The Ariel Atom is one of our favourite lightweight sportscars. When launched a few years ago it was an absolute revelation. Ariel took the concepts that made the original Lotus 7 such a hit and completely modernised them in the Atom. There are few four-wheeled road machines that can compete with the intensity provided by the little sportscar from the UK, and now there is a brand new Ariel Atom.

Bigger

If you are familiar with the Atom you may think that this is the same old car, but in reality, it is an all-new development of the exciting track machine. The tubular frame is now longer and stiffer (by 15 per cent) than the outgoing model. The increase in length has created a more spacious cabin and allowed for the adoption of a larger fuel tank, now 40 litres. That additional fuel adds some much-needed range.

The bodywork is all fashioned from carbon-fibre. Ariel claims that the new body, what little there is, has been optimised for better cooling, less drag and more downforce. Once a signature of the Atom, the roll-over protection bar has now been hidden under the rear cladding.

Read our Porsche 911 Carrera T driving review here.

Oodles of power

Ariel Atom models have not lacked for power, but this new model didn’t get that memo. It dishes up peak power of 240 kW and 420 N.m of torque from a turbocharged 2,0-litre Honda Civic Type R (K20C) engine. In a car that weighs a quoted 595 kg, that means a zero to 100 km/h sprint in just 2,8 seconds and 0-161 km/h (100 mph) in a scant 6,8 seconds. Vmax is rated as 261 km/h. At over 400 kW/ton, the Ariel Atom 4 keeps pretty good company in the power to mass stakes.

Lots of control

Power from the turbocharged motor is fed to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox and a limited-slip differential. To ensure the rear tyres last, owners can option launch- and traction control systems when buying new.

The fourth generation Ariel Atom sits on 16-inch front and 17-inch rear alloy wheels. If you have really deep pockets you can even take optional carbon-fibre wheels, which are reportedly 50 per cent the mass of the alloys. A fully adjustable in-board suspension layout, with Bilstein dampers, allows you to set the ride height, toe and camber depending on the driver’s preference.

For more in-depth info on the new Ariel Atom, you can visit the company website.

Watch and listen to the Ariel Atom 4 in the video below: