Performance Review: Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo - [2019]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ariel Atom Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2019. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2019 Pininfarina Battista 1900 and the 2020 Koenigsegg Gemera 2.0 Turbo Petrol Hybrid.This particular Ariel Atom has a 1996cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged

The Atom shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged and the 2011 BAC Mono 280bhp. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Atom's Rear Wheel Drive, Open 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 595 kgs (1311 lbs) this makes the Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo in the same weight category as the 1995 Caterham Super 7 1.4 Supersport or the give or take 50kg.

The Ariel Atom shares the same bhp with the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp)

In terms of power the 1996cc 16V St4 engine produces 316 bhp (235 kW) @ 6500 rpm similar to the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp) or the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (300 bhp).

The Turbo St4 throws out 310 lb-ft (420.3 Nm) @ 3000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (295 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (310 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 2018 Ferrari 488 Pista 3.9 V8 Turbo (554.6 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ariel Atom.

The Ariel Atom has a Power to weight ratio of 531.0 bhp per ton and 521.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2019 Atom competing with the 2018 Ferrari 488 Pista 3.9 V8 Turbo (554.6 bhp per ton) or the 2021 Ferrari 812 Competizione 6.5L V12 (550.1 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 521.0 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 2018 Zenvo TSR S 5.8 V8 Twin Supercharged (542.4 lb-ft per ton) or the 2020 Iso Rivolta GTZ 6.2 V8 Supercharged (533.3 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 2.80 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 2.9 secs, this made the Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo as fast as the 2022 Ferrari 296 GTS 3.0 V6 Twin Turbo Hybrid (2.80 secs) the 2022 Ferrari 296 GTS Assetto 3.0 V6 Twin Turbo Hybrid (2.80 secs) the 2022 Mercedes AMG One 1.6 V6 Turbo Hybrid (2.80 secs) the or the 2021 Ferrari 296 GTB 3.0 V6 Twin Turbo Hybrid (2.80 secs). This Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo is also faster than the 2022 Lotus Eletre R 905 bhp (2.90 secs) the 2021 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 6.2 V8 C8 (2.90 secs) the 2021 Maserati MC20 3.0 V6 Twin Turbo (2.90 secs) the and the 2021 BMW 5 Series M5 CS 4.4 V8 Turbo F90 (2.90 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Atom and the 2013 Mercedes S Class 65 AMG

When talking about the performance of the Ariel Atom on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 10.33 secs @ 132.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2013 Mercedes S Class 65 AMG (10.30 secs), the 2020 Porsche Boxster GTS 4.0 PDK 982 (10.31 secs), and the 2022 Lotus Eletre S 603 bhp (10.31 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2019 version of the Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo has a maximum speed of 162mph.

Top Speed of the 2019 Atom equals the 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 5.2 V8 (173 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo then how about the 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 5.2 V8 (173 mph), the 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R 5.2 V8 (173 mph), or the 2014 Porsche Boxster GTS PDK (173 mph).

Related Links:

2019 Atom Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ariel

Car Comparison