Posted on 04/22/2006 6:38:13 AM PDT by saganite
Supercars -- once exclusively the stuff of high-speed racing circuits and billionaires -- are going mainstream. From Ford to Ferrari, major auto makers are introducing ultra-high-end vehicles that rewrite the rules on cost, speed, and sexy design.
(snip)
Blazing along with the pack is the Ariel Atom 2, the stripped-down soul of a supercar. Unlike its classmates, the Atom doesn't come with an intimidating sticker price or luxury trim.
Heck, it doesn't even come with doors, a windshield, or windows. It's a lean engineering marvel that has stunned speed freaks, racing fans, and the automotive press. (snip)
IMPRESSIVE LIST. The Atom 2 features a Honda Civic Type-R engine at its core. Honda Civic may ring pedestrian to the casual car fan, but the Type-R is seen by many experts as the world's best four-cylinder engine in terms of untuned performance and overall reliability.
In the Atom, its 220 horses will propel you from zero to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds. What's more, it's capable of cruising comfortably at 160 miles per hour.
(snip)
UNBEATABLE PRICE. If the Atom is capable of staying with the pack on performance, handling, and even looks, its price tag sets it far apart. Prices range enormously, owing to the Atom's custom-design manufacture.
But the vehicle starts at a mere $35,000 and fully decked out only fetches $75,000. It's a steal compared with other supercars that start in the low six figures and quickly climb into the millions.
(snip)
The first U.S. Atom shipped last month to late-night host and noted car collector Jay Leno. In America, which accounts for about half of the worldwide supercar market, the Atom design has been licensed by Brammo Motorsports, based in Ashland, Ore. The carmaker expects to sell just shy of a hundred models stateside this year.
(Excerpt) Read more at biz.yahoo.com ...
Sounds like a blast!
Where does the wife put the groceries?
The only groceries you can carry in this thing are the ones you preload in your stomach!
The Atom beats that Vette of yours by a healthy 7.3 seconds around the Top Gear test track.
....once around the track.
The only thing it didn't beat around the top gear track was the Enzo correct?
The Enzo, the Pagani Zonda F, and the Maserati MC12.
And it costs about as much as the wheels on those, not a bad group to be in.
I'll take the roar of my 67-horsepower, 4 cylander 240D any time over this pathetic machine.
I kick the crap out of electric wheelchairs off the line every day of the week.
Thanks!
That's the Atom video in post 25 if y'all haven't seen it.
I wonder how it would do against the new Z06. :-)
Whoa man, you're hurtin' my eyes!
Is this the same video where the driver opens his mouth to the wind and it face starts flapping like a hound dog with it's head out of the car? I laughed so hard !
Hopefully we'll find out next season. Ever watch the show? Lotta fun.
Actually Colin may have gotten the idea for the seven from these guys
http://www.arielmotor.co.uk/04/frames.htm
That video cuts off before the time trial, here's the full test: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdkEV-t9jg0
Thanks
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