Ariel Atom

If the Focus RS is a hot-hatch heavyweight, the Ariel Atom is a featherweight with a knockout punch. No other roadgoing 300bhp vehicle has the performance to match this supercharged sports car.

We’re already big fans of the beautifully engineered Atom, after it matched the Porsche 911 Turbo in our 0-60mph road test special in Issue 1,050. However, wet weather stopped us from fully exploiting its potential, so we jumped at the chance to line it up against the Focus RS for another attempt.

With its skeletal chassis and exposed mechanicals, the Atom is designed to deliver pace, handling, thrills and nothing else. Power is from the same engine you’ll find under the bonnet of the current Honda Civic Type R, but the addition of a supercharger adds some serious punch to the high-revving i-VTEC unit.

It produces a modest 219Nm of torque, which doesn’t sound like much when compared to the Ford’s 440Nm. The Atom weighs only 550kg, though, which is 1,097kg less than the RS. Fill the John Deere’s cavernous 681-litre fuel tank, and the diesel alone weighs 62kg more than the Ariel!

This low kerbweight means the Atom’s performance is explosive. Ariel claims it can sprint from 0-62mph in only 2.7 seconds. With two people and a full tank of fuel, we achieved a 0-60mph time of 3.7 seconds – the quickest Auto Express has ever recorded.

From behind the wheel you don’t need to see the performance figures to know the Atom is fast. As soon as the screech of the supercharger heralds the arrival of full power, acceleration is ferocious.

With the intoxicating sound of the engine – and the wind howling past your body – the Ariel assaults all of your senses. The 2.0-litre engine revs at such a furious rate, the gearchange lights on the rev counter seem to blink constantly. With this much power and so little weight, getting off the line cleanly needs a delicate touch. But get it right and you launch into the distance at a staggering rate. In-gear performance is equally impressive, and once the supercharger is spinning, the Ariel responds regardless of which gear you are in. It takes only 2.6 seconds to race from 50-70mph in fifth. In corners, the delicate chassis, communicative brakes and precise steering mean the Atom is thrilling to drive.

It demands skill and concentration to make the most of it, yet few cars are as intense. Taking it on the road is a unique experience. With a relatively supple ride and decent steering lock, it is surprisingly capable. But it’s on the test track that the Atom really comes alive. Ariel has created a car that’s as close to a competition machine as road rules allow.

In detail:
* Price: From £40,000
* Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl s’charged
* Power: 300bhp
* Torque: 219Nm
* 0-60mph: 3.7 seconds
* Economy: N/A
 

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