ZOMFG Ariel Atom V8 hawtness

http://www.motorcities.com/vehicle/09ERF165428670.html

Ariel Atom 500 V8 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.

Awesome...

(we really need a drooling smiley...)

sounds like death on wheels.. a fun death, but death anyway.

The power-to-weight ratio is in the Caparo T1 zone

And the car looks as good as it runs...

I predict the Gumpert's reign at the top of the Top Gear power lap board will soon end.....

Tom_Spangler wrote: I predict the Gumpert's reign at the top of the Top Gear power lap board will soon end.....

If the Atom can make it over a speedbump...

It is no longer considered snap oversteer...

It is now referred to as "Snap Overshiiii!"

mad_machine wrote: sounds like death on wheels.. a fun death, but death anyway.

Didn't Clarkson say something to the effect of, "because going backwards in a blazing fireball is a cool way to die - thatmakes it a cool car..." (I think he was placing the Koenigseg (sp) on the Cool Wall)

Good Gawd. Whiskey Tango Foxtrot soldiers!

We have the answer to population reduction. Limited application, but very effective. lol

I just get the feeling this may be the proverbial "too much of a good thing"

Isn't that quite similar to a Hyabusa powered go-cart?

looks like John Hartley's engine work... http://www.h1v8.com/page/page/1562068.htm

Those look like R1 heads.

That engine deserves a prettier car, to me that thing looks like a cross between a Formula Continental and a bridge structure.

price? i think i'd still go w/an Ultima GTR w/an LSx & TT, higher pwr/weight, better aero, higher top speed, a roof for when it rains, and airconditioning, because here in the south, that car might be fun to drive, until your a$$ crack is soaked from the sweat pouring down your back

but yeah that is just silly. I am glad they developed their own engine, makes it more unique and def more collectable...

how about in a super7? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScWPKKepKWc&feature=channel

How about a reverse mount STI drivetrain in something like an Atom? Think of the grip in something like that.

Back on topic, drool

Gonzo_Bmod wrote: Those look like R1 heads. That engine deserves a prettier car, to me that thing looks like a cross between a Formula Continental and a bridge structure.

But I like bridges

Better power to weight ratio than this?

This car was announced over a year ago, I guess some car blog just stumbled across it :) Caterham also announced a 500 hp model, the RST V8 Levante.

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/26/caterham-rst-v8-levante-cracks-the-1000-bhp-per-ton-mark-scares/

The latest issue of EVO actually pits the Caterham against a Camparo.

It's not a Hartley engine, it's the RST V8. That's been in development longer than the Hartley IIRC. Heck, I worked on an RST-powered Caterham back in 2005. Beautiful piece of kit.

The thing about the Atom is that it's never really been raced. If I've read correctly, it was a student design project. It's dramatic looking and I hope Jeremy Clarkson gets some sort of bonus every time one is sold, but it doesn't have 50 years of constant motorsport development behind it. I'd rather my 1000 hp/tonne car was a 7.

Dennis Palatinov has been working on a Hartley powered Atom for Brammo for a couple years as I recall.
www.dpcars.net --> go to the Atom section and you can read about what a pain in the neck it's been. His is only 375 hp (NA).

Keith said: This car was announced over a year ago, I guess some car blog just stumbled across it :)

So, has Clarkson ripped his face off with it yet? Where's the video of that?

I am sure that is the car that would rip Clarkson's face off... and I bet it would still be smiling

That thing does look like it would cause paint to drive . . .at any rate of speed and in any environment

Keith wrote: The thing about the Atom is that it's never really been raced. If I've read correctly, it was a student design project. It's dramatic looking and I hope Jeremy Clarkson gets some sort of bonus every time one is sold, but it doesn't have 50 years of constant motorsport development behind it. I'd rather my 1000 hp/tonne car was a 7.

Thank you. For such a supposed supercar, the list of actual results is mighty thin, and when it does go head-to-head, the results aren't always what one might think... But you know something about that, don't you Keith?

My main beef with Atoms is the hyperbole. The Atom site spouts off about no comprimise performance. Rubish! If that was true, the thing would have proper aerodynamics and a less sexy, but stronger (for the weight) chasis.

I could go on. Lovely car. Would give an eyetooth to have one, but ultimately it's just a good middie in a sexy suit.

that lack of motorsports credentials is what keeps me from liking lamborghini.

Sorry, all but one car I have owned has some sort of motorsports history (not the car itself, but the factory or privateers raced the same model or something based on it)