel Atom 2’s, for the most part, utilized a GM Ecotec engine. The chassis of the Ariel Atom 3 is also slightly modified to allow for more interior space and lighter weight.

Q – Is this the vehicle I saw on Top Gear?
A – Yes! The Ariel Atom received rave reviews from Top Gear as well as numerous other automotive experts. The performance of the Ariel Atom is definitely world class! If you have not seen the Ariel Atom in action then check our gallery that has some great videos.

Q - Can I Purchase the Ariel Atom 3 as a Kit Car?
A - A 'Partial Assembly' option is available from TMI.

Q – Is there a windshield option?
A – Yes. It will be available soon.

Q – Where are North American Ariel Atoms built?
A – The Ariel Atom is built at a dedicated facility located within the Raceplex at Virginia International Raceway

Q – Is there financing available through TMI AutoTech, Inc.?
A – No. The standard payment schedule is broken down into 4 payments of 25% spread out over the build time of your vehicle.

Q – Is there a lighting kit available?
A – Yes. We can provide a kit including Headlights, Turn Signals, Brake Lights, and Horn.



Ariel Atom 500 V8

Ariel announce the latest version of the Atom - the Ariel Atom 500, powered by a small V8 engine. With over 500bhp in a 500kilo package the Atom 500 will boast one of the highest power to weight ratios ever for a production car, ever. At over 1000bhp per tonne the Atom 500 will be the ultimate statement in performance and is destined to be made in a limited edition.

The V8 powered Atom is the first of some exciting developments from Ariel due to be released though 2008 and builds on the growing reputation that the company has for putting the passion back into driving and producing cars that are fun to drive as well as fast both on and off the track.

The 500 started life as a one off special project with RS Developments in 2007 and features the Russell Savory designed 2.4 litre V8 engine coupled to a 6 speed sequential Sadev gearbox. Developing over 500bhp at 10,000rpm the supercharged engine features all alloy construction, 5 valves per cylinder and a dry sump. The gearbox will have flatshift capability, a paddle gearchange with manual override as well as launch and traction controls.

Recognisable by the twin rear intakes for intercoolers the Atom 500 will feature a unique colour scheme for chassis, wheels and bodywork combined with carbon fibre panels and carbon fibre aerofoils. Other features will include chromemoly aerofoil wishbones, integrated function steering wheel, Alcon 4 pot caliper brakes and Dymag magnesium wheels.

Said Simon Saunders, Director of Ariel, 'This is an interesting project for us and an experimental departure from what we normally produce. For a few customers the Atom 500 will be the ultimate expression of lightweight performance and represents the outer limits of what is achievable in a road registered car. We also use this sort of project to explore the possibilities of how we can improve our standard cars. The Honda engined production cars already combine all the elements that we want in an Atom and by pushing the envelope to these sorts of extremes we can further improve the breed'.

The Atom 500 will be produced in Somerset at the new Ariel factory with the first car available from Spring this year. Prices have not yet been finalised but Ariel's commitment to performance for value will ensure that the Atom 500 is competitive in cost as well as performance.

With the standard Atom 300 already achieving sub 3 second times to 60mph and sub 7 second times to 100mph, the 500 will take this one stage further with record breaking production car possibilities.

 
  #2  
Old 05-06-2009, 06:33 PM
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I want the last one!
 
  #3  
Old 05-06-2009, 06:37 PM
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Ariel Atom Series 3

Originally the product of a very small manufacturer from Somerset in Britain -- just seven people make up its staff -- the Ariel Atom 3 is made under license in the US and Canada by Brammo Motorsports, which began producing the car in late 2005. Regardless of where it's made, however, the Atom is often billed as one of the most unique high-performance car ever known: the tubular chassis not only supports the car but replaces the nearly entire body that would be used on nearly any other vehicle. This exposes virtually every component to the elements, from the front brakes to the engine, but also drops the car's curb weight to just half a ton -- making it far faster and more nimble than most supercars. In some regions, including parts of the US, the Atom is road-legal and can be driven to and from the track.

The Atom is considered something of a celebrity car and counts Tonight Show host Jay Leno as well as Top Gear reviewer Jeremy Clarkson among its fans.

That's in no small part due to the sheer power-to-weight ratio afforded by Ariel's engine choices. While the Honda Civic i-VTEC engine from the UK version can alternately be replaced with a GM Ecotec powerplant in North America -- the same engine used in many budget Chevrolet and Pontiac cars -- various tuning options can boost the speed of cars with either engine well above that of just about anything on the road. Brammo will fit a basic car with a factory-stock 145 hp Ecotec engine but will supercharge either that or the Honda engine to varying degrees, culminating at 300 hp with 250 pound-feet of torque. With so little weight to move around, the Atom at this maximum trim level can generate 600 hp per ton; that's more than even the 1,001 hp Bugatti Veyron (which nets 481 hp/ton) and is enough to catapult the car to 60 mph in less than 3 seconds.

The use of run-of-the-mill engines also has the unique upshot of dramatically reducing the costs of reaching this speed: while the exact costs of a top-spec model vary widely based on performance packs, a base car currently starts at well under $50,000, or a fraction the price of far slower exotics.

Trim levels

The first choice prospective Atom buyers will face is whether they want pre-assembled models or to build the cars themselves from kits. The latter option is more difficult but is also the only way to drive the car somewhere besides the track: an optional road-going pack usually has to be installed to meet US safety regulations for lights, protection, and even rear-view mirrors.

In addition to the road pack and the powerplants, which include 205 hp and 245 hp variants, drivers can deck out the Atom with any number of performance enhancements. The transmission is Most of these involve carbon fiber: the fenders, mirror housings, nose, race tub, and even the instrument cluster panel can be replaced with the ultralight material in place of the usual fiberglass. It's also possible to upgrade from a five-speed manual transmission to a six-speed, select competition-grade seat belts, and add a rear wing for extra downforce.

For the few comforts available in such a minimalist car, the Atom can also be equipped with improved seats, a 12-volt power port for accessories, and billeted aluminum for both the handbrake and the pedals.


From Road & Track:


Ariel Atom 3 - Specialty File

Small tweaks and a berserk Honda powertrain make the near-perfect Atom lighter, faster, and better.

BY DAVE VANDERWERP, PHOTOGRAPHY BY VICTOR NEWMAN June 2009

Those who weren’t among the half-dozen anxious souls who had an Atom on order as its former U.S. builder, Brammo Motorsports, closed its doors are excused for missing the track toy’s one-year hiatus. The builder’s baton has since been passed to TMI AutoTech, a recently formed U.S. subsidiary of Canadian firm Trak Motorsports, which ran the Ariel Atom Experience [Upfront, October 2007] and, in March 2008, set up operations in a 10,000-square-foot warehouse on the grounds of Virginia International Raceway. The first Atom emerged in January from TMI’s facility, where the steel-tube frame is bent and welded and the car is painstakingly hand-built by the company’s five employees. TMI plans to produce 50 cars this year and with additional staff, 100 the next.

This latest Atom 3, as distinguished from the first model sold here, Brammo’s Atom 2, is now essentially identical to the version built in the U.K. and sold in the rest of the world. Changes include Honda-only powertrains—the majority of Atom 2s were powered by the Chevy Cobalt SS’s supercharged 2.0-liter—as well as seemingly small but important tweaks such as specifically tuned Bilstein shocks that replace the off-the-shelf Konis, and slight modifications to the frame, suspension, and seats.

The base price has increased significantly, to $65,000, and the options list, as before, is long. Our car had most of the performance-enhancing goods, including Alcon four-piston brakes ($3975), 10-way-adjustable shocks ($2720), and one of the most popular options, a nonintercooled Jackson Racing supercharger ($8500) that adds 7 psi of boost and 55 horsepower.
 
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Old 05-06-2009, 06:42 PM
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  #5  
Old 05-06-2009, 07:24 PM
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I want one :(
 
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