Ariel Nomad: the Ford 2.3-liter ST engine offers a vacation

The English artisan of radical sports cars Ariel introduces an evolution of its Nomad with a Ford engine producing 305 horsepower!

In France, the company Ariel is infamously associated with the accidental death of actor Jocelyn Quivrin in November 2009 on the A13 highway near Paris. This backlash tarnished the recreational image of a vehicle that is a cross between a race car and a motorcycle.

At that time, the flagship model was called the Atom and was powered by a Honda 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, with power varying from 245 to nearly 500 horsepower depending on whether it was naturally aspirated or supercharged. Obviously, the complete lack of driving aids and the ultra-light weight (maximum 650 kg) made it a vehicle not suitable for everyone.

Nomad, queen of off-road

In 2015, a new product appeared, already conceived for eccentricity and off-road use: the Ariel Nomad. A buggy equipped with large wheels, XXL suspension travel, and a new, larger displacement Honda engine (2.4 liters) offering more torque to better tackle sandy difficulties. The power was then 235 horsepower.

In 2024, the Ariel Nomad undergoes a profound upgrade with a tubular chassis featuring wider and stiffer sections, as well as an entirely new engine. This engine now comes from Ford’s engine pool, as it is the block from the current Focus ST, where it develops 280 horsepower. The chassis is now 60% (again!) stiffer than the previous version, while power rises to 305 horsepower and 518 Nm of torque. Two other driving modes allow performance to be dialed down to 260 or 302 horsepower, as well as 385 or 451 Nm. Useful on very slippery surfaces, in particular.

The transmission remains a 6-speed manual, and the handbrake is hydraulic, like in rallying, to make for quicker drifts. Despite its large knobby tires, the Ariel Nomad 2 accelerates to 100 km/h in 3.6 seconds, and its top speed is 215 km/h. The weight is kept down to 715 kg!

What’s the price tag? Quite reasonable, as the Ariel Nomad 2 is priced at £56,660, excluding taxes. In France, with conversion and VAT included (excluding dealer commission and registration), it amounts to about €80,700. But with the environmental penalty, the cost may rise by an additional €60,000, totaling over €140,000.

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