The New Ariel Atom 3.5R Is A Track Day's Deadliest Weapon

We doubt many people climb out of the 310bhp, 550kg Ariel Atom 3.5 and ponder: 'you know what, this thing needs more power.' Regardless, Ariel has seen fit to create the 3.5R, with - you guessed it - even more power.

An extra 40bhp has been unlocked from the Honda-sourced supercharged 2.0-litre, bringing the total power output to 350bhp. With just 550kg to haul about, that gives this Atom a power-to-weight ratio of 636bhp per tonne. For context, that's more than the unhinged Caterham 620R, and more than the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport, with its lowly 626bhp/tonne figure.

0-60mph takes just 2.6 seconds, and 0-100mph is dispatched in six seconds. Top speed is 155mph, but if you want to do those sort of speeds, we'd recommend wearing a helmet if you want anything left of your face; as with all Ariels, (Atom-based Rezvani Beast aside) there's no bodywork.

The extra power is thanks in part to a new chargecooler, but that's not the only upgrade. Öhlins TTX dampers have been added, and an adjustable limited slip differential is available. Also new is the six-speed Sadev paddle shift dual-clutch gearbox. It's a race-spec item, so as you'd imagine, it shifts pretty quickly. It's capable of five downshifts in under one second, in fact.

If all this madness sounds appealing, you can pick up the 3.5R from £54,000 plus VAT. The first cars will be completed later in the year.