Ariel Atom 500 V8

[Aditya]

We knew that the original Ariel Atom, with its 220bhp had explosive acceleration and could destroy just about anything around corners. Think what the new one can achieve.
The Ariel Atom 500V8 has just been announced. It's got a new V8 engine with over 500bhp and a power to weight ratio of over 1000bhp / tonne! Compare that to 521bhp / tonne of the Bugatti Veyron.
However, it's only a limited edition model.
Source: Pistonheads

[rev_hard]

This should be a mind/life altering experience for the few lucky ones..

[islero]

Crazy stuff! Anyone have more details on the engine?

[ballkey]

So does the Caterham. V8 engined with a p/w ratio of over 1000hp
New Cars: Caterham To Partner With RS Performance for V8 Seven

[danlalan]

Wait till we see the STIG drive this thing around the circuit.Or even better hamilton.

[im_srini]

Originally Posted by islero

Crazy stuff! Anyone have more details on the engine?

Initially I thought it was using the Hartley V8, which is being used in a lot of small-race-car projects, but apparently it's not ! Sadly the RS website has little to say about the development of the engine itself.

Be that as it may, the RST-V8 powered Caterham starts at £115,000 !?! Beats the whole point of Chapman's small, simple, cheap, sports-cars if you ask me. Or are we underestimating the time & effort it takes to develop cars like this ? This is an inspiring tale, shows how much knowhow goes into developing things like the Caterhams, Westfields, the Radicals, & our very own Chinkara.

[nripin]

I love th Atom i Swear!! i have seen the Video of Jeremy Clarkson doing the Test drive on it.

One of mu Special favourites.

[srajani]

The caterham and the atom use the same v-8 engine and also the same 6 speed sequential gearbox !!!

mind blowing !!!!

[GTO]

I am going against the tide here, but honestly think that the current engine is more suited to the Atom. The V8 is great for bragging rights, but I fail to see how it would be a good match for the car. I'd put my money on the 220 BHP being a lot more fun to drive on track.

[Shan2nu]

Actually the Atom isn't known for it's 220bhp version but the 300bhp Supercharged Type R engine. That had a power to weight ratio of 600bhp/ton and did 0-100 in 2.9 secs.

Now imagine an Atom with almost twice the power to weight ratio.

The V8 is great for bragging rights, but I fail to see how it would be a good match for the car.

It maybe a V8 but it's still just a 2.4 ltr engine. And at 500 kgs, it's actually as light as the 300bhp version which means that the braking and cornering can only get better (now that the Atom has front and rear spoilers).

Competition for the Veyron? Maybe upto 150-180kmph....(provided it comes with AWD).

[BUSA]

Crazy, it should do 0 - 100 in less then 2 secs IMO and do around 300 kmph(Has to be limited)

[n_aditya]

Insane is the word. Saw a video on you-tube where JC is test driving the good 'ol atom and his face becomes like dough. Would love to see what this can do.

[extreme_torque]

Originally Posted by BUSA

Crazy, it should do 0 - 100 in less then 2 secs IMO and do around 300 kmph(Has to be limited)

Less than 2 seconds... no wayyy!

[Nitin]

Thats just insane! 1000bhp/tonne!
Put that machine into 3-digit speeds round a curve,and what would the G-forces be?

[rider60]

i just finished seeing the jeremy clarkson's video on you tube and ironically for me of all his analysis he says this is the best car ever driven even in comparison to fastest road cars. now isnt that something?

it being one of the best handlers and with this kind of power to weight ratio, is one hell of a car, considering there are more powerful ones but there is not going to any use of the power made unless it has the handling to put it all down on the road, this car indeed takes its place in my dream list to own one!