Performance Review: Ariel Atom Mugen - [2012]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ariel Atom Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ariel Atom Mugen is the 6 speed / Paddle Shift version and was first brought out in 2012. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2012 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse and the 2013 Lamborghini Veneno 6.5 V12.This particular Ariel Atom has a 1998cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The Atom shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Atom's Rear Wheel Drive, - 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 550 kgs (1212 lbs) this makes the Ariel Atom Mugen in the same weight category as the 2013 Caterham 7 485 2.0L or the give or take 50kg.

The Ariel Atom shares the same bhp with the 2022 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (276 bhp)

In terms of power the 1998cc 16V St4 engine produces 270 bhp (201 kW) @ 8300 rpm similar to the 2022 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (276 bhp) or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E AWD (266 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 188 lb-ft (254.8 Nm) @ 6000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (184 lb-ft) or the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (184 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 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 (511.7 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ariel Atom.

The Ariel Atom has a Power to weight ratio of 490.9 bhp per ton and 341.8 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2012 Atom competing with the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 (511.7 bhp per ton) or the 2000 Caterham 7 Superlight R500 (511.1 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 341.8 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 McLaren 600LT 3.8 V8 Bi-Turbo (366.4 lb-ft per ton) or the 2021 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 6.2 V8 Supercharged (366.1 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 2.90 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 3.0 secs, this made the Ariel Atom Mugen as fast as 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 or the 2021 BMW 5 Series M5 CS 4.4 V8 Turbo F90 (2.90 secs). This Ariel Atom Mugen is also faster than the 2023 Pagani Utopia 6.0 V12 Twin Turbo (3.00 secs) the 2022 Lamborghini Huracan Tecnica 5.2 V10 (3.00 secs) the 2021 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Z51 6.2 V8 C8 (3.00 secs) the and the 2021 McLaren Artura 3.0 V6 Turbo Hybrid (3.00 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Atom and the 2010 Ford Focus RS500

When talking about the performance of the Ariel Atom on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 10.85 secs @ 126.1 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2010 Ford Focus RS500 (10.80 secs), the 2012 Mercedes CLS Class 63 AMG Shooting Brake (10.80 secs), and the 2012 Maserati Quattroporte GTS 3.8 V8 Biturbo (10.80 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2012 version of the Ariel Atom Mugen has a maximum speed of 150mph.

Top Speed of the 2012 Atom equals the 2013 Porsche Panamera Diesel 3.0 V6 Turbo (161 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2012 Ariel Atom Mugen then how about the 2013 Porsche Panamera Diesel 3.0 V6 Turbo (161 mph), the 2013 Porsche Panamera 3.6 V6 (161 mph), or the 2011 Radical SR3 SL 2.0 Turbo (161 mph).

Related Links:

2012 Atom Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ariel

Car Comparison