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Ariel Atom police special created to promote motorcycle safety

A special one-off Ariel Atom 3.5R has been delivered to the Avon and Somerset Constabulary to help it promote motorcycle safety.


This special Ariel Atom is dubbed the PL1 and is based on the latest 3.5R model. That means it's powered by a modified version of the 2.0-litre engine from the previous generation Honda Civic Type R.

With the aid of a supercharger, the 3.5R has 260kW of power and more than 300Nm of torque at its disposal. All that power and fury is delivered to the rear wheels via a six-speed sequential transmission.

It's unlikely that the Ariel Atom PL1 will go unnoticed thanks to its bright yellow and blue Battenburg markings which it shares with other UK police cars. Complementing the police livery is a white body frame with black wings and undercarriage. Yellow brake calipers, a police siren and a slimline pursuit lights finish off the package.

Despite these additions, Ariel says that the Atom PL1 will still do the 0-100km/h sprint in 2.6 seconds, or just about as fast as most high-powered motorcycles. The top speed of a normal 3.5R is 250km/h.

The Ariel Atom PL1 forms part of the Avon and Somerset Constabulary's Safer Rider campaign and will be displayed at various events throughout the region.

"Motorcyclists [in the UK] make up just one per cent of total road traffic but account for nearly 20 per cent of all road user deaths," says Sergeant Andy Parsons.

Ariel, which is launching a motorcycle later this year, says that drivers and riders alike should explore their steed's handling limits on a race track instead of on public roads.

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