Deep in the heart of Somerset, England, an automotive marvel emerges year after year from the workshops of Ariel Motor Company Ltd. This British, low-volume performance motor vehicle manufacturer represents the epitome of engineering ingenuity and innovation.
Originally founded in 1991 by Simon Saunders as Solocrest Ltd., the company was rooted in a vision to modernize the iconic Lotus Seven. Saunders, a transport design lecturer, along with his student Niki Smart, created pioneering CAD designs. After facing rejection from multiple sports car companies, Saunders took matters into his own hands and launched his enterprise, giving birth to the Atom. In 1999, the name was officially changed to Ariel Motor Company Ltd. Not to be confused with the original Ariel Motors, which remains as the trading company for the Ariel Owners Motorcycle Club (AOMCC), Ariel Motor Company stands as a beacon of British automotive artistry. It is noteworthy that the company operates on a lean workforce of just 30 employees and produces up to 100 cars per year.
When it comes to products, Ariel's crown jewel is undoubtedly the Ariel Atom. This high-performance vehicle boasts a Honda Civic Type-R engine and gearbox, delivering a thrilling driving experience. Classified as the world's first road-going exoskeletal car, the Atom lacks bodywork and a roof. Built entirely around its tube chassis, it weighs in at less than 500 kg. Especially fascinating is the Ariel Atom 3.5R supercharged model, which flaunts an astonishing power-to-weight ratio of approximately 700 bhp per tonne. Various iterations of the Atom have been released, each featuring engine and design upgrades, including the turbocharged Ariel Atom 4 introduced in 2018. Autocar honored this model as Britain's Best Driver's Car in 2020, adding yet another feather in Ariel's cap.
Diversification has also been witnessed in Ariel's product line. In June 2014, the Ariel Ace motorcycle was announced. Scheduled for production in 2015, the motorcycle is powered by a Honda 1237cc V4 engine and gearbox. On another front, Ariel introduced the Nomad in January 2015 at the Autosport International Show. Designed along the lines of the Atom, the Nomad is a road-legal buggy featuring a 2.4-liter Honda engine with 235bhp. In a recent development in 2023, a grant of $370,000 was received from the Niche Vehicle Network (NVN) and Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) for the construction of Nomad EV.
Lastly, the company took a groundbreaking step into the future with the announcement of HIPERCAR (High Performance Carbon Reduction) in August 2017. This electric sports car employs Equipmake APM200 electric motors, ushering Ariel into the electric vehicle space.
In summary, Ariel Motor Company Ltd is not just a car manufacturer; it is a testament to the indomitable spirit of British engineering and innovation. With a meticulous focus on performance, design, and technology, Ariel continues to redefine the boundaries of automotive excellence.
