The Ariel Nomad is an off-road buggy made to exacting standards. It’s a kick in the pants to drive, whether you’re on a leisurely cruise on a rutted gravel road, or hitting the tracks somewhere like Descanso or Ocotillo Wells. The Nomad would also be just as at home running Baja, as well. The engineers at Ariel stuck a torquey little 2.4-liter Honda iVTEC into it, but the power output of even this little engine with the lightweight Ariel didn’t satisfy them. So, to ramp up the “Ariel Smile” factor even more, they supercharged it.

The Ariel Nomad Is Engineered to Handle Punishment

The Ariel Nomad looks tough from all angles. Image courtesy Ariel Motors.

Off-roading the fun way can be very punishing even for a properly engineered and built buggy or truck. That’s why the Ariel engineers bronze-welded all the frame components and used roll-steel tubing all around. Using this construction process they created a masterful safety cage that will keep you and one passenger safe as you take it to your limits, because you’re not likely to be able to reach the limits of this unique off-road vehicle.

The Nomad is built tough to take abuse. Image courtesy Ariel Motors.

The long-travel suspension is constructed to laugh at the most difficult situations you can put it in. Equipped with double unequal wishbones and metalastic high rotation bushings, as well as an aluminum quick-reaction steering rack, the suspension on the Ariel Nomad is ready for anything you can throw at it. Even the body pieces are designed to handle whatever you can throw at it and laugh it off.

The Ariel Nomad Is Chock-Full of Quality Parts from Respected Leaders in the Industry

All that engineering excellence in the frame and body panels would go to waste if the components that make up the suspension can’t handle the rough and tumble abuse you throw at it. That’s why they chose parts from companies we all know and respect, such as Bilstein, Goodrich, Race Technologies, Eibach, and Alcon.

The Nomad looks good even standing still. Image courtesy Ariel Motors.

Put it all together and you’ve got one powerhouse of a lightweight off-road rocket that will plaster a smile on your face. That lunatic cackling you hear as you’re powering over the toughest terrain? It’s likely to be you and your passenger enjoying yourselves.

The Ariel Nomad by the Numbers

The supercharged Ariel Nomad is one awesome beast. Image courtesy Ariel Motors.

The supercharged Honda K24 iVTEC engine puts out 290 horses at 7200 RPM and develops an impressive 251 lb-ft of torque at 4300 RPM. Couple that with the fact that it only weighs 1,477 pounds, and you’re talking about big time smile factor.

Yeah, it’s a British-made off-roader, but it’s also available in the US. Where would you take this? Tell us in the comments below!