Fifth gear Radical v Ariel Atom

[KMF]

http://www.akprice.net/video/Atom_vs_SR3SL-HD.mp4

[SportsLibre]

Twice the price of the "Aerial" ! grossly overpriced.

Also shows how much you ruin a Radical by making it Road driveable?

[dunc_sx]

While I could certainly believe that video and while it puts the price into perspective it does contradict other tests of the SL:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPaawsU84HM

Where it's quicker than the v8 atom (fastest tested so far by autocar?)

And quickest car evo reviewed as well I think?

Also think the sr3 (with much less power than the SL) was faster than the atom:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cteey4Wut8w

So altogether more reviews saying the SL's quicker than the Atom than vice versa so it's hard to know what to believe, certainly wouldn't argue with Atom's being excellent track cars, not so much race cars though.

Dunc.

Edited by dunc_sx on Wednesday 17th October 20:52

Edited by dunc_sx on Wednesday 17th October 20:52

[KMF]

Its a tough one, the only true result has to be done on the same track, same day by well experianced race driver. Plato is not a good presenter but has a good track record in all kinds of race cars. VBH is just a presenter and as for autocar they did them all on various days with who knows was driving them all. I am sure that the Atom can not keep up with the Radical SR3 or a Juno but they are pure track cars. It was very close no matter what

[Citrus7]

Be interesting to see Chris Harris's view on this, based on this comparison on same track

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHx69ZJQHtE

Having owned an Atom 3 , albeit with 245bhp, they are a real handful on the limit and take forever to get heat in the front tyres. I met someone who had an Atom 300 and Caterham R500, who kindly took me for back to back passenger rides. Very similar acceleration, but the Caterham was so much more confident through the bends. The owner tracked both cars and summed it up by stating after 15 mins he was knackered in the Atom, from all the steering corrections etc, where as he could stay out 3-4 times longer in Caterham due to its balance,

Having a Caterham now, albeit a lowered power one, I would agree its much more balanced and easier to drive on the limits

Back to the 5th Gear comparison I assume on a faster track the aerodynamics of Radical would see it pull away on the bends. Also we need to take into account the driving skill of Mr Plato. Could mere morals get the Atom round the track as quick as a Radical ?

Still miss the atom though, as it really does bring a smile to your face

As for the Radical, I would have one tomorrow if it was as cheap to buy and run as an Atom.

Dave

Edited by Citrus7 on Wednesday 17th October 22:26

[KMF]

Lots of good points, the chris haris vid shows 3 drivers in the cars, i have seen that one before. The Atom driver was scared of it. Havin said all that i do love the Radical, i had a caterham 150 b4 the Atom i have now and yes you are right the Atom does take a skill that most drivers do not have. I would love a Juno, that has the super Honda type R engine tuned by Mugen.
So put me down for a mono, juno, r500, atom mugen and a sr4sl
If only.
Just 6 numbers short

[Citrus7]

Oh yes a Mono

[jackg]

I'm really surprised by that test. I have an SL which I use for track days. I ve come across a few Ariels and I absolutely dust them despite being them being quicker in a straight line. Now my SL has all the high aero stuff which may make a difference but it really is quite dramatically quicker.
Agree with Platothat it needs more power, I've been trying to find a tuner as we should be able to get 450 lag free Hp out of a 2 ltr turbo to no avail yet.

[KMF]

The problem is the Atom is difficult to drive on the limit. The Radical with all that downforce make it easier to drive on the limit. It take a really good driver like Plato to got the best from both. That is the only way you get a true comparisson.
The Atom in the test did have 3K mag wheels and what looked like the Intrax shocks, as fitted to the Mugen and the V8, they are not cheap
Would love to see Plato in the Mono

[Simon T]

[quote] The Radical with all that downforce make it easier to drive on the limit.
[/quote]

Ya think?

S

[KMF]

Take the downforce off and try for yourself. That is after all what keeps an F1 car in front of the car with a broken wing

[BertBert]

KMF said:

Take the downforce off and try for yourself. That is after all what keeps an F1 car in front of the car with a broken wing

Perhaps what Simon meant is that aero cars are generally harder to drive to their limit rather than driving a mechanical grip car to its limit.
Bert

[TrackDayBore]

jackg said:

I'm really surprised by that test. I have an SL which I use for track days. I ve come across a few Ariels and I absolutely dust them despite being them being quicker in a straight line. Now my SL has all the high aero stuff which may make a difference but it really is quite dramatically quicker.
Agree with Platothat it needs more power, I've been trying to find a tuner as we should be able to get 450 lag free Hp out of a 2 ltr turbo to no avail yet.

Hi Jack,

"absolutely dust them" & "dramatically quicker" cheeky...
I would say aero-cars like Radicals are properly quick round a circuit compared to 'non-aero' cars but, nothing like as exiting as an Atom :-)

Look forward to seeing you at Brands again...

Cheers,

BTW take a look at me in my Atom having fun ....visit TrackDayBore on YouTube