Skip advert
Advertisement

Ariel Atom V8

Ariel's massive new engine makes the lightweight Atom an even faster, crazier drive than ever before.

Overall Auto Express rating

5.0

How we review cars
Find your Ariel Atom
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

At more than three times-plus the price of a 300bhp Atom Supercharged – one of the fastest cars on the road – the Atom V8 seems pointless. But one full throttle burst and it makes you reassess how fast road cars could be. The torquey engine, sitting behind the driver’s head, is even flexible and easy to use at low speeds – although we would not recommend this model as a daily driver. Still, it’s the most thrills you can have on four wheels.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The world’s most extreme road car has just got even more insane! With its 300bhp supercharged 2.0-litre VTEC engine, the current Ariel Atom is no slouch – but that hasn’t stopped the small-scale British company from adding an extra four cylinders and 175bhp to its bare-bones sports car. We strapped ourselves in for a rollercoaster ride.

To give you an idea of how mad squeezing a bespoke 475bhp 3.0-litre V8 into a car weighing 550kg is, consider the power-to-weight ratio. With 864bhp per tonne, the eight-cylinder Atom has more than a typical superbike, nearly twice that of a Bugatti Veyron and roughly the same as a single-seater GP2 car.

The clutch is required to engage first gear on the pneumatic six-speed gearbox and get the model away from a standstill. But from then on, as long as at least 2,500rpm is dialled in, all shifts can be achieved with a simple tug of the carbon fibre paddles. The changes themselves hit home with a thump but are lightning quick, taking between 40 and 50 milliseconds to engage.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

C-HR

2018 Toyota

C-HR

50,830 milesAutomaticPetrol1.8L

Cash £14,300
View C-HR
1 Series

2019 BMW

1 Series

49,116 milesAutomaticPetrol1.5L

Cash £14,000
View 1 Series
2 Series Convertible

2020 BMW

2 Series Convertible

39,952 milesManualDiesel2.0L

Cash £11,800
View 2 Series Convertible
Kuga

2019 Ford

Kuga

45,669 milesManualPetrol1.5L

Cash £12,300
View Kuga

With so much power, you would expect the Atom to be difficult to drive – but even at town speeds, the torquey V8 is surprisingly flexible and docile. And despite narrow tyres, traction is superb compared to the current crop of supercars. In the dry we were confident enough to turn off the control system altogether. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

Flex your right ankle, though, and all hell breaks loose. The response is incomparable to anything else on the road, and once the V8 hits its stride, the acceleration is too much for your brain to compute. A new five-point harness keeps you locked into your seat. 

From here, the race-ready ceramic-coated exhaust produces a deafening shriek as the engine approaches the 11,000rpm red line and transmits vibrations to the base of your spine. The car has been designed mainly for the track, which is why it can be fine-tuned to your personal driving style.

Its racing pushrod suspension uses three-way adjustable dampers and four-setting adjustable springs, plus you can tweak the angle on the front and rear carbon fibre spoilers for more or less downforce. 

Only 25 examples of the Atom V8 will ever be made, with intrepid owners taking delivery in early 2011. If you fancy one, you’d better be quick – only two of the run are left. The Atom V8’s huge price tag might make it an irrelevance, but we doubt we will see anything like it again.

Rival: Caterham Levante

With a 500bhp supercharged 2.4-litre V8, this tie-in between Caterham and tuning expert RS Performance is the only car offering a similar experience to the Atom V8. Each one costs £115,000 and is built to order.

Skip advert
Advertisement

More reviews

New & used car deals

MG MG4

MG MG4

RRP £26,995Avg. savings £8,094 off RRP*Used from £13,199
Skoda Kodiaq

Skoda Kodiaq

RRP £38,140Avg. savings £3,019 off RRP*Used from £13,895
Renault Clio

Renault Clio

RRP £16,160Avg. savings £2,721 off RRP*Used from £8,600
Nissan Qashqai

Nissan Qashqai

RRP £27,415Avg. savings £5,568 off RRP*Used from £12,295
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k
Kia PV5 Passenger - show front

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k

New entry into the electric people carrier market undercuts the VW ID. Buzz by a significant margin
News
29 Apr 2025
Car Deal of the Day: BMW’s ultimate luxury SUV at an unusually low price
BMW X7 - front

Car Deal of the Day: BMW’s ultimate luxury SUV at an unusually low price

German firm’s flagship SUV could never be called cheap but it is exceptional value at £735 a month – making it our Deal of the Day for Sunday 27 April
News
27 Apr 2025
New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645
Kia PV5 Cargo on display at Commercial Vehicle Show - front 3/4

New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645

All-new entry into the van market promises competitive pricing and comes with a range of up to 247 miles
News
30 Apr 2025