Ariel Atom Mugen

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Coming soon from Ariel. 270bhp from the K20, normally aspirated, tuned by Mugen. 10 made only, to celebrate 10th anniversary, each signed by Mugen and Ariel technicians. To be shown in January at the Autosport show with full information.
Ariel-Atom-1712101011612351600x1060.jpg
 
Or, in the words of Ariel:

Ariel Motors
Now we are Ten

Celebrating 10 years of Ariel Atom production, a new 10 car limited edition of the Ariel Atom is to be released at the Autosport Show in January – the Ariel Atom Mugen.

Following on from the launch of the Atom V8 the Ariel Mugen is the result of a collaboration between the two companies to produce a limited edition, track focussed car aimed at the enthusiast who wants the ultimate trackday car.

Ariel celebrated the tenth anniversary of Atom production in 2010 and the Atom Mugen is the latest addition to the original ‘No Screen, No Roof, No Doors’ bare essentials sports car. The first Atoms produced in 2000 used the Rover K Series engine, with the Atom 2 taking over in 2003 featuring a Honda K20A Type R engine. The car quickly became known for outstanding performance and reliability, with the supercharged car taking various records on a yearly basis. The Atom 3, released in 2007, used the latest Honda K20Z Type R engine, in a higher state of tune, with numerous detail changes to the rest of the car and is in current production as the Atom 3. Said Simon Saunders, Director of Ariel, “Our philosophy has always been to strive for constant improvements in every area, but to do so through an evolution rather than sudden change. We really are proud of the achievements we’ve made over the last decade and the customers we have who are all part of the Ariel family.’

Mugen engines have famously powered hundreds of race and championship winners, including Formula 1, since the company’s foundation in 1973. Basing their work almost exclusively around Honda powerplants Mugen was an obvious partner for Ariel who have used the Honda Type R engine for over 7 years. The union of Ariel, Honda and Mugen has resulted in a very special car that takes the trackday car to another level.

The Atom Mugen features a special livery to be used on the Limited Edition 10 cars to be made, each one numbered and with a plate signed by the Mugen and Ariel technicians responsible for the build of the car. Standard specification will be focussed at the track nature of the Atom and using the normally aspirated engine to its full potential.

Heart of the Atom Mugen is a normally aspirated Honda K20Z Type R engine, which is prepared and tuned by Mugen Euro in the UK. Said Mr Hiroki Toyoda, Vice President of Mugen Euro, “The Type R Honda is the best 2.0 litre normally aspirated engine available. We have put our experience and know how to release even more power from the engine and we’re delighted to see our engine in the Ariel Atom.” Working together on the specification and mapping of the engine Ariel fulfilled their target of 270bhp in normally aspirated form while retaining driveability and reliability, key features of the Atom.

“We found that both ourselves and Mugen had the same meticulous attention to detail in the build of our cars and their engines.” said Simon Saunders, “One Ariel technician makes a car, one Mugen technician builds an engine. The result is a truly hand made car with a hand made engine.”

The Ariel Atom Mugen will be shown at the Autosport Show 2011 and full information, specification and photographs will be released in January.
 
Would now be a good time to point out that my brother's 2004 Atom 2 245 has been joined (that's joined) by a 2010 Atom 3 300?
 
Hardcore!

Do you know if it's street legal?

If specced with the road pack, yes. The image in the first post has the road pack applied.

And, curiously, the suspension from the V8...
 
It doesn't take much for a car to be road legal ( in the UK at least). You don't even need any lights/indicators/brake lights etc. Just a number plate and a horn really.
The road pack with lights is just for fancy owners who want to drive after dusk or in fog.
My last car was modified to be daylight use only, but because i didn't want to use hand signals i let myself have indicators.
 
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At last count he was about 1.4 men.

It doesn't take much for a car to be road legal ( in the UK at least). You don't even need any lights/indicators/brake lights etc. just a a number plate and a horn really.

And covered wheels...
 
That's awesome.

Also, Famine, my hatred level of your brother, despite me not knowing him, has now slightly more than doubled.
 
I think I'm more interested in this version than the v8. But honestly, the standard atom would do nicely.
 
Should've made it with a K24 and get a stronger midrange, and lazily make that 270hp.
 
We get the Ecotec four in that thing. They get the CTR engine.

I think they got the better deal.
 
Nice, this looks like my favourite version of the Atom yet, pity there's only 10 of them. I bet it revs fairly high, I love a screamer.
 
We get the Ecotec four in that thing. They get the CTR engine.

I think they got the better deal.

I think so as well but the ECOTEC would have a nicer, fatter powerband with more midrange which I guess is more usable on the road. Not sure why that would be a priority on a track toy, but...
 
Look at it, power to weight of an F3 car with the running costs of an Astra 1.6.
 
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