Official Ariel Motor Company press release (12 Nov 2018)
In brief
- Limited edition Ariel Ace, called Ace of Diamonds, will be launched at Motorcycle Live at the NEC Birmingham on 17 November
- Only 10 examples of this very special edition bike will be made
- Ace of Diamonds instantly recognisable by its one-off paint scheme and Limited Edition plaque
- Features CNC-machined aluminium frame and components
- Powered by 172bhp, 1237cc, V4 Honda engine with six-speed gearbox and shaft drive
- Not only will they be eye-catching and rare, but each will represent exceptional value at £19,982 inc. VAT
Diamonds
Ariel are pleased to announce the Ace of Diamonds, a special limited edition of the Ariel Ace motorcycle. Distinguished by the unique, numbered paint scheme, the Ace of Diamonds will be a highly exclusive motorcycle limited to a run of just 10 hand-built examples. First sight of the bike in the flesh will be at the Motorcycle Live Show in Birmingham UK, which begins on November 17.
At the centre of the Ace of Diamonds, as with every Ariel Ace, is an anodised, CNC machined and hand-welded aluminium frame. Visually the same as other Aces, the Ace of Diamonds frame has had further development work and features a steering head angle of 23.5 degrees, which can be altered in build to suit customer requirements. Said Simon Saunders, Director of Ariel, “We are slightly obsessive about detail at Ariel. On the Ace frame we have analysed the number of passes made by the CNC machine making the frames so that we can not only make it more efficiently but also change the visible machining lines in the frame. To most people it’s not noticeable but for us and our customers it’s this sort of detail that is important.”
A composite tank and seat back carry the unique, numbered paint scheme, the base colour of which is available to customer choice. Composite belly pan, radiator shrouds and carbon fibre mudguards front and rear complete the bodywork. A low single seat, giving good centre-of-gravity and perfect fit for all sizes of rider can be added to with the optional pillion seat, complete with fold down footrests. A limited edition Ace of Diamonds plaque shows the number of the edition, mirroring the builder’s plaque on the other side of the steering head.
As with the Ariel Atom 4 and Ariel Nomad cars power comes from Honda with the Ace of Diamonds featuring a 1237cc, V4 Unicam engine developing 173bhp, six-speed gearbox and shaft drive. Complete with switchable traction control, the Ace of Diamonds sprints from 0-60mph in 2.9 seconds and continues on to a top speed of 165mph. Front suspension is provided by Showa 43mm, adjustable cartridge type, telescopic forks with machined clip-on handlebars, while rear is a Pro-Link single sided swing arm and Showa adjustable damper. Braking is via front twin 320mm floating discs with six-piston Nissin radial calipers, with a rear single 276mm floating disc with Nissin two-piston sliding caliper. The braking system features linked brakes with ABS. Tyres are Dunlop Roadsmart 120/70ZR17 front and 190/55ZR17 rear on lightweight 17″ x 3.5″ and 17″ x 16″ alloy wheels respectively.
Instrumentation is by a digital LCD display with datalogging capability and the Ace of Diamonds has full LED lighting throughout. Cycle components are made from machined billet aluminium and formed titanium. As with all Ariels, the Ace of Diamonds will be built to order and can be further individualised with options to suit each rider. Like all Ariels the Ace is known for its handling and performance but also has high volume production bike levels of reliability and ease of use.
Tom Siebert, in charge of Ariel Ace production, explained the ethos behind the exclusive bike: “Since we launched the very first Ariel Ace back in 2014, we have been delighted by the response from bike lovers. Every bike is tailored to each customer and each of those customers becomes a friend and part of the Ariel family. When we build an Ace it is not a motorcycle, it’s your motorcycle. The Ace of Diamonds is a celebration of both our and our customers’ journey. With the Ace of Diamonds we have put together a package which gives a unique, handbuilt motorcycle but at an affordable price. For those wishing to join the exclusive club of ten Ariel Ace of Diamonds owners and become part of the Ariel family, the price is £19,982 including VAT.”
Production of the Ariel Ace of Diamonds will begin in 2018 with first customer bikes delivered in March 2019.
The Ace of Diamonds will be on the Ariel stand at the NEC from 17 November to 25 November 2018 together with the Ace R, newly-released Atom 4, Ariel Nomad and some of the historic Ariel collection.
For more information
Ariel Motor Company on +44 (0)1460 78817
