Ariel makes a new faster Atom 3.5R

Ariel Motor Company makes a new “more intense” sports car called the Ariel Atom 3.5R

The new Ariel Atom is set just about every sports car that came before it — even previous Atoms. The Ariel Atom 3.5R is faster, bolder and, summed up by Ariel itself, “more intense”.

The Ariel Atom 3.5R produces 350bhp from its 2-litre Honda engine. By increasing the boost from 7.5psi to 11psi, Ariel has squeezed 35 extra horses from the supercharged Honda Type-R engine. 

As a result the Atom 3.5R delivers a punchy 0-60mph acceleration time of 2.5 seconds — down from is down the 2.7 seconds achieved by the Ariel Atom 3.5.

A six-speed sequestial manual transmission helps you tame the 3.5R’s four-cylinder 1998cc engine with swift shifts that take just 40 milliseconds. What’s more, Ariel has revised the chassis to improve the car’s response to that additional power. Corner handling improves with a limited slip differential, while Ohlins adjustable TTX dampers and springs make for a comfier ride. 

The exoskeletal speedmachine is a road-legal, two seater sports car, deriving its unusual design from single-seaters.

Production numbers rarely exceed 100 so you might have to get your Atom fix by borowing one at a track day.