At Last! I Finally Drive An Ariel Atom - Was It Worth The Wait?

[@JayEmmOnCars]

To see what happened with the Sporting Bears at the British Motorshow, subscribe here: kzbin.info

[@MisterMonsieur]

James, for whatever reason, your videos always default to 360p. Nobody else's videos, just yours. 🤷‍♂

[@JayEmmOnCars]

@@MisterMonsieur I've never had anyone else mention that, but it sounds like an issue on KZbins end - not sure I can fix it!

[@MisterMonsieur]

@@JayEmmOnCars I'm more annoyed by your very bad habit of saying "cheap" to mean "affordable". I witnessed a coworker, a Porsche sales advisor, fired on the salesfloor and his customer assigned to me because he said a Cayman was "cheaper" than a 911. "Cheap" refers to quality, not price. There are no "cheap" Porsches, though some are more _affordable_ than others. Keep up the good work, otherwise! 😎

[@neblolthecarnerd]

@@MisterMonsieur sounds like a pedantic boss and an unfair dismissal case to me.

[@MisterMonsieur]

@@neblolthecarnerd Hardly. The other guy didn't take the job seriously. The boss is the owner of the store and a dozen others, who is exceedingly generous to impart his time and wisdom with us. I'm an expert in my field because of him.

[@EconomicsMate1]

Clarkson said it best about the atom: "You don't need a motorbike to have fun. Now you can do that, even more so, with 4 wheels"

[@midlifecarsis6420]

All the disadvantages of a car with all the disadvantages of a bike. Perfect 🤣

[@vincentschneuwly9783]

@@midlifecarsis6420 so british engineering

[@midlifecarsis6420]

@@vincentschneuwly9783 100%. I have a Westfield and a S2 Lotus Elise myself so I speak from experience as a professional idiot.

[@vincentschneuwly9783]

@@midlifecarsis6420 that's why I love to go to international motoring events to meet people from the UK, being from Switzerland myself, their way to live their passion is a few levels above mine 👍👍🙂🙂 few months ago I was at Le Mans Classic and while I was filling up my tank someone showed up in Project 7 F-type, the doesn't have a roof 🤣🤣🤣 and he drove it all the way there 👍👍👍

[@grahamsmith2022]

Clarkson hasn't got the aptitude or coordination to cope with 2 wheels,this is the closest he could ever hope to get.

[@RussellSmithOmegaW]

I have had a track day in one of these. Passenger seat, I'll grant, but the best way I could have appreciated it at the time. Crash helmet on and you're right - haven't been in anything like it before or since. We were going round corners pretty much sideways as far as I could tell; the brake and accelerator had merged into one hive entity and we were getting round the track as if we were in some kind of time loop. It was unreal. I recognised every one of those noises made by the driver because that's the only reaction you can have in that thing sometimes. Were I to come into money and had the storage space, I'd be straight on that waiting list, I can assure everyone here; they are something else! Brought back some very pleasant memories, that.

[@jamesstanley7263]

Only half way throught the video, but has to be said... Great job with the sound for the driving part!

[@thedetailingdoctor5746]

Have to commend you for all the charity rides you’ve done this year mate very good of you!

[@sionjones1257]

Driven one of the new ones on track, nowhere near the limit, but it was a hot day and the tires were very sticky, so managed to get some good speed around the corners even without feeling like I was pushing it. It felt incredible, easily the best car I've driven on track. With the insane grip all that torque from the turbo actually feels fantastic, don't know how it compares to the older one though because I've not driven one. Felt strange having stones fly up and hit my legs, and the rear got a bit wobbly under hard braking (probably my fault).

[@markymarkreviews]

Had no idea you had never tested one of these. Owned mine for 9+ years now. Same model but no SC. Thought I would have one fitted later but fast enough as it was/is!. Done 24,000 miles in mine! At one stage there was a 2-3+ year waiting list pre-pandemic! 33mpg overall. 40mpg on a run. Decent range of 250-300 miles as it has a small fuel tank. And yes just as much fun going at 20-30mph as it is going 100+mph. And EVERYBODY of ALL AGES smiles and waves at you! It is a true "joy machine". And Honda engine, clutch and gearbox bomb-proof reliability.

[@philhough3596]

That’s my old Atom, indeed I recall offering you a drive in it many moons ago. Good to see they’ve upgraded the seats.

[@davebarron5939]

What a Hoot! And a great day you had, Cheers to you and thanks for taking us for a ride!

[@rollotomassi8251]

Tack!

[@jaydub5515]

I always wanted to drive an Atom, but I'll never find one all the way over here in Alaska. The Ariel Nomad is one of my top 5 dream vehicles, because it would be perfect for the Great Alaskan Backcountry!

[@RogerBaileyOnCars]

Yes it will spin very easily, I know this having spun one several times at Bedford circuit, the engine centre of gravity being too high. Great video JM I was along with you all the way ! - best - RB

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Thanks for watching Roger

[@Blackr33]

Glad I'm not the only one Roger! Only car I spun at a palmersport day and I did it more than once, including backwards through the high-speed chicane 🤣

[@Garage12]

Despite the atom 4 being turbocharged, they really have taken the car to yet another level, I was fortunate enough to experience it at the limit and beyond on track and it is very playful and predictable even with that weight behind you, I cannot put into words how excellent it was in every sense and I'd encourage you to try to get your hands on one for the day

[@KarlAdamsAudio]

Thoroughly enjoyed that - and the in-car audio was just fine. If you ever get a chance to drive the Light Car Company Rocket, I'd be interested to know how it compares.

[@simoncouldry7174]

Just an absolute weapon on track, especially with someone who can pedal! The roll oversteer can catch out the unwary as I found out as I spun it at walking pace…. Thank god I had a helmet on to cover my red faced embarrassment! Great video as always! 👍🏻

[@omg_atom]

You've gotta try an Atom 4. Ariel really moved things along so much from the older cars (and they were already brilliant).

[@andytomlinson415]

I love savage minimalist cars. There's no need for massive speed or power to make something as stripped out as an Atom exciting. That's most interesting about the glasses (6:29). I had a ride along at Donnington in an Atom, and it did the same thing to the helmet. First it would try to lift my head off then it was pulling the helmet forward and down.

[@Gorbyrev]

The fastest scaffolding in the West Country :) Caterhams are mental enough. What this feels like I can only imagine!

[@eze8970]

Glad you enjoyed it J! Picked a good day for it to! I was reminded of your Zenos drive & all the whoosh, whooshing, & you then mentioned it. Atom SC didn't disturb the audio at all.🙏🙏

[@alexscarbro796]

Thankfully the smile on your face stopped your sun glasses coming off 😊 Fantastic!

[@davidarter6271]

What a fantastic car! Raw driving at its very best! Thankyou, James, that was marvellous.

[@ewaaaaaa]

Love your videos jay, honest and interesting. As a norfolk boy myself, I often recognise the roads and always look out for you driving about. Keep up the good work sir 👍🏻

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Thanks for watching

[@MrRoyck10]

This is what a sports car is all about, it requires a skilled driver to exploit the limits, unlike contemporary cars are all computer aided where you can drive it extremely fast with little skills as the computer goes all the hard work with it traction control. You got to love Ariel Atom for its unforgiving approach.

[@Jobberoona]

Always look for one of tour reviews before purchasing a car Jay and love seeing the background of castle headingham and haverhill in the background

[@steffydog]

Great to see you having fun, looks a giggle, thanks.

[@rpc2210]

13:07 Ariel has a big waiting list? At least 12 months? Here in Australia, that’s shorter than the wait for a Toyota hybrid 😮 Well done on the video, James. They keep getting better and better.

[@paddy145214]

Two and a half year waiting list at the moment.

[@johnparker8270]

Best part of driving an atom. Pulling up to the traffic lights and the driver beside you puts down their window and starts screaming hysterically SEND IT!!!! SEND IT!!!!! 😂😂😂

[@alphaboy1872]

Jay awesome video as always. Sound and video quality was excellent! Seen an Ariel Atom here in the states at a local Caffeine and Carburetor's event in New Cannan CT. It really stood out amongst the crowd!

[@M4TT1694]

Great video 👌 very enjoyable to watch with the relaxed approach

[@BiglumpADV]

I've driven that version on track and they're awesome. Not twitchy at all, very planted and being lazy in the gears and using the torque from the supercharger is fantastic fun.

[@theofficialstig]

these were under £25k in 2003 it's thanks to topgear that they got such good press and now have a good brand. it is good to see a small british manufacturer succeed rather than go bust for once.

[@davekennedy6315]

So many very, very cool camera shots and angles in this one (Dutch angles?) That shot of the exhaust from below up into a beautiful blue sky filled with fluffy white clouds, artistic!

[@barirwin8559]

great delivery Jay. thanks

[@BAC_Mono]

They’re great value but watch one of these and then a BAC Mono on track and you will see the effect of having that weight so high up. The Mono corners much flatter and is more neutral. Great fun though.

[@VINTTRO]

Josh is a top guy, we’re looking to partnering up with him soon. This Atom is one of our members ex cars too. Great video James.

[@gohieswc8619]

We can make a video! 👀

[@chriscuthbertson]

I drove a Honda powered one a few years a go on a track day..... It was great fun to throw around.

[@prawnk1ng]

I almost bought a used Honda one for 16k about 10 years ago. Kicking myself now. The reason was that my local track ‘Brands Hatch’ said they are not allowed for track days. Something about the exposed areas around then front wheels.

[@dodgywheelsandropeywiring5697]

Have you ever driven a Ginetta Jay? Be nice to hear your thoughts on one of those in keeping with the small British car companies theme.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Yes I have, though only on track

[@rudolfvanderven]

That intro without the music sent a bit of coffee down my keyboard.

[@thedetailingdoctor5746]

What a car! I’ve always absolutely loved these things if I could afford one as a track toy I’d have one any day!

[@sassall4284]

“A bit more headroom than I’d like” hahaha

[@thecremeegg]

Fair play to that mic, the quality was amazing!

[@peteredwards7872]

Great video,bonkers car. Recognised many of the landmarks from my days as a community nurse 😉👍👍

[@tonkinesenchill4240]

The skydiving analogy got me, it really must be very similar. I went in one of these for a high speed experience with a racing driver at the helm and holy shit the sensation of speed! I really like speed in cars and raced go karts most of my life but this thing 😮….it took me till the first corner following a long straight for my brain and senses to catch up with what was happening. The real takeaway I had though, was the thought that there are cars out there that are even faster and more extreme than this (F1 cars etc); because it’s hard to imagine how anything on earth could be faster than this when you’ve been at full wack in one of these.

[@sl0w_racer]

The Atom is quick on track but there are cars much quicker, racing cars. Like a Radical, Revolution or a Tatuus for example these are all group CN cars with huge downforce making lateral grip insane due to downforce. The side bite literally makes your neck bark with pain! A Radical SR3 for example will lap Snetterton easily 10 seconds quicker than the latest Atom. The Atom is not a racing car though, it's appeal is it's a road car that you can take on the track that is extremely low cost with very low maintenance, oil changes, spanner check and that's it! lap after lap. It's an amazing car it really is, the world is a better place with Ariel in it! Racing cars is where I get my pleasure but they take a lot more work and money.

[@lvthud]

Many many many years ago, well okay about 35 years ago, my sisters boyfriend had a little early life crisis and decided that his Skoda wasn't cutting it and he decided to go for a Westfield 7 (yes, similar to the Caterham you mention) with an engine out of a Cosworth, I drove it once, that was enough. I understand wanting something like a Westfield/Caterham/Atom for something to play with on a track, but on the open road, no, one drive was enough to say I would end up dead.

[@ianashton1593]

Am 68 and bought a Westfield recently….. understand completely where you are coming from but I always promised myself a Westfield or Caterham when I retired and thought if I don’t do it before I’m incapable of getting in and out it’ll be something I’ll always regret. Have been taking it on back roads when it’s reasonably quiet so far and it’s great fun, hoping to do a couple of track days at some point. Plan to keep it a year and then move it on, hopefully I’ll survive 😂

[@thebanditsix]

Honda k20,one of the best engines ever made, slightly biast,I own an Ep3.

[@HoosierHacker]

So glad I found your channel.

[@BillyBoy444]

There's a kit you can buy very similar to an atom but it uses a Ford Focus as a donor car for engine / running gear. Can be put on the road for around 10k Inc donor car cost.

[@smurf9857]

I’ve driven one on track a couple of times and struggled a bit with the balance - understeer if the front was not getting enough weight for example I doubt you’d be going fast enough on most roads for that to be an issue though. As an motorbike rider the acceleration appeals as most cars feel very slow in comparison. For track use, ignoring budget, I’d go for a Radical but for a sensible budget, the Atom is a good bet. I’ve read and heard that the 4 has less understeer Catchpoles review on Carfection is worth a watch

[@rollotomassi8251]

Haha love your intro, maan ! And produktion quality as always 🤙 Greetings from Sweden

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Thanks!

[@garycook1517]

Wish I know you were driving around Eye, would have loved to have seen it.

[@RBWill1]

Id definitely recommend you try to re-visit this one and try the Atom 4. I've got a supercharged Nomad (seen sliding around in one of your vids :) ) which is very bonkers. I too thought the newer turbo engine wouldn't suit these things but then had a ride in an Atom 4 at Silverstone and my god the thing was savage, the extra power, torque, noises were all hilarious, the chassis is also a big upgrade over the previous models. There is one of the Nomad owners too who has thrown a turbo on it instead of supercharger and that is an awesome thing too. Of course an old school mega lag turbo like on my P1 would be a nightmare in these things.

[@ToreHansen]

This is a weird car in Norway...some years ago an owner was named lommemannen or pocket guy who after a while was arrested doing things with kids. First when two female cops put things in system over many places in the country they got him. That was not enough for the first picture was redacted with the Ariel in the background. And there was at least two Ariel in the country, so the other owner really got it... Cool car and video, even if in Norway a strange story attached to it.

[@EugVR6]

I've driven one and its like a motorbike with 4 wheels but more understeer than I was expecting, the one I drove wasn't even the supercharged one, it was 270hp NA....mega👌🏽🇬🇧

[@TheChill001]

I'd say the Brits are the masters of making things feel much faster than they are. You drive an ordinary VW Golf at 30 miles an hour and you feel like it'll take a week from work to home, but that same speed in a morgan, an ariel atom or a caterham (or even the old classics like an mgb) and it feels like you're going 60 or more, which is always a hoot.

[@jeffallinson8089]

For outright thrills I doubt anything else barring a Caterham comes remotely close. What an astonishing machine.

[@yodaddamilkman8422]

Exocet does a pretty good job at 1/5th the price.

[@venom5809]

LOL the shots at Mr. JWW 😂🕶

[@DandBGhostHunters]

Great video as always, but I think I speak for many viewers when I say I really hoped to hear the 430 at (almost) full chat on the dyno!

[@colinblick4903]

When you said you were trying this I new it would be a Hoot!!😂….. I had a crack in one for my 60’th birthday 13years ago up at York aerodrome. It was hissing down an I had the time of my life😎….. and even today when thinking about it….. you can’t take the smile off my face👍🏼….enjoy!

[@TurboHappyCar]

Great video. I like how you replicated the Top Gear camera angles by mounting the camera in the only suitable location. Great stuff. 😂

[@marcdelaunay1]

Nice! Yokohama ad08’s on it?! I recognise em as only use those on my fiat coupes as awesome!😅

[@EsPpY]

3:35 He looks so much like Clarkson!!!

[@thetezz0001]

Fantastic video bro

[@SafffOneee]

i saw the plate on the F430 & thought of Tifosi :D

[@franckneumann9882]

A very enthusiastic review #driving experience conveyed...

[@3ducs]

I saw one of these in the tiny town of Center Sandwich, New Hampshire, USA, recently. It was in all matte grey, no running lights, quite difficult to see. As a former 60+ yo owner of a Ducati 1098 I agree, too much is often just too much, it doesn't add to the driving experience.

[@porscheguy5848]

Love the vid. Get your hands on the nomad!

[@hyper8545]

Ktm also has some stuff like this dont they? Also a new super car looking one i believe 👍🤙

[@DjDolHaus86]

The XBow is somewhat similar but slightly less bonkers

[@simonk337]

Would quite like to see you have a go in a Nomad

[@rneoman]

That sound is epic though

[@lefterisnalbantis9627]

Outfit very much on point, floppy-face Clarkson vibes coming to mind!

[@Jabber-ig3iw]

I used to live just up the road from the factory and you would see them on the local roads quite regularly, almost everyone wears a helmet driving them.

[@andyhunt457]

Have just spent a week driving around crete in a Joyner.Very similar vibes...just bit slower but no less fun

[@DanPyjamas]

Given the scenario, I think the audio was great.

[@markmawer]

I've been waiting for you to have a go in an Atom as I was interested to see what you thought. Funnily enough you said at the beginning that you would choose the 3.5 over the 4 because of the turbolag in the latter. You then spend the rest of the review unwittingly making the case for the turbo. I haven't driven the 3.5 but own a 4 so my opinion is only halfway informed but the 4 is a really fast road car off boost in both a very real and sensory way. Without a helmet the perception of speed and danger (due to the exposure you felt while driving it) is the equivalent of 30mph faster in a "regular" car. There's just no need to drive at supercar speeds on public roads to get a proper buzz. I'm happy to shift up at 4500rpm just as the second surge, this time from the turbo, kicks in in order to preserve life and licence. Then there's a whole other car to explore and learn on the track, where it's an absolute beast. Knockhill tomorrow here we come. :D. So if you find yourself back up in Scotland, let me know and I'd be happy to give you a shot.

[@bg22757]

Paragraphs mate.

[@markmawer]

@@bg22757 Sentences chief.

[@brandonfromlondonuk3484]

Hi mark can you take me for a drive in your Atom ? ill pay

[@markmawer]

@@brandonfromlondonuk3484 Hi Brandon, judging from your name you may be a bit far away. There are quite a few supercar experience companies that have Atoms all over the country and there are even some that allow you to drive. You might want to check them out, although there may only be a few weeks left in the season, so you'd need to be quick.

[@brandonfromlondonuk3484]

@@markmawer hey mark I have driven an atom a few years ago on a driving experience in Surrey ( Longcross proving ground ) I have driven lambos, ferrari, porsche gt2 , a few other super cars but as im sure you know the Ariel atom is insanely fast ,scary , how it's street legal I don't know ! I was kidding about a drive but if you would have been close to London I certainly would have paid you to take me for a spin ! Kind regards Brandon

[@f35500]

With all the other cars you have I’m sure you can find something to use on filming days,

[@_Archambaud]

Good entertainment.the car and the video thanks j.

[@jameshamilton6096]

Most fun car video ever.

[@christopherconway2185]

Old Newton proud 👍

[@exgtt2061]

Are there no super soft compound tyres for sub 800kg cars??

[@olneydetail1487]

Is it long geared, as your hardly getting near the VTEC while staying legal-ish.

[@b71071]

It's so light that it's probably not under much load.

[@williamburkey4833]

This review made me laugh so much . 😂 Reminds me of the other Ariel Atom review by Jeremy Clarkson where he commented the intake was sucking out his brains. Thanks for the smiles.

[@albanana683]

Heh! Not much there to suck out.

[@SuperchargedPerformance]

Thanks James for coming by Supercharged Performance to make the video and bringing the F430. Was a pleasure to meet you! If we can help any of your viewers with anything Dyno and tuning related please get in touch! Thanks Josh - @superchargedperformance

[@dougmaverick4108]

James I'm surprised it took you this long to drive an Ariel Atom. When I lived in California I owned one for 7 years. Bought it for $54,000 USD and after the 7 years sold it for $51,000. Not too bad. I did get very tired of all the attention it garners, one I the reasons I sold it. Cheers.

[@mackenziepm]

This week James pushes his hair gel to the limits, and beyond, with the Arial atom

[@LarsAgerbk]

Great "car". Hope to see you in a BAC Mono some day too.

[@nashmkm360]

Love ur videos Jayemm. Can u find a Caparo T1. They made some T1s ya. Thats an F1 mixed with LeMans level Go Kart I think.

[@TheMrFishnDucks]

This is the Top Gear car as I've always called it because it was too ridiculous to be real. Wearing sunglasses is very appropriate eye damage is permanent. Nice video. Keep up the good work.

[@rv9990]

I like Wingless Atoms way more than ones with a wing.

[@davekennedy6315]

I think I'd have to wear a crash helmet driving an Ariel, stop the bugs getting you and no worries about your shades going airborne!

[@mattevans4377]

If you want something that gives you a similar experience while being a little more practical, have you tried a Noble M12/M400?

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Yes I have - and made a video on it!

[@fathersunglasses6085]

Can you try a Daihatsu Copen next or any Kei car

[@simoncowley4966]

Tried one in the wet at Elvington scary 😆

[@LilleyAdam]

You said it, 4 wheeled motorbike. Everything you said you experienced, if you didn't specify you were driving a car, I would think you were on a motorbike. But motorbikes are even more visceral.

[@EleanorPeterson]

I can only afford to ride an old bicycle these days, but I ALWAYS wear spectacle-style clear polycarbonate safety goggles (they only cost a couple of quid). This is not to protect me from stones thrown up by passing cars [I laugh at stones: ha, ha, ha]; it's in response to once getting a faceful of uppity Yorkshire bumble-bee at 30 mph. As big as your fist, it was. 🐝👀 WHAPPP! Ooh, ya bastid... It hit me right on the eye, but not in it; fortunately my eyelid twitched shut an instant before I was aware of anything incoming, which no doubt saved me a lot of fuzzy grief. I assume the bee survived. I, however, was fatally killed lethally to death by the incident. It was like being hit with a tennis ball. Yay for goggles.

[@colinblick8946]

I drove one 13 years ago…… couldn’t get the smile of my face😂😂

[@sammygirlie345]

So so so so so would love to go in in one even as a passenger such an amazing car

[@stuartchristie654]

😂the car has been cleaned by me using spotless water! Looked good leaving at 7:30am, lasted all of a couple of hours

[@jaysmartin]

5:16 the whole review in one sound

[@iconicon5642]

You got plenty of visceral thrills with early Elises - they went round and round very easily.