The Nomad is the second generation of the Atom’s ‘Mucky Brother’ and for the new generation, Ariel has spared no change. One of the biggest changes made is an all-new tubular chassis. Each main and diagonal tube have a larger diameter over the first generation. The result of the new chassis is a more than 60 percent increase in the torsional rigidity compared to the outgoing Nomad. Alongside torsional rigidity increases, Ariel have made the Nomad 2 easier to live with as the entry and egress opening is larger. The longer wheelbase also creates more room inside for driver and passenger. 

These changes, including an increased track, all help to increase the off-road capability of the Nomad 2. It has an approach angle of 48 degrees and departure angle of 64 degrees. Safe to say there won’t be much terrain the Nomad 2 can’t handle. 

There is a new powerplant that can be found in the Nomad 2, a 2.3-litre 4-cylinder EcoBoost from the Focus ST. Even though it's a borrowed power plant, Ariel has breathed their own tuning to the engine. You can choose how much power you want whether you are on or off-road through a switchable ECU. The choice of power is 260 bhp and 284 lb-ft, 302 bhp and 333 lb-ft and 305 bhp with 382 lb-ft. As a result, 0-60 mph is tackled in 3.4 seconds and you’ll be on your way to 134 mph.

Power and torque is sent to the tarmac through a six-speed manual paired with a limited slip differential. If you want to have a more hard-core set up, you can opt for a six-speed Quaife sequential gearbox, plus a hydraulic handbrake for extra off-road fun.

In order to ensure no debris is sucked into the engine, Ariel uses a dual engine air filtration system teamed with an encapsulated air-to-air intercooler. There’s a roof intake - which is always cool - that funnels air to the intercooler and engine separately. A pre-filter removes any debris before a three-layer filter removes finer dirt. Dirt is then collected in a sump within the system and then released via a vacuator valve. If you plan on even more adventures, you can opt for a WRC spec filter.

With the revised suspension work for Nomad 2 and input from ‘suspension guru’ Richard Hurdwell, Ariel have worked to reduce dive and squatting for the Nomad 2. The result of the work is reduced weight transfer under acceleration and braking, creating a better balance and keeping the tyres stuck to the road. Unlike they would say for the Atom, Ariel has done this to help with grip while off-roading. 

There has been nothing spared when it comes to suspension work for Nomad 2 as K-Tech coil-over dampers - which are specific to the Nomad 2 - are paired with Eibach dual rate springs. If this isn’t quite what you need, fear not, you can opt to have Ohlins TTX dampers. There’s an additional off-road package available that turns things to 11. It includes Bilstein two-stage dampers with remote reservoirs.

Pairing with the new suspension, Nomad 2 receives a 40 percent increase in size for the braking system over the outgoing model. There’s a theme of options here, but if this doesn’t meet your standards, you can select AP four-piston callipers and 290mm vented discs from the Atom 4 for each corner. From the cockpit, you have the ability to adjust front and rear brake bias on the move. Optionally, you can have a selectable ABS system for on and off road driving. Wheel sizes begin at 16”, ranging to 18” lightweight forged alloys. For a more hardcore choice, you can have 16” Beadlocks. As with the range of wheels, a wide range of tyres are also available for the Nomad 2, depending how you want to use it.

Looking at the body panels of the Nomad 2, they’re made of toughened polyethylene and feature materials from the original Nomad. An option for the exterior of Nomad 2 I like is the ‘bikini roof cover’ to help with UV protection. On the other end of the scale, another cool option available - of the 100 plus Ariel offer for Nomad 2 - is the Wam Axon winch. With that on, you know it’s a serious off-roader. If you want some extra practicality, don’t worry, there’s an option for that. You can get an adaptable rack system that lets you carry waterproof luggage boxes, up to two bicycles, loose luggage, a spare wheel, whatever you want really. 

Now it’s time to finally move to the interior (if you can call it that) of the Nomad 2 which has been designed to be washed out, so don’t go expecting wool carpets. The seats are a version of what was seen in the Atom 4 which come in two widths and carbon-fibre options if you desire. All driver information can be found on a full colour TFT display, with different pages to display the information you require. Oh it also has shift lights, instantly cool! If you plan to log data, you can through the display and record it to a Compact Flash Card, there’s not much Ariel has left out here. Rather trick as well, instead of having a second screen for an infotainment system to display the reverse camera, when reversing, the camera feed is shown on the display. 

You’ve heard all the details, the last one to tackle is the price. For UK customers, taxes included, Nomad 2 starts at £67,992. With the over 100 options available for the Nomad 2, just make sure you are budgeting for those. Each Nomad through its production is worked on by a single person, and with each car having the ability to be tailored to the owners exact needs, you really can have a unique creation.