Inside the Atom

Unlike Formula One racers with monstrous V10 engines and systems tuned to conform to strict rules, the Atom was designed to be accessible -- and drivable -- by anyone. It is fundamentally no different than the Honda Civic parked in your garage. It has:

• an internal combustion engine
• a six-speed manual gearbox
• a hydraulic clutch
• steering, suspension and braking systems
• a chassis

The Engine
In Europe, the Atom comes standard with Honda's four-cylinder iVTEC engine -- the same engine used in Honda Civic and Civic Type-R models. This might seem a bit pedestrian, but the Honda iVTEC, with a displacement of 1,998 cubic centimeters and a power output of 220 horsepower (280 horsepower with tuning), is considered by many to be the best four-cylinder production engine in the world.

Image courtesy Brammo Motorsports / Ariel Atom CAD illustration of the engine

In North America, the Atom comes standard with a General Motors Ecotec engine made in Germany. This is the same engine GM uses in the Chevy Cobalt SS and Saturn models, and it doesn't lose anything in the translation. Available in both 2.2-liter and 2.0-liter supercharged versions, the Ecotec engine delivers between 140 and 300 horsepower, depending on the specific package. At the low end of the performance spectrum, what Brammo considers its "budget" model, the Atom could keep up with a Porsche 911 Turbo. At the high end of the spectrum, the Ecotec-outfitted Atom just might be the fastest car in the world.

Image courtesy Brammo Motorsports / Ariel Atom A close-up of the North American Ariel Atom's GM Ecotec engine.

The Chassis and Body
The body of the Atom is almost nonexistent. What bodywork there is comes in the form of separate composite panels. This reduces weight, lowers the cost and allows easy access to the mechanical components of the vehicle. The Atom's designers spent a lot of time in the wind tunnel working out the aerodynamics of the vehicle. Like most racecars, the underbody of the Atom sits low to the ground, decreasing the airflow -- and the air pressure -- under the car. At the same time, the body shape generates front and rear downforces, which are vertical forces directed downward, perpendicular to the ground. As the Atom moves through the air, it is both "sucked" down and pushed down, increasing the traction of the car and giving it superior handling characteristics.

Image courtesy Brammo Motorsports / Ariel Atom Building an Ariel Atom

With very little bodywork, the tubular steel chassis is exposed. Indeed, it is visually one of the most stunning and unusual features of the Atom, giving the vehicle a skeletal, almost unfinished look. But don't be fooled by appearances. Expert welders handcraft each chassis using techniques and materials that ensure the highest levels of quality and safety. For example, the welders join the large-diameter steel tube with bronze and tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding. In TIG welding, the heat to melt the metal is generated by a tungsten electrode arc. The weld area is protected from atmospheric contamination by a shielding gas, usually an inert gas like argon. Because the operator has greater control over the weld, TIG welding results in stronger, higher quality welds.

The Cockpit
The Atom's composite twin-seat unit accommodates two large adults, who are cradled inside the tubular frame of the chassis. The high side rails of the Atom offer substantial protection for both driver and passenger, as do the integral front and rear rollover tubes.

Image courtesy Brammo Motorsports / Ariel Atom A close-up of the Atom's cockpit.

The seat was also designed for safety. It has high lateral support to keep the driver optimally positioned in the cockpit to maintain control at all times. The seat can be adjusted forward and up through five positions to account for drivers of any size. Most importantly, the Atom comes with either four-point or full harness seatbelts that conform to government safety standards, as well as standards set forth by the FIA, the governing body of the racing world.

The Suspension and Brakes
The Atom features a double-wishbone suspension front and rear, which consists of a short upper control arm and a longer lower control arm that hold the wheel to the frame. The control arms operate much like a hinge, allowing the wheel to move up and down. Rubber bushings at the inboard end of the control arms allow the wheel to pivot. The bushings also help to absorb road shock and reduce noise entering the vehicle. Overall, the double-wishbone suspension allows for more control over the camber angle of the wheels. Camber angle describes the degree to which the wheels tilt in and out. It can also be tuned to ensure minimal "dive" under braking and minimal "squat" under acceleration.

Image courtesy Brammo Motorsports / Ariel Atom CAD illustration of the engine, gearbox, suspension and braking systems

Koni-manufactured dampers at each wishbone provide additional adjustability. The Koni performance system includes adjustable mono-tube gas shock absorbers with nine compression and rebound settings, as well as progressive rate springs that allow for adjustment of vehicle ride height and center of gravity. Without removing the suspension, ride height can be adjusted from one to almost two inches, making it easy to prepare the Atom for any road surface or driving condition.

The braking system of the Atom offers another opportunity to fine-tune the driving experience. Brake bias, which refers to how the total braking force is distributed between the front and rear tires, is completely adjustable front and rear via a Tilton balance bar. A balance bar, or a bias bar, divides the force from the brake pedal to the Atom's two master cylinders, making sure a higher braking force is applied to the tires that need it the most. Power brakes are not used because of the extra weight they would add to the vehicle.

Next, we'll take a look at the origins of the Atom.