With over 500 horsepower and only 1,150 lbs. to schlep around, there's only one possible reason not to lust after the Caterham RST-V8 Levante, and that's the love-it-or-hate-it "classic" styling. Fortunately, emerging reports suggest that RS Performance, the same outfit that shoehorned the supercharged micro-block V8 into the Super 7, is working its magic on another super-lightweight British track star: the Ariel Atom.
Like the Caterham RST-V8, the Atom 500 will feature the RS Performance 2.4-liter 40-valve supercharged V8 driving through a six-speed transmission with flat-shift ability. And just in case the Ariel Atom doesn't look extreme enough, the V8 version will get a bunch of carbon fiber bits and a different color scheme. Considering that the existing Honda-sourced 300-hp supercharged four gets the Atom up to sixty in under three seconds, the 500-hp version will melt your face off.
[Source: Motive]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
f3rg @ Feb 28th 2008 4:04PM
Dear God.
John P. @ Feb 28th 2008 4:06PM
Now THAT is a supercar.
RRL @ Feb 28th 2008 4:06PM
SUICIDE by Ariel Atom.
apex86 @ Feb 28th 2008 4:07PM
Sounds like fun in the rain. :P
What a beastly awesome car
Evotec @ Feb 28th 2008 4:09PM
Im going to drive a racing motorcycle instead this because its safer :)
David W. @ Feb 28th 2008 4:41PM
hahahaha nice.
Eric Biran @ Feb 28th 2008 4:14PM
I would have called it the "Ariel Atomic."
Chris72b9 @ Feb 28th 2008 4:17PM
Say what?
I can see the Top Gear headline already:
With 500 horsepower, the Ariel Atom may actually be able to outrun light itself.
Andrew @ Feb 28th 2008 4:23PM
It's not long before someone builds an engine/chassis hybrid.
zamafir @ Feb 28th 2008 4:24PM
So is this the engine dpcars has been working on based of the 'busa? I'm guessing not as it's 2.4 and supercharged vs the current 2.8l mill.
James @ Feb 28th 2008 5:43PM
So it would seem - congrats to Dennis (and his team if he no longer is working alone)!
DIRETTORE @ Feb 28th 2008 10:14PM
* Zamafir - Actually its not based on the busa, but rather the Yamaha engine. Originally rating around the 300 hp mark, so Im a bit skeptical about this 500hp.
You know me, always wanting 'PROOF'!
This is getting kinda outa hand I must say. Its a serious death trap. Absolutely ANYTHING, I mean leaves, moisture, frogs, dirt, gravel, oil & you are just sooo TOAST!
There is NO Perfect road anywhere. And when something comes up, its game over!
tbirdman @ Feb 28th 2008 4:25PM
add a good aerodynamic body and take it to the salt flats and have a ball outrunning the rocket cars on standard petrol.
tbirdman @ Feb 28th 2008 4:32PM
"Considering that the existing Honda-sourced 300-hp supercharged four gets the Atom up to sixty in under three seconds, the 500-hp version will melt your face off."
either that or melt the tires in the same time. imagine the not-exactly-legal things you could do by accident.
Seoultrain @ Feb 28th 2008 5:03PM
top speed has little dependence on weight. It's a very simple equilibrium between propulsion force and drag (mechanical and aerodynamic).
tbirdman @ Feb 28th 2008 5:13PM
i meant on accleration. from the looks of it it has tons of drag. part of the reason i said a sleek aerodynamic shell. reminiscant of the cobra daytona.
Waltzon @ Feb 28th 2008 4:40PM
My wife was already worried that the Atom would become "the other woman." I committed two of the seven deadly sins just looking at that thing!
On a more practical note, I hope they widen the tires a bit in an attempt to help the Atom retain it's handling prowess-- this would be useless without the ability to lay down at least some of that power while exiting a turn.
garlinski @ Feb 28th 2008 4:41PM
now that's just stupid... in a good way
Vexorg @ Feb 28th 2008 4:42PM
Because you weren't really going to do anything with the last thirty years of your mortal existence anyway.
Dan @ Feb 28th 2008 4:44PM
Good lord!
Death Buggy of Doom!!!