Low-Volume Ultra-High Performance EV
The Ariel Motor Company is well-known for their awesome handling sports car, the Atom. This exoskeleton-design two-seater is most commonly powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter Honda Type R engine with 245 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque, and a 6-speed manual driving the rear wheels. Sound fun? It is, but hang on a minute.
Ariel has announced the all-new Hipercar EV, or High Performance Carbon Reduction, that is scheduled to be available in 2024.
Here is what we know so far.
- Fully enclosed carbon fiber body built on a lightweight aluminum chassis
- Two seats
- Single electric motor for rear wheel drive
- Four, in-board electric wheel motors for all-wheel drive (One motor for each wheel)
- Cosworth 62 kWh lithium-ion battery, 800-volt system
- All-electric driving range: 150 miles without optional 35 kW gasoline turbine range extender
- Low volume, limited production
- Built in Somerset, England, United Kingdom
Performance
Single Motor: Rear Wheel Drive
- 590 horsepower
- 664 pound-feet of torque
Four Motors: All Wheel Drive
- 1,180 horsepower
- 1,327 pound-feet of torque
- 0-60 under 2.09 seconds; 100 mph in 4.4 seconds
Pricing and Availability
The Arial Hipercar EV is projected go on sale in 2024. Pricing has not been announced. More info is at https://www.arielmotor.co.uk/.
Observations: 2024 Ariel Hipercar EV
Having driven the Ariel Atom, at Weathertech Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, California, I can tell you it is an absolute blast. Getting behind the wheel of the Ariel Hipercar EV, with either double or triple the performance specs, should be one of life’s great experiences!
Clean Fleet Report wishes we could tell you more, but like us you will have to wait over the coming months for Ariel to leak-out more tidbits.
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Story by John Faulkner. Photos by Ariel Motor Company.
Great read! I appreciate the effort you put into researching this.