Oh Dear Lord. That's all that comes to mind when looking at the images that have just surfaced of the new Ariel Atom 500. But maybe that's not the right expression, because this is not the car you'll be driving to church. We can think of other Sunday uses for it, though, ones that will probably have you praying for your life faster and louder than any preacher's sermon.
In fact, the V8-powered Ariel Atom 500 will probably have you doing a lot of things faster and louder than anyone or anything before. Even these details and the photo you see above arrived quicker than we expected after our initial report. Its specs, as well as its styling, would be right at home in a Formula One pit lane: a 2.4-liter V8 with 5-valve cylinder-heads and a supercharger producing over 200 horsepower per liter (!) in a package that weighs in at less than one ton (!!). That means (quick calculation...carry the two) over 1000 hp per ton, nearly twice that of the Bugatti Veyron. To keep it all cooled, earth-bound and visually obscene, the new image released of the Atom 500 reveals a pair of new intakes to feed the intercoolers and some big, race-spec carbon fiber wings. Ariel will be building the beast alongside the Honda-powered versions (which by comparison now seem like go-karts) at its new factory in Somerset, England, from which the first vehicles will be delivered within a couple of months from now, by which time Ariel might let us know how much the bonkers Atom 500 will cost. Our bank managers (and life insurance agents) are standing by.
[Source: PistonHeads]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
John Johnson @ Mar 2nd 2008 11:39AM
Can't wait for my new avatar pic!
franke @ Mar 2nd 2008 11:43AM
A nice video, full sound, no music PLEASE!!!!!!
ryan @ Mar 2nd 2008 9:43PM
How do you resize your pictures to fit for an avatar?
Andy @ Mar 2nd 2008 11:47AM
I would ask the math be rechecked.
Andy @ Mar 2nd 2008 11:49AM
Scratch that, the write-up is confusing. The link straightened me out.
Derek @ Mar 2nd 2008 6:39PM
yeah, it's 1000bhp/*metric* ton(ne)
Us Americans might do better to think of it as less than 2.2 pounds per hp.
Of course it is all academic anyways because even with sticky tires this car is likely going to be traction limited until the aero starts kicking in. Even with the extra weight, AWD would drop the acceleration figures on this car substantially.
zamafir @ Mar 2nd 2008 12:09PM
... doesnt the current atom have those CF wings?
Gary256 @ Mar 2nd 2008 12:29PM
I think there is mistake
==========
2.4-liter V8 with 5-valve cylinder-heads and a supercharger producing over 200 horsepower per liter (!) in a package that weighs in at less than one ton (!!). That means (quick calculation...carry the two) over 1000 hp per ton
==========
It weights about 500kg, not just "less than 1 ton". That's why we get 1000hp per ton.
Adam @ Mar 2nd 2008 12:49PM
Ariel: makers of fine Formula 1 cars since... well, i dont know but DAMN that thing looks insane.
almost Dr. G.. @ Mar 2nd 2008 1:21PM
i would LOVE to have one of these and enjoy them on track sundays!
Hamud @ Mar 2nd 2008 2:57PM
This is INSANE.
TwinTurbo3000GT @ Mar 2nd 2008 2:57PM
holy hell...
0-60 in 2.?
Robert @ Mar 2nd 2008 3:35PM
This makes the Caparo T1 seem plush and tepid, plus I bet it actually works. Seriously though, the specs and purpose of both cars are a knifes edge apart. I see the worlds most exciting car comparison developing.
dean @ Mar 2nd 2008 4:39PM
I would be absolutely frightened of driving it. If they can fit a V8 in there, I'd love to know if they could fit an LS7. C'mon, you were all thinking the same thing!
Joel @ Mar 27th 2008 1:47AM
at 2.4 liters, I doubt they could fit a powerful v6 in there
lovice @ Mar 2nd 2008 5:05PM
Why would anyone want a LS V8 in the Atom?!
This new 500bhp supercharged 2.4L V8 weights LESS than the current 2.0L Honda i-vtec enigne!!! Also slightly smaller too!!! That's how they keep the weight/central gravity down (even lighter than the current four cylinder Ariel Atom).
Once you put an American V8 into the Atom, then it won't be an Atom anymore.
Derek @ Mar 2nd 2008 6:44PM
What, would it be a molecule?
An LSx engine would have potential for way more than 500hp, but why??? Very few amateur drivers (and probably more than a few professionals) could use the full potential of this Atom 500.
jordan @ Mar 2nd 2008 7:41PM
Re: Derek
Even if you could squeeze one in there (which seems like a tough project) since the V8 offered is, as lovice said, actually *smaller* than I4 Honda motor. LSx would most likely screw up weight distribution and CoG, and make it an uncontrollable piece of machinery.
dean @ Mar 2nd 2008 9:05PM
Ah, I see. Well, I did not know that. I digress. Perhaps, just for kicks, a rotary?
Derek @ Mar 2nd 2008 7:15PM
I'm only surprised that someone hasn't already done something like this. The US-spec Atom uses the GM Ecotec, and GM Performance Parts sells the parts to take that engine (turbocharged) up over 500hp and probably with much more low end torque.