More details on the 500-hp Ariel Atom 500 V8
Ariel Atom 500 V8 - Click either image for a high-res image gallery
When it comes to power and lightweight, enough is never enough. And so, Ariel (finally) gives us the Atom 500 V8, an 1,102-pound roadster boasting the highest power-to-weight ratio (1,000 hp-per-ton) of any production car to date. How does Ariel do it? It starts with the engine and gets more insane from there.
The heart of the Atom 500 is a Russell Savory (RS Developments) 2.4-liter V8 equipped with five valves per cylinder, a dry sump and At each corner, Alcon four-pot brakes are nestled within Dymag magnesium wheels, with carbon fiber used liberally on the wheel arches, underbody tray, rear wing and formula-style front aerofoil.
All told, the Ariel Atom 500 V8 will hit 60 in under three seconds, blow past 100 mph in less than seven seconds and can be yours for... no word yet, but expect pricing to be released shortly. Hat tip to James!
Gallery: Ariel Atom 500 V8
[Source: Ariel]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Namistai 11:30AM (5/28/2009)
TURBO IT!......
Reply
DiRF 11:34AM (5/28/2009)
Then add a shot of nitrous... maybe consider a JATO rocket on the back...
Namistai 11:38AM (5/28/2009)
and then some wider tires (tyres) ...and a full roll cage.
maybe a warp drive too...
James 11:44AM (5/28/2009)
With 500hp on tap and light as a feather, all it needs are...wings.
Ben 1:05PM (5/28/2009)
V8 powered scaffolding FTW!
littledrew 8:06PM (5/28/2009)
what about the flux capacitor?
Sam 11:35AM (5/28/2009)
Thats what i need to go shopping in.
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Franz 12:27PM (5/28/2009)
Oh damn... where did I put those tissues?
imirk 11:36AM (5/28/2009)
I think the phase is "Too much, is never enough" not "enough, is never enough"
Anyway looks bitchen, looks like you still might have the problem of debris getting kicked up into the cabin and having a go at your gonads.
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Ray 4:21PM (5/28/2009)
I prefer, 'if more is good, then too much is just right'. Or 'The only substitute for cubic inches is rectangular money'.
mapoftazifosho 11:37AM (5/28/2009)
As fun as turbo's are...the entire point of this engine was to step away from FI and have a high revving NA screamer...
I know the US atom's have GM's supercharged LSJ engine...I'd like to see some with GM's new turbocharged LNF engine.
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Mayoman 11:39AM (5/28/2009)
I don't know if you read the post or not, but this engine is supercharged.
mapoftazifosho 11:50AM (5/28/2009)
Please, point out for me the supercharger on that engine...don't worry, I'll wait...
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/05/01-ariel-atom-500-v8.jpg
Sam 11:53AM (5/28/2009)
Please point out to me the air in that picture
Just because you can't see it doesn't mean it isn't there somewhere...
mapoftazifosho 12:01PM (5/28/2009)
Sam, your comparison to seeing oxygen was crap. This engine is NOT supercharged. End of discussion.
why not the LS2LS7? 12:26PM (5/28/2009)
You're not going to make 500HP from 2.4L on pump gas without a supercharger, not at only 10,000rpm.
It takes Honda 9,000RPM to make 120HP/l, this thing isn't going to do 208 with only 11% more revs, not unless you go to race gas or higher.
Alex 12:40PM (5/28/2009)
Take the time to read the article:
The heart of the Atom 500 is a Russell Savory (RS Developments) 2.4-liter V8 equipped with five valves per cylinder, a dry sump and a supercharger.
bhtooefr 12:47PM (5/28/2009)
That's a photo of the non-supercharged version. There, problem solved.
mapoftazifosho 11:38AM (5/28/2009)
Oh, this is a supercharged V8...oh wait...no it isn't...
Seriously, Autoblog authors...WTF...
Reply
zamafir 11:44AM (5/28/2009)
Well that and the fact that we've had the specs for 3 years now. Always good to repost though I guess?