dp35

Ariel Atom 500 - V8

Initial Announcement

Ariel announce the latest version of the Atom – the Ariel Atom 500, powered by a small V8 engine. With over 500bhp in a 500kilo package the Atom 500 will boast one of the highest power to weight ratios for a production car, ever. At over 1000bhp per tonne the Atom 500 will be the ultimate statement in performance and is destined to be made in a limited edition.

The V8 powered Atom is the first of some exciting developments from Ariel due to be released though 2008 and builds on the growing reputation that the company has for putting the passion back into driving and producing cars that are fun to drive as well as fast both on and off the track.

The 500 started life as a one off special project with RS Developments in 2007 and features the Russell Savory designed 2.4 litre V8 engine coupled to a 6 speed sequential Sadev gearbox. Developing over 500bhp at 10,000rpm the supercharged engine features all alloy construction, 5 valves per cylinder and a dry sump. The gearbox will have flatshift capability, a paddle gearchange with manual override as well as launch and traction controls.

Recognisable by the twin rear intakes for intercoolers the Atom 500 will feature a unique colour scheme for chassis, wheels and bodywork combined with carbon fibre panels and carbon fibre aerofoils. Other features will include chromemoly aerofoil wishbones, integrated function steering wheel, Alcon 4 pot caliper brakes and Dymag magnesium wheels.

Said Simon Saunders, Director of Ariel, ‘This is an interesting project for us and an experimental departure from what we normally produce. 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 Honda engined production cars already combine all the elements that we want in an Atom and by pushing the envelope to these sorts of extremes we can further improve the breed’.

The Atom 500 will be produced in Somerset at the new Ariel factory with the first car available from Spring this year. Prices have not yet been finalised but Ariel’s commitment to performance for value will ensure that the Atom 500 is competitive in cost as well as performance.

With the standard Atom 300 already achieving sub 3 second times to 60mph and sub 7 second times to 100mph, the 500 will take this one stage further with record breaking production car possibilities.

DaveM993

somehow those tires don't seem big enough...

chrisp

this can't be for real.

500hp in an 1100lb car with small tires and no real down force package. Isn't this close to the power to weight of an IRL car?

ltc

Wonder if they will offer/make a US version (with the steering wheel on the 'correct' side)?

Wonder if anyone wants to buy my Cup car?

I like this.

RSRRacer

Somehow my ***** dont feel big enough (but I want one anyway)

bobt993

They make US versions of the car with an extended roll bar to meet our more stringent track safety rules. We have a club member with one of the 300 hp versions. A buddy of mine instructed the car/owner late last year. He said it is somewhat sureal being that close to an open wheel car and being even more exposed to hard pavement at over 100mph. One thing he did say was that you could critique an apex to the half inch.

Way too much power for that short a wheel base and no real aero.

dp35

Ah hah! One must wander outside of the Cayenne forum to read you uttering words such as these.

chrisp

I'd rather have one of these

ltc

Tell him to drive an ICC shifter kart, basically a scaled down Atom

ltc

I know, someone forgot to lock the cage, so I wandered off......

Circuit Motorsports

Yikes, I can imagine my racecar with 200% more power. Not only can you hit a wall real fast, the amount it moves will be measured in feet.

I'd like to drive one.

Larry Herman

Spec Atom racing!

Bryan Watts

If it won't spin it's wheels all the to the braking zone on the back straight at Road Atlanta, it doesn't have enough power. It's safer than a shifter cart.

DaveM993

It would be fun though....at least once.

Chaos

"Death Wish 2008" a proposed but rejected name.
"Term life insurance lotto special" ?