Ariel, the extreme sports car specialist, heads to the hills with its thrilling, high-riding Nomad. Little touches it for fun, or capability. We want one.
In the metal
Looking like a cross between an insect and something that might be the tender for a sci-fi space ship, the Ariel Nomad's a jacked-up, extreme off-road version of the company's Atom sports car. Visually it might look like its tubular frame is identical - save for those roof bars - but Ariel's fastidious engineering approach means the two cars only actually share a couple of structural parts. It's all-new then, and quite unlike anything we've ever driven. It's pretty easy to see where the inspiration for it came from when walking around Ariel's HQ, as the old farm buildings that make up its production facility are surrounded by rolling hills. The boss drives a seriously tweaked Defender and there are more than a few motocross and mountain bikes knocking around. What's surprising is it took so long.
The tougher, higher tubular chassis is as exposed to the elements as its Atom relation, though there's a windscreen option fitted here and it's riding on its small wheel and off-road biased tyre spec, as well as multi-adjustable Ohlins hydraulic dampers and two-piece springs. The interior is as basic and functional as the exterior, with a simple large LCD display containing all the information you need, around which sits some switches and knobs for all the obvious functions, and some that are not - a large brake bias adjustment knob featuring, for example. There's a removable steering wheel too, which aids getting in (and security), a pair of lightweight bucket seats, multi-point harness seatbelts and a fly-off handbrake. Simple then, but impeccably finished, the engineering integrity apparent everywhere, from the precise, invisible welding on the frame to the specification of a beautiful Tilton aluminium racing pedal box. It all seems a shame to get it dirty, really...
Driving it
Visceral, hilarious and intense, the Nomad is back-to-basics driving that's an absolute joy. Ariel choose the larger 2.4-litre four-cylinder Honda engine for its torque characteristics; there's more of it at lower revs that's more suited to the Nomad's off-road brief. Less of a high-revving screamer then, even if its peak power of 235hp is produced at 7,200rpm - just 400rpm off the redline. The 2.4-litre unit is a bit more rough and ready, lacking the smoothness of its Atom relation's powerplant, but the additional flexibility from low revs is useful, with its 300Nm of torque arriving at 4,300rpm. Ariel will inevitably offer a supercharged version in time, but in naturally-aspirated form it's not lacking in eagerness. Given it's not shifting too much bulk that's hardly surprising, the Nomad weighting in at just 670kg in base form, and even adding options like the road pack (which includes essentials like front and rear mudguards, lights and the like) and other 'luxuries' like a windscreen is likely to add only around 100kg or so to that.
With its multitude of options the Nomad can be set up pretty much how you want it to drive. There are various different suspension packs - varying from the most extreme as reviewed here, featuring Ohlins multi-adjustable hydraulic bump stop dampers with two-piece springs, to Bilstein offerings. Indeed, one customer has apparently specified their Nomad with track suspension. Ariel offers everything from competition steering racks to high-strength rally wishbones, negative camber wishbone sets and a host of braking options. This car's fitted with Alcon four-pot callipers and a hydraulic handbrake working on the rear, with cockpit adjustable brake bias, the competition steering rack and 15-inch wheels shod in BF Goodrich Mud Terrain tyres. That might sound like it would result in compromises on the road, but it's actually very capable despite its off-road bias.
The windscreen does its best to offer some protection, but some form of eyewear is required for all the debris that still makes it through the open frame. That's on the road; if you're buying a Nomad you might want to consider putting a shower in your garage - you get filthy if those chunky tyre tread blocks are biting into anything that's not tarmac. Weather-proof gear is required then, but like the child-like joy of putting on some wellies and splashing in puddles the Nomad is never anything but an absolute blast.
It drives with real quality; on the road it is sensational, where that tall, compliant long-travel suspension affords it a ride that's supple yet supremely controlled and though there is some lean in the corners, it's welcome. It helps that you can both see and feel what everything is doing around you; turn the small, well-weighted and quick, steering wheel and you can watch the column turning by your feet and the wheels pointing whatever way you want through the open chassis frame. It's precise and enjoyable, the chassis hugely adept, the balance perfect, the Nomad letting you know exactly how much grip is on offer and it is easy and forgiving should you breach it. You'll do so deliberately, the off-road rubber allowing every corner exit to be left with some corrective lock, the engine's quick response and plentiful urge making it easy, too. It might offer flexibility, but there's fun to be had wringing out the 2.4-litre four to its redline, if just to better enjoy the quick shift of the six-speed manual gearbox. Excellent pedal spacing, weighting and positioning makes it all work effortlessly in unison, the Nomad a really pure, exciting drive, on- or off-road.
Get it muddy (and why wouldn't you?) and it's a jumping, sliding, mud-splattering hoot of a drive, the Nomad revelling in the sort of conditions you'd usually require a 4x4 for. You barely need to slow down in the mire, your speed determined by your bravery rather than any lack in the Nomad's ability. Grip is good, the brakes strong (there's no ABS, the lock-up actually quite useful off-road) and that hydraulic handbrake allows you to fling it about. All the characteristics and balance it exhibits on-road are intensified when off it thanks to less grip and half the scenery joining you inside. It's as much fun as we've had on four wheels, in anything.
What you get for your money
The Nomad's not something you're ever likely to use on a daily basis, but you'll yearn for the days you take it out. If you've the money for a toy and want fun on- and off-road - or singularly on either - then the Nomad fits the bill. It's never anything but hilarious to drive and Ariel says that quite a few customers are buying it without any intention to take it off the road. Like its Atom relation it's impeccably finished, but the Nomad's fun is more accessible more of the time, which adds hugely to its appeal. We can't give you an accurate pricing picture at this stage as Ariel hasn't released the emissions figure. It costs from £33,000 in the UK for what it's worth.
Alternatives
Bowler EXR S: A road-going version of an off-road racer. Amazing, but hugely expensive.
Rage Comet R: Road-legal off-road buggy, quick and fun, but even more compromised.
Quadzilla Z8 4x4 buggy: Quite a different proposition; more of a big quad than a car.
Summary
Nothing has thrilled us so much in a long time, and all at sensible speeds. The Ariel Nomad is relatively unique, in that it can do all that both on- and off-road. It is always fun, even if you're being soaked in a downpour or covered by muck flying off the tyres. Everyone should drive one of these once, and if you love driving as much as we do we doubt you'll come away without wanting to put down a deposit on one.