Ariel launches new Ace motorcycle

Ariel is launching an all-new motorcycle for the first time in 50 years. Called the Ace, between 100 and 150 versions of the bike will be built each year alongside the Atom sports car at the Somerset brand’s Crewkerne factory. 

The Ariel Ace is already available to order, priced from £20,000, and will enter production from the start of 2015. The final cost of any given bike is likely to vary significantly though, as the options list is extensive – changes can be made to the seat height, footrests, brake and gear levers, handlebars, as well as the tank size, wheels, exhausts, bodywork and finish.

That’s because just like the Atom, each Ace motorcycle will be hand built by one Ariel technician in an independent build bay – customers will even be able to visit their bike during the manufacturing process.

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Power will come from a Honda 1237cc V4 engine, offering 173bhp and 131Nm of torque. 0-62 is said to take 3.4 seconds alongside a claimed top speed of 165mph, with Ariel claiming the Ace’s performance “has been aimed at the average rider being able to extract comfortable and consistently attainable performance”.

This unit can be paired to a six-speed manual or dual clutch transmission with sport and manual push button control. Underpinning the Ace is an aluminium space frame that echoes the Atom’s exposed chassis while making use of bespoke materials and design.

Ariel has also guaranteed its new motorbike can be returned to the factory when new upgrades become available. It already runs this option for the Atom, allowing modifications to be fitted at any time as and when customers desire.

To begin with, features for the Ace include five- and seven-spoke alloys with optional lightweight carbon fibre and aluminium wheels. There’ll be a choice of Dunlop tyres, too, and all in-car instruments will come via Race Technologies-developed LCD dash – the same on found on the Atom. This allows for programmable gearshift lights and multi-screen information feedback.