Driving the standard school-issue Atom 2 is an unbelievably raw experience. Getting in is where the fun begins, as it is a little unorthodox in comparison to a regular road-going sports car. Step over the skeleton side of the cockpit, stand on the seat, and feed your legs into the footwell while sinking into the deeply bolstered Sparco race seat. After finding a comfortable seating position/pedal distance via the sliding seat, you're strapped in place with a five-point harness and your helmet is connected to the two-way intercom. The Alcantara sport steering wheel can then be clipped into position in front of the minimalist dash with speedo and tach equally featured. The Atom 2 is equipped with a 2.0-liter, 245hp supercharged GM Ecotec four-banger mated to a five-speed manual transaxle. Zero-to-60 acceleration times have been conservatively clocked at 3 seconds--comparable to an Enzo Ferrari. Note that Honda four-cylinder K20A i-VTEC engines are standard for the new Atom 3 (see sidebar). The manual steering and brakes require a little more effort and take a little bit of getting used to. But once in your comfort zone, the controls are well oriented and intuitive. The shifting is ultra slick and short, and can be done as fast as you can muster, making forward progression really rather satisfying. Of course, the low open-air cockpit provides a fresh new perspective on things, especially on a wet day, and external helmet visor hygiene is absolutely essential! The road feel, handling, and braking is where the Atom really excels, although we felt that the front end feedback near the limit may have been muted slightly due to the "school" suspension setup (adjusted to understeer slightly for safety).
The Experience is an indulgence of speed and race technology affordable to most enthusiasts. The roadshow will likely make a stop near you in 2009. Barring that, TMI Motorsport promises an expanded schedule for the Experience at VIR.
What you get at the Ariel Atom Experience
Use of an immaculate fleet of track-equipped Ariel Atoms
Use of driving equipment: race suit, gloves, and full-face helmet with two- way intercom
Extensive track time driving the AtomGroup classroom driving theory and track protocol sessions
One-on-one in-car professional instruction
Gourmet food and refreshments
Comfortable "pro racing" trackside hospitality facilities
In-car video
AAE-branded apparel for you to keep
Pricing*
$795 to $2,195 per day
The Ariel Atom Experience
905.726.8623
www.arielatomexperience.com
Ariel Motor Company
www.arielmotor.co.uk
TMI AutoTech, Inc.
434.822.9130
www.arielatom.com
Car Spec: Ariel atom 3
Chassis
Bronze-welded ERW/CDS steel tube frame
Engine
Honda K20A; 2.0-liter I4, dohc, 16-valve, i-VTEC valve timing
Transmission
Six-speed manual
Suspension
Dual wishbone front and rear, outboard adjustable rod ends, Eibach coil springs, inboard Bilstein dampers
Brakes
Two-piston calipers, 240mm solid rotors
Wheels and Tires
Cast alloys, 6x15
Yokohama Advan, 195/50
Curb Weight
550kg (~1,210lb; lighter than the Atom 2 by 150 lb)
Options
Supercharged engine (300 hp), $8,500; Alcon Brake Upgrade, $3,975; Bilstein 10-way adjustable dampers, $2,720; Lighting Package, $1,300; Glass Windshield, $TBA