At Last! I Finally Drive An Ariel Atom - Was It Worth The Wait?

After years of waiting, the day is finally here! I get to drive the incredible Ariel Atom. This is a 3.5R - a supercharged example with the Honda K20, putting out some 310HP.

This video was made possible thanks to Josh from Supercharged Performance in Suffolk - check them out for any tuning requirements

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#Ariel #Atom #Supercharged

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[EconomicsMate]

Clarkson said it best about the atom: "You don't need a motorbike to have fun. Now you can do that, even more so, with 4 wheels"

[jamesstanley]

Only half way throught the video, but has to be said... Great job with the sound for the driving part!

[thedetailingdoctor]

Have to commend you for all the charity rides you’ve done this year mate very good of you!

[RussellSmithOmegaW]

I have had a track day in one of these. Passenger seat, I'll grant, but the best way I could have appreciated it at the time. Crash helmet on and you're right - haven't been in anything like it before or since. We were going round corners pretty much sideways as far as I could tell; the brake and accelerator had merged into one hive entity and we were getting round the track as if we were in some kind of time loop. It was unreal. I recognised every one of those noises made by the driver because that's the only reaction you can have in that thing sometimes. Were I to come into money and had the storage space, I'd be straight on that waiting list, I can assure everyone here; they are something else! Brought back some very pleasant memories, that.

[markymarkreviews]

Had no idea you had never tested one of these. Owned mine for 9+ years now. Same model but no SC. Thought I would have one fitted later but fast enough as it was/is!. Done 24, 000 miles in mine! At one stage there was a 2-3+ year waiting list pre-pandemic! 33mpg overall. 40mpg on a run. Decent range of 250-300 miles as it has a small fuel tank. And yes just as much fun going at 20-30mph as it is going 100+mph. And EVERYBODY of ALL AGES smiles and waves at you! It is a true "joy machine". And Honda engine, clutch and gearbox bomb-proof reliability.

[sionjones]

Driven one of the new ones on track, nowhere near the limit, but it was a hot day and the tires were very sticky, so managed to get some good speed around the corners even without feeling like I was pushing it. It felt incredible, easily the best car I've driven on track. With the insane grip all that torque from the turbo actually feels fantastic, don't know how it compares to the older one though because I've not driven one. Felt strange having stones fly up and hit my legs, and the rear got a bit wobbly under hard braking (probably my fault).

[philhough]

That’s my old Atom, indeed I recall offering you a drive in it many moons ago. Good to see they’ve upgraded the seats.

[davebarron]

What a Hoot! And a great day you had, Cheers to you and thanks for taking us for a ride!

[jaydub]

I always wanted to drive an Atom, but I'll never find one all the way over here in Alaska.
The Ariel Nomad is one of my top 5 dream vehicles, because it would be perfect for the Great Alaskan Backcountry!

[KarlAdamsAudio]

Thoroughly enjoyed that - and the in-car audio was just fine. If you ever get a chance to drive the Light Car Company Rocket, I'd be interested to know how it compares.

[RogerBaileyOnCars]

Yes it will spin very easily, I know this having spun one several times at Bedford circuit, the engine centre of gravity being too high. Great video JM I was along with you all the way ! - best - RB

[Garage]

Despite the atom 4 being turbocharged, they really have taken the car to yet another level, I was fortunate enough to experience it at the limit and beyond on track and it is very playful and predictable even with that weight behind you, I cannot put into words how excellent it was in every sense and I'd encourage you to try to get your hands on one for the day

[omg_atom]

You've gotta try an Atom 4. Ariel really moved things along so much from the older cars (and they were already brilliant).

[andytomlinson]

I love savage minimalist cars. There's no need for massive speed or power to make something as stripped out as an Atom exciting.

That's most interesting about the glasses (6:29).
I had a ride along at Donnington in an Atom, and it did the same thing to the helmet. First it would try to lift my head off then it was pulling the helmet forward and down.

[alexscarbro]

Thankfully the smile on your face stopped your sun glasses coming off 😊 Fantastic!

[Gorbyrev]

The fastest scaffolding in the West Country :) Caterhams are mental enough. What this feels like I can only imagine!

[simoncouldry]

Just an absolute weapon on track, especially with someone who can pedal! The roll oversteer can catch out the unwary as I found out as I spun it at walking pace…. Thank god I had a helmet on to cover my red faced embarrassment! Great video as always! 👍🏻

[davidarter]

What a fantastic car! Raw driving at its very best! Thankyou, James, that was marvellous.

[eze]

Glad you enjoyed it J! Picked a good day for it to! I was reminded of your Zenos drive & all the whoosh, whooshing, & you then mentioned it. Atom SC didn't disturb the audio at all.🙏🙏

[MrRoyck]

This is what a sports car is all about, it requires a skilled driver to exploit the limits, unlike contemporary cars are all computer aided where you can drive it extremely fast with little skills as the computer goes all the hard work with it traction control. You got to love Ariel Atom for its unforgiving approach.