Ariel has renewed its exclusive engine supply deal with Honda, as the British automaker celebrates production of its 1,500th Honda-powered vehicle.
The milestone has been reached after 16 years of production at a small factory in Somerset. Each vehicle is built by a small team of just eight technicians, requiring 100-200 hours of hand assembly.
The company has used the Honda Civic Type R’s 2.0-liter K20 engine, along with the K24 2.4-liter unit from the Civic Si. In its off-the-shelf naturally-aspirated configuration, paired with an Ariel-tuned ECU and exhaust, the 2.4-liter mill delivers 245 horsepower.
The upgraded Atom 3S adds a turbocharger, bumping output up to 365 ponies. The track toy is capable of launching to 60 mph in less than 2.8 seconds, with a top speed of 155 mph.
“The two brands are a perfect match – not least with our common engineering expertise and reputation for unrivaled performance, reliability and durability,” said Honda UK director Philip Crossman. “With the engine such a key factor it’s a huge endorsement for Honda that Ariel chooses ours over others, and we look forward to continuing this successful partnership for many years to come.”
Honda engines are also used for Ariel’s exoskeleton off-roader, the Nomad, and its new Ace motorcycle.
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