2005 Ariel Atom

Minimal bodywork, moulded to the highest standards possible, consisting of separate composite panels reduces weight, minimizes costs and allows easy access for adjustment of most settings. Developed in the wind tunnel to generate front and rear down-force, with special attention paid to underbody airflow, the bodywork provides stability and precise steering at all speeds. Stowage boxes, electronics and battery are accessed by the QR bonnet, which like the air box and mudguards is available in a range of grand prix colors.

Atom's one-piece, two-person seat is so elegantly simple it's remarkable more manufacturers don't do things this way.
Designed to be set up specifically for the driver the composite twin seat unit, offering high lateral support, has been designed to solve the interior space problems usually found in vehicles within this class. With its wide track the Atom can accommodate two large adults in safety, comfortably solving the space problems usually found in vehicles of this class. The composite twin-seat unit, designed to be set up for the driver, offers high lateral support and a comfortable driving position. The simple but effective adjustment progressively ramps the seat forward and up to cater to nearly all sizes of drivers.

The view over the nose is pure race car. Plip the plipper, flick the ignition on, press the starter.

Suspension is pure race car, adjustability a keyword for the Atom.

Derived from current single-seat race cars, the suspension is by double unequal length wishbones and inboard, pushrod operated dampers, front and rear. The system features outboard rod ends all round for total adjustability and inboard rubber/metal bushes for compliance and comfort. Coil-over Bilstein dampers front and rear extend the adjustability of the car allowing the Atom to be quickly set up for road or track use or to individual preferences.

The Atom has deliberately been made with a high content of race car components.

The Atom has been designed with one purpose - performance. Race-derived features include adjustable front/rear bias brakes with the option of remote operation while driving, twin brake master cylinders, hydraulic clutch, one-and-a-half turn competition steering rack, adjustable alloy pedals and ram air system. It is this thought for detail and lack of compromise that makes the Atom so totally unique.

Even in 160bhp form the Atom's power-to-weight ratio exceeds that of a 911 Porsche.

Source - Ariel