Results 1 to 12 of 12

Thread: Ariel Atom v8 / Atom 500 2008-

  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    USA, Colorado, Vallecito Lake
    Posts
    3,830

    Ariel Atom v8 / Atom 500 2008-

    (from Ariel Press Release)

    ATOM V8

    The Atom V8 is here! After three years of development the latest version of the iconic Ariel Atom is released. Offering a power to weight ratio previously only found in single seat race cars the Atom V8 brings unparalleled levels of performance to the driver who wants the ultimate trackday car. Described as the ‘Savile Row of the Automotive World’ Ariel are taking the handmade and exclusive nature of the ultra high performance Atom to another level.

    To be built in a Limited Edition of just 25 cars the Atom V8 builds on the success of the normally aspirated and supercharged Honda engined cars, which continue in production alongside the V8. Every car and engine will be individually numbered and the Atom V8 will be built to suit individual customer requirements as regards specific use, whether road, track or race. The ultra low volume nature of Ariel’s production means that the very personal relationship between them and their customers allows for a completely tailor made car.

    Said Simon Saunders, Director of Ariel, ‘There are things that can be done in low volume production that the big manufacturers can’t, won’t or daren’t do so we make a virtue of our size, our skills and the unique qualities that hand built production can bring to our cars. The Atom V8 demonstrates this right down to selection of gear ratios for individual use.’

    Race specification components are specified throughout the Atom V8 and reflect the extraordinary levels of performance that the car offers. With over 500bhp available the Atom V8 has a power to weight ratio in excess of 900bhp per tonne. (Ferrari Enzo 434bhp per tonne, Bugatti Veyron 530bhp per tonne, GP2 single seater 850bhp per tonne). Race car acceleration and up to 200mph for this ultimate Atom set a new level in trackday cars.Couple this with full road registration and the Atom V8 truly is a ‘race car with number plates’.

    Centre 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. Although producing around double the power of a normally aspirated Atom, the engine has been built and tuned for drivability. Ariel’s knowledge and close relationship with their customers means that they have an in depth understanding of the demands on the cars and
    not only what customers want but what they need.


    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 upAriel Motor Company Limited is registered in the UK. Company Number 6712165 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.

    The inboard pushrod suspension of the standard Atom has been uprated for the V8 with chromoly aerofoil section wishbones and pushrods coupled with magnesium wheels to reduce unsprung weight. Dampers and springs have been developed specifically for the Atom V8 and feature lightweight aluminium monotubes with remote reservoirs giving 3 individual way adjustment (high speed compression, low speed compression, rebound) which is coupled with a unique 4 way spring stiffness adjuster. For the driver who wants to set the car up for different uses, different tracks and personal preferences this gives the ultimate adjustability.

    New instrumentation and switchgear reflect the track focus of the car. An all new LCD display has shift light, gear position and programmable functions to show a range of car and engine information, with parameter set master alarms, for up to 15 channels. Main functions are set to display continuously and the driver can scroll through information from air, water, oil and gearbox temperatures to fuel, oil and manifold pressures if required.

    Behind the paddle change sits a new panel housing the normal Atom road controls plus tiered switchgear for adjustable traction and launch controls, wet/dry settings, gearbox settings, LCD display and menu functions. With data logging facility built in the Atom V8 gives as much, or as little information as the driver needs or wants.
    The unique bronze welded Atom chassis has additional structural braces in the engine compartment and every V8 chassis will be finished in a special gold powder coat special to the limited edition of 25 cars. Proven over many years the Atom chassis is not only light and structurally superb but has been proven to give outstanding levels of occupant protection. Bodywork on the V8 is a mixture of composite woven cloth and carbon fibre with front and rear adjustable carbon fibre aerofoils as standard. The very high specification of the Atom V8 and the time spent developing the car on track and Somerset roads gives a result that is ready to put on any race track in the world and also drivable on the road.

    For 25 customers, who are passionate about their driving, this will be the ultimate trackday tool and with 20 cars pre-ordered the Limited Edition will quickly be sold out.
    ‘Our aim is to put the passion back in to driving and our motto at Ariel is Serious Fun.’ said Simon Saunders, ‘The Atom V8 is one more step to keeping that passion alive and is about as serious as fun gets!’
    "Horsepower sells motor cars, but torque wins motor races."
    -Carrol Shelby

  2. #2
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    USA, Colorado, Vallecito Lake
    Posts
    3,830
    Ariel Atom V8 - Specification

    Engine Type:
    Ariel/Hartley 75 degree odd fire V8, offset cam drive
    Disp: 3,000 cc
    Aluminium alloy block, cylinder head, aluminium cases and sump
    Flat plane crank, forged aluminium pistons
    Chain drive DOHC 4 valves per cylinder

    Power
    Road 475 BHP @ 10,500 rpm Torque 363 Nm @ 7,750 rpm
    Race 500 BHP @ 10,600 rpm Torque 385 Nm @ 7,750 rpm

    Oil System
    4 Stage dry sump – 3 scavenge, 1 pressure
    12 litre capacity aluminium fabricated tank
    Aluminium oil cooler, Pro-lite oil hoses & aluminium fittings

    Clutch
    Hydraulic184mm Twin organic race disc

    Gearbox
    6 speed sequential + reverse aluminium alloy casing
    Hydraulic clutch
    Paddle shift with flat shift capability
    Auto shift capability
    Gear ratios 1st 13/37
    2nd 15/32
    3rd 19/32
    4th 23/32
    5th 21/25
    6th 24/25
    Final drive 13/56
    Adjustable limited slip differential

    Fuel system
    8 Throttle bodies with sequential port fuel injection
    Continuous flow 255 ltrs/hr electric fuel pump
    Twin fuel filters
    40 litre aluminium fuel tank

    Electrical
    Electronic coil over plug ignition
    DTA S80Pro engine management system with dual map
    Data logger output
    Adjustable full 4 wheel traction control, Launch control, Wet/dry control
    High discharge sealed race battery
    Thatcham 2 immobiliser system

    Cooling
    Pressurised, twin high performance electric coolant pumps
    Twin aluminium fabricated radiators

    Exhaust
    Twin 4 – 1 ceramic coated fabricated exhaust manifolds
    Ceramic coated stainless silencer
    Catalytic converter

    Chassis
    Bronze & TIG welded ERW /CDS steel tube
    Aluminium bulkheads
    Phosphated & powder coated gold finish
    Right or left hand drive

    Suspension
    Double unequal length chromoly aerofoil tube fabricated wishbones
    Outboard adjustable race grade rod ends front and rear
    Lightweight fabricated uprights front and rear
    Adjustable chromoly aerofoil tube pushrods front and rear
    Aluminium bell cranks front and rear, needle roller bearings
    Inboard 3 way adjustable monotube dampers with remote reservoirs
    4 way adjustable alloy steel springs

    Steering
    Rack and pinion cast alloy steering rack 1.7 turns lock to lock
    Collapsible offset steering column
    Adjustable inboard joint and outboard rod ends
    300mm race suede covered steering wheel

    Braking
    Front: 290mm ventilated crescent grooved discs, 4 piston calipers
    Rear: 290mm ventilated crescent grooved discs, 4 piston calipers
    Aluminium racing pedal box
    Twin master cylinders adjustable front/rear brake bias
    Parking brake

    Wheels
    Front: 7Jx15 5 spoke magnesium
    Rear: 8Jx16 5 spoke magnesium

    Tyres
    Front: 205/50R15
    Rear 245/45R16

    Body
    Carbon fibre, woven cloth composite mix
    Carbon fibre aerofoil package front and rear

    Seating
    Twin seat unit composite woven cloth, 5 position adjustment
    3” FIA Approved six point quick release full harnesses

    Instruments
    LCD display CAN interface to engine management system
    Gearshift lights, gear position indicator, warning lights
    Selectable display for speed, rpm, fuel level, fuel pressure, voltage,
    water temperature, oil pressure, oil temperature, gearbox temperature,
    airflow, manifold pressure, air temperature.
    Parameter master alarm for all channels

    Dimensions
    Length 3695 Width 1848
    Height 1195 Wheelbase 2345

    Weight
    550kg

    Performance
    0-60mph (100kph) less than 2.3 seconds (e)
    0-100mph (160kph) less than 5.4 seconds (e)
    Top speed 170mph (275kph) road 200mph (320kph) race

    Price
    £124,850.00 plus VAT
    "Horsepower sells motor cars, but torque wins motor races."
    -Carrol Shelby

  3. #3
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    USA, Colorado, Vallecito Lake
    Posts
    3,830
    Ariel Atom 3
    Attached Images Attached Images
    "Horsepower sells motor cars, but torque wins motor races."
    -Carrol Shelby

  4. #4
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    USA, Colorado, Vallecito Lake
    Posts
    3,830
    Quote Originally Posted by clutch-monkey View Post
    a lot of want here
    You couldnt just wait. I understand how you feel though.
    "Horsepower sells motor cars, but torque wins motor races."
    -Carrol Shelby

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    brisbane - sub-tropical land of mangoes
    Posts
    16,251
    a lot of want here
    Andreas Preuninger, Manager of Porsche High Performance Cars: "Grandmas can use paddles. They aren't challenging."

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Location
    nr Edinburgh, Whisky-soaked Scotland
    Posts
    27,775
    Want ... wnt ... want ... BUT is it TOO much power and we enter uncornerable on throttle domain ????

    hmmm, intrigued to know why they went with a US developer of bike-based V8 engines, given the two on their doorstep.
    Are there issues with road use in the US ? I'd have thought it was already only going to be in the "odd states" that it ever had a chance of getting licensed adn surely emissions wouldn;t ahve factored either ?
    Can anyone shed light ? As an engineer many times involved in supplier-selection it does always intruge me when someone does the non-obvious.

    googles not any use yet, so if anyone knows of specs on the engine, size and weight I'd love to compare with Powertec
    "A woman without curves is like a road without bends, you might get to your destination quicker but the ride is boring as hell'

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
    Location
    Porto - Portugal
    Posts
    2,755
    Someone get that pic with 'IT's BEAUTIFULL!'.

    What a wonderfull machine. For thoose with a deep pocket and a need for a track car, this must be very tempting :P I personally need a roof :S
    "Religious belief is the “path of least resistance”, says Boyer, while disbelief requires effort."

  8. #8
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    USA, Colorado, Vallecito Lake
    Posts
    3,830
    When it was first announced.

    Ariel Atom 500 - Ultimatecarpage.com forums
    "Horsepower sells motor cars, but torque wins motor races."
    -Carrol Shelby

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    Location
    Victoria, Australia
    Posts
    3,391
    Quote Originally Posted by Matra et Alpine View Post
    Want ... wnt ... want ... BUT is it TOO much power and we enter uncornerable on throttle domain ????

    hmmm, intrigued to know why they went with a US developer of bike-based V8 engines, given the two on their doorstep.
    Are there issues with road use in the US ? I'd have thought it was already only going to be in the "odd states" that it ever had a chance of getting licensed adn surely emissions wouldn;t ahve factored either ?
    Can anyone shed light ? As an engineer many times involved in supplier-selection it does always intruge me when someone does the non-obvious.

    googles not any use yet, so if anyone knows of specs on the engine, size and weight I'd love to compare with Powertec
    dp vehicle home
    and click on the Ariel.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Location
    nr Edinburgh, Whisky-soaked Scotland
    Posts
    27,775
    ^ Coulnd't find any engine specs and the site doesn't ahve a search ?
    You got a specific for the engine size/weight ??
    "A woman without curves is like a road without bends, you might get to your destination quicker but the ride is boring as hell'

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    Location
    Victoria, Australia
    Posts
    3,391
    Quote Originally Posted by Matra et Alpine View Post
    ^ Coulnd't find any engine specs and the site doesn't ahve a search ?
    You got a specific for the engine size/weight ??
    Haven't read through there in a while but the entire build process from prototype through finished product of modifying an Ariel to fit a V8 is in those pages, and all written by a guy who documents everything and engineers everything, if you have time to go through it I'm sure you'd find what you need to know. Even if not in numbers, in the thought/execution of it?

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Wishing I was in Moscow, Idaho
    Posts
    2,585
    So after 3 years it's still pretty much an uglier version of a Caterham Levante? I like it, but I'd rather have the Caterham.
    Big cities suck

    "Not putting miles on your Ferrari is like not having sex with your girlfriend so she'll be more desirable to her next boyfriend." -Napolis

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. V8 Supercars: Round 6 Hidden Valley, NT
    By fpv_gtho in forum Racing forums
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 07-01-2005, 03:08 AM
  2. V8 Supercars: Round 5 Shanghai, China
    By fpv_gtho in forum Racing forums
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 06-08-2005, 02:57 AM
  3. V8 Supercars: Round 4 Eastern Creek
    By fpv_gtho in forum Racing forums
    Replies: 13
    Last Post: 05-31-2005, 05:44 AM
  4. V8 Supercars: Round 3 Barbagallo
    By fpv_gtho in forum Racing forums
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 05-08-2005, 07:39 PM
  5. V8 Supercars: Round 9, Sandown 500
    By fpv_gtho in forum Racing forums
    Replies: 13
    Last Post: 09-23-2004, 05:16 AM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •