1,000 Atoms and 10 years later, Ariel has finally released a limited edition Atom with a tuned motor from Mugen. The Ariel Atom was unveiled at the 2011 Autosport International Show which took place in Birmingham, UK.
The car will feature a 2.0 liter naturally aspirated Honda K20Z motor pumping out 270 horsepower and 188 pound-feet (255 Nm) of torque. The limited edition model will also feature a white body with red graphics and a red chassis.
Once in the hands of the Mugen technicians, each engine is stripped down and then reassembled using different camshafts, valve springs, and pistons. The Atom has also been outfitted with a lightened flywheel, new spark plugs, and a new manifold featuring a bigger throttle body. The power is delivered via a close ration six-speed gear box.
Upon assembling the newly tuned motor, the engine is tested by Mugen on a dynamometer. The whole tuning process takes seven days to complete. Each Ariel Atom is built by two technicians, one from Ariel and one from Mugen. The car is signed off by each technician when everything in the vehicle is in 100% working order and tested.
Mugen has improved the handling of the already amazing handling Atom by implementing a four-way adjustable damper/spring suspension package which was borrowed from the V8 version of the Atom. The limited edition model will also get the ventilated brakes treatment along with Ariel magnesium alloys and Yokohama A048 tires.
The 270 horsepower Atom is able to do the 0-60 in 2.9 seconds and has an impressive top speed of 150 mph. This special Atom also gets a carbon fiber instrument panel and features a built in multi -function LCD screen which notify the driver of functions which may be of use during track days.
The pricing for the limited edition Ariel Atom is not available at the moment but you can bet the car will sell like hot cakes.
