Talk:Ariel Atom

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Is this car street legal?

Legal in UK. Not sure about other countries. Shawnc 00:12, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
Legal in New Zealand with the road pack.[1] Shawnc 00:23, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
May be legal in some US states: "Although not street legal, the Atom is available as a kit. That makes it eligible for registration and street driving in some states. Reports have suggested that several (including the model Leno ordered) have already been registered with the notoriously thorny California DMV."[2] Shawnc 00:36, 22 April 2006 (UTC)

Should there be a mention of this car being raced against a Honda CBR-something on Top Gear? With the same engine, the Atom won by quite a few seconds. Counterfit

It was raced against the 600rr. It's the least sporty of the 600 class (kawasaki's zx636r/zx6r, suzuki's gsx600r, yamaha's yzfr6/r6). The comparison, bikers argue, is unfair as the 600rr is the least fitting motorcycle to 'race' the atom2, suggesting either the 1liter kawasaki zx10r or suzuki gsx1000r. That way the race will be closer and we could compare the two vehicles better. GeorgeTsiros

Contents

[edit] Info Box

I know that it is stret legal in Oregon, the ashland oregon plant that builds them makes them legal for oregon, and in a way, legal for most states because oregon is rather strict in what is allowed for vehicles. Does anyone have enough information for a wikipedia car infobox to be added to this article? 84.65.86.111 19:13, 11 June 2006 (UTC)

  • Sure doesn't look like it. Here is the complete list. We should have at least the important ones I would think.
{{Infobox Automobile
| image        = 
| name         = Ariel Atom
| manufacturer = Ariel
| production   = 
| class        = 
| platform     = 
| body_style   = Open body 2 seater
| engine       = 1998cc inline 4 cylinder
| transmission = 6 Speed Manual
| length       = 3410mm
| width        = 1798mm
| height       = 1195mm
| weight       = 456kgs
| predecessor  = n/a
| successor    = n/a
| aka          = 
| related      = 
| similar      = 
| designer     = Simon Saunders Automotive Design
}}
Wikibofh(talk) 23:10, 11 June 2006 (UTC)

[edit] YouTube links

This article is one of thousands on Wikipedia that have a link to YouTube in it. Based on the External links policy, most of these should probably be removed. I'm putting this message here, on this talk page, to request the regular editors take a look at the link and make sure it doesn't violate policy. In short: 1. 99% of the time YouTube should not be used as a source. 2. We must not link to material that violates someones copyright. If you are not sure if the link on this article should be removed or you would like to help spread this message contact us on this page. Thanks, ---J.S (t|c) 06:22, 8 November 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Versions

Information about the Ariel Atom and Ariel Atom 2, etc. --70.111.218.254 18:09, 22 November 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Does anyone know why in US they use a different engine?

I remember watching Jay Leno talking about the small block Chevy engine for ariel atom. but I don't know why they bother. why not just use the original honda engine? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 206.116.227.144 (talk) 02:32, 11 March 2007 (UTC).


The Honda engine in the British Model is not currently imported into the US, and does not pass emissions standards. A GM Ecotec engine is used instead, offering the same horsepower with more torque. 75.80.45.241 01:48, 29 March 2007 (UTC)

Additionally, the GM Ecotec was chosen as the primary engine for the US version of the Atom for a couple of other reasons. Firstly, The UK version of the Atom with the Honda powerplant allows for the weight of the driver in a right-hand drive configuration to offset the weight of the transmission as it's placed in the chassis. In a left-hand drive configuration, the Honda engine/transmission setup creates a situation where the driver sits on the same side as the transmission, creating a lateral weight disparity. The US version of the Atom using the GM Ecotec has a different lateral weight distribution. This allows for a left-hand driver side configuration without creating an inbalance to the chassis. Secondly, the Ecotec was chosen for the US version of the Atom because the Ecotec utilizes counterbalance shafts. In the Honda powered version of the Atom, certain engine RPM's will cause the chassis to vibrate due to the Honda's lack of counterbalance shafts combined with the engine mounted solidly in the chassis. The vibrations have been known to cause ancillary issues with electrical systems such as headlights, turn signals, etc. in the UK version of the Atom. In the US version, chassis vibrations are greatly reduced with the use of the Ecotec powerplant eliminating these ancillary issues.

[edit] Curb Weight

There seems to be some confusion over the weight of the vehicle. In the article there is a difference between the specification weight of 600 kg and curb weight of 456 kg. Road & Track lists 1349 kg (~615 kg) for the North American Atom with the supercharged GM engine. I weighed an Ariel Atom (North American version, Honda engine, normally aspirated) at 1305 lbs (~593 kg) on accurate corner weight scales. Sorry, but I did not make any record of the fuel load at the time, so the actual curb weight was higher than 1305 lbs, and certainly well above 456 kg. Part of the problem is the number of combinations of Atoms (market, engine, supercharger). 71.106.229.182 05:47, 19 March 2007 (UTC)


[edit] $35,000 Where???

Does anyone know where you can buy an Atom in the USA for $35,000? When they first came out I remember seeing prices like this, but a quick visit to their site shows prices in the $70,000+++ range.

[edit] Ariel Atom 500

Does someone want to add a section for the upcoming Ariel Atom 500?

http://www.motivemag.com/pub/news/Power_to_the_People_Ariel_Announced_500-horsepower_V8_Atom.shtml JCDenton2052 (talk) 18:04, 29 February 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Ads

There seems to be a little too much plugs for the Wrightspeed X1, which is just an Atom with an electric motor, not a completely new vehicle. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 143.182.124.2 (talk) 22:51, 26 March 2008 (UTC)