Ariel Atom 4 drag race against 1000cc superbike and McLaren 720S spyder

[cvjoint]

Autocar just posted a video, see here:
https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-video/...s-ariel-atom-4

It is no faster than a supercharged Ariel Atom 3 (300hp):
https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews...pecialty-file/

Autocar says they went into the data and took out the driver's reaction time, so I don't think the testing procedure advantages the Atom 3. You might say the pavement surface is worse in the Autocar test but if that were true it would only impact the 0-60 time and we see the Atom 4 lagging from 60 mph to 100 mph. To me it seems like the Atom 3 is quicker under 100 mph. The Atom 4 is a bit quicker after 100 mph and almost catches up by the quarter mile. The tires on the Atom 3 are also likely much worse since they are a 10 year old design. I still think the Atom 3 is a better choice, mostly comes to the engine choice and that given the 0-60 performance I don't think the Atom 4 puts down power any better. The older K series with less than a third the boost in a lighter chassis is a great design.


Zero to 60 mph:
2.9 sec Atom 3
3.01 sec Atom 4


Zero to 100 mph:
6.4 sec Atom 3
6.78 sec Atom 4


Standing ¼-mile:
11.2 sec @ 125 mph Atom 3
11.22 sec @ 126.14 mph Atom 4

[WJS26]

Looks like they had the 320hp tune in the A4. There will be a 350hp option for US that would make a difference.

[FrankRizzo]

*grumble grumble* Nearly 50% markup when it crosses the Atlantic *grumble, grumble*

[cvjoint]

With the tune I presume it will still lose 0-60, tie for 0-100, and win in the quarter which I will take to be on par. The tune doesn't get you more intercooling so these tests from a stop could look very similar.

The markup is frustrating but perhaps TMI can build them quicker than the parent company. They are now at a 3 year wait time in the U.K., not sure what the actual cost is to own one in 2019. I presume much higher than M.S.R.P.

I don't see how this Atom 4 can outdo the 3 RS in any performance metric. I bet TMI will keep the 3RS along the side for the entire 4th gen. I bet it could take down the bike and the McLaren 0-100 mph and in the quarter, and would get very close to matching them in the half mile.