If you want a sports car that’s as close to an open-wheel track racer as possible in both look and feel, then any Ariel Atom will fit your bill. The company makes a few variants of the car, and if you’re tempted to buy one, you’ll have to figure out which one it is that suits you best.
The latest version to be added to the lineup is the 3.5R. It’s also the most powerful model on offer, with the output of its supercharged 2.0-liter Honda Civic Type R engine upped to 350 hp.
It’s not that much more power than the regular Atom 3.5 (which has 310 hp), but given its low weight plus the extra performance components it gains, the difference should be noticeable.
Keeping drivers out of the grass are Khumo high-performance tires and adjustable dampers that no longer have remote reserviors but are reportedly better. The gearbox is also different to that in the regular 3.5; it’s the same Sadev six-speed sequential that used in the crazy Atom V8.
The car is expected to debut sometime this summer; it’s now available for order in the UK for around £80,000 or €97,000.
By Andrei Nedelea
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