You can login to your account or create a new account.
You can login to your account or create a new account.
You can login to your account or create a new account.
The first version ever of the Ariel Atom was born from a 1996 student project at the Coventry University, which was run by transport design student Nik Smart. In his project, Nik named it Lightweight Sports Car (LSC) and it had the fund and help of several relevant members from the automotive industry, such as TWR and British Steel, amongst others. The British company’s owner, Simon Saunders, had been dreaming about a revitalization for Ariel and, therefore, totally backed this project up both financially and as a design critic. The Ariel Atom finally saw the light of day at the 1996 British International Motor Show in Birmingham, where it was publicly released.
topThe first incarnation of the Ariel Atom was launched with a 1.8-liter, 125 hp engine, which worked with the help of a 5-speed manual transmission. The Atom 1 could go from 0 to 60 mi/h in 5.6 seconds and ultimately reach a 115 mi/h (185 km/h) top speed.
topHand-built exposed tubular chassis (exoskelet). Platform
Suspension
Front and rear independent control arms with coil springs and anti-roll bar.
Steering
Rack and pinion.
Brakes
Front and rear disc brakes.
topAriel
James Staley and William Hillman established the first Ariel company in 1870, where they started out by producing Ariel-badged penny-farthing bicycles and sewing machines. They had invented the wire-spoke wheel and then they opened their factory to sell lighter-weight bicycles, naming them after the spirit of the air (Ariel). Not until 1896 would Ariel expand production to motorized vehicles. Although Ariel eventually stood out because of their motorcyc... more
