October 30 '08

October 30 '08

Ariel Atom 3 Testing

The launch of the Ariel Atom 3 on North American soil has been an event anticipated by many automotive enthusiasts for months, and has recently moved one step closer to placing the ultra performance supercar into client’s hands.

Testing of the Ariel Atom 3 "mule" has included both chassis roll dyno tuning, as well as real world driving on the famed VIR road course.

The “Viper (Virginia Institute of Performance Engineering and Research) Engine and Drive Train Lab” served as the location for more than 50 Dyno runs that allowed the technical team to tune the Engine Control Unit for maximum performance as well as drivability.

Upon completion of the Dyno testing the Atom 3 has been run in multiple private, as well as public, lapping events where it has logged over 500 miles at speed without a hitch. Over the course of testing the VIR facility has provided three different circuit layouts that each have different challenges and requirements of a vehicle. It is important that the vehicle handle well under various track conditions and layouts. The North, South, and Full courses at VIR have all been used with fantastic results. It can easily be stated that the Ariel Atom 3 has been one of the quickest vehicles on track at any given time, while at the same time being very cost effective to run; Tires, Brakes, and Fuel are used sparingly with an Atom!

Keep an eye out for an Ariel Atom 3 at a track near you very soon.

Picture # 1 : Dyno run at VIPER Engine and Drive Train Lab

Picture # 2 : The first ever laps of the Atom 3 test mule at VIR