Ariel Atom V8 – yours for £150

Soul Models has produced the world’s first scale model of the Ariel Ariel Atom, in the form of a 1:18 scale Atom V8.

The Spanish model maker has worked closely with Ariel to ensure the finished product is as accurate as possible. Intricate details, including a carbonfibre-effect finish on the bodywork and a builder’s plaque on the driver’s seat, reveal the level of craftsmanship that has gone into the model.

Ariel boss Simon Saunders emphasised the difficulty of this work: “We have been approached by a few model makers over the years, but once they understand the complexity of modelling the Atom they have all given up at an early stage. We’ve been keen to see a scale version of an Atom so it’s great that Soul Models has taken on the task and produced such a great, detailed model.”

In full size, the Atom V8 was a limited-edition model, with just 25 examples built. It used a 3.0-litre flat-plane crank 32-valve V8, which produced 500bhp, and was good for a 2.3sec 0-62mph sprint time, making it quicker off the line than even a Bugatti Veyron Super Sport.

The V8, priced from more than £120,000, has long since sold out, so this new 1:18 scale model is the only way to buy a new Atom V8.

Like the real thing, the model will be built to limited production, with 1500 numbered units selling for £149.94 each. That’s close to 1/800th of the price of the real thing.