Production imminent for 'user friendly' Ariel Atom V8

Ariel's frankly barmy V8 version of its already prodigiously quick Atom is said to be moving through the final stages of its development before entering an extremely limited production run.

Just 25 models will be built using an eight-cylinder engine from the US. The Atom V8 will likely develop more than 500bhp, and should be capable of 0-60mph in less than 3 seconds. For those brave enough a top speed of almost 200mph should be on the cards.

However, Ariel has insisted that the car will not be as intimidating as those figures suggest, and told Autocar that the cars user friendliness has been preserved. That doesn't seem to have put off prospective buyers - despite a predicted price tag of £110,000 the manufacturer has already sold 20 V8 Atoms.