Ariel: Atom News
11-13-2006 | 11:33 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Moderator
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 167,694
Likes: 22,988
Trending Topics
11-14-2006 | 02:00 AM
#8
Does anyone read this
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,589
Likes: 2
From: Peace
Wow that's crazy. I wonder what the performance numbers are on that thing. But don't you think that bug engine might throw off the balance of the car?
I mean you are going from a 4 to 8 cylinder.
I mean you are going from a 4 to 8 cylinder.
11-14-2006 | 06:43 AM
#10
Pro
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 647
Likes: 0
From: Spring Hill, FL
Originally Posted by Donte99TL
But don't you think that bug engine might throw off the balance of the car?
I mean you are going from a 4 to 8 cylinder.
I mean you are going from a 4 to 8 cylinder.
It is considerably lower and 100 lbs lighter than the Ecotec so it will both drop the CG and reduce overall weight.
11-14-2006 | 10:24 AM
#13
Senior Moderator
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 21,672
Likes: 1
From: Toronto
Originally Posted by SanJoseRoller
i wish the Arial Atom had more to cover itself up with....
the rawness is a turn off to me
reminds me of my friends Tmaxx RC car and the cleaning process at the end of a fun day....
the rawness is a turn off to me
reminds me of my friends Tmaxx RC car and the cleaning process at the end of a fun day....
Ya, but thats the whole point. The thing that gives this thing such incredible performance , is its light weight. Throw back on the weight, and its just another car.
11-14-2006 | 10:33 AM
#15
Moderator
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 29,869
Likes: 3,489
Give me a turbo K20 Elise over that anyday. I'm sorry, but that thing doesn't even look like a car besides the fact that it has 4 wheels. To me the best there is is the Elise/Exige. Go any lower, and might as well just get a bike.
I know a guy who thinks the Elise is just a brand name go cart.... no resale value. I wonder if he's seen this car yet.
I know a guy who thinks the Elise is just a brand name go cart.... no resale value. I wonder if he's seen this car yet.
11-14-2006 | 10:35 AM
#16
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,622
Likes: 2
From: Lexington
Originally Posted by Ken1997TL
The Honda K20 version is street legal here. Their American HQ is in Oregon 
This is the guy I would buy in a heartbeat for the track provided I had enough $$ and provided it was reasonably safe. Enzo performance for regular people prices.
That V8 setup is tits
11-14-2006 | 10:57 AM
#18
Photography Nerd
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 21,489
Likes: 11
From: Toronto
Originally Posted by I Go To Costco
Give me a turbo K20 Elise over that anyday. I'm sorry, but that thing doesn't even look like a car besides the fact that it has 4 wheels. To me the best there is is the Elise/Exige. Go any lower, and might as well just get a bike.
The Atom is in a whole different class than an Elise. An Elise lapped the Top Gear test track in 1:35.6, but a 300HP K20 Atom did it in 1:19.5. In other words, the Atom would lap an Elise in 6 laps.
By comparison, the Enzo did it in 1.19.0. The video is on YouTube if you search.
No bike on the planet would be even remotely close. Sure they're fast in a straight line, but when you're limited to two contact patches, there's no hope they can break as deep or corner as fast.
Last edited by Dan Martin; 11-14-2006 at 11:00 AM.
Me too, but it that's how I want to go. 
11-14-2006 | 11:48 AM
#21
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 3,339
Likes: 8
From: 905
Originally Posted by Ken1997TL
The Honda K20 version is street legal here. Their American HQ is in Oregon
http://www.arielatom.com/index.php?o...=137&Itemid=30
Introduced in 2004 on the Saturn ION Red Line, the Ecotec 2.0L SC (supercharged) also powers the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt SS Supercharged coupe. It is compact and lightweight (see specs), and its Eaton M62 supercharger adds 40 percent more power to the Ecotec 2.0L engine compared to a naturally aspirated version. The M62 supercharger utilizes a helical roots compressor and integral pressure control and produces a maximum of 12 psi of boost. The boosted intake flow exits into an all-new matched intake manifold with an integral air-to-liquid heat exchange intake charge cooler system. A compact single-track, six-rib belt supercharger drive system utilizes a linear tensioning device to further strengthen the already impressive system performance and durability. A microprocessor manages the M62 supercharger, fuel, direct spark delivery systems and the engine’s 68-mm electronic throttle control (ETC) system. ETC delivers outstanding throttle response, improved reliability and better integration with cruise control electronics for greater overall performance and driveability.
11-14-2006 | 03:39 PM
#28
Originally Posted by Ken1997TL
You CAN get the K20, but there is a waiting list... supply issues apparently. 
And yes it IS street legal.
And yes it IS street legal.
That's odd. It's not hard to find a motor to throw into an RSX
11-14-2006 | 03:57 PM
#31
Pro
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 656
Likes: 21
Originally Posted by I Go To Costco
Give me a turbo K20 Elise over that anyday. I'm sorry, but that thing doesn't even look like a car besides the fact that it has 4 wheels. To me the best there is is the Elise/Exige. Go any lower, and might as well just get a bike.
I know a guy who thinks the Elise is just a brand name go cart.... no resale value. I wonder if he's seen this car yet.
I know a guy who thinks the Elise is just a brand name go cart.... no resale value. I wonder if he's seen this car yet.
If you're worried about resale values, go buy some bonds instead. You don't buy booze because you think its price will appreciate over time; you buy it to get shit-faced and plastered. Same thing here.
11-14-2006 | 04:02 PM
#32
Originally Posted by Ken1997TL
I'm actually seriously considering one next summer, I've arranged to take a spin next week.
Sweet! What's the price tag?
I really love these things.
11-14-2006 | 04:04 PM
#33
Pro
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 656
Likes: 21
Originally Posted by mrsteve
That's odd. It's not hard to find a motor to throw into an RSX
I kid, I kid ...Re: street legality, http://auto.howstuffworks.com/ariel-atom.htm
Looks like you have to build it yourself so it counts as a kit car, but if you buy it pre-built it's track only.
And Google says the price is around 36k for a base model; I didn't feel like signing up to find out.
I wonder if I could just buy a base model without the engine, and cannibalize my car for parts ...
11-14-2006 | 04:27 PM
#34
Does anyone read this
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,589
Likes: 2
From: Peace
Originally Posted by Dan Martin
The Atom is in a whole different class than an Elise. An Elise lapped the Top Gear test track in 1:35.6, but a 300HP K20 Atom did it in 1:19.5. In other words, the Atom would lap an Elise in 6 laps.
By comparison, the Enzo did it in 1.19.0. The video is on YouTube if you search.
No bike on the planet would be even remotely close. Sure they're fast in a straight line, but when you're limited to two contact patches, there's no hope they can break as deep or corner as fast.
By comparison, the Enzo did it in 1.19.0. The video is on YouTube if you search.
No bike on the planet would be even remotely close. Sure they're fast in a straight line, but when you're limited to two contact patches, there's no hope they can break as deep or corner as fast.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=CtDsAGd7uj8
11-14-2006 | 04:28 PM
#36
Is the Atom really street-legal?
If the Atom looks like a racecar and runs like a racecar, is it really legal to drive one on U.S. highways? First, let's define "street-legal." Street-legal simply means that a car meets certain government standards for motor vehicle safety. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) establishes and enforces these standards at the federal level. States may impose additional laws or regulations that further govern what vehicles are allowed on the road.
To be street-legal, an Atom must be built as a kit car. That means everything, including the engine, is shipped to the owner in pieces. An optional road pack, which includes turn signals, a horn, rear tail lights and headlamps, is also available. The owner assembles the car in his own garage, being sure to follow all appropriate, state-mandated vehicle safety guidelines. Otherwise, the Atom is sold as an off-the-road-only vehicle -- not legal on the highway, but perfectly comfortable at the local track.
If the Atom looks like a racecar and runs like a racecar, is it really legal to drive one on U.S. highways? First, let's define "street-legal." Street-legal simply means that a car meets certain government standards for motor vehicle safety. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) establishes and enforces these standards at the federal level. States may impose additional laws or regulations that further govern what vehicles are allowed on the road.
To be street-legal, an Atom must be built as a kit car. That means everything, including the engine, is shipped to the owner in pieces. An optional road pack, which includes turn signals, a horn, rear tail lights and headlamps, is also available. The owner assembles the car in his own garage, being sure to follow all appropriate, state-mandated vehicle safety guidelines. Otherwise, the Atom is sold as an off-the-road-only vehicle -- not legal on the highway, but perfectly comfortable at the local track.
11-14-2006 | 05:52 PM
#39
Couldn't you argue that you are just paying the Brammo Motorsports to put the kit together for you? Brammo doesn't manufacture the parts... they just put it together right? Therefore still street legal.
