Ariel unleashes explosive Atom 500 V8
Stuff a high-revving V8 engine in what was already a quick car and the result is downright ludicrousThe Ariel Atom is undoubtedly one of the ultimate embodiments of automotive lunacy, but the barebones open-wheeler's manufacturer has just unleashed an altogether more radical V8-powered version that should have the wherewithal to threaten the insane Caparo T1 (more here).
The Atom was originally revealed in 1996, and the exoskeletal -- ie lacking a roof, windows or other body structure you'd find on a conventional car -- contraption derived propulsion from a high-revving Honda four-cylinder engine, with range-topping versions copping a supercharger.
However, the new Atom 500 V8 raises performance to an altogether more absurd level.
The bent-eight in question is a Russell Savory (RS Developments) 2.4-litre V8 equipped with five valves per cylinder, a dry sump and a supercharger. The whole lot is said to be good for 373kW, which arrives at a stratospheric 10,000rpm.
The engine is housed just forward of the rear axle, and drive is relayed to the latter by a six-speed sequential Sadev gearbox (no word on traction control, or any other driver aids!). Stopping power comes from a racing-style Alcon four-pot braking package.
The Atom's suspension is derived from single-seat racecars and is fully adjustable, requiring only a wrench. Both front and rear double unequal length wishbones and inboard, pushrod-operated dampers contribute to the Atom's racecar-like handling.
Adorned with massive F1-esque front and rear wings, the outlandish Atom 500 V8 makes liberal use of alloy and carbonfibre to minimise weight and is said to tip the scales at a waif-like 500kg, reportedly endowing it with the best power-to-weight ratio of any production car on the planet.
Its maker claims the Atom 500 V8 can sprint from standstill to 60mph (96km/h) in well under three seconds and flash past 160km/h in comfortably less than seven seconds. Hmm, should make for an interesting match race with the Caparo T1 and Bugatti Veyron.
Ariel plans to produce just 25 examples of the Atom 500 V8 this year, but prices are yet to be announced. We're guessing buyers will need to keep a little extra cash in reserve for the mandatory life insurance policy...
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