US-only 365bhp turbocharged track-monster has landed. Get ready to have your face melted





TMI AutoTech is an American company that has been exclusively manufacturing the Ariel Atom for the US market since 2008. You'll remember the Atom. It's great.

Today, we see TMI's newest model, the Atom 3S, which Ariel UK confirmed is only destined for the States. In short, it is a 365bhp turbocharged go-kart packing enough performance to melt your face. You know what we're talking about.

The 3S uses a 2.4-litre Honda VTEC four-pot engine with a Borg-Warner turbocharger, an electric fuel pump, twin fuel filters, aluminium radiators, a sealed intake snorkel and a K&N air filter, and of course, a custom stainless steel exhaust system.

There are adjustable dampers and pushrods, other such lightweight elements to the chassis, a bespoke traction control system, a six-speed gearbox with a limited slip diff, a better clutch and the option of a sequential paddle shift ‘box.

The brakes are 290mm vented versions, it weighs just 612kg, comes with an LCD digital dash display, and, erm, is really, really fast.

How fast? 0-60mph takes less than 2.8 seconds. It'll go from 0-100mph in 6.7 seconds, run a quarter mile in 10.7 seconds, and complete a lap of the Virginia International Raceway in 1m 58s.

"It is more than just a horsepower figure, or drag strip time that makes me love this car," explains TMI VP Mark Swain. "It is the smooth power delivery, the sound of the turbocharger, and the relentless push back into the seat."

It sounds like a riot. Though over here in the UK we'll still get the bombastic 3.5 R, which is more than enough to warp vital parts of your anatomy, thanks in part to 350bhp from a supercharged 2.0-litre engine. 0-60mph in this car takes just 2.5s and will rock on to 100mph in under six.

 

no 4g63?

i can only imagine that it would be ridicously fun in the track.

 

having never driven an Atom, but I think a strung out NA engine would be the best fit for a car like that... something like a 300ish whp K20 or whatever...

 

Like a 500 HP, 3.0L V8 (derived from a pair of Hayabusa motors?

 

Perfection. I would really love to drive this. I have driven a standard Ariel Atom, I can only imagine how this would be.

 

well that obviously.. but that one is really expensive... a built NA K20 would be much cheaper... and it'd still have a good old fashioned manual tranny... not that even the cheapest Atom is a toy I can afford to buy, I'm having a hard time swallowing 3k for a bike

 

it is a nice toy. Fast and sounds good. But it is only strictly a toy.
I happenned to run against one last hill climb and two something similar then the Ariel atom. They runned fast times, but nothing spectacular, which you would guess they will with all those numbers on paper. I am guessing they are really need a good driver to get those numbers down and a lots of practice.

Regardless i would def, would race one in hill climbs seems to me they build for that more then track

 

Hot Damn

 

love it!

 

Something about the Atom seems to draw guys who can't drive. It might just be that by the time someone has the means to drop $50k on a frivolous toy, they don't have the "flat out" mentality anymore. And the Atom does have a flaw, in that there isn't enough weight on the front tires so the car tends to push badly, and I think most guys tend to baby them a bit because of that.

In that video, it seemed like he was leaving a lot on the table... although a hillclimb would probably exacerbate the understeer.

 

I want an enclosed sportscar than an open faced kart racer. What is speed if you can't enjoy it safely. That's why I don't understand why they make a 997 turbo convertible.

 

I'm guessing most 997 Turbo Cabrio buyers aren't driving the car fast.

 

I happen to know one of the most accomplished Ariel Atom Cup racer in USA, who is also Spec Miata National Champion, and sports car racer.
He runs 1.33s at Laguna in his 2006 Ariel Atom with Stock K20, exactly the same lap times as Formula Mazda.
Atom has ZERO aero. No wings. Purely mechanical grip.
However, it has been setup to perfection, by his expert hand.

He competes straight up against turbocharged and supercharged Ariel Atoms...and he beats them!!!

Although any one of them will be faster down the straightaway such as few at Laguna...its a power track...with no Aero and such incredible speed, braking and acceleration become so challenging that you end up going slower even if quiet an expert.

To give you a prospective: normal SCCA DSR P2 car lap times will be 1.30 at Laguna, with best of 1.27-1.28. They pull 3G through corners, weigh 980lb and run GSXR1000 motors, K20 motors, and Duratec Motors (K20 and Duratec make ~220bhp, GSXR1000 makes 250bhp- but less torque).

SCCA DSR P1 cars are faster due to more aero and tire patch.

But imagine now an Ariel turbo running probably 2 seconds faster objectively than K20 only: 1.31...right at decent P2 DSR lap time...but no aero..its insane..its virtually impossible to string a perfect lap..maybe occasionally but you are at the edge where even on power track like Laguna its too much.

That is why K20 won and continues winning!

So this is a toy for those 1/2 mile competitions, and for showing off on freeway, but for canyon driving, its K20 all the way

 

I agree with this, from the first time I saw an Atom, this was my impression of it. Not my idea of a track toy... but looks like a helluva fun toy to drive around everywhere else! and yes, with a K20