British automaker Ariel has revealed its latest track-ready car – the Atom 4R.
The road legal yet clearly track-focused Atom 4R builds on the base model Atom, which already has a 260kW engine, but packs a specially tuned version of Honda’s Type R turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 298kW of power and 500Nm of torque.
The Atom 4R can do the 0 to 100km/h sprint in less than 2.7 seconds and reach a top speed of 274km/h.
The 4R has gained large side pods which house additional cooling systems, and an optional aero wing package can be added with a large rear spoiler and front wing.
Engine cooling has been increased by 55 per cent thanks to an additional cooling radiator in the left side pod, while the intercooling area has been increased by 75 per cent with the right side pod. Both allow Ariel to provide more engine power while maintaining optimal temperatures during track use.
Thanks to the new cooling and intercooler system, Ariel says performance is improved by 25 per cent on the standard Honda Type R engine.
Power is fed through a Quaife six-speed sequential gearbox controlled by a behind-the-wheel paddle shifter.
Ariel says the electronic pneumatic paddle shift system allows five downshifts in less than a second and upshifts at full throttle without clutch, meaning excellent driver control with constant grip on the wheel.
The racer has no doors and no roof, with two bucket seats for driver and passenger, ensuring the model can reach eye-watering speeds as fast as possible.
An anti-lock braking system (ABS) is used to improve driving performance across different conditions, as well as lightweight carbon mudguards, wheels, and carbon brakes with a carbon ceramic disc to reduce weight.
In the cockpit, an optional track timing system with video can be included for the competition customers, as well as a reverse camera for when the driver is constricted in the six-point race harnesses.
“We continue to strive to evolve the Atom as the ultimate driver’s car, whether on road or track. The 4R follows in the footsteps of the amazing Atom 3.5R and yet again moves the story on,” said Ariel’s director, Henry Siebert-Saunders.
Staying true to Ariel’s bespoke manufacturing model each Atom 4R will be built by an individual technician to customer specifications meaning each unit will be unique.
Customer orders are already open and pricing starts at $123,000 for the Atom 4R.
While Ariel does distribute models internationally, it hasn’t confirmed global availability – we have reached out to see if any units are bound for Australia.
Ariel is also venturing into the electric performance space with its all-wheel-drive 880kW Hipercar, due to start production in just over a year.
