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35-767: The Ariel Atom is a road-legal high performance open-wheel car made by the British Ariel Motor Company based in Crewkerne , Somerset , England, and under license in North America by TMI Autotech, Inc. at Virginia International Raceway in Alton, Virginia. There have been eight Ariel Atom generations to date: Ariel Atom, Ariel Atom 2, Ariel Atom 3 (including the Ariel Atom 3 Mugen Limited Edition and Honda Racing Edition – of which only one

70-587: A consistent set of national criteria issued by Transport Canada for specific equipment required as part of a street-legal vehicle. In some provinces, the Highway Traffic Act is a matter of provincial jurisdiction; provinces with such an Act include Ontario , Manitoba, and Newfoundland and Labrador. Many but not all U.S.-model vehicles do qualify for import to Canada, but must meet requirements for items such as daytime running lights (standard on Canadian-market vehicles since 1991, but not required in

105-633: A few. Vehicles which do not fall into one of the standard SVA categories – for example a vehicle of right-hand drive  – require enhanced SVA in addition to standard SVA inspections. The SVA is in the process of being replaced by the Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA). In the United States , the individual states have the authority to determine, by means of statutes and regulations , which types of vehicles are permitted on public streets, as

140-456: A function of police power . Vehicles that are considered street-legal in the U.S. include automobiles, trucks, and motorcycles. Some vehicles that are not generally sold for on-road driving – such as all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and golf carts  – can potentially be adapted for street use, if permitted by state law. Most requirements for automobiles are largely consistent between U.S. states. A notable exception

175-476: A host of design improvements and changes. The new car also features a thicker frame, separate seats and a revised intake. The car has been reviewed by Autocar and deliveries started at the start of June 2019. In 2020, Autocar selected the Ariel Atom 4 as Britain's Best Driver's Car. The Ariel Atom was unofficially used by Wrightspeed as the base of a one-off prototype called the Wrightspeed X1 , which

210-595: A low spring rate for minor deflections and a higher rate for large ones. In 2005 Road & Track magazine published the results of a comprehensive test of a range of cars, from the Porsche 911 Carrera S , Ford GT , BMW M5 to the Caterham CSR 260 . The supercharged Ariel Atom 2 won the 0–161–0 km/h (0–100–0 mph) test by a clear margin at 10.88 seconds, ahead of the Caterham CSR 260 (11.41) and

245-592: A newly refurbished 60,000 ft/sq building in South Boston , VA. To separate Ariel manufacturing from its thriving sublet manufacturing services, TMI started all Ariel brand manufacturing and marketing efforts under the Ariel North America name. In 2011, VIR started the VIR Cup in which specialty designed track dedicated Ariel Atoms would compete in a series of races. This specially designed Atom

280-563: A row and 27 points in the first three races of the season. The car was driven to 88 points with the team, with 5 podium positions also being scored. The car was updated to the TF105B for the 2005 Japanese Grand Prix . It was unique as it ran without a keel, and the suspension was mounted higher on the car than the TF105. It seemed to particularly suit Ralf Schumacher , as on its first outing, Ralf took pole at Suzuka , helped by his knowledge of

315-490: A small optional windscreen) and a drag coefficient of 0.40. The Atom began as a student project by Coventry University transport design student Niki Smart together with Simon Saunders, a senior transport design lecturer. After several sports car companies rejected his proposal, Saunders founded his own company in 1991 named Solocrest Ltd. to create the Atom, which was renamed in 1999 as Ariel Motor Company Ltd. Known then as

350-469: Is California emission control , which has traditionally been more strict than that in other states. Common requirements for automobiles include structure (examples: hood ) and safety equipment (examples: headlamps and bumpers ). Common requirements for motorcycles include side view mirrors and a dedicated seat in order to transport a passenger. However, states vary widely on other equipment such as turn signals. Toyota TF105 The Toyota TF105

385-505: Is a proof of concept of the company's all-electric powertrain. In mid-2012, it was announced that for the first time in the UK, the Atom would have a dedicated single-make race series called Atom Cup. The series would feature on Jonathan Palmer 's MSVR programme of racing with eight race weekends featuring 16 races. The cars were 183 kW naturally aspirated, 3.5 chassis with an MSA approved welded roll bar protection system. The standard suspension

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420-539: Is coupled to a SADEV six-speed sequential gearbox to cope with the increased power over the Honda unit. During the development process the RS performance engine was replaced by a unit prepared by Hartley Enterprises giving the final production version of the 550 kg (1,213 lb) car 678 kW/t (909 bhp/tonne). Ariel claims this variant will accelerate from 0–100 km/h (62 mph) in less than 2.3 seconds, making it

455-418: Is fully adjustable, requiring only a wrench . Both front and rear double unequal length wishbones and inboard, pushrod-operated dampers contribute to the Atom's dynamic handling. Adjustable suspension rod ends feature inboard rubber/metal bushings to promote a more comfortable road-going ride. The front and rear Bilstein dampers are also adjustable. Stacked helper coil springs and main coil springs produce

490-521: Is hand built by TMI AutoTech at their facility at Virginia International Raceway . The Ariel Atom 4 was launched at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July 2018. It features the latest Honda Type R turbo engine with 239 kW (321 bhp) as standard, a new chassis, suspension, steering, brakes, bodywork with significant aerodynamic improvements, new seating and instrumentation together with

525-902: The British International Motor Show at the NEC in Birmingham in October 1996. The Atom suspension setup was tuned by the engineers at Lotus. Edmunds "Inside Line" noted that "anyone who has driven a selection of Lotus-tuned cars, such as the Lotus Elise , the Aston Martin Vanquish and the Opel Speedster , will notice a common feel or signature, and it's replicated in the Atom." The Atom's suspension derives from single seat racing cars and

560-610: The United Kingdom , vehicles must pass the Single Vehicle Approval (SVA) scheme, a pre-registration inspection for cars and light goods vehicles that have not been type-approved to British or European standards. Since August 2001, there have been two levels of SVA, those being 'standard' and 'enhanced'. The standard SVA is applied to vehicles such as left-hand drive vehicles, personally imported vehicles, amateur-built vehicles and armoured vehicles , to name

595-524: The fastest accelerating production car when initially released. On 23 January 2011, the Atom 500 set the lap record around the Top Gear test track , with a time of 1:15.1, making it the fastest road-legal car to go around the track – a record that stood for just over two years, until the Pagani Huayra completed a lap in 1:13.8 on 27 January 2013. The Ariel Atom 3.5R is the upgraded version of

630-536: The 220) and Type-S (for the 160) engine. The Atom 3 appeared in 2007, utilizing new Honda Civic drivetrain and a smoother "KZ" Type-R motor. Introduced in February 2008, the Ariel Atom 500 features a 373 kW (500 hp) 3.0 litre John Hartley-designed V8 engine, carbon fibre body panels and aerofoils, chromoly aerofoil wishbones, an integrated function steering wheel, Alcon four-piston brake calipers, and Dymag magnesium wheels. The engine weighs 90 kg (198 lb) and

665-477: The Ariel Atom producing 261 kW from a 1,998cc supercharged Honda engine which propels the 550 kg car to 100 km/h in 2.6 seconds and to a top speed of 249.45 km/h. In June 2014 a 3.5R was presented to Avon and Somerset Police , the force local to the Crewkerne factory, to support a local motorcycle safety initiative. It has pursuit lights and police livery. In October 2014, TMI AutoTech, Inc. announced

700-629: The Ford GT in fourth (13.17). The following year, the Atom won Autocar ' s 0–100 mph challenge as the new Ariel Atom 2 300 bhp supercharged edition achieved a time of 6.86 seconds, and then stopped from 100 in 3.8 seconds. At the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, the Atom broke the indoor speed record. The high gloss floor that the cars ran on was only 220 m (720 ft) long, with an open door at

735-452: The LSC (Lightweight Sports Car), the car was developed at the university in 1996 with input and funding from various automotive industry members, including British Steel and TWR . Simon Saunders' responsibility for the project was primarily as financial manager and design critic for Smart, whom he described as "The best all-round design student I've ever seen." The car was first shown publicly at

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770-903: The U.S.), anti-theft immobilisers , and anchorage points for child seats . Cars from other countries (such as the UK) typically do not qualify, as standards are too widely divergent from those in Canada. Requirements for manufacturing, registering, and operating motor vehicles in India are codified by the Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR), as maintained by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. Street-legal two-, three-, and four-wheeled vehicles must comply with structure, safety equipment, and operating conditions in CMVR 93–125. In

805-600: The US the Atom 2 was available with the supercharged GM Ecotec engine , which was introduced in 2004 on the Saturn ION Red Line and is also used in the Chevrolet Cobalt SS . There was a limited run of 10 US-built Atom 2 cars in 2006–2007, which were powered by imported Honda K20As. Brammo ceased production of the Atom in 2007 to focus on the manufacture of an electric motorcycle. In January 2008, it

840-577: The V8 engine. The TF105.5 was driven by the team's test driver, Frenchman Olivier Panis who stated that the new V8 engine was 2.5 seconds slower than the V10 engine used by Toyota in 2005. A TF105 set the previously nonexistent indoor speed record on an episode of Top Gear during the eighth series . With the ExCeL Exhibition Centre empty, The Stig (this was actually Jarno Trulli wearing

875-480: The arrival of an all new Atom for the US market, the 3S. This turbocharged upgrade to the Ariel Atom 3 produces 365 hp (272 kW) and over 300 ft lb (407 Nm) of torque, propelling it to 60 mph in 2.6 seconds (100 km/h in under 2.8 seconds). Featuring an all-new cockpit-adjustable traction control system, JRi adjustable dampers, and a choice of three transmissions (including a new SADEV 6-speed sequential race inspired gearbox with paddle shifters), each Ariel Atom 3S

910-497: The end of the hall. The driver of the Atom launched in fourth gear and still had wheelspin until the car reached 110 km/h (68 mph) and started to get traction. The Atom was beaten only by a class nine Autograss car powered by a 2.0l Lexus-Toyota touring car engine which set the official indoor speed record, beating the previous record held by a Toyota F1 car driven by Toyota's test driver Olivier Panis dressed as Top Gear ' s driver The Stig . The Sunday Times measured

945-549: The engine to make sure that it would safely endure two race meetings, which was a requirement in the FIA regulations for 2005. Many elements of the car were entirely new. The car's design was supervised by Technical Director Mike Gascoyne , and the chassis was designed by Gustav Brunner . Toyota's form shocked many in the F1 paddock, as the Toyota team claimed two second-place finishes in

980-541: The time taken for the Atom to accelerate from 0 to 97 km/h (60 mph) at 2.89 seconds, making it the world's third-fastest accelerating production car then available, after the Bugatti Veyron 's 2.46 seconds and the Ultima GTR at 2.6 seconds; the review was in 2005. Brammo Motorsports of Ashland, Oregon , signed a deal with Ariel, Ltd to manufacture the Ariel Atom in the US, starting in late 2005. In

1015-528: The track from his Formula Nippon days. The TF105B was led to points finishes twice by Ralf Schumacher, with 7 points in total being scored with the car, including a podium in the 2005 Chinese Grand Prix . During the 2005 season, Toyota designed the RVX-06 V8 engine, which was used on the Toyota TF106 the following season. In order to test this new engine, the TF105 chassis was adapted to accommodate

1050-543: The wall and had to be taken to hospital. Ricardo Zonta replaced him, but neither of the Toyotas started the race. The team eventually finished fourth in the Constructors' Championship, their best ever championship placing. This would become Toyota's best Formula 1 competitor in their history. Work began on the design and manufacture of the TF105 shortly before the end of the 2004 season , as work had to be done on

1085-603: Was a Formula One car for the 2005 Formula One season . The chassis was designed by Mike Gascoyne and Nicolò Petrucci with the engine being designed by Luca Marmorini . The year was statistically the team's most successful, with 88 points, five podium positions, and the fastest lap. The low-point was the withdrawal of the team from the 2005 United States Grand Prix , due to Michelin tyre safety concerns, as Ralf Schumacher 's left front tyre deflated on Indianapolis's famous last corner in Friday practice and Schumacher crashed into

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1120-505: Was called the Spec:RaceAtom (SRA). The VIR Cup was managed and operated by the track club while TMI offered technical support for the race cars, the VIR Cup ended in late 2015. The first Atom arrived just in time for the new millennium with 190bhp from a naturally aspirated 1.8-litre Rover K-series engine . Launched in 2003, the Atom 2 that followed had as much as 300bhp courtesy of a new supercharged 2-liter Honda Civic Type R (for

1155-528: Was made) Ariel Atom 3.5, Ariel Atom 3S, Ariel Spec:Race Atom, Ariel Atom 500 V8 Limited Edition (only 25 to be made), and the Ariel Atom 4. The limited production Ariel Atom 500 V8 featured a 373 kW (500 bhp; 507 PS) V8 engine . The Ariel Atom 4 uses a turbocharged 2.0 litre engine, also used in the Honda Civic Type R , with 3-stage boost. The Ariel Atom features a prominently visible chassis (i.e., an exoskeleton , no roof or windows,

1190-402: Was officially announced that licensed manufacturing of the new Ariel Atom 3, for the US market, would be undertaken by specialty motorsports manufacturing company TMI AutoTech Inc at a purpose-built facility at Virginia International Raceway (VIR). Since 2008, all Atom 3 cars were powered by a Honda Civic Si drivetrain. In January 2016, TMI moved from its 20,000 ft/sq facility at VIR to

1225-1183: Was replaced with Öhlins racing suspension. An FIA approved fire extinguisher system was also installed. "The project had its germination as a project for 100-odd students of Coventry's School of Transport Design" "As senior lecturer on the Coventry course, Saunders fell naturally into the role of financial manager, enabler and chief critic" "Most of the LSC's primary design is Smart's" Street-legal vehicle Some vehicles may be street-legal only in certain areas, routes or use cases, such as UTVs or tractors only allowed on-road in rural areas or driving between different off-road areas/private properties. Enduro dirt bikes on dirt/gravel roads in National parks for personal recreational use. Small engine motorcycle/moped or microcars/ quadricycle only allowed on (low speed) streets and not (high speed) highways. Vehicles imported from another country for testing , display or remanufacturing. Rally cars or trophy trucks , immediately before, during and immediately after rallies . In Canada, all ten provinces follow

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