The brand new Ariel Atom 4 revealed

For 18 years, the Ariel Atom is one of the must-have machines for a minimalist performance experience, and now it is about to enter its fourth generation.

Revealed today, the new sports car may look like this before, but the British automaker says it's pretty close to a brand new machine – with only three components carried forward from the generation former.

The power supply is a Honda K20C engine, as found in the latest Civic Type R, paired here with a six-speed manual gearbox. The 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder unit produces 320 hp and 420 Nm of torque – capable of taking the Atom 4 from 0 to 60 mph in 2.8 seconds and on a top speed of 162 mph.

Housing that is a chbadis that was designed entirely in-house by Ariel and is 15% stiffer than that of the outgoing car, with a total weight of only 595 kg.

Figures like this could create a hard-to-drive machine, but there's no skimp on handling-oriented parts to keep all that performance on the road. The onboard Bilstein dampers, while the new steering rack improves ease of use – making the Atom more accessible than ever.

As standard, the Atom 4 is equipped with 16-inch alloy wheels at the front and 17-inch at the rear – although these may eventually be replaced by units carbon fiber, which weigh 50 percent less. Whatever the choice, Avon ZZR High Performance Tires are factory mounted.

Do not expect much in terms of luxury equipment, it's a car focused on the track. Daytime running lights now work, just like LED indicators. There is also the revolutionary introduction of individual seats, rather than the twin unit to a single mold of the old. How high-tech is this?

The all-new Ariel Atom 4 will be available for order at the end of 2018 with a starting price of £ 39,975. The first deliveries are scheduled for early 2019.