TMI AutoTech is an American company that has been exclusively manufacturing the Ariel Atom for the US market since 2008. You'll remember the Atom. It's great.
Today, we see TMI's newest model, the Atom 3S, which Ariel UK confirmed is only destined for the States. In short, it is a 365bhp turbocharged go-kart packing enough performance to melt your face. You know what we're talking about.
The 3S uses a 2.4-litre Honda VTEC four-pot engine with a Borg-Warner turbocharger, an electric fuel pump, twin fuel filters, aluminium radiators, a sealed intake snorkel and a K&N air filter, and of course, a custom stainless steel exhaust system.
There are adjustable dampers and pushrods, other such lightweight elements to the chassis, a bespoke traction control system, a six-speed gearbox with a limited slip diff, a better clutch and the option of a sequential paddle shift ‘box.
The brakes are 290mm vented versions, it weighs just 612kg, comes with an LCD digital dash display, and, erm, is really, really fast.
How fast? 0-60mph takes less than 2.8 seconds. It'll go from 0-100mph in 6.7 seconds, run a quarter mile in 10.7 seconds, and complete a lap of the Virginia International Raceway in 1m 58s.
"It is more than just a horsepower figure, or drag strip time that makes me love this car," explains TMI VP Mark Swain. "It is the smooth power delivery, the sound of the turbocharger, and the relentless push back into the seat."
It sounds like a riot. Though over here in the UK we'll still get the bombastic 3.5 R, which is more than enough to warp vital parts of your anatomy, thanks in part to 350bhp from a supercharged 2.0-litre engine. 0-60mph in this car takes just 2.5s and will rock on to 100mph in under six. Read our first drive here.
Classic Clip: James May drives the Ariel Atom V8
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