Ariel Atom V8: Automotive Review

Ariel Atom is what I would call a mating ritual between a small car and a big bike gone wrong. It's everything that a car shouldn't be, and it's everything that a bike shouldn't be. It's got four wheels, it's got a four cylinder engine, and if you're going to have an accident, you'll certainly enter the pearly gates on fire!

Don't think though, for a second, that I'm complaining. I loved the original Ariel Atom. It had a four cylinder supercharged engine from a Honda. Now though, it's fitted with a V8. A V8! And I'm sure now, somebody who just used their life savings, their sister's life savings, their parent's life savings, and their grandparents' life savings to buy a Veyron, will feel ripped off!

Why? Well, because the Veyron, which weighs a lot; about 3 tons, produces 1001 horsepower, but when you add the weight, it's only about 500 per ton. So, the engine is good for 1000, but the car is good for only about 500. That's bad news for Veyron owners, because the 2.4L V8 in the new Ariel Atom produces 500 horsepower! That's good, thinks the Veyron owner; it's got just as much power as I do. But whoever thinks so is dead wrong.

You see, the Ariel Atom is a super lightweight car. It weighs half a ton. So now, to measure the horsepower per ton, take the 500, and multiply it by two. It produces nearly 1000 horsepower per ton! Twice the amount the Veyron produces.

OK, again, I must set he record straight - I love the Veyron. It's a technical achievement, and is a benchmark of what a human being can do, and has done. But it's not a car, more so a status statement. First of all, you will probably never max out your Veyron, if you got one, and it's not as practical as you could hope. It's got two seats, a big engine, and that's it. It's focused at comfort and luxury, but you don't get much. Try to go shopping with your wife or girlfriend. Or maybe on a holiday with that special someone. You'll have the car, you'll have that special someone, you'll have many places to choose from to go to, but you can't take anything with you.

The Ariel atom, however, is more focused. It's a little racer that will literally bite Ferrari's and Lamborghini's heel. And while you can't go on a holiday in it, and you can't go shopping either, you can go to the track, and you'll be busy eating Porsches, Corvettes, Lamborghinis, and Ferraris like snacks! Why? You might ask? Well, put simply, it is estimated to do 0-60 in less than two seconds!

To be honest, this is the way it should be. Why have they built fast cars that nobody can afford? Fast cars is just the business, and while everything is focused on safety and comfort, the car manufacturers completely forgot that we like to have a little fun, once in a while; on the track, of course, the cause otherwise it'll be illegal. Unless, of course, you live in Germany.

Honestly, I'm glad that the KTM Crossbow, the Caterham R500, and the Ariel Atom exist. They are the essence of lightning fast cars, that people can actually afford. Forget Enzo and Porsche Carrera GT, forget even the Bugatti - this is the stuff, because there are two types of cars: ones to make you look good standing next to it, and ones that make you look extremely good taking over absolutely everything on the track.

If I had enough money to buy a Lamborghini, or a Ferrari, or the Ariel Atom V8, I would easily buy the Ariel Atom V8 and a house! That way, I could be a man of the house, not just a man who was dumped by his girl because he loved his car more, and couldn't afford to buy even a shed.