You can’t run and you can’t hide – not when the Avon and Somerset police force is driving their latest vehicular addition.
Somerset-based auto manufacturer Ariel has released a one-off police version of its trackday car the Ariel Atom, following a tie-up between itself, the Avon and Somerset Constabulary and the Safer Rider campaign.
The Ariel Atom PL1 is based on the regular Atom 3.5R, but its Honda engine has been tweaked to produce 350bhp instead of the standard 245bhp, meaning the Police Atom will go from 0-62mph in 2.6 seconds. It also features a police livery plus functioning sirens and blue lights.
However, this particular vehicle will not be used in any high-speed chases, instead lending itself to promote motorcycle safety at events around the country.
“Modern motorcycles are capable of extraordinary performance, with supercar levels of acceleration, braking and cornering,” said Avon and Somerset Roads Policing Sergeant Andy Parsons. “Unfortunately with this level of performance comes an increased risk of death or serious injury as a result of inexperience, lack of training and rider error.”
This isn’t the first supercar to make a move into the law enforcement arena. The Dubai Police Force has a collection of cars capable of making any would-be car thief stop simply to ogle the body work. They now have a £359,000 Lamborghini Aventador, a Bugatti Veyron, Bentley Continental, Ferrari FF and a £1.6m Aston Martin One-77, among others.
“Our business is about going fast, very fast, but there is a time and a place,” Simon Saunders, Ariel company director, said. “The Atom is designed to be driven to a race track, where you can drive to your limits in safety and in a professional environment designed for the purpose. The road really isn’t the place to explore you or your vehicle’s limits.
