Performance Review: Ariel Atom 300 Supercharged - [1999]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ariel Atom Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ariel Atom 300 Supercharged is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1999. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the and the .This particular Ariel Atom has a 1998cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The Atom shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Atom's Rear Wheel Drive, - combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 550 kgs (1212 lbs) this makes the Ariel Atom 300 Supercharged in the same weight category as the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged or the give or take 50kg.

The Ariel Atom shares the same bhp with the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (300 bhp)

In terms of power the 1998cc 16V St4 engine produces 300 bhp (223 kW) @ 8200 rpm similar to the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (300 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 162 lb-ft (219.6 Nm) @ 7200 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (162 lb-ft) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (184 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Ariel Atom you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2020 McLaren 765LT 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (563.8 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ariel Atom.

The Ariel Atom has a Power to weight ratio of 545.4 bhp per ton and 294.5 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1999 Atom competing with the 2020 McLaren 765LT 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (563.8 bhp per ton) or the 2008 Pagani Zonda Cinque 7.3L (560.3 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Ariel Atom generating around 294.5 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2011 Radical SR3 SL 2.0 Turbo (319.4 lb-ft per ton) or the 2020 Koenigsegg Gemera 2.0 Turbo Petrol Hybrid (318.9 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 3.30 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 3.4 secs, this made the Ariel Atom 300 Supercharged as fast as the 2023 BMW 3 Series M3 CS 3.0 Twin Turbo G80 (3.30 secs) the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 (3.30 secs) the 2023 Ferrari Roma Spider 3.9 V8 Turbo (3.30 secs) the or the 2022 Ferrari Purosangue 6.5 V12 (3.30 secs). This Ariel Atom 300 Supercharged is also faster than the 2023 Aston-Martin DBS 770 Ultimate Volante 5.2 V12 Twin Turbo (3.40 secs) the 2022 BMW 3 Series M3 Competition Touring 3.0 xDrive (3.40 secs) the 2022 Aston-Martin Vantage 5.2 V12 Twin Turbo Roadster (3.40 secs) the and the 2022 Aston-Martin Vantage V12 5.2 Twin Turbo (3.40 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Atom and the 1968 Dodge Dart Hemi 7.0 V8

When talking about the performance of the Ariel Atom on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 10.27 secs @ 133.2 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1968 Dodge Dart Hemi 7.0 V8 (10.22 secs), the 1984 Audi Quattro Sport 2.2 T (10.23 secs), and the 2019 Audi A4 RS4 Avant 2.9 V6 Turbo (10.23 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1999 version of the Ariel Atom 300 Supercharged has a maximum speed of 121mph.

Top Speed of the 1999 Atom equals the 2012 Seat Ibiza 1.4 FR Turbo Supercharged (132 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1999 Ariel Atom 300 Supercharged then how about the 2012 Seat Ibiza 1.4 FR Turbo Supercharged (132 mph), the 2011 Fiat Punto Evo Abarth 1.4 Turbo (132 mph), or the 2011 Infiniti FX 30d 3.0 V6 Diesel (132 mph).

Related Links:

1999 Atom Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ariel

Car Comparison