Not giving an inch to the Caterham Seven RS, Ariel has announced more details on its forthcoming Atom 500. Delivering an amazing 1000 horsepower per ton, the two-seater will use a 2.4-liter V8 from RS Performance, making it one of the most radical rides on the planet.
The peak output of 500 horsepower is achieved at an amazing 10,000 rpm. Peak torque is 300 pound-feet at 8,500 rpm. The engine, which is worth over $200,000 alone, is mated to a six-speed Sadev transmission with paddle shifters.
The Atom 500 features a unique color scheme for chassis, wheels and bodywork combined with carbon fibre panels and carbon fibre aerofoils. Other features include chromoly aerofoil wishbones, integrated function steering wheel, Alcon four-piston brake calipers, and Dymag magnesium wheels.
“This is an interesting project for us and an experimental departure from what we normally produce,” said Simon Saunders, Director of Ariel. “For a few customers the Atom 500 will be the ultimate expression of lightweight performance and represents the outer limits of what is achievable in a road registered car. We also use this sort of project to explore the possibilities of how we can improve our standard cars.”
The Atom 500 will begin production in Somerset at the new Ariel factory located there. Ariel plans to produce just 25 examples of the Atom 500. No prices for the Ariel Atom 500 have been announced, but a price tag of over $300,000 is expected.
05/28, 4:00 PM
posted by:
beatusmongous
This is one of my favorite cars of all time. Although I feel a V8 will be a bit over the top…
05/28, 4:05 PM
posted by:
Fx NauGhtY
its like a formula 1 car with no turbocharger and a bigger engine to make up for it, with high reving rpm to deaf you interesting.
05/28, 4:06 PM
posted by:
cocksterS
Holy. Guacamole. You’d better have a really good insurance policy before you squeeze behind the wheel of this thing.
05/28, 4:06 PM
posted by:
05Z88Path
Wow…well the Ariel Atom is truly an awesome car, since it’s got to be one of the closest experiences to driving a F1 car on the street that you can buy. But $200k for a motor? That’s ridiculous. A turbo-charged four-cylinder engine of similar displacement can reach the same power levels, and for far less $$$. The base Ariel Atom 3 starts at $65k, and increasing the price buy 4 times to get 500hp and some goodies seems a little steep…
05/28, 4:07 PM
posted by:
shaver
200K for the 500HP motor? Who makes it NASA or the military.
05/28, 4:15 PM
posted by:
Borat
300K for a car with no roof! What if it rains? 2.4L V8 is cool; reminiscent of early Ferraris.
05/28, 4:25 PM
posted by:
Madcapp
That’s a completely irrelevant car, its the answer to a question nobody asked.
05/28, 4:26 PM
posted by:
A4
This was my new dream car until I saw the price tag… I’d save a few more (millions) of pennies and get a Caparo T1 for that kind of money, the lesser Atom models would be plenty fun for me otherwise.
05/28, 4:29 PM
posted by:
atoms
wow, Ariel has managed to make stray flying bugs dangerous, and I still love it!
05/28, 4:30 PM
posted by:
atoms
if a fly hits you it could really really hurt, despite this I love it!!
05/28, 4:31 PM
posted by:
atoms
god dammit, it said the first post didn’t go up, way to go LLN
05/28, 4:40 PM
posted by:
F3INT))AP3X
05Z88Path – You can get similar levels out of a turbo 4 but there are a few things missing there: one is that you would still have a 4 instead of a 2.4L V8. Secondly that four is turbo and not an N/A like this engine which means it has lag. And finally the engine is a super small and light V8 that revs to 10K RPM so that means torque to go with your power as you rocket past your buddies who changed gear like 3K RPM ago.
05/28, 5:03 PM
posted by:
NRG
Where do you put your groceries? That aside, it’s a hot rocket. Wow.
05/28, 5:24 PM
posted by:
NRG
I still love the KTM X-Bow however.
05/28, 5:31 PM
posted by:
Blakkarr
I know you DO NOT buy something like this for the mileage but I am curious how thirsty that little motor is? Could be a killer app for a compact sports car.
05/28, 5:46 PM
posted by:
slimjim
i want to see Top Gear test that on there track lol
05/28, 6:23 PM
posted by:
Trent
This car would kick the **** out of any bike even…straight line or otherwise. The 300 dominates any production bike in the twisties. The engine is way too expensive though.
05/28, 6:24 PM
posted by:
MechMatt
I had a ride in an original one last summer. It just about tore my face off. I think this car might require a pressurized suit. I really hope they go through with it…. How about an Ariel Atom circuit?
05/28, 7:35 PM
posted by:
shane train
What delicious absurdity.
05/28, 8:31 PM
posted by:
idrinorbarsaku
2.4L V8…………..DROOOOOOOOOLLLLLL!!! I wish some american cars could have that engine!!
05/28, 8:39 PM
posted by:
Speeeed3Z
Slimjim (and anyone else)
Heres the Top Gear review of the TURBO Ariel Atom circa 2 years ago.
http://videos.streetfire.net/video/Ariel-Atom-Top-Gear-Best_181142.htm
05/28, 9:16 PM
posted by:
Trent
Actually it’s supercharged.
05/28, 9:46 PM
posted by:
londor
@ Fx NauGhtY
Formula 1 engines are normally aspirated 2.4L V8s limited to 18,000 rpm.
05/29, 2:36 AM
posted by:
AutoCritical
WOW – Driving in your own ‘remote control’ looking car! WOW, WOW, WOW!!
05/29, 2:57 AM
posted by:
peter g
Utterly insane and will probably kill you in the most delightfull way
05/29, 10:03 AM
posted by:
idrinorbarsaku
yes! most delightful way indeed!!
05/29, 11:00 AM
posted by:
Rafa LL
If I’m going to die In a car accident I’ve got my coffin right there.
05/29, 3:48 PM
posted by:
Dante_JoseCuervo
@Londor
- beautiful engines, aren’t they? wish I could put one in a road car *sigh*
All other wishing aside, that kind of a pricetag for that engine or for an atom… seems really crazy. Sorry but an atom is supposed to be a barebones street racer, not an overpriced skeleton.
05/30, 12:43 AM
posted by:
bigp
wow whats the weight for the new v8?