Rezvani Beast supercar

Californian car fettler Rezvani has unleashed the Beast, quite literally.

A light-weight Ariel Atom-based supercar that defies physics thanks to its turbo/supercharged four-cylinder engines, the Beast delivers sub 3.0 second 0-100km/h acceleration times.

But unlike the Atom, the Rezvani it has been clothed with a sleek carbon-fibre skin that hides its extreme exoskeletal form.

Priced from $US99,500 ($107,000), the Rezvani Beast is an augmentation of sorts for the British-made 600kg Ariel Atom, which has been in production since 1996 and offered with various engines, from inline fours to V8s.

The Beast takes most of what was good about the Atom -- the light weight, the clever suspension, the open air experience -- but delivers it with very different aesthetic.

Made from carbon-fibre, the new look body shell hides one of the most talk-about aspects of the Ariel Atom, it's tubular exoskeleton frame. The new design delivers a more homogenous appearance aimed at US buyers, with a long bonnet, an aggressive, angular front end, bold flanks and a large diffuser at the rear.

The mid-mounted engine also gets new eye candy via twin buttresses behind the occupants' heads but the new body work does add extra weight, taking the regular Atom's 612kg kerb weight up to between 667kg and 704kg, depending on the model.

According to Rezvani, it takes around six months and 1500 man-hours to build a single carbon-fibre body shell. It takes a lot less time to break it...

Despite the extra weight, the Rezvani is no slouch, the entry-level Beast 300 obliterating the 0-96km/h (0-60mph) sprint in 2.9 seconds thanks to its 2.0-litre turbo engine that pumps out 235kW (315hp) at 8400rpm.

Step up to the Beast 500 and its 2.4-litre twin-charged powerplant belts out 373kW (500hp) at 6350rpm, enough mumbo to propel it to 96km/h in just 2.7 seconds, on par with the world's fastest supercars and superbikes.

Rezvani commissioned US-based engine specialists DDM Works to develop both engines for the Beast. DDM president, Dave Michel, explained some of the changes made to the engines.

"The engine is assembled with all new parts -- upgraded pistons, forged H beam rods, ARP studs, and optional clutch upgrades -- and filled with a break-in oil for the first start," said Michel.

"The high-output engine is paired to a limited slip six-speed manual gearbox, and a rear wheel drive layout. All with minimal electronic interference that provides drivers with tactile feedback and extreme response," he said.

Both engines drive through six-speed close-ratio manual gearboxes, and the Beast is also fitted with a roll cage, removable windscreen and rolls on 19-inch wheel rims shod with 235/35 front and 295/30 rear tyres.

Pricing starts for 'launch edition' models starts at $US99,500 ($107,000) for the Rezvani Beast 300 and $124,900 ($134,000) for the Beast 500.

After the first initial batch is sold, the price will be rise to $119,000 ($128,000) $139,000 ($150,000) respectively. Alternatively, existing Ariel Atom owners can get the conversion for between $49,000 ($52,000) $69,000 ($74,000). Check out Rezvani Motors for more details.