Quick Facts:
- Product: Ariel Nomad 2, a rear-wheel-drive off-road sports car.
- What changed: US sales move from a licensed US manufacturing program to direct supply from the UK factory.
- US distributor: Forman Motorworks of Scottsdale, Arizona.
- Power: Up to 305 horsepower per Ariel’s spec page; the US engine is not yet confirmed.
- Weight: Under 1,700 pounds, according to Ariel.
- Reported price: $97,500 for the chassis, before the engine goes in.
- First US deliveries: Planned for summer 2027.
- Best for: Drivers who want a light second vehicle for dunes, gravel and desert tracks.
6 min read
In This Article
- Why the Ariel Nomad Now Arrives Direct From the UK
- What Ariel Announced for US Buyers
- What the Nomad 2 Specs Mean on Sand and Desert Tracks
- What the Morocco Desert Challenge Says About the Nomad
- What an Ariel Nomad Costs Before and After the Engine
- What This Means for You
- Final Thoughts
- Frequently Asked Questions
Why the Ariel Nomad Now Arrives Direct From the UK
Ariel Motor Company now takes US orders for the Ariel Nomad 2 straight from its English factory. The move replaces a licensed US manufacturing program and opens the full model range to American buyers. If you want a lightweight car for sand and gravel, the order now goes to the factory.
Forman Motorworks of Scottsdale, Arizona, handles sales as Ariel’s exclusive US distributor. Ariel says the UK factory builds every US-bound rolling chassis. Forman also oversees parts, service and maintenance through select support sites in the US.
However, the Nomad 2 is not a quick purchase. Forman’s first two demonstrators are an Atom 4 and an Atom 4R, not a Nomad. First customer deliveries are planned for summer 2027. This article covers what Ariel announced, what the car brings off pavement, what it costs, and how to prepare.
Sand driving depends on tire pressure and traction, whatever you drive. The ARB E-Z Deflator handles airing down, the VIAIR 400P compressor airs the tires back up, and MAXTRAX MKII boards free a stuck wheel.
Sand and desert tire and traction gear
ARB ARB505 Deflator Kit 10-60 PSI Tire Pressure Gauge Rapid Air Dow…
What Ariel Announced for US Buyers
Ariel released the news on October 29, 2026. Specifically, the US lineup now includes the Atom 4, Atom 4R, Atom 4RR and Nomad 2. Ariel also pitches the Nomad 2 at buyers with access to gravel roads, desert and off-road trails.
Founder Simon Saunders says supplying directly from the factory gives American buyers the full model range. They also get the same specification flexibility as UK customers. Because every Ariel is built to order, each car matches the owner’s specification.
Franz Forman became the first US Ariel dealer in January 2009. His company has since sold more than 200 new and pre-owned Ariel vehicles. Finally, order inquiries are open now, and Ariel directs buyers to Forman’s website for US specifications and pricing.
What the Nomad 2 Specs Mean on Sand and Desert Tracks
The Nomad 2 uses a bronze-welded steel tube chassis, long-travel suspension and body panels molded from tough polyethylene. Notably, Ariel’s spec page lists 260 horsepower as standard, with a 305 horsepower option. The UK spec uses a Ford 2.3-liter turbo engine, which drives the rear wheels through a six-speed gearbox.
Ariel claims 0 to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds and a 134 mph top speed. The release puts the weight under 1,700 pounds, while the spec page lists about 1,576 pounds. Approach and departure angles are 48 and 64 degrees. Also, a dual filtration system protects the engine from dust.
Tire size matters for sand. Ariel’s spec page lists 235/70R16 Yokohama Geolandar tires. Tall 70-series sidewalls give you room to air down your tires. Lower pressure widens the footprint on soft ground. The car also seats two, so passengers and bulky camp gear are not part of the plan.
What the Morocco Desert Challenge Says About the Nomad
Ariel points to a rally result as proof. In September 2026, it reported the finish of a customer-owned Nomad in the Morocco Desert Challenge. The eight-day rally covered about 1,740 miles, or 2,800 kilometers, across eight stages from Ouarzazate to Saïdia. Specifically, single stages ran about 280 miles or more through dunes, salt flats and rocky tracks.
Treat this as proof of the platform, not of a stock car. Ariel built a bespoke off-road package with extended wishbones, a wider track, more ride height and more suspension travel. For example, tuned Öhlins dampers handled ruts and repeated high-speed hits.
Ariel also sent a technician and an approved spares package. Maintenance stayed routine: air filter changes, oil services, brake pads and damper servicing. The car finished every stage, and the result rests on Ariel’s own report.
What an Ariel Nomad Costs Before and After the Engine
Ariel’s release lists no prices. Reports on the launch put the Nomad 2 at $97,500 before an engine goes in. One report says destination is included. Forman estimates engine installation adds roughly $25,000 on top of the chassis price.
This math puts a finished Nomad 2 near $122,500, before options, taxes and registration. Another report lists $124,400 for the Nomad 2. It likely reflects a complete car, though the report does not say so. Both numbers remain estimates until you receive a written quote.
A rolling chassis means the car arrives without its engine, so you budget for the engine step upfront. Ariel has not said which engines US buyers will receive, so the spec page engine is a guide only.
What This Means for You
If you plan to buy, start with Forman and ask for a written quote with the engine included. Then ask which engine the US car uses and how registration works in your state. Also confirm where the support sites will sit. Ariel’s release does not answer these questions.
Delivery timing is another concern. Ariel plans first US deliveries for summer 2027 and has given no Nomad-specific date. Treat summer 2027 as the earliest you would drive one. The gap between $97,500 and a finished $122,500 car is $25,000, so budget for both.
I drive a 2025 Chevy Colorado ZR2, a truck with a bed for gear and recovery equipment. For most readers, a truck still does the job better. Order a Nomad 2 only if a second vehicle near $122,500 fits your budget. Skip it if you need to carry passengers or camp gear, since the car seats two.
Desert driving in any vehicle needs preparation. Read our off-road recovery guide before you go. Also look at search and rescue coverage, since remote tracks sit far from help.
A satellite messenger adds a lifeline where cell service ends. The Garmin inReach Mini 2 is built for tracks without coverage, though it needs a paid satellite plan.
Garmin inReach® Mini 2, Satellite Communicator, Orange | SOS Satellite Communicator with Navigation, Two-Way Messaging Beyond Cell Service, 24/7 Garmin Response℠
A compact satellite messenger for two-way texting and SOS alerts when cell service ends. Requires a paid satellite plan.
Final Thoughts
Anyone who wants a light, quick car for dunes has good news here, though the wait is long. Ariel now controls the supply of US-bound cars, and Forman is the exclusive US customer contact. For buyers, this means a clearer path to a factory-built Nomad 2 and the full options list.
My take: the Nomad 2 suits a driver who already owns a truck or tow rig. It is a light, quick machine for dunes and gravel. However, the trade-offs are real. You pay for the chassis and the engine separately, and the car carries little beyond two people.
Watch for Forman’s written pricing and the first Nomad delivery date. These two details show whether this car belongs on your shortlist or stays a good story from Morocco.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the Ariel Nomad 2 cost in the US?
Reports put the chassis at $97,500 before the engine, and one says destination is included. Forman estimates engine installation adds about $25,000. Ariel’s release lists no prices, so request a written quote from Forman.
When will US customers get an Ariel Nomad?
Ariel plans first US customer deliveries for summer 2027. Forman’s first demonstrators, an Atom 4 and an Atom 4R, arrive in the first quarter of 2027. Ariel has not given a Nomad-specific date.
Who sells and services Ariel cars in the US?
Forman Motorworks of Scottsdale, Arizona, serves as the exclusive US distributor. Parts, servicing and maintenance run through select support sites in the US, and Forman oversees them.
What is a rolling chassis?
A rolling chassis is a complete car without its engine. Ariel sells its US cars this way, so you add the engine as a separate cost.
Is a stock Nomad 2 the same as the Morocco car?
No. The Morocco car carried a bespoke off-road package with extended wishbones and tuned dampers. Ariel’s release does not say whether the car was a Nomad 2.
Related Reading
Source: Ariel Motor Company release, October 29, 2026, and the Ariel Nomad 2 model page.