15,000 miles, Yearly - We look into what its like to long term test the Ariel Atom and Ariel Nomad

-Enjoying the roads around Halifax County, Virginia in the Ariel Atom 3S

I am in a unique, some say lucky, situation where I have access to our full Ariel line up for driving on a regular basis. Now don't get the wrong impression, this is not joy rides and cruising for looks down Main Street, it is generally traveling to/from car shows, events, or testing. 99% of the time I'm behind the wheel it is work related (pinky swear...). Given this opportunity - I have seen both oceans, driven through deserts/canyons/highways/byways/cities/towns, seeing the world roll by through the windshield of the exoskeleton design Ariel is known for. My rough calculations come out to putting a combined 15,000 miles a year on the odometers of Ariel Atoms and Ariel Nomads alike.

Given my position, as Director of Sales for Ariel North America, I try to be as objective as possible... I've been hot, cold, wet, and sun burnt in my travels. Keeping in mind that this is territory that comes with open motoring, Ariel ownership can only described as an experience.

-Exploring dirt roads around Big Sur, California in the Ariel Nomad Tactical

***Continued From Newsletter***

I know "experience" can be somewhat of a cliche' these days with every company from Ferrari to Subaru offering an "experience"....  Just take one look at the Ariel Atom or Ariel Nomad and you know every minute behind the wheel is going to be the "experience" you're looking for. Ariel bridges that magical gab between performance/driving dynamics/open motoring/exclusivity and outright fun factor then pairs it with reliability/low cost of ownership. 

-On set with the Grand Tour at the El Mirage dry lake beds with the Ariel Nomad Sport

Since the Nomad came online for North America a year ago, I have been asked which is my favorite to drive between it and the Atom. This is still up in the air for me. I have now driven on 10+ hour road long trips (including driving from SoCal to Monterey and back), attended countless car shows , and obeyed the speed limit on hundreds (if not thousands) of miles of back country roads in both the Atom and Nomad. My decision between the two leans towards the Nomad; this strictly due to my adventurous/curious personality. The Nomad's versatility allows it to not have paved roads dictate where you must go. In saying that - the itch for Hyper Car levels of acceleration is quickly relieved within seconds of wheel time in the Atom 3S... The Atom also has the advantages of quick & easy ingress/egress along with the perks of being asked "Is that the Atom Jeremy Clarkson drove on Top Gear?!?!" at every gas station. 

-Our Ariel Nomad Tactical demo in its seemingly natural color (mud covered) and the Ariel Atom 3S

Looking back on the road trips, track days, dinner outings, video production sets, exotic car rallies, and Tens of Thousands of accumulated miles in an Ariel - I couldn't think of a better time I've had or car I would rather be in.

- Jesse Kenealy - Director of Sales, Ariel North America: jkenealy@arielna.com