Ariel Announces Atom 3.5

Ariel’s Atom is barely a “car”. Yes, it has four wheels, some plastic, and a gear lever, but the body is a web of tubing that makes it closer to a go-kart. If the Lotus Elise is the ultimate expression of barely-there motoring, the Atom is what happens when that design goes skinny dipping. The coupe is in it’s third iteration. With this model, the Atom is getting an update before it’s fourth iteration. It’s more like… Ariel Atom 3.5.

The Atom 3.5 doesn’t get a bigger motor with more horsepower. It’s still using Honda’s K20Z4 engine for motivation. The 315 hp it provides would be plenty for a small car. In the Atom? It’s a riot. They did, however, use the reinforced chassis built for the V8 Atom 500. It might not be as fast, but it will be able to corner at least as well as it’s super powered sibling. Honestly, with less power, it’ll probably be easier to handle.

Chassis changes aside, they’ve also included projector beam headlights and LED indicators. They’ve also forgotten to include a radio, heat, air conditioning, a roof, and a windshield. Though we’re sure those omissions will be more of a boon than burden.