[Rob495]

Hey guys, the last 3 years have been an epic journey in my automotive life. Started out with a 2019 Civic Type R, moved to a manual 2020 M2 Comp (Sunset Orange), then to a 2022 manual base G80, and now I managed to pick up this little beast below:






Sorry for the water mark. The M2 Comp was an incredible car, wish I still had it! Just needed more rear room for the kids.

[Rob495]

Now on to Atom. I was completely SHOCKED at the Atom's rawness! The constant squeaks, rattles, vibrations, and ringing results in a cacophony that is unrivaled in any of my transportation experiences, which includes all manners of trains, cars (Shelby Cobra), a farm tractor, an old school 18 wheeler (no air suspension), boats, aircraft (Cessna), steam and diesel powered locomotives, and falling down a mountain in a human sized tin can filled with pennies.

If you can get past that (usually with hearing protection), the Atom 3 (Supercharged Honda K Motor) is automotive nirvana. Zero layers of isolation. There is just you and the road. No safety nannies, no airbags, no ABS, just a screaming engine, a great 6 speed gearbox, and an LSD. Acceleration is violent and immediate. If you are at 4K and up, the car just explodes as you hit the throttle. I cant keep up with the tach because it revs so damn fast. I have to shift on sound because I don't dare take my eyes off the road.

I'm shocked at the extremely low center of gravity. Cornering is unlike any other car I've driven, primarily because of the extreme light weight (I think 1200 lbs?) and grippy tires (R888). Braking is scary, its sooooo easy to lock up the tires. Highway driving = huge pucker factor!! Higher speeds results in alot of steering correction, I attribute this to the short wheelbase. Speaking of steering, I LOVE not having power/electric steering. It's crazy how much the road talks to you, how much information you are missing out by having modern steering.

I can not for the life of me, hear the exhaust. But the supercharger whine raises the hairs on the back of my neck, I get goosebumps everytime I run to redline, it screams like a banshee. Combine that with the extreme acceleration, you get instant adrenaline rushes.

I'll report later when I get more seat time!

[2011ninja]

Sounds like a blast…

Reminds me of my past 2011 ZX10R

100MPH wheelies, stop on a dime

Op that thing looks like an absolute blast!

Enjoy

[BulkBen]

I wouldn’t expect to see an Ariel Atom on a BMW forum, but nice none the less. I’ve got various Lotuses, including a 7 replica, has nowhere the power of the Atom though.

Are you planning on any track days?
That’s where it will really shine, would love to see a back to back report on the G80 vs the Atom on track days.

[Gfit]

Looks fun. Enjoy. Just looked it up. A lot pricier than I expected.

[HNSKP]

Excellent writeup. The Atom seems like the ultimate trackday toy, way more visceral and exciting than any modern porsche or supercar. I've watched Savagegeese's videos of his ownership experience. If I ever buy a 3rd car it would be this or a Lotus.