Ariel Atom Gets New 500hp V8

The Ariel Atom 500 is slicing ever so close to being a road-ready Formula One car, or one from the old days. Here we have some details about the new V8 engine for the Atom 500 which, while it sounds like a heavy little bugger, is actually not. That's because the said V8 is a 3.0-litre unit and is rated at 500bhp (373kW). Thrust is helped along by a 6-speed sequential gearbox. A paddle shift option is being investigated as well. Launched in February 2008, the Atom 500 V8 was equipped with a Russel Savory designed 2.4-liter supercharged V8.

The engine is claimed to weigh less than 90kg. It is therefore lighter than the unit that powers both the supercharged and normally aspirated Ariel Atom 3. Ariel says the car will shoot from 0 - 60mph in under 2.5 seconds and hit 100mph in under 6 seconds. Good thing the company will offer extensive training to new owners once they have taken delivery of their cars.

Changes that come with the V8 include suspension upgrades, lightweight magnesium alloy wheels and higher specification levels.

The bad news is that only 25 examples will be built and production will only start in mid-2010. Prices have not been set yet but Ariel boss Simon Saunders told PistonHeads that it will cost over £100,000 but less than £135,000.