Battle of the lightweights: Ariel Atom 4RR Vs Nichols N1A

Ariel Atom 4RR and Nichols N1A are pitched as extreme “lightweights,” with the key differences emerging in aerodynamics, packaging, and on-road usability. The Atom features Öhlins twin-tube dampers, AP Racing 310mm two-piece ventilated discs, four-piston calipers, and forged alloy wheels—16-inch front and 17-inch rear—with Yokohama A052 tyres. It notably has no windscreen. The Nichols goes further with an aero screen that distorts the view, while the interior is minimalist: carbon-fibre bucket seats, a machined-from-billet instrument cluster, a simple three-spoke wheel, and a gated shifter. The cars differ sharply in downforce and handling; the Nichols weighs around 900kg. In a mandated 20mph second-gear rolling start drag race, the Nichols initially gets the jump, but the Atom’s performance allows it to catch and pass, with an approximately 110kg downforce at 70mph mentioned for the Atom.