Ep 5. Ariel Atom 3S

How It's Made: Dream Cars season 4 episode 5 takes a look at the Ariel Atom 3S, a lightweight sports car that prides itself on its speed and agility.

The episode begins with a brief history of the company, which was founded in 1999 in England. The Atom 3S is the latest addition to the company's line of vehicles, offering improved performance and handling compared to its predecessors.

The first step in the manufacturing process is the construction of the car's tubular frame. This is done using a process called metal bending, which involves heating the metal to make it more pliable and then bending it into shape. The result is a lightweight yet extremely strong frame that forms the backbone of the entire vehicle.

Next, the team moves on to the suspension and brakes. The Atom 3S utilizes high-performance components from top manufacturers like Alcon and Eibach, giving the car exceptional handling and stopping power. The suspension is adjustable, allowing drivers to fine-tune the car's handling to their liking.

The heart of the Atom 3S is its engine, a turbocharged 2.4-liter Honda unit that produces 365 horsepower. It's a high-revving engine that's as fast as it is reliable, making it the ideal choice for a vehicle like the Atom. The engine is mated to a six-speed manual transmission, which gives drivers complete control over the car's power.

The car's body panels are made from lightweight composite materials, which help reduce weight and improve the car's overall aerodynamics. The panels are molded using a vacuum infusion process, which involves laying out the carbon fiber or fiberglass matting and then drawing in resin using a vacuum pump. This ensures that the resin is evenly distributed throughout the panel, resulting in a strong yet lightweight finished product.

Finally, the team assembles all the various components into the finished car. The process is largely done by hand, with each car being carefully inspected and tested to ensure it meets the company's high standards for performance and quality.

Overall, How It's Made: Dream Cars season 4 episode 5 provides a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at how the Ariel Atom 3S is made. From the metal bending process used to construct the frame to the vacuum infusion process used to make the body panels, viewers get an up-close look at the various technologies and techniques that go into creating this remarkable sports car. Whether you're a fan of high-performance vehicles or simply interested in learning more about the manufacturing process, this episode is definitely worth a watch.