autoevolution
 

Body style: Convertible (spider/spyder, cabrio/cabriolet, drop/open/soft top)
Segment: Exotic
Production years: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024

ARIEL Atom 500 V8 2011-Present 12 Photos
ARIEL Atom 500 V8 (2011-Present)ARIEL Atom 500 V8 (2011-Present)ARIEL Atom 500 V8 (2011-Present)ARIEL Atom 500 V8 (2011-Present)ARIEL Atom 500 V8 (2011-Present)ARIEL Atom 500 V8 (2011-Present)ARIEL Atom 500 V8 (2011-Present)ARIEL Atom 500 V8 (2011-Present)ARIEL Atom 500 V8 (2011-Present)ARIEL Atom 500 V8 (2011-Present)ARIEL Atom 500 V8 (2011-Present)ARIEL Atom 500 V8 (2011-Present)

While the Atom started as an ultra-light open roadster fit for two and powered by a naturally-aspirated four-banger, the 2011 Atom V8 was a different kind of animal.

In 2007, the Atom was powered by a humble, naturally-aspirated inline-four, then customers asked for more power. Then it the Atom was fitted with a Honda Civic engine that boosted its power to 300 horses thanks to a supercharger. This time, the customers were pleased. But something was missing from that supercharged engine: a V-8 sound. That came in 2011 in a 25 units limited production run and a price tag that could match a Porsche Turbo or a Ferrari 458.

The Ariel V8 sported a new wing in the back that pushed the back of the roadster harder to the ground, increasing the traction. The carmaker placed two squared wide air-intakes for the engine on the sides, which differentiated the V8 from its inline-four siblings.

The Ariel Atom V8 was that little something that made a difference. Something like a meal with or without salt and pepper. It started as a one-off vehicle, an experiment when the factory installed a rev-happy 2.4-liter V-8 at the back of an Atom chassis. In the end, the carmaker rounded up the engine to a three-liter displacement capable of doing 10,000 rpm and squeezed 500 ponies out of the naturally aspirated V-8. The engineers paired it with a six-speed sequential gearbox, which featured a clutch that wasn't needed while driving it hard, neither for the upshifts or the downshifts.

Thanks to that combo drivetrain, the Atom was capable of matching a Bugatti Veyron Supersport in a 0 to 62 mph (0-100 kph) run.

press release
ARIEL Atom 500 V8 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
  1 gasoline engine
  • 3.0L V8 6MT (500 HP)

ARIEL Atom 500 V8
3.0L V8 6MT (500 HP)

ENGINE SPECS - 3.0L V8 6MT (500 HP)
Cylinders:V8
Displacement:3000 cm3
Power:373 KW @ 10600 RPM
507 HP @ 10600 RPM
500 BHP @ 10600 RPM
Torque:296 lb-ft @ 6100 RPM
401 Nm @ 6100 RPM
Fuel System:sequential port fuel injection
Fuel:Gasoline
PERFORMANCE SPECS
Top Speed:200 mph (322 km/h)
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph):2.5 s
TRANSMISSION SPECS
Drive Type:Rear Wheel Drive
Gearbox:Quaife 6-speed pneumatically controlled paddle shift sequential gearbox
BRAKES SPECS
Front:290mm ventilated crescent grooved discs, 4 piston calipers
Rear:290mm ventilated crescent grooved discs, 4 piston calipers
TIRES SPECS
Tire Size:205/50R15 || 245/45R16
DIMENSIONS
Length:145.5 in (3696 mm)
Width:72.8 in (1849 mm)
Height:47 in (1194 mm)
Front/rear Track:63/63 in (1,600/1,600 mm)
Wheelbase:92.3 in (2344 mm)
Aerodynamics (Cd):0.4
WEIGHT SPECS
Unladen Weight:1213 lbs (550 kg)
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC)
Combined:33 mpg US (7.1 L/100Km)
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