A-Bomb: Ariel Atom to get 500-hp supercharged V8
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]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
f3rg 4:04PM (2/28/2008)
Dear God.
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RRL 4:06PM (2/28/2008)
SUICIDE by Ariel Atom.
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John P. 4:06PM (2/28/2008)
Now THAT is a supercar.
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apex86 4:07PM (2/28/2008)
Sounds like fun in the rain. :P
What a beastly awesome car
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Evotec 4:09PM (2/28/2008)
Im going to drive a racing motorcycle instead this because its safer :)
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David W. 4:41PM (2/28/2008)
hahahaha nice.
chris 10:28PM (2/28/2008)
Can we get a pool going to see how long it will take some guy, with more money than brains, to put one of these into a wall or ditch?
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Eric Biran 4:14PM (2/28/2008)
I would have called it the "Ariel Atomic."
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Chris72b9 4:17PM (2/28/2008)
Say what?
I can see the Top Gear headline already:
With 500 horsepower, the Ariel Atom may actually be able to outrun light itself.
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zamafir 4:24PM (2/28/2008)
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.
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James 5:43PM (2/28/2008)
So it would seem - congrats to Dennis (and his team if he no longer is working alone)!
DIRETTORE 10:14PM (2/28/2008)
* 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!
Andrew 4:23PM (2/28/2008)
It's not long before someone builds an engine/chassis hybrid.
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tbirdman 4:25PM (2/28/2008)
add a good aerodynamic body and take it to the salt flats and have a ball outrunning the rocket cars on standard petrol.
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tbirdman 4:32PM (2/28/2008)
"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 5:03PM (2/28/2008)
top speed has little dependence on weight. It's a very simple equilibrium between propulsion force and drag (mechanical and aerodynamic).
tbirdman 5:13PM (2/28/2008)
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.
R Nair 4:56PM (2/29/2008)
Why doesn't any one make similar cars in the US? I am sure it would be just as good and less expensive! I donno, I feel like changing jobs and start setting up cars for a living..
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Waltzon 4:40PM (2/28/2008)
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.
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garlinski 4:41PM (2/28/2008)
now that's just stupid... in a good way
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