Somebody screen! Ariel Atom gets optional windshield
We've lost track of how many times we've watched Clarkson's track test of the Ariel Atom. It solidified the Atom's place in the track-day hierarchy, impressing with its insane speed, lateral grip and face warping abilities. But for those of us not content to look like a blowfish in full attack mode, Ariel has begun offering an optional windscreen on the Atom, eliminating the need for a helmet.
The new polycarbonate windscreen is semi-frameless, can be detached via five fittings and even includes wipers and a washer system to clear off the bugs that would have otherwise wound up on you and your passenger's forehead.
Ariel hasn't confirmed when the windshield will be available, but it's hoping to keep the cost of the screen and the wipers below £1000. Naturally, we've embedded the Atom's appearance on Top Gear after the break.
[Source: Autocar]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Ubizzle 1:17PM (7/24/2008)
Making this an option is a good choice, it means the Atom is (slightly) more accessible to some people, who hate wearing helmets. It's also detachable, and i'm sure it doesn't weigh too much, so, all in all, i can't see anything to complain about... :-)
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Doug 2:18PM (7/24/2008)
It makes it no more accessible to anyone in the US considering we can't drive it anywhere except on a track (with a helmet) anyway.
P B 2:21PM (7/24/2008)
Actually, as long as you assemble the Atom yourself from a kit sent to you, you can license it as a kit car and can drive it on the streets.
It's a bit of a loophole, but it works.
Ben 2:56PM (7/24/2008)
@doug: there are places you can drive it in the US, maybe not in the state you live in, but in Texas you can, I have seen two different ones here in Fort Worth driving on the highway (both headed to the track a few miles from my house). One of them had a license plate on it, the other I couldn't tell as I saw it from the side only.
madgamer 3:44PM (7/24/2008)
You can highway drive them all day in Tennessee. I've seen people (with helmets) doing it.
John B 8:33PM (7/24/2008)
Doug:
I saw an Atom (and talked with the owner) at last year's British Car Day just west of Toronto. The car had Arkansas plates and was driven up by the owner with his wife. If a "leather ass" award was given out I'm sure they would have won it.
vkchu 1:22PM (7/24/2008)
doh, no more maxell man.
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Rainy99 1:26PM (7/24/2008)
"My epiglottis is full of bees!" LOL
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John Johnson 1:38PM (7/24/2008)
See avatar for the reason there should be no windshield.
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adam 3:37PM (7/24/2008)
i hope they offer that on the atom 500
wow... suzuki V8 500hp in the atom... talk about ripping your face off
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Jason 1:52PM (7/24/2008)
I want one of these things so bad it's not even funny.
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Chad Kirchner 1:57PM (7/24/2008)
"They could film an entire episode of Badger Watch in there!"
I like the windscreen, and thank goodness it's detachable. No need to have it just putting around town.
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.josh. 2:05PM (7/24/2008)
boo!
that's all
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HotRodzNKustoms 2:11PM (7/24/2008)
Makes a lot of sense and there was probably a lot of demand for one.
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Phil Perman 3:07PM (7/24/2008)
I wonder how much is really negates the need from the helmet. From what I've heard of people who have been lucky enough to ride in one, the air intake just next to your ear with a vacuum cleaner of a supercharger behind it creates quite a quite a pressure difference and can make it quite uncomfortable to ride in without a helmet.
But hey, sadly I've never had the chance to be in one myself so can't really say for sure
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Mike 3:20PM (7/24/2008)
New England needs an Atom club...
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ken_aisin 3:46PM (7/24/2008)
Rather put on a Shoei or Arai.......
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ImSteevin 3:46PM (7/24/2008)
I can tell you from experience that far worse than bugs are the teeny rocks from cars in front of you. And when you step on it, it really does feel like your brain is getting sucked out, the intake is so strong that it flexes your eardrum out.
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Kareem Sultan 2:45PM (7/25/2008)
hmm. Maybe that would have helped in this video.
Nice bug guts, right in the middle.
http://racedv.com/u/1111/645/
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