Ariel's Atom returns faster than ever

BRITISH firm Ariel has announced an upgraded version of its sensational Atom sportscar that is faster than ever, making it one of the quickest cars on sale today.

The Atom 3.5R showcases a number of upgrades over the outgoing model which contribute to the sensational performance. The 2.0-litre Honda V-TEC engine has had its supercharger revised to give 350bhp and over 240lb.ft of torque, while the gearbox is now a six-speed paddleshift system that can manage five downshifts in less than a second.

Add to that the revised suspension, optional side pods and aerodynamic package and it's hardly surprising that the performance figures are sensational. Ariel claims 0-60mph can be despatched in close to 2.5 seconds while 0-100mph is reached in 6 seconds - that's quicker than Ferrari's half a million pound F12 Berlinetta.

The Atom 3.5R is expected to cost £64,800, with the slightly less accelerative entry-level Atom starting at £31,560.

By Stunning British supercar humbles rivals costing ten times as much