DCAWD.com

Originally Posted by Winding Road
Ariel has announced the latest version of its Atom, the Ariel Atom 500.

The track racer with face-melting acceleration now has 500 horsepower. Yeah, that’s 1,000 horsepower per ton. That’s some serious power pushing out of the small all-aluminum Russell Savory 2.4-liter 5-valve V-8 engine. The engine is paired with a six-speed Sadev transmission complete with paddle shifters – with a manual override and launch and traction controls.

Simon Saunders, Director of Ariel, said, “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.”

There’s no word on the pricing, but look for it to be high, really high.

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.

complacent wrote:I've seen this somewhere before...

a paddle gearchange with manual override as well as launch and traction controls.

Phibs wrote:I'm sure if you were in one and hit the gas... it'd feel a whole lot atomish

Sabre wrote:lol, ya, I posted that up the other day What surprising is something I didn't notice the other day:

a paddle gearchange with manual override as well as launch and traction controls.

Apparently, it also has ABS and such.

I don't know why, but it feels less atom ish with some modern electronic in there.

Sabre wrote:Oh, I'm not saying I wouldn't taken one (or kill for one ), but I was just surprised to see it. For a company that started making a budget racer, their prices sure have gone up. For the 70k+ that this will cost, I'd almost rather have a GT-R as it's more usable most of the time (keep in mind my daily driver and track car are one in the same, unlike some other wealthy people replying .

zaxrex wrote:maybe budget is subjective, but the reliability/performance capability/ease of use per $ spent does rival many other options.

Or at least it did...

Sabre wrote: Exactly!

Budget: 32k get's you a car that can 0wn a 100k+ car on the track

Now: 100k for the 32k car with some add ons... something is wrong here.

spazegun2213 wrote: please allow me to respectfully disagree. I'm willing to put money on the fact that a car like my vette can DESTROY a well setup Atom. My car will also cost less to buy. I'm sure the consumables will catch up in a few years though, but what I'm saying is there are a TON of fast track cars for a fraction of the cost of an atom.

if i were going to do it again, I'd look at building something like this. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Locost

There is a version with a supercharged v6 430 to the wheels

spazegun2213 wrote: please allow me to respectfully disagree. I'm willing to put money on the fact that a car like my vette can DESTROY a well setup Atom.

Sabre wrote:

zaxrex wrote:maybe budget is subjective, but the reliability/performance capability/ease of use per $ spent does rival many other options.

Or at least it did...

Exactly!

Budget: 32k get's you a car that can 0wn a 100k+ car on the track

Now: 100k for the 32k car with some add ons... something is wrong here.

spazegun2213 wrote:please allow me to respectfully disagree. I'm willing to put money on the fact that a car like my vette can DESTROY a well setup Atom.