View Full Version : Another F1 car for the road?
5vz-fe
02-29-2008, 03:07 AM
http://www.worldcarfans.com/9080229.001/ariel-atom-500-v8-breaks-cover
Ariel Atom 500 V8 Breaks Cover
Ariel is about to rewrite history with its upcoming Atom 500, a V8-powered mini-space shuttle that pulls out figures of over 1,000 bhp per tonne. This from a 2.4-litre V8, which is perhaps paying homage to current Formula One rules. It is supercharged and revs to 10,000 rpm.
The 6-speed sequential gearbox is just the correct package to go with Atom 500, that along with launch control will quickly make toast of the wheels on take-off, probably almost every time. Built with an integrated function steering wheel, carbon fiber panels and aerofoils, Atom 500 is all about lightness, as seen on the bathroom scale when it hits its maximum mass of 500 kilograms.
“For a few customers the Atom 500 will be the ultimate expression of lightweight performance,” says Simon Saunders who is director at Ariel, “and represents the outer limits of what is achievable in a road registered car. We also use this sort of project to explore the possibilities of how we can improve our standard cars.”
Pricing will be confirmed soon and production is strictly limited to a few units. Those lucky, or brave enough to buy one, will probably experience what very few humans on earth have ever experienced.Now that is one scary car. Wings are finally mandatory.
HeilSvenska
02-29-2008, 03:37 AM
It's not trying to be another F1 car for the road, but it certainly is close to one than most. It's mad. There's so many mad cars that you can kill yourself in! :mrgreen: I wonder where the engine's from.
Would I take this over the Caterham? I dunno. Caterham's certainly madder... maybe by just a bit.
Caterham RST-V8 Levante Supercharged
http://jalopnik.com/assets/images/gallery/12/2008/02/medium_2293897451_4cab7bc209_o.jpg
*Wait a minute. The Caterham RST-V8 uses a 2.4L V8 too. Maybe they're the same engine?
saadie
02-29-2008, 05:40 AM
ariel atom 2 was a bit of a handfull .. too much weight on the back and a bit too powerfull .. it was really busy, twitchy ..
Atom 2 pulled around 700 bhp per tonne .... this new mutant is gonna be harder and faster and scarier :\ .. if they dont manage the front/rear weight ratio ... this car is gonna be useless
styla21
02-29-2008, 06:28 AM
Would I take this over the Caterham? I dunno. Caterham's certainly madder... maybe by just a bit.
Caterham RST-V8 Levante Supercharged
What is the RST-V8 L.S all about? (Must have been living under a rock..:blushing: )
Sounds brutal!
5vz-fe
03-01-2008, 03:01 AM
Actually, not until HeilSvenska (http://www.motorworld.net/forum/member.php?u=917) brought it up, I am not aware of a 1000+ per tonne Caterham like that.
Did a quick search in google and http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/26/caterham-rst-v8-levante-cracks-the-1000-bhp-per-ton-mark-scares/
I guess you are right, that one mad Caterham as well. However, I think I will still choose the ariel over it
Mr.Vercetti
03-01-2008, 05:54 AM
*Wait a minute. The Caterham RST-V8 uses a 2.4L V8 too. Maybe they're the same engine?
Yeap..;-)
2 hayabusa engines in a V right?
can't wait to see some track times :-D
enzoferrari
03-01-2008, 01:56 PM
I dont like that thing,now how much?
pagani
03-01-2008, 05:10 PM
I really like it
This will eat any supercar for lunch
enzoferrari
03-01-2008, 08:41 PM
This will eat any supercar for lunch Perhaps?:-PWould I take it over any supercar? Not really! Thats why I want to know if is cheap.
HeilSvenska
03-01-2008, 08:51 PM
Perhaps?:-PWould I take it over any supercar? Not really! Thats why I want to know if is cheap.
They're not. Let's see, the Caterham's over $200,000, and a base Atom's over $60,000. So yeah. They're expensive as supercars for sure.
enzoferrari
03-01-2008, 09:14 PM
They're not. Let's see, the Caterham's over $200,000, and a base Atom's over $60,000. So yeah. They're expensive as supercars for sure. 60k Here in Miami with that money I could buy a C6 ZO6 with very few miles,so why would i get a motorcycle with seats:-PThats just me!
5vz-fe
03-02-2008, 02:36 AM
Z06 is a track car for the streets......the Atom is a track car only......apples vs oranges. You might be able to get by with a Z06 as your only car, but not with the Atom.
enzoferrari
03-02-2008, 03:35 AM
Z06 is a track car for the streets......the Atom is a track car only......apples vs oranges. You might be able to get by with a Z06 as your only car, but not with the Atom. So is not street legal?
I spent about 40 hours track testing a Caterham Superlight 2 summers ago - and it is an awesome track chassis (and with "only" 220bhp I believe) was insanely quick - however, it is an uncomfotable and cramped and very single purpose car.
If I owned one, I would not even bother driving it to the track (even though this one was street legal) - 20 minutes into a street drive it would get old. Trust me, if you have to squeeze yourself into and extricate yourself out of the carbon fibre seated, 4 point harnessed cramped quarters that pass for the Caterham cockpit 6 times in one morning and you will also begin secretly hate the little bugger :P
The Ariel I am sure will be more of the same - these cars may be fun and ok for street use in quaint little european villages where there is barely 3 miles between pubs and trips will be limited to 3 a month :P - but here in the real world of 65 mile oneway freeway drives to the road race course, and other such "realities" you see these cars are really just track toys.
Mad fun track toys, and the twin-Busa V8 is a fantastic little unit - a bit over priced but fantastic none the less - and should make these beasties fun in small doses.
pagani
03-02-2008, 08:02 AM
Z06 is a track car for the streets......the Atom is a track car only......apples vs oranges. You might be able to get by with a Z06 as your only car, but not with the Atom.
The atom is a road car
:-)
fordgt84
03-02-2008, 09:37 AM
hmm 500hp in a car that's lighter than a skate board :mrgreen:... i dont know if i should be excited or frightened, oh well will have to wait for those reviews to arrive
gobs3z
03-02-2008, 01:08 PM
I just wanted to clear up that this is not a Busa variant motor, but a whole new design.
The heartbeat of every RS-monikered Seven will be the unique RST-V8 engine. With more than 16 years of development behind it by Russell Savory, the 40-valve, 2.4 litre engine reliably delivers an incredible 400bhp in normally aspirated mode, or over 500bhp as a supercharged varient, whilst weighing only 90kg in full running gear.
Svensson
03-02-2008, 02:11 PM
Mad fun track toys, and the twin-Busa V8 is a fantastic little unit - a bit over priced but fantastic none the less - and should make these beasties fun in small doses.
I think you're confused with the Powertec 2.6L V8 which is used in the Radical SR8. That's the engine constructed from 2 Hayabusa 1300cc engines. The RST-V8 was originally based on 2 Yamaha R1 engines, but evolved through the years into their own design with the only original parts still used being the cylinder heads.
Here are 2 vids of the original N/A RST-V8 in its previous state of tune producing 340bhp. More than enough if you ask me. Listen to the glorious induction bark of 8 individual throttle bodies!
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Mx62obeje0o
http://youtube.com/watch?v=zVNDGx8NNP4
I think you're confused with the Powertec 2.6L V8 which is used in the Radical SR8. That's the engine constructed from 2 Hayabusa 1300cc engines. The RST-V8 was originally based on 2 Yamaha R1 engines, but evolved through the years into their own design with the only original parts still used being the cylinder heads.
Here are 2 vids of the original N/A RST-V8 in its previous state of tune producing 340bhp. More than enough if you ask me. Listen to the glorious induction bark of 8 individual throttle bodies!
Yeah, it could have been the 5-valve head Yamaha based unit, but it was still stupidly expensive for it's intended use - I priced one of those V8's to be built in a Caterham for use out here, and the motor assembly was going to be almost $40,000 on top of the $65,000 Caterham Superlight.
For that $105,000 I would rather have an all rounder like a GT3.
5vz-fe
03-02-2008, 03:10 PM
The atom is a road car
:-)
Legally, but not piratically.
04RCSTI
03-02-2008, 03:12 PM
I have been in the supercharged version of the ariel for an auto-x and it was more than a handful for the driver. Very quick and light feeling, almost like you're not moving any mass...I wonder why.. That was fast enough as it was and now they throw more power at it? Hope they dont start moving towards heavier cars, seems to be the trend with everyone lately..
enzoferrari
03-02-2008, 03:13 PM
Imagine going to college with that?:mrgreen:Ill keep my Z thanks!
fordgt84
03-02-2008, 04:19 PM
my friend that V8 has got a seriously angry sounding induction roar, i need to know everything about that motor...does anyone have any useful links?... couldn't find anything on wikipedia :laugh:
pagani
03-03-2008, 12:40 PM
Legally, but not piratically.
You can drive it to work everyday.
But shopping whit it is out of the it's reach
:-)
You can drive it to work everyday.
But shopping whit it is out of the it's reach
:-)
Sure you can drive it to work each day, the same way you would ride a motorcycle - as long as you had a change of clothes at work and a place to freshen up.
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