The New Ariel Atom 3.5R Is A Track Day's Deadliest Weapon

Ariel's already crazy 3.5 has been given a 'because racecar' makeover, and now has a higher power-to-weight ratio than a Veyron Super Sport

Ariel Atom 3.5r 4

We doubt many people climb out of the 310bhp, 550kg Ariel Atom 3.5 and ponder: 'you know what, this thing needs more power.' Regardless, Ariel has seen fit to create the 3.5R, with - you guessed it - even more power.

Ariel Atom 3.5r 2

An extra 40bhp has been unlocked from the Honda-sourced supercharged 2.0-litre, bringing the total power output to 350bhp. With just 550kg to haul about, that gives this Atom a power-to-weight ratio of 636bhp per tonne. For context, that's more than the unhinged Caterham 620R, and more than the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport, with its lowly 626bhp/tonne figure.

0-60mph takes just 2.6 seconds, and 0-100mph is dispatched in six seconds. Top speed is 155mph, but if you want to do those sort of speeds, we'd recommend wearing a helmet if you want anything left of your face; as with all Ariels, (Atom-based Rezvani Beast aside) there's no bodywork.

Ariel Atom 3.5r

The extra power is thanks in part to a new chargecooler, but that's not the only upgrade. Öhlins TTX dampers have been added, and an adjustable limited slip differential is available. Also new is the six-speed Sadev paddle shift dual-clutch gearbox. It's a race-spec item, so as you'd imagine, it shifts pretty quickly. It's capable of five downshifts in under one second, in fact.

Ariel Atom 3.5r 3

If all this madness sounds appealing, you can pick up the 3.5R from £54,000 plus VAT. The first cars will be completed later in the year.

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