Dream Car:Ariel Atom 3

Ariel Motor Co. has introduced a full windscreen option on their latest Atom 3 stripped-down sports car for those customers not wanting the full racecar-like experience -- or desiring to wear a helmet while driving. Ergonomically, you now sit more comfortably thanks to a restructure of the famous visible chassis frame. Under the bonnet, Honda have provided a new 4 cylinder from the Civic, albeit the same capacity and power as the previous powerplant. Performance is as expected - bonkers! 0-60mph in around 3 seconds and a 0-100mph-0 sprint faster than anything this side of a Veyron. The thrill is exhilarating but beware pushing too hard as the Atom can bite.


Originally the product of a very small manufacturer from Somerset in Britain -- just seven people make up its staff -- the Ariel Atom 3 is made under license in the US and Canada by Brammo Motorsports, which began producing the car in late 2005.


There's more space inside, and new body panels and wind deflector outside ? just the thing for preserving the eardrums during extended sprints through the countryside. It's powered by a 245-hp version of Honda's 2.0-liter VTEC, with a new ECU, drive-by-wire throttle setup, fuel system and dual exhaust system. Inside, there's 100 mm of extra elbow space, achieved by adjusting the angle of the chassis' aluminum cross beams, and buyers will get the option of more buttspace by way of larger seats. Other tech improvements include more precise gearchanges and optional 10-way adjustable dampers.


The first choice prospective Atom buyers will face is whether they want pre-assembled models or to build the cars themselves from kits. The latter option is more difficult but is also the only way to drive the car somewhere besides the track: an optional road-going pack usually has to be installed to meet US safety regulations for lights, protection, and even rear-view mirrors.


In addition to the road pack and the powerplants, which include 205 hp and 245 hp variants, drivers can deck out the Atom with any number of performance enhancements. The transmission is Most of these involve carbon fiber: the fenders, mirror housings, nose, race tub, and even the instrument cluster panel can be replaced with the ultralight material in place of the usual fiberglass. It's also possible to upgrade from a five-speed manual transmission to a six-speed, select competition-grade seat belts, and add a rear wing for extra downforce.


For the few comforts available in such a minimalist car, the Atom can also be equipped with improved seats, a 12-volt power port for accessories, and billeted aluminum for both the handbrake and the pedals.