The Ariel Atom is insane. It corners on a knife’s edge and gets up to speed like nothing we’ve ever seen before. It’s built for tearing track records to pieces and putting a giant smile on your face while turning it inside out. Now the road-going go kart of myth and legend has a new model, and somehow it’s faster than ever before. Meet the Atom 3S.
With a name that sounds like the new iPhone and a design that almost looks half-finished in a bid to save weight, the Atom 3S is powered by a turbo-charged Honda engine that produces 365 horsepower on the trot.
That means the 3S is capable of blistering acceleration. It covers ground like a bullet with wheels, covering 0-60mph in 2.8 seconds. For a car that’s priced under $US100,000, that’s pretty goddamn impressive.
Obviously, the Atom isn’t going to be your daily driver. It’s held together by scaffolding and features two seats left completely open to the elements. There isn’t even a visor or makeshift windscreen to hide behind when the elements turn on you. It’s a track-muncher at heart.
As you can see from the video above, it’s true to its identity, hitting every single apex with beautiful precision.
All I know is that I want one to turn my face inside out.