http://www.arielatom.com/specs/atom-500-v8
If you thought the Ariel Atom 3 was a crazy ride, you haven’t seen anything. After three years of development, the engineers at UK-based Ariel have just released the 2012 Ariel Atom 500 V8 ($250,000). Limited to 25 production models, the Atom 500 V8 has a lightweight 3-liter, naturally aspirated 500 horsepower. Okay, so that, in and of itself, is impressive. But the horsepower-to-weight ratio is even more insane. The 1001 hp Bugatti Veyron supercar has 530 bhp per ton and the Ariel Atom 500 V8 has a mindblowing 900 bhp per ton. The full race car specs reveal 6 speed sequential race gearbox, adjustable limited slip diff, custom gearsets, custom dampers and springs, adjustable suspension and full LCD display with car stats and monitors. But don’t worry, you’ll also have the benefit of adjustable traction control and launch control so your lack of skill will be partially covered by the car’s technology. Count on an all new level of trackday car set with this new Ariel model with unsurpassed performance. Just don’t expect your organs to be in the same place when you’re done.
Center of the Atom V8 is the lightweight 3 litre normally aspirated engine built for Ariel in the USA. Flat plane crank, forged pistons, chain driven double overhead cam with 4 valves per cylinder and revving to 10,500 rpm, the all alloy and aluminium engine has race car specification throughout. Dry sump lubrication, 8 throttle bodies with sequential fuel injection and ceramic coated stainless exhaust are all part of the standard specification and, due to the compact nature of the engine, the installation fits perfectly in to the Atom engine bay. Each engine is individually tested, signed off and numbered to match the number of the car.
Drive is through a Sadev 6 speed sequential race gearbox with adjustable limited slip differential and gearsets to suit individual customer choice. Gearchange is via a paddle airshift system which makes up-changes in 40 milliseconds and down-changes in 50 milliseconds with the capability of 5 downshifts in less than a second. The programmable nature of the system allows Ariel to build in safeguards for customers plus have an auto up-shift and cued down-shift capability. The ability to carry out flat upshifts without lifting the throttle coupled with 500bhp will give the Atom V8 the most remarkable acceleration seen in a production vehicle ever.