Not to be outdone, just after the Italian police received their Huracan and the New South Wales Police took delivery of the Lexus Hybrids, the Avon and Somerset Constabulary in the UK have just received another fast machine. This time they received a unit of Ariel Atom 3.5R, not for chasing criminals but to promote motorcycle safety! Makes sense since you have to wear a helmet to drive it, and it only seats two.
The Ariel Atom 3.5R, dubbed as the “PL1”, is powered by Honda’s K20a engine from the Honda Civic Type R, with an added supercharger which propels it from 0-100km/h in 2.6seconds, matching the acceleration of a superbike.
The PL1 will sport bright yellow and blue Battenburg markings similar to the British “Bobbies”. There are also standard police sirens and slimline pursuit lights just like a standard issue police car. The police will use this Ariel Atom PL1 as part of the force’s Safer Rider campaign and it will be displayed at various events throughout the region, probably just to scare riders.
“Motorcyclists [in the UK] make up just 1 per cent of total road traffic, but account for nearly 20 percent of all road user deaths,” says Sergeant Andy Parsons. Here’s hoping this Atom has an effect on curbing that extremely high attrition rate amongst bikers in the UK. Maybe the PDRM here should consider getting one too. Helang Lebuhraya II perhaps?
[Source: CarAdvice]
