Automotive

Rezvani prepares a more proper and BEASTly supercar out of the Ariel Atom

Rezvani prepares a more proper and BEASTly supercar out of the Ariel Atom
The all-new Rezvani BEAST
The all-new Rezvani BEAST
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Aston Martin DMC Concept by Samir Sadikhov
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Aston Martin DMC Concept by Samir Sadikhov
The BEAST includes a removable windshield
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The BEAST includes a removable windshield
The Rezvani BEAST gives the Ariel Atom some bodywork
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The Rezvani BEAST gives the Ariel Atom some bodywork
A new carbon fiber body on top of the Ariel Atom's steel tube chassis
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A new carbon fiber body on top of the Ariel Atom's steel tube chassis
Windshield off
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Windshield off
The BEAST shares the Atom's 2.7-second 0-60 mph time
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The BEAST shares the Atom's 2.7-second 0-60 mph time
The BEAST is a light 1,550-lb roadster
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The BEAST is a light 1,550-lb roadster
Fun for track and street
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Fun for track and street
The Rezvani BEAST is available as a full car or Ariel Atom add-on
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The Rezvani BEAST is available as a full car or Ariel Atom add-on
The all-new Rezvani BEAST
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The all-new Rezvani BEAST
View gallery - 10 images

The ultralight, super-quick Ariel Atom is certainly one of the most fun ways any driver has to enjoy the asphalt. However, its grown-up go-kart look and design are not for everyone. For those that want Atom-level performance with the styling of a full-fledged sports car, Rezvani presents the all-new BEAST. Ariel bones and organs get the skin of a proper sports car.

Rezvani describes itself as a boutique exotic car coach builder based out of California. It was founded by Fardees Rezvani, who has worked on the development of cars like the Vencer Sarthe.

The BEAST joins the growing pack of stripped-down, track-engineered roadsters that includes the VŪHL 05 and the Zenos E10, as well as the Atom itself. The BEAST is essentially a dressed-up Atom with a carbon fiber body designed by Rezvani's design arm and Samir Sadikhov, whose past work includes last year's Aston Martin DBC Concept (below).

Aston Martin DMC Concept by Samir Sadikhov
Aston Martin DMC Concept by Samir Sadikhov

The BEAST's styling shows a lot of interplay between the angular and the curvaceous. The former frames the ducts and vents at the front, rear and sides, while the fenders and hood show a softer, curvier side. A pair of hood cut-outs showcases the Atom's steel tube chassis. The BEAST rolls on RS05 PUR wheels wrapped in 235/35/19 Toyo R888 front and 295/30/19 R888 rear tires. It has a roll cage and a small, removable windscreen.

Despite its added body panels, the BEAST still manages a very low weight of 1,550 lb (704 kg) in 500-hp spec. In addition to that mid-mounted 500-hp 2.4-liter super/turbocharged four-cylinder, there's a 315-hp supercharged 2.0-liter option that weighs in at 1,470 lb (667 kg). Both engines are prepared by Ariel Atom specialists DDM Works and send power to the rear wheels by way of a limited-slip six-speed manual gearbox.

"When the engine is built, the block is disassembled, and checked for defects, etc," explains DDM president Dave Michel. "Then the crank bearing surfaces are polished, the block is cleaned, bored, decked and prepped for the new high-performance parts. The engine is assembled with all new parts – upgraded pistons, forged H beam rods, ARP studs, and optional clutch upgrades – and filled with a break-in oil for the first start."

The Rezvani BEAST gives the Ariel Atom some bodywork
The Rezvani BEAST gives the Ariel Atom some bodywork

The 500-hp unit gets the BEAST to 60 mph (96.5 km/h) in the exact same 2.7 seconds as the Ariel Atom itself. The 315-hp is right on their bumpers, hitting the mark in 2.9 seconds.

The BEAST 300 starts at US$115,000 and the 500 bases in at $135,000. Rezvani is offering the first two buyers of each model a discounted "Launch Edition" price – $99,500 and $124,900, respectively. The car is also available to Ariel Atom owners as an upgrade package. While the car was "born on the track," it is also road-legal.

Source: Rezvani

View gallery - 10 images
8 comments
8 comments
Daishi
Now we are getting somewhere.
Bob809
WOW! Oh yeah, and WOW! What a fantastic looking creation, from an incredible small car. Scientists may have 'cracked the Atom,' but this something far more interesting, and a thing of beauty. I want one -should I ever win big on the lottery I might add.
Jay Finke
Now that's a proper bad azz looking car, and it's made in the USA far out man !
Neil Gokhale
Oh wow! I need one....
Slowburn
@ Jay Finke
Slapping a carbon fiber shell on an British built street legal overpowered go cart does not make it American made.
Stephen N Russell
This Id drive, awesome, love to rent 2
Perry Obray
Wonder if a normally aspirated 3.5 liter V8 putting out at least 350hp, or a W12 putting out at least around 500 hp with brown valve covers, brown anodized block and heads will be a much better cruiser for federal roads at minimum.
The Skud
SLOWBURN - Who cares? At the very least you would get a few less bugs in your teeth ... For those who do, buy the original or ride a Harley.