Ariel Atom 500 – when a 90-kilogram engine produces 500 hp.

The Ariel Atom 500 V8 once set a daring speed record on the Top Gear track, leaving behind the legendary Bugatti Veyron Super Sport, Lamborghini Aventador and Mercedes-AMG GT. But it's not just about the numbers, which we'll reveal next. This car – the embodiment of madness and mastery, capable of turning every press of the gas pedal into an explosion of emotions.


Yes, it has no roof, no doors, and no other amenities. It weighs 550 kg and is definitely not suitable for driving on the autobahn, but that doesn’t make it any less interesting. Let’s look at the history of the Ariel Atom 500 and find out what characteristics made it set a speed record.

A Brief History of Success

The first Ariel Atom, released just in time for the new millennium in 2000, became the embodiment of the philosophy of "nothing superfluous". The open frame, which exposed almost all the insides, the bold look and the lightest body (456 kg) overshadowed such inconvenient nuances as the "sluggish" 113-horsepower engine and modest 145 Nm of torque. The car accelerated to 100 km / h in 5,5 seconds.


In 2003, the Ariel Atom 2 appeared, raising the bar for power. The Rover engine was replaced by a 2,0-liter Honda K20C engine with the i-VTEC system. There were two versions: without a turbine, the engine produced 223 hp and 197 Nm, and with a turbocharger, it developed 304 hp and 259 Nm. In a more powerful modification, it accelerated to 100 km / h in 4,4 seconds, confidently outperforming its ancestor.

Finally, in 2008, the Ariel Atom 500 was released. The old Honda engine was removed, replaced by a unique development of the American company Hartley. It was assembled from two Suzuki Hayabusa internal combustion engines. As for the design, it has not undergone any significant changes: it is not very comfortable, but this is not so important - the car was created solely to give emotions.

The Atom 500 V8 series was limited to 25 units. Each car was hand-assembled and individually customized for its owner. The car received a gold powder-coated chassis, carbon body elements and a commemorative plaque unique to each car.

What's in the "heart of the Atom"?

When Ariel engineers conceived the Atom 500 V8, they were looking for an engine that could realize their ambitious ideas. The task was not an easy one: the engine had to be compact, lightweight, and powerful. Do you think that this cannot happen? No: the solution was found overseas, in the USA, where Hartley kindly developed and provided Ariel with a unique internal combustion engine.


The Atom 500 V8 engine is a unique 3,0-liter eight-cylinder engine based on two inline fours from motorcycle Suzuki Hayabusa. Using motorcycle engines as "donors" gave the company what it was looking for: power, lightness and compactness.

The V8 created in this way weighed only 90 kg, and this is also a kind of record claim. For comparison, most modern internal combustion engines of the same power weigh on average twice as much.

But let's move on to the most interesting part - the characteristics. The American "Frankenstein" from two previously independent halves produced 500 hp, reaching a peak of 10600 rpm.

The maximum torque is 363 Nm at 7750 rpm. Thus, the specific power is 167 hp per liter of volume, and this is an excellent result, especially for such a low weight.

The V8 Atom 500 received a flat crankshaft, which is used in racing cars. This configuration allowed to reduce rotational inertia, improve throttle response and achieve such high revolutions. In the red zone of the tachometer, the internal combustion engine roars like a racing car power plant.


The unusual car accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 2,3 seconds. In 2011, it set a lap record on the famous Top Gear track, showing a result of 1:15.1. The next two years, it could not be beaten until the Pagani Huayra appeared on the track – it demonstrated 1:13.8.

Despite the record being a thing of the past, the Atom 500 still holds high at the top of the Top Gear track, occupying the fifth position. It beats many supercars from Lamborghini, Bugatti, McLaren and Maserati, not to mention sports versions of "street" cars from BMW, Porsche and Ford.

About transmission

Such a powerful engine required a special gearbox that could not only cope with the loads, but also change gears at lightning speed. The choice fell on the six-speed sequential gearbox Sadev, developed specifically for racing cars.


The transmission is based on a hydraulic mechanism that quickly and accurately changes gears in both directions. The time it takes to change one gear is only 40 milliseconds, so there are no delays visible to a person during acceleration.

The Atom 500 uses carbon paddle shifters to change gears. To engage the first gear, you have to squeeze the clutch, but then when downshifting and upshifting, this is no longer necessary. This makes it easier for the driver to focus on the road.

Lightweight and durable chassis

The Atom 500 is based on a tubular steel chassis made of high-strength alloys, covered with a gold powder coating. The latter not only gives the car a spectacular look, but also protects the metal structure from corrosion and damage.

The Atom 500 frame is minimalism in its purest form. The open structure entails lightness and strength. Thanks to its use, the weight of the car was kept at 550 kg.


The car's low aerodynamic drag plays a significant role in its performance on the track. The front splitter and rear wing made of carbon fiber provide sufficient downforce, improving grip and stability. If necessary, the pilot can change the angle of the rear spoiler.

Carbon side skirts not only contribute to the car's sporty design, but also reduce lift. Air intakes located on the side panels are responsible for efficient cooling of the engine and transmission during high-speed runs.

Minimalist salon

The interior of the Atom 500 once again emphasizes the purpose of the car - strictly racing. Although the interior is arranged rather ascetically, it has everything that a pilot will need:

✅ Alcantara-trimmed steering wheel that does not slip out of your hands even in high humidity
✅ compact instrument panel with display of engine speed, selected gear, lap timer and fluid temperature
✅ anatomically shaped racing seats with powerful lateral support and five-point seat belts
✅ steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters and traction control buttons – all made of carbon fiber

Since the Atom 500 is a hand-built, high-maintenance vehicle, each car was customized to some degree to suit the specific owner's needs.

How much does it cost?

It is difficult to guess how much each Ariel Atom 500 cost its owners. Some foreign sources mention a price of 150000 US dollars or 15,6 million rubles at the current exchange rate. However, the price of some cars may differ in one direction or another - after all, one should not forget about customization for the needs of a specific owner.