Ariel, Atom Little Known Facts

• 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.