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View Full Version : Atom sighting in Walnut Creek (pics)



DaveLC2
05-16-2006, 12:21 PM
I had just picked up my buddy last Thursday at his place in Walnut Creek and we were on our way to the coast when I saw the Atom driving up Second headed toward Main Street. My buddy always has his camera with him at all times and I told him to be sure and capture it. Here it is just turning right on to Main from Second just after 10:30 am last Thursday the 11th. Damn I wish I had my windows down :(

http://tinypic.com/zvo0uv.jpg

http://tinypic.com/zvob4l.jpg

Dave

ek9_evo9
05-16-2006, 01:23 PM
here's a good question....WTH is an atom and who makes it, IMO that thing doesnt even look safe to drive :?

mynameizstitch
05-16-2006, 02:10 PM
Its as safe as motorcycle lol I have no clue who makes it, but I do know the atom uses a supercharged k20. Check out the top gear episode on it a very amazing machinery....

ZK
05-16-2006, 02:16 PM
They could be doing testing on it as I don't think they are released here yet.

I would definitely wear a helmet when driving one of those, your face and hair is going to be covered in splatered bugs!

vtluu
05-16-2006, 02:27 PM
Ariel Atom official websites:

http://www.arielmotor.co.uk/
http://www.arielatom.com/ariel/site.php

earlyapex
05-16-2006, 02:29 PM
I saw a Atom up at Alices on Skyline this weekend. It was the electric one by AC propulsion.

Pretty sweet.

http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060220/FREE/60210012&SearchID=73236241493036

http://www.wrightspeed.com/

wilson1
05-16-2006, 03:20 PM
that looks cool!

EVO GRIM
05-16-2006, 05:43 PM
I saw one comiin out of pebble beach a month ago or so. Baddass car.

DaveLC2
05-16-2006, 07:42 PM
here's a good question....WTH is an atom and who makes it, IMO that thing doesnt even look safe to drive :?


Here's the top gear video (http://www.openwheelers.com.au/videos/Top_Gear_Ariel_Atom_2_Full_segment.mpg) if ya want to check it out. Looks like a blast to drive.

Dave

Matz
05-17-2006, 05:45 AM
I saw a Atom up at Alices on Skyline this weekend. It was the electric one by AC propulsion.

Pretty sweet.

http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060220/FREE/60210012&SearchID=73236241493036

http://www.wrightspeed.com/


ELECTRIC? :shock: :shock: I thought they only had the supercharged Honda engine (I think that was it). Wow. I want one for sure now. need... IPO... badly...

ek9_evo9
05-17-2006, 07:48 AM
damn that thing is fast :lol:

ford prowler killer? i think so 8)

leif
05-17-2006, 12:15 PM
dude thats 2 seconds from my house.

evo_dadi
05-17-2006, 12:47 PM
damn that thing is fast :lol:

ford prowler killer? i think so 8)


i dont even think a prowler can keep up with that :)

Stormtrooper
05-17-2006, 01:46 PM
yeah... i would love one of those...

supercharged 300bhp supercharged B16 Civic Type R motor

DaveLC2
05-17-2006, 08:06 PM
I believe those have the K20 from the new Type-R. The supercharger is optional. Sick ass ride. I guess it's available with the ecotec here. I wonder if they'll fit it with 260hp turbo version? That would be cool. Crank up the boost and prepare to die :lol:

Dave

BaseModelEvo
05-17-2006, 08:18 PM
WAAAAYYYY too much power...


I love it.

wilson1
05-17-2006, 11:54 PM
Check this out!

http://www.pluginamerica.com/media/Wrightspeed.wmv

Matz
05-18-2006, 05:58 AM
Check this out!

http://www.pluginamerica.com/media/Wrightspeed.wmv


Awesome! Just the video I wanted to see. I read an article about Wright in the latest Popular Science, but the pics of the X1 were so small I didn't even realize he had just gutted an Atom. And the X1 is actually nicer because it seats two! IIRC, the Atom I saw on Top Gear only had one seat. So when are you buying one so I can take a ride in it with you??? :wink: :wink: :wink:

PANGES
06-15-2006, 04:26 PM
Heheheh, those look like so much fun to drive.

tkeirin
06-15-2006, 08:16 PM
looks pretty cool.

mattbcool
06-16-2006, 12:50 PM
i just spotted this yesterday as i was walking into work right by palos verdes mall in walnutcreek.

EV0LL
06-17-2006, 01:23 AM
Check this out!

http://www.pluginamerica.com/media/Wrightspeed.wmv


Personally I think the whole electric car thing is ghey (and on top of that not really a silver bullet solution to our energy needs). I'd be interested in seeing that vid done with the electric atom vs the regular gasoline version ;)

tuner
06-19-2006, 10:31 PM
The Atom belongs to my son.* Just got it in May.* Its Honda powered with K20 with Hondata setup for 245 crank HP.* 0-60 in something like low 3s.* The only one in Northern Calif. as far as we know except for the electric one in San Jose.* We'll be doing track days with it soon - switching out tires and getting brake bias to work better now.* Just got it dyno tuned.* I've got a 2005* Evo just finishing up mods. with Vishnu Stage III GT 3076 & Vishnu-Gerrard Ohlins susp, etc., etc., etc.* The Atom is faster by a bit. :o* Very comfortable to cruise around in, even on the freeways.

wilson1
06-19-2006, 11:59 PM
The Atom belongs to my son. Just got it in May. Its Honda powered with K20 with Hondata setup for 245 crank HP. 0-60 in something like low 3s. The only one in Northern Calif. as far as we know except for the electric one in San Jose. We'll be doing track days with it soon - switching out tires and getting brake bias to work better now. Just got it dyno tuned. I've got a 2005 Evo just finishing up mods. with Vishnu Stage III GT 3076 & Vishnu-Gerrard Ohlins susp, etc., etc., etc. The Atom is faster by a bit. :o Very comfortable to cruise around in, even on the freeways.

Where abouts are you located?

DB8GSR
06-20-2006, 05:07 AM
The Atom belongs to my son. Just got it in May. The Atom is faster by a bit. :o Very comfortable to cruise around in, even on the freeways.


Nice atom. I would've never guessed that there's also an Evo in your stable. Any experiences/run ins with the cops while driving the atom?

tuner
06-20-2006, 06:50 AM
The Atom lives in Walnut Creek. No real problems with police pulling it over. Stopped just once by CHP so far since arriving a month ago. It has a cat. and pretty quiet exhaust. Actually a very civilized car overall; guess thats due to the quality of engineering, workmanship and materials.

EVO GRIM
06-20-2006, 07:34 AM
Welcome. I posted in evom when I saw it was you. May I ask how hard it was to get and how much it sent you back.

chrisw
06-20-2006, 07:53 AM
Hey tuner,

nice meeting you and you son this past sunday. That atom looks awesome, can't wait to hear about your track days..

tuner
06-20-2006, 08:29 AM
EVO GRIM;
The Atom is available from Brammo in Ashland Oregon.* They will set you back in the $50-60K range if well equipped.* Not cheap!* They are building them under license from Arial in England; Jay Leno got the first one a month or so ago.* Waiting time is several months.* To our knowledge this one is the only Honda Atom in Nor Cal.

ChrisW:
It was really nice meeting you Sunday at the SCC Autocross at Candlestick.* Your car was very impressive in nearly setting fast time for the day. :o

DaveLC2
06-21-2006, 04:31 PM
The Atom belongs to my son.* Just got it in May.* Its Honda powered with K20 with Hondata setup for 245 crank HP.* 0-60 in something like low 3s.* The only one in Northern Calif. as far as we know except for the electric one in San Jose.* We'll be doing track days with it soon - switching out tires and getting brake bias to work better now.* Just got it dyno tuned.* I've got a 2005* Evo just finishing up mods. with Vishnu Stage III GT 3076 & Vishnu-Gerrard Ohlins susp, etc., etc., etc.* The Atom is faster by a bit. :o* Very comfortable to cruise around in, even on the freeways.



Man what a small world :shock: That is one awesome machine. I was suprised how quiet it was when we saw your son drving it in Walnut Creek. Your Evo sounds like it's bad ass too 8)

Dave

Matz
06-26-2006, 10:57 PM
Man, I want one. It would make a nice project, since it's only street legal if you build it in your garage. But I thought if you bought it in the US, you had to have the EcoTec engine??? It would be cool if you brought it to a meet sometime -- I would love to see it in person. :)