Brace Yourselves: The Ariel Atom Is Set To Get NSX-Inspired Hybrid Punch

The products of Ariel are already well known for being facilitators of sheer and utter four-wheeled lunacy, but they could be set to get even more mad. Just imagine for a moment the searing acceleration offered by the various Atom models, but supplemented with the instant torque delivery of an electric motor. Exciting thought, no? And it’s set to become a reality in the coming years thanks to Ariel’s relationship with Honda.

The small British firm already sources many of its power plants from Honda, so it’s only natural that the hybrid technology showcased by the NSX will eventually make an appearance on the Atom, as Ariel boss Simon Saunders explains to Autocar. “The technology in the NSX is cutting-edge and expensive, but it will work its way down the food chain to the hot hatches…At that point, it becomes achievable for us to use in the Atom,” he said.

There are more attainable hybrid powertrains in the Honda stable which have been considered by Ariel, but none have the performance credentials the company is after. “For Honda it’s more about emissions, but for us it’s mostly a performance thing,” Saunders explains.

So, it’ll be some time before a hybrid Atom is made, but from the sounds of it, it’ll be well worth the wait.