Not a huge fan of the Ariel Atom but they've just released pics and specs of their new 500hp v8. As a publicity stunt it's going to work really well as it's going to set the new acceleration benchmarks for 10 yr old boys everywhere. I reckon Lotus missed a publicity trick here as a 2-11 with the same engine would have rained on Ariel's parade (and probably attracted a lot of new super-rich customers)
Don't suppose there's a lotus owner out there with deep pockets willing to try the same engine in a 2-11?
Here it is...
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''The 3.0-litre V8 will produce 500bhp, and will be lighter than the Honda engine currently being used to power both the naturally aspirated and supercharged versions of the Ariel Atom 3. According to Ariel the whole unit weighs less than 90kgs, and adopts a new cam arrangement to help lower the engine size and weight.
The V8 Atom 500 will have a power to weight ratio in the region of 1000bhp, twice that of a Bugatti Veyron and similar to Caparo’s T1. Power will be mated through a conventional Sadev 6-speed sequential gearbox, although Ariel is exploring the possibility of a paddle shift option.
Numbers will be limited to just 25 examples as the Atom 500 will be built at the firm’s existing factory in Somerset. The engines are also likely to be built on-site in a workshop away from the current hand-assembled production line that produces around 100 cars per year. However, the build process is unlikely to start until midway through 2010, as the company is already working at full stretch, and will take between 4-6 weeks to complete each car with around one V8 leaving the factory per month.
Ariel claims the Atom 500 will reach 60mph in under 2.5sec and break 100mph in under 6 seconds. The new V8 powered car will also get substantial modifications to the car’s aero and brake package, as well as new suspension, and will come with a high level of specification that includes options from its 'standard' cars, including the lightweight magnesium alloy wheels.
Ariel has yet to announce a price for the Atom 500, but while speaking to PistonHeads last week Ariel boss Simon Saunders confirmed that the V8 would cost in excess of £100k but ‘no more than £135k’.
Don't suppose there's a lotus owner out there with deep pockets willing to try the same engine in a 2-11?
Here it is...
''The 3.0-litre V8 will produce 500bhp, and will be lighter than the Honda engine currently being used to power both the naturally aspirated and supercharged versions of the Ariel Atom 3. According to Ariel the whole unit weighs less than 90kgs, and adopts a new cam arrangement to help lower the engine size and weight.
The V8 Atom 500 will have a power to weight ratio in the region of 1000bhp, twice that of a Bugatti Veyron and similar to Caparo’s T1. Power will be mated through a conventional Sadev 6-speed sequential gearbox, although Ariel is exploring the possibility of a paddle shift option.
Numbers will be limited to just 25 examples as the Atom 500 will be built at the firm’s existing factory in Somerset. The engines are also likely to be built on-site in a workshop away from the current hand-assembled production line that produces around 100 cars per year. However, the build process is unlikely to start until midway through 2010, as the company is already working at full stretch, and will take between 4-6 weeks to complete each car with around one V8 leaving the factory per month.
Ariel claims the Atom 500 will reach 60mph in under 2.5sec and break 100mph in under 6 seconds. The new V8 powered car will also get substantial modifications to the car’s aero and brake package, as well as new suspension, and will come with a high level of specification that includes options from its 'standard' cars, including the lightweight magnesium alloy wheels.
Ariel has yet to announce a price for the Atom 500, but while speaking to PistonHeads last week Ariel boss Simon Saunders confirmed that the V8 would cost in excess of £100k but ‘no more than £135k’.
