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Ariel launches all-new Nomad
10th July 2024
Ariel Motor Company, the UK-based low-volume manufacturer of ultra-lightweight road, track, and off-road vehicles, has launched the ultimate go-anywhere sportscar – the all-new Ariel Nomad 2.
Ariel’s launch of its second-generation Ariel Nomad is aptly named ‘Nomad 2’. As with the Atom sports car, now in its fourth generation, the Nomad evolves and maintains Ariel’s core value of SERIOUS FUN, epitomising the company’s philosophy of form following function.
Known as the Atom’s ‘Mucky Brother’ the Nomad’s off-road capability is immediately evident with exposed outboard suspension, long travel dampers, damage resistant body panels, raised air intake and a hose out interior.
The Nomad 2 is an instantly recognisable development of the original, yet the evolved design language is clear when comparing both vehicles. The Nomad 2 is an all-new design from the ground up – featuring only three carry-over parts – that builds on learnings from the original car, integrates customer feedback, and benefits from significant Ariel R&D.
Henry Siebert-Saunders, Ariel MD: “The all-new Nomad 2 is the sum of our 25 years of automotive experience, a decade of Nomad feedback and the latest learning from Atom 4. Pouring all this knowledge into Nomad 2 means it is faster and more capable than ever. The Nomad 2 really is the ultimate way to go-anywhere, on road or off it, fast!”
Designed and engineered by the in-house Ariel team, the Nomad 2 features an all-new chassis, suspension, steering and brakes, electronics, all-new bodywork with significant aerodynamic improvements, new seating and instrumentation, together with a host of design improvements and changes.
With an open design brief to improve the car wherever possible, the Nomad 2 represents a major step forward in the evolution of the Nomad and Ariel itself.
In designing the Nomad 2, Ariel worked to broaden the accessibility of the car’s performance, enabling customers to confidently explore the full extent of its capabilities. With this goal in mind, the new model features options of fully selectable driver aids including a three-stage engine map controller, driver adjustable launch and traction control, and an adjustable ABS system, developed to work on- and off-road. All adjustments can be made on the move, leaving the driver in complete control of settings.
Tested in the harshest environments from racetracks to rally stages, in blistering heat, monsoon rain, floods, mud and snow, the Nomad 2 has undergone Ariel’s most severe test regime to date.
Simon Saunders, Ariel Director: “Making lightweight cars handle compliantly and comfortably on the road is an artform as suspension loads and forces are so low. Making the same car capable of reliably and repeatedly jumping the crest of an off-road hill at more than 100mph takes this to another level. If you then add in loose surfaces, mud, water, and perhaps some ice, you’ll appreciate the extremes that we have dealt with.
“The Nomad 2 is, even to us, a truly remarkable car. As ever, we’ve captured all the elements customers want – road car refinement and reliability, rally car performance and dynamics, plus beach buggy fun!
“It’s a car that can be driven to the shops, and then around a WRC rally stage. But most importantly, whatever the journey, our guiding principle is that it will put a smile on your face.”
As with all Ariels, every Nomad 2 will be built to order by a single technician, who takes the car from bare chassis to final test drive before signing it off and placing their personal nameplate on it. With far more than 100 options, Ariel can tailor-make each Nomad every customer’s exact requirements, ensuring no two cars will be the same.
Production of Nomad 2 is set to commence at the Ariel factory near Crewkerne in Somerset alongside the Ariel Atom 4, Atom 4R, and Dash e-bike.