Sold at Auction: Ariel Atom 3S

Status: SOLD at auction
Make: Ariel
Model: Atom 3S
Year: 2016
Mileage: 845
Chassis No.: AA30227
Location: Bozeman, MT
Color: Silver Chassis, Red/Black Panels
Engine: Turbo-charged 2.4L i-VTEC I4 Honda motor
Auction Link: https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2016-ariel-atom-3s/

Do you want to feel your left kidney pressing against the base of your spine? Do you want to give time travel, the ol’ college try? You can either get in line for a factory build of an Ariel Atom with reported wait times of more than a year, or you can bid on this like new example (just past break-in mileage) on BringaTrailer: https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2016-ariel-atom-3s/

This 2016 Ariel Atom 3S packs 365 turbocharged horses, but weighs less than 1,450 pounds. To put that in perspective, that is a similar power to weight ratio to a La Ferrari, and better than a Pagani Huayra. Colin Chapman (of Lotus fame) is credited with saying “simplify, then add lightness.” The folks at Ariel have taken that sentiment and thrown out any British Modesty, along with the door hinges. Body panels? Much too heavy. Roof? Never a consideration. A/C? Hah! All of this added lightness, with a pinch of turbocharging in the recipe, equals 0-60 times around 2.8 seconds, and quarter mile times in the mid-10s. Your internal organs will never be the same again.

This example is Ariel’s third generation of the Atom. The 3S is the turbo charged model in the Atom line-up, and features a Honda 2.4L i-VTEC inline 4 (known internally at Honda as the K24Z7) attached to a 6-speed manual with limited slip differential. While the Honda motor was legendary before it arrived at Ariel, they did not leave it alone. It features proprietary intake and exhaust systems, and engine management software. With an intake approximately three inches from your right ear, the sound of winding up an Atom 3S is truly one of the incredible automotive experiences.

With just 845 miles (as of writing) this Atom is just through break in mileage. The owner carefully adhered to Ariel's break-in recommendations, and that means that it is ready for you to go full tilt (and how painful would be to drive this slowly?).

This unit was hand built by TMI AutoTech, Inc. in Halifax Virginia, a company carefully picked by Ariel to be their sole U.S. builder. These cars are built to order. This one has about 800 miles on the odometer, all from the original owner. This example cost $98,650 when new, and came spec’d with some very desirable go-fast parts, including: