[Tierfreund]

At 17.000$, where do I sign ? (I would keep my E90 for weekdays though)

I think that´s the most fun for the buck anyone has offered ever.

http://www.spiegel.de/fotostrecke/0,...Mg_3_3,00.html

[325 Baller]

holy crap? how much 17k, what dealerships have em lol

[Tierfreund]

Originally Posted by 325 Baller

holy crap? how much 17k, what dealerships have em lol

None yet. It´s at the LA show. Production is feasible though if the NA audience reacts well to it.

[Tierfreund]

Makes a Lotus Elise look bloated

[txusa03]

but what happens if it rains, you be soaked just like a motor bike.

[Tierfreund]

Originally Posted by txusa03

but what happens if it rains, you be soaked just like a motor bike.

If you ask that kind of question, this thread is not for you (No offense please).

Obviously this is not a vehicle for your wife´s school run.

[kt157]

it's like the kawasaki t-rex...
http://images.search.yahoo.com/searc...r=FP-tab-web-t
i've seen a couple on the streets on nor cal.

[AW330i]

I wonder what the power to weight ratio is it has to be crazy...

[Tierfreund]

Originally Posted by AW330i

I wonder what the power to weight ratio is it has to be crazy...

145hp @ 560Kg = 1240lbs

8.55lbs per hp

Better than an E46 M3 with 333hp @ 3530lbs (10.6lbs per hp)

[noflash]

What's the advantage over a motorcylce, which would be faster and cheaper?

I like the idea, but I need a bit more protection on the road.

Check out Volvo's Tandem concepts. Who else would you trust to build a safe capsule like this?

I'd buy one of these.

[noflash]

[SteveMD]

Check out the Aerial Atom. Powered by a supercharged 300HP VTEC it smokes a CB600R around Top Gear's test track. 0-60 in 2.9 secs.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...=top+gear+atom

[noflash]

[Tierfreund]

Originally Posted by SteveMD

Check out the Aerial Atom. Powered by a supercharged 300HP VTEC it smokes a CB600R around Top Gear's test track. 0-60 in 2.9 secs.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...=top+gear+atom

The Atom is about 50.000$ and not (as far as I know) street legal in the US. The VW is predicted to be homologated for the US and has a predicted price of 17.000$. Not exactly competitors.

Plus, the engine of the Atom is probably far less durable than the engine in the VW would be. I´d guess a supercharged VTEC engine will last no more than 20000 mls before a expensive rebuild is up. The VW engine is basically a regular production car engine. Even a small diesel engine is thinkable and then the economy would be fantastic.
The VW looks like a great weekend fun toy without any hassle. At 17000$ it would incredible fun for the buck with very little potential for ownership hardship (reliable, cheap to run, VW brand suggests decent resale etc.)

[Tierfreund]

Originally Posted by noflash

Motorcycles are only faster in acceleration. A car or even a three-wheeler like the VW would be far better at cornering.

As for the Volvo: The VW is no beauty, but the Volvo is hideous.

[Hula-Hula]

wow.. can you guys see yourself in that thing on the Nürburgring? That would be awesome!

[BMW0]

Looks really nimble and quick around corners.

[lux.sh]

Originally Posted by Tierfreund

Plus, the engine of the Atom is probably far less durable than the engine in the VW would be. I´d guess a supercharged VTEC engine will last no more than 20000 mls before a expensive rebuild is up.

I would heavily disagree.

Durability? Thats a honda Type-R motor in there, code B18C5. B series engine are proven, proven, and proven again over in 10 years. Its called "heaven-motor" between honda enthuasists, and it can do wonders. Those little 1.8liter 4cylinders are built for high-RPM abuse, and proven for its durability.

Now, I don't quite understand why they went with B18C5 with forced induction. It would've been easier with GS-R motor(lower Comp.Ratio). I guess they aren't quite worried about being easy or not, so they probably worked out a good combo(lowering compression, and adding SC, or maybe just high compression F/I engine which could probably cause durability problems down the road).

One of my best friend has CW 01 integra type-r with greddy turbo kit. Now, he abuses that car like its nobody's business. I haven't met anybody who drives like him yet. The car now has over 60k miles with turbo, and it holds up just fine. Proper tuning, and right parts to go with was the key to success. Which in this case, the builder of that Atom was probably aware of. Oh, and not just my case, but there are 47308178203 of supercharged B series out there that drives just fine with abuse and high mileage.

Expensive? This is B series honda motor we are talking about here. B series engine aftermarket support is probably bigger than anything else in united states. What does that mean? B-series engine parts coming out from just about every japanese tuning manufacturers, which translates into market competition, and ended up with low prices for B series engine parts. This means, anything can be done to B series motor, and just about every parts and bolts that you can buy online at cheap prices.

Really, even if the motor totally blows up, just pick up an another B series engine, put the old supercharger on it and build it up from there. Thats worst case senario, and it still sounds reasonable.

Atom is one hell of a toy.

[SteveMD]

I looked at the Atom's web site and they sell an NA version with about 200HP. Still mighty quick.

The Atom beat some impressive hardware to get near the top of the 'Top Gear' lap time board: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Top_Gear#Power_Laps

[zdognaylor]

I agree with Lux the B series motors really are that damn good. They don't have any torque but in a car like the Atom they are perfect. It probably has a Eaton Roots type supercharger like the Jackson racing one.

[Tierfreund]

Originally Posted by lux.sh

I would heavily disagree.

Durability? Thats a honda Type-R motor in there, code B18C5. B series engine are proven, proven, and proven again over in 10 years. Its called "heaven-motor" between honda enthuasists, and it can do wonders. Those little 1.8liter 4cylinders are built for high-RPM abuse, and proven for its durability.

Now, I don't quite understand why they went with B18C5 with forced induction. It would've been easier with GS-R motor(lower Comp.Ratio). I guess they aren't quite worried about being easy or not, so they probably worked out a good combo(lowering compression, and adding SC, or maybe just high compression F/I engine which could probably cause durability problems down the road).

One of my best friend has CW 01 integra type-r with greddy turbo kit. Now, he abuses that car like its nobody's business. I haven't met anybody who drives like him yet. The car now has over 60k miles with turbo, and it holds up just fine. Proper tuning, and right parts to go with was the key to success. Which in this case, the builder of that Atom was probably aware of. Oh, and not just my case, but there are 47308178203 of supercharged B series out there that drives just fine with abuse and high mileage.

Expensive? This is B series honda motor we are talking about here. B series engine aftermarket support is probably bigger than anything else in united states. What does that mean? B-series engine parts coming out from just about every japanese tuning manufacturers, which translates into market competition, and ended up with low prices for B series engine parts. This means, anything can be done to B series motor, and just about every parts and bolts that you can buy online at cheap prices.

Really, even if the motor totally blows up, just pick up an another B series engine, put the old supercharger on it and build it up from there. Thats worst case senario, and it still sounds reasonable.

Atom is one hell of a toy.

Allright, you know way more about that Honda engine than I do. I wasn´t aware that it´s a wondermotor that can be blown to 140% of it´s original output and still be reliable.

to Honda for such a marvelous motor (seriously)

Still the Atom is not really a competitor wether in blown form or not. The VW GX3 would be half the price and have a dealer at every corner. And still probably be more reliable with it´s understressed car motor and VW production technique compared to the very small volume shack built Atom (which is a great thing nontehless, only a different league alltogether)

[noflash]

Originally Posted by Tierfreund

the very small volume shack built Atom

Again with the ignorance!