[rzm3]

Image below: Clarkson driving an Atom with "only" 300 hp.


Clarkson's face is gonna lift off driving the V8...

Press Release:

Ariel announce the latest version of the Atom - the Ariel Atom 500, powered by a small V8 engine. With over 500bhp in a 500kilo package the Atom 500 will boast one of the highest power to weight ratios ever for a production car, ever. At over 1000bhp per tonne the Atom 500 will be the ultimate statement in performance and is destined to be made in a limited edition.

The V8 powered Atom is the first of some exciting developments from Ariel due to be released though 2008 and builds on the growing reputation that the company has for putting the passion back into driving and producing cars that are fun to drive as well as fast both on and off the track.

The 500 started life as a one off special project with RS Developments in 2007 and features the Russell Savory designed 2.4 litre V8 engine coupled to a 6 speed sequential Sadev gearbox. Developing over 500bhp at 10,000rpm the supercharged engine features all alloy construction, 5 valves per cylinder and a dry sump. The gearbox will have flatshift capability, a paddle gearchange with manual override as well as launch and traction controls.

Recognisable by the twin rear intakes for intercoolers the Atom 500 will feature a unique colour scheme for chassis, wheels and bodywork combined with carbon fibre panels and carbon fibre aerofoils. Other features will include chromemoly aerofoil wishbones, integrated function steering wheel, Alcon 4 pot caliper brakes and Dymag magnesium wheels.

Said Simon Saunders, Director of Ariel, 'This is an interesting project for us and an experimental departure from what we normally produce. For a few customers the Atom 500 will be the ultimate expression of lightweight performance and represents the outer limits of what is achievable in a road registered car. We also use this sort of project to explore the possibilities of how we can improve our standard cars. The Honda engined production cars already combine all the elements that we want in an Atom and by pushing the envelope to these sorts of extremes we can further improve the breed'.

The Atom 500 will be produced in Somerset at the new Ariel factory with the first car available from Spring this year. Prices have not yet been finalised but Ariel's commitment to performance for value will ensure that the Atom 500 is competitive in cost as well as performance.

With the standard Atom 300 already achieving sub 3 second times to 60mph and sub 7 second times to 100mph, the 500 will take this one stage further with record breaking production car possibilities.

[TiAg335i]

wow...i'd love to just tear that thing up on the highway...forget the track.

[ejazbmw]

I never thought i would say this but 500hp seems to much or at least it doesn't sound very stable in a car like this

[Garduna]

Ya, helmet is a must lol i can see someone's face getting trashed from random chips on the road.

[jeremyc74]

I WILL own an Atom one day. Maybe not this 500Hp monster, but an Atom for sure.

[kyleb350]

Pretty skinny tires for 500hp. Can't wait for the video!

[Andrew@ET]

skinny tires? you only need wide tires when you have a lot of weight to push around..

This thing is going to fly around like a nitro rc car

[Yoshii]

that thing is sweet....i have a co-worker who is soon getting one...lucky bastard...

[E82tt6]

500hp from a 2.4 liter? Wow.

[ZJP]

This is going to be uber fast...

[.:bHd:.]

Originally Posted by E82tt6

500hp from a 2.4 liter? Wow.

don't really need that much torque on a car like this. But 2.4L 500hp is amazing still

[xDrive50i]

I hope Mr. Clarkson didn't encounter (read swallow) a bug while test driving this beast

[Scorpion]

Damn, it would be so awesome to have one of those, tear up the streets haha.

[Graham M]

2.4L V8, that thing must rev to the moon and back

[c0nstant]

id rather have one of these

[Sniz]

oh my god...i'm in love

[Bluesummer]

500 hp from a 2.4L?!
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[1cleanm6]

this thing will be as fast as a F1

[zerox_guru]

^ want one..

[just4kickz]

nice. i want one.

funny thought tho. if you were to wash your atom would you cover the seats first?

[blue2fire]

Seems Scary.

[BK]

This and the Caparo T1 (550HP, about 1200 lbs) are basically street-legal F1 cars. Well, some streets, anyway. I don't think they're legal in that many states in the U.S. 0-100 mph in something like 5 seconds.