Introduction to Ariel Motor Company
Fans of lightweight, back-to-basics sports cars will be well aware of the Ariel Motor Company. Since 2000, Ariel has produced the Atom, combining a variety of rev-happy engines with manual gearboxes and the bare minimum of bodywork. Ariel followed up the Atom in 2015 with the Nomad, an off-road interpretation of the same philosophy.
Unveiling the E-Nomad Concept
Ariel has now unveiled the E-Nomad concept, an electric version of its all-terrain buggy. The E-Nomad is based on the Nomad 2, but the bodywork looks slightly less skeletal than the gas-powered Nomad. Reworked panels help the air pass over the car efficiently, resulting in a 30 percent reduction in drag.
Cutting-Edge Materials and Design
Thanks to bodywork constructed from natural flax fibers, the E-Nomad weighs only 1975 pounds. The panels are reinforced by “ribs” made from a bio-composite natural fiber, which Ariel says is even lighter than carbon fiber and produces 73 percent less carbon dioxide in the manufacturing process.
Performance and Specifications
At the rear of the E-Nomad sits a single electric motor pushing 282 horsepower and 361 pound-feet of torque to the rear wheels through a single-speed gearbox. This motor, gearbox, and inverter are all packaged together and weigh just 203 pounds combined. The E-Nomad also features a limited-slip differential, ABS, and regenerative braking, allowing it to zip to 60 mph in just 3.4 seconds.
Battery and Range
The motor is fed by a 450-volt 41.0-kwh lithium-ion battery built specifically for the E-Nomad by Rockfort Engineering. The battery weighs just 661 pounds and lives behind the cockpit. A front-mounted, high-capacity radiator helps cool the battery while a 5-kw internal high-voltage heater can preheat the pack. Ariel claims the E-Nomad has a range of 150 miles and can charge from 20 to 80 percent in less than 25 minutes on a DC fast-charger.
The unveiling of the E-Nomad concept represents just a small part of Ariel’s future. With its cutting-edge materials, impressive performance, and eco-friendly design, the E-Nomad sets a new standard for lightweight electric off-road vehicles.
