The Ariel Atom was designed by Chris Harding, an engineer at Ariel Racing Company in the UK.
It has no rear or side panels, and features an open cockpit design for improved aerodynamics.
The car's minimalist approach allows it to weigh as little as 520 kg (1,146 lbs) with a dry weight of 480 kg (1,058 lbs).
The first production Ariel Atom was built in 1998.
Initial models were powered by a 4-cylinder Rover K-Series engine producing 115 horsepower.
Top speed for the base model is approximately 130 mph (209 km/h), but high-performance versions can reach speeds of up to 170 mph (274 km/h).
The Ariel Atom has won numerous awards, including the 2003 British Engineering Excellence Award and the 2011 IED Automotive Design Prize.
It features a unique, tubular steel chassis designed to be extremely strong yet lightweight.
All models have a differential on the right axle only; the left rear wheel is free-rolling for improved agility.
The car has no airbags or safety cage.
As of 2020, there are several companies licensed by Ariel Racing Company to manufacture and sell the Atom in various countries worldwide.
The Ariel Atom has been featured in numerous films and television shows, including Fast & Furious: Tokyo Drift (2006) and Need for Speed: Most Wanted (2012).
Chris Harding is the designer of the Aston Martin Vulcan hypercar as well.
Top speed can be reached at only 3rd gear in high-performance models.
The production version has been built from carbon fiber composite body parts, aluminum suspension components.
It was designed to meet the needs of circuit and track racing enthusiasts.
