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We warned you it was coming, the light weight sports car builder, Ariel, has just released a ridiculously powerful version of their open cockpit two-seater, the Atom 500. Although the V8 is quite small, displacing only 2.4 Liters, the blown five valves per cylinder design and 10,000 RPM capabilities means that there is more than 500 HP on tap. The 6 speed Sadev sequential gearbox will get a lot of use in the Atom 500, it features flatshift capabilities, paddle shifters as well as launch control. Like the old Pirelli slogan says: “power is nothing without control,” so in order to get the Atom 500 to stick to the road, the vehicle’s engineers had to fit and F1 inspired aerofoil to the nose as well as a GT sized rear wing. Stopping power is provided by a foursome of Alcon four-piston brake calipers housed inside of lightweight Dymag magnesium wheels. The power to weight ratio of the Atom 500 is almost unheard of for a road car, over 1000 HP per ton. If you thought the old Atom was absolutely amazing, the 500 should be nothing short of insanity. Press release after the jump. Press release 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.  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. 7 comments: Ariel Atom 500 Ping_Guererro (939) Posted on 03.4.2010 It looks that it’s fun to drive, ain’t it? dang Engine i can’t imagine that it has 10,000 RPM that’s about 1000 more than The RX8. plus it is packed by more than 500 HP. I wonder how fast it can go.
 AK47 (1027) Posted on 05.30.2009 BMWM6, engines that rev that high tend to have stronger internals and reliability isn’t normally an issue with proper maintenance. The Honda Civic engine is prove of that. In the same way, Ferrari and BMW engines hardly ever have problems. I believe you have owned a couple of BMWs and can vouch for that. Manufacturers have quite a few reasons for going for higher revs. One would be simply that most manufacturers can’t create high revving engines, they lack both knowledge and experience. Two would be fuel efficency. More revs means more fuel has to be supplied to the cylinders, meaning more fuel is consumed. An example would be the V8 by Ferrari, revs like crazy but the mileage suffers. Third and perhaps the most important one would be cooling. These engines require lots of air to feed them and to keep them cool. The basic shape of sedans and coupes are not meant for optimal cooling. Heavy modifications would be required to provide the cooling needed and that would mean these cars would not have an advantage in crash testing and maybe not even pass crash tests. Cars like the atom 500, on the other hand have a very open design, with little to no hindrance of air reaching the engine which is why it can rev up to 10000rpm. F1 cars work in a similiar manner. Exotics work in the same manner as average cars so they have the same revving qualities. 8-9k rpm is the maximum for them.  BMWM6 (488) Posted on 05.30.2009 Ak 47 you explsined to me how formula 1 cars get extremly powerful engines y letting them rev to high RPMs my question would be that if the cars were to rev that high would it reduce reliability and how come manufacturers dont let there cars rev that hgh like exotic cars should ha ve that technology AK47 (1027) Posted on 05.30.2009 That is impressive stats for the engine. Closest thing you can get to a F1 street car with the 10000rpm headline.
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Full story Ariel Atom
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Posted on 10.6.2011