CAR deputy editor Hannes Oosthuizen recently got to grips with this remarkable piece of machinery and declared it to be the most visceral and adrenaline-fuelled drive he’s experienced since he piloted a Renault F1 car a couple of years ago.
The Atom 3 is powered by a 2,0-litre unit sourced from the Honda Civic Type-R. Ariel has tweaked the manifold and ECU whilst adding a ram -air system, the result of which is an output of 164 kW at 8 200 r/min…combine that with the 509 kg kerb wieght and you’ve got an exoskeletal road-legal racer with a power-to-weight ratio capable of humbling many supercars.
How did Hannes fare with this formidable vehicle? You’ll have to read the June 2010 issue to find out (on sale from May 24). In the meantime, check out som eof the stunning photography from the road test shoot.