New and Pre-owned Ariel Atom for Sale | duPont REGISTRY

England, known as the home of many lightweight sports cars, is also the original home of the progressive Ariel Atom for sale. Born as a transport design project by former Coventry University student Niki Smart, the Atom took the concept of the street-legal sports car and turned it on its head. Featuring a highly visible exoskeleton and chassis, the Atom bares all of its components for the world to see. Without the constraint of traditional full body work, air is able to pass through the structure of the Atom easily, creating a mere .40 drag coefficient.

The minimalist philosophy applied in creating the Atom led to an ultra low curb weight of 1,350 lbs, an unheard of weight in the high-performance automobile world. Powered initially by a 2.0-liter inline-four cylinder engine delivering 245 hp, the Atom was the vehicle of choice for purists and competitive track days.

Known particularly for its acceleration, Ariel Atom 0-60 mph times are beyond impressive, spanning from 2.89 to 2.3 seconds in its various generations. Since its introduction to the public in 2005, Ariel has introduced a few special models for the US market in their Oregon and Virginia approved production facilities, the 2014 Ariel Atom 3S being one of the more recent examples. With a turbocharged engine upgrade to 365 hp, a 0-60 mph time of 2.8 seconds, several transmission options, and adjustable traction control, the 3S adds a higher level of customization and user comfort.

In England, a 2014 Ariel Atom 3.5R model was also introduced, developing 350 hp and a 0-60 mph time of 2.6 seconds. One of these limited production 3.5Rs was donated in Police livery to the Avon and Somerset Police, situated near Ariel’s Crewkerne factory in the UK.

In 2008, the hammer of the brand, the Ariel Atom 500, emerged, powered by a 3.0-liter 500 hp V8. With a 909 hp per ton power to weight ratio and a 2.3 second 0-60 mph acceleration time, the Atom 500 is the most powerful two-seater Atom available to date.