Ariel Atom - Is a V8 engine overkill for this flyweight, race-grade two-seater?

摘要

Since its introduction, the Ariel Atom has been well represented in this magazine. It has dominated 0-100-0 contests, appeared in features, group tests and long-term reports, and even found a home in the garages - dream and real - of our staff. Never before, though, have we put one through the full rigours of the Autocar road test - an oversight we are righting today. And what a car we have to do it with. The V8 is Ariel's fastest Atom variant. In fact, in some areas it might even turn out to be the world's fastest production car. To its rear, in place of the usual Honda four-cylinder engine, sits a bespoke 3.0-litre V8 engine, which drives through a race-derived gearbox. You should expect fireworks as standard.