CD Article: The Ariel Atom Experience

[CD_Editor]

Today's Feature Article:

"If you strap a cruise missile to a skateboard, you've got the Ariel Atom," reports Assistant Editor, Jil McIntosh after attending a preview of the Ariel Atom Experience, a customer racetrack event coming to Canada this summer.
   
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[wing]

Jill, did you really only get to 100mph on the back straight at Shannonville?  I expect the Atom should hit about 130mph pretty easily.

Hmmmm, possible to register it as street legal eh? hmmmmmmmm

[initial_D]

Maybe she has her heels on, foot not as heavy? 

[dr_spock]

Jill, did you really only get to 100mph on the back straight at Shannonville?  I expect the Atom should hit about 130mph pretty easily.

Hmmmm, possible to register it as street legal eh? hmmmmmmmm

Sounds like it just needs a lighting kit.  That would avoid having to tow it to the track. 

[Trainman]

Hmmmm, possible to register it as street legal eh? hmmmmmmmm

Pretty easy I see:


"The cars are considered off-road vehicles for track use, and that's the only way Trak Motorsports will sell you one, but while I was at the event, Toronto-based Chip Petrillo roared up in his, which he says is the only one licensed for the road in Canada. He said he had no difficulty obtaining his plates, but prospective buyers will have to deal with their respective licensing offices; you will need a light package, though, which Brammo offers as an option, and which includes headlights, backup lights and turn signals. The car's fuel requirement is run-of-the-mill premium gasoline, so keeping it going isn't a problem on city streets."

[auto_enthusiast]

I'd love to have one as a weekend/track car for some face distorting fun.

[Snowman]

  So……I spend $50k and than I’m at the mercy of an employee at a licensing office if it gets on the road or not?

[wing]

It can't be the licensing office.  It will require a safety for sure and probably a RIV inspection whatever it is called.  Might be up to the guy at CanadianTire that does the inspection to ensure it is road legal.

[UmroAyyar]

The article exudes excitement, passion, exhilaration. Just like this car ought to be.

"the AAE will put you into the car for a half or a full day, with prices ranging from $495 to $1,750 per person, including a gourmet lunch (and it really is gourmet), the use of racing suits and helmets, take-home branded apparel, photographs and an in-car video. Should you be sufficiently enamoured to want one of your own - and I can't imagine anyone who wouldn't - the cost of the program can be deducted from the price of the car."

  This is tempting.

[jww]

I'd love to have one as a weekend/track car for some face distorting fun.

Dontcha just love Clarkson? I think I recall that the Atom is street legal in the UK - I remember Clarkson's review mentioning that the tiny clear-lip thing called a windscreen was one of the 'compromises' Ariel made on this thing. Really though, how many would you expect to be seen driving around anyway?

I must admit it's sure pretty slick though. 

[Jameel]

Yah it is road legal in the UK.  Their rules are a bit more lax compared to ours'.  That's why so many niche vehicles are created in the UK like the, Atom, Caterham, Noble, Radical, etc...

Great car.  It gives you the visceral excitement of a bike with the added safety of a car.

Since this car is manufactured in the US (by Brammo) does that mean we don't have to pay the 6% duty?

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Well written entertaining article.

Would be great for you Wing 

In the photo with the owner, would think the side steel tubular bar (where their hands/elbows are resting) would get hot. No? And I'd sure hate to get pelted with a rock.

[mdxtasy]

In the photo with the owner, would think the side steel tubular bar (where their hands/elbows are resting) would get hot. No? And I'd sure hate to get pelted with a rock.

I was thinking the same thing....no windscreen (imagine taking a rock off the forehead at 70kph)....but I'm sure the open cockpit is great for ventilation. 

He's snug in there too.  As much as I think the Atom is a great performer, it's better on track methinks. 

[Jameel]

I would wear a helmet on the road as well. Imagine getting a rock in the face.  I've gotten hit with a small rock in the leg on my motorcycle on the highway and that hurt like hell, I can just imagine a rock to the face.

It's basically a bike with four wheels.

[Arthur Dent]

licensing would vary by province. Likely you have to go through something like the home built type inspection (a like more than a RIV inspection). You are really at the mercy of the inspector. They might make you create hydralic ram bumpers, change suspension parts, etc like one Locost builder from BC. Or they might just do a basic safety (brakes, lights, belts, etc).

Jameel - you'd pay 6% GST at the time of importation. Can't get around that. But if from the UK would be another 6% duty.

[ovr50]

Get a bug in your eye at speed in that thing, and it'll come out the back of your head. I think a windscreen would be useful....no??

Think I'm past the stage where I consider this kind of self-abuse to be fun...

[safristi]

ATOM...............smashing.... ..cheaper than a hair drier OR a plastic surgeon....

[Eric Green]

Having owned a Lotus 7 S2, this little fellow really appeals. It is certainly a better performance value than a Caterham (heck, it's a better performance value than an Enzo!).

Colin Chapman would entirely approve.

[Giant Dwarf]

I agree with many of the sentiments:  good article; neat machine; a bumble bee hitting me in the throat at 120 km/h would be scary -- with or without a helmet!

$495 for a half-day, huh?  That's about what the entry program at the BMW driver training events costs too I think only this would be a LOT more fun!

[wing]

Wait until you see tomorrow's "Feature Article"