Ariel Atom 0–60 Times
The Ariel Atom 0–60 times and quarter-mile times below are from 4 recorded performance tests sourced from reputable automotive resources such as Ariel, Car and Driver and Motor Trend and more.
The fastest tested Ariel Atom is the 2009 Ariel Atom 3 Roadster, which went from 0 to 60 mph in 2.90 seconds, reaching the ¼ mile in 11.20 seconds at 125.0 mph, according to Car and Driver.
The slowest tested Ariel Atom is the 2001 Ariel Atom Roadster, which took 5.00 seconds to reach 60 mph, running the ¼ mile in 14.00 seconds at 95.0 mph, according to Ariel.
Out of all the Ariel Atom tests in our database, the average 0–60 mph time is 3.63 seconds. The average quarter-mile time is 12.25 seconds at 110.80 mph.
Fastest 0–60
2.90sec
2009 3 Roadster · stock
Average 0–60
3.63sec
Across 4 runs
Avg ¼ Mile
12.25sec
@ 110.8 mph trap
Slowest 0–60
5.00sec
2001 Roadster
Across 4 verified runs, the Ariel Atom ranges from 2.90 to 5.00 seconds 0–60, with a 3.63-second average.
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Ariel Atom Performance Overview
Minimal-mass, open-wheel performance defines the Ariel Atom across 4 verified tests spanning 2001 to 2009. The recorded story begins with the Series 1 era, where the 2001 Roadster used a 190-hp naturally aspirated Rover K18 and reached 60 mph in 5.0 seconds. That established the baseline for the Atom's early production form: gasoline-powered, simple in layout, and focused on low weight rather than high output alone.
The largest step came with Series 2 from 2003 to 2007, when the Atom moved to Honda's supercharged K20A and a 300-hp output. In the available tests, the 2005 2 Roadster ran 0-60 in 3.6 seconds, then the 2007 2 Roadster cut that to 3.0 seconds and covered the quarter-mile in 11.6 seconds at 113 mph. That shift from the original naturally aspirated setup to forced induction marks the model's main performance transition.
By the Atom 3 period, represented here by the 2009 3 Roadster, the formula was further refined around a supercharged Honda K20Z making 300 hp. It delivered the model's quickest figures at 2.9 seconds to 60 mph and a class-defining-for-this-model 11.2-second quarter-mile at 125 mph. In this dataset, the Atom stands today as a gasoline-only platform whose latest tested form remains its quickest.
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Ariel Atom 0–60 Times by Generation: Series 1 to Atom 3
3 generations| Generation | Years | Avg 0–60 | Fastest 0–60 | Tests | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atom 3 | 2008–2012 | 2.90s | 2.90s — 2009 3 Roadster | 1 | The Atom 3 generation (2008–2012) averaged 2.90 seconds to 60 mph across 1 tests, led by the 2009 3 Roadster at 2.90 seconds. Output was 300 hp across 2.0L Supercharger I-4 configurations. |
| Series 2 | 2003–2007 | 3.30s | 3.00s — 2007 2 Roadster | 2 | The Series 2 generation (2003–2007) averaged 3.30 seconds to 60 mph across 2 tests, led by the 2007 2 Roadster at 3.00 seconds. Output was 300 hp across 2.0L Supercharger I-4 configurations. |
| Series 1 | 2000–2002 | 5.00s | 5.00s — 2001 Roadster | 1 | The Series 1 generation (2000–2002) averaged 5.00 seconds to 60 mph across 1 tests, led by the 2001 Roadster at 5.00 seconds. Output was 190 hp across 1.8L I-4 configurations. |
Atom 3
2008–2012
Avg 0–60
2.90s
Fastest
2.90s
Tests
1
2009 3 Roadster
The Atom 3 generation (2008–2012) averaged 2.90 seconds to 60 mph across 1 tests, led by the 2009 3 Roadster at 2.90 seconds. Output was 300 hp across 2.0L Supercharger I-4 configurations.
Series 2
2003–2007
Avg 0–60
3.30s
Fastest
3.00s
Tests
2
2007 2 Roadster
The Series 2 generation (2003–2007) averaged 3.30 seconds to 60 mph across 2 tests, led by the 2007 2 Roadster at 3.00 seconds. Output was 300 hp across 2.0L Supercharger I-4 configurations.
Series 1
2000–2002
Avg 0–60
5.00s
Fastest
5.00s
Tests
1
2001 Roadster
The Series 1 generation (2000–2002) averaged 5.00 seconds to 60 mph across 1 tests, led by the 2001 Roadster at 5.00 seconds. Output was 190 hp across 1.8L I-4 configurations.
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Ariel Atom 0–60 Times by Year and Trim
4 tests · 3 years
▾
2009 Ariel Atom
1 verified run
Avg 0–60
2.90
sec
Avg ¼ Mile
11.20
sec
Recorded Tests
1
#01
2009 Ariel Atom 3 Roadster
2.90sec 0–60
0.0s · 0mph
0.0s · 0mph
11.20s
¼ mi @ 125.0 mph
▾
- 0–60 mph
- 2.90 sec
- ¼ Mile ET
- 11.20 sec
- Trap Speed
- 125.0 mph
- Engine
- 2.0L Supercharger I-4
- Drivetrain
- RWD
- Transmission
- 6M
- Horsepower
- 300 hp
- Torque
- 191 lb-ft
- Curb Weight
- 1,350 lbs
- Power-to-Weight
- 4.5 lbs/hp
- Production Vehicle
- Body Type
- Roadster
- Powertrain
- Gasoline
- Test Source
- Car and Driver
- Overall Rank
- #1 of 4
How we verify Ariel Atom performance data
We include only independently published road-test results from automotive publications. Manufacturer-claimed 0–60 times are excluded unless clearly labeled. When multiple publications test the same Ariel Atom trim, each run is listed separately — weather, tires, surface, rollout, and instrumentation all affect results.
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Ariel Atom 0–60 and quarter-mile distribution
0–60 vs ¼ mile · lower-left is fasterEach dot is a recorded test run
0–60 →
¼ mile →
Fastest
Recorded run
Slowest
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Ariel Atom performance FAQs
10 questions
The 2009 Ariel Atom 3 Roadster reaches 60 mph in 2.9 seconds. That run comes from a stock car and stands as the quickest 0-60 time recorded for the Atom. The same test logged an 11.2-second quarter-mile at 125 mph.
The quickest Ariel Atom on record is the 2009 Atom 3 Roadster, with a 0-60 time of 2.9 seconds. It is also the fastest stock Atom, since the quickest overall run came from a stock example. Its best quarter-mile result is 11.2 seconds at 125 mph.
The fastest stock Ariel Atom is the 2009 Atom 3 Roadster at 2.9 seconds from 0-60 mph. There are 4 production Atom tests on record, and none are modified, so the fastest stock result is also the fastest overall result. Its quarter-mile time is 11.2 seconds at 125 mph.
Across 4 Ariel Atom tests, the average 0-60 time is 3.63 seconds. Average quarter-mile performance is 12.25 seconds at 110.8 mph. The quickest Atom recorded 2.9 seconds to 60 mph, while the slowest reached 60 mph in 5.0 seconds.
The Atom 3 generation, sold from 2008 to 2012, posts a 2.9-second average 0-60 time across 1 recorded test. Its fastest run is also 2.9 seconds, set by the 2009 3 Roadster. Output for this generation is listed at 300 hp with a supercharged gasoline powertrain.
The fastest Series 2 Ariel Atom is the 2007 2 Roadster, which reaches 60 mph in 3.0 seconds. Across 2 Series 2 tests from 2003 to 2007, the average 0-60 time is 3.3 seconds. Series 2 cars on record use a 300-hp supercharged gasoline setup.
The Series 1 Ariel Atom, covering 2000 to 2002, records a 5.0-second 0-60 time. That is both the average and the fastest result for the generation, since there is 1 test on record. Series 1 output is listed at 190 hp with a naturally aspirated gasoline powertrain.
The Atom 3 Roadster is quicker. The 2009 3 Roadster runs 0-60 mph in 2.9 seconds, while the 2 Roadster averages 3.3 seconds across 2 tests and has a best recorded time of 3.0 seconds. That gives the Atom 3 Roadster a 0.1-second edge over the quickest 2 Roadster run.
The Ariel Atom 2 Roadster averages 3.3 seconds from 0-60 mph across 2 recorded tests. Its quickest run is 3.0 seconds. That makes it one of the faster Atom variants on record, though still slightly behind the Atom 3 Roadster's 2.9-second best.
Across 4 Ariel Atom tests, the average quarter-mile time is 12.25 seconds at 110.8 mph. The quickest quarter-mile run belongs to the 2009 Atom 3 Roadster at 11.2 seconds with a 125-mph trap speed. That same car is also the fastest Atom to 60 mph.
Sources
Ariel
Car and Driver
Motor Trend
0–60 and quarter-mile times vary with driver, weather, tire temperature, and wear. We collect every verified run we can find — so you see the range of what an Ariel Atom can do, not a single marketing claim.
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