Ariel have a reputation for producing some of the fastest road-going track day toys money can buy, but a new report suggests the British marque is about to reveal the 'fastest-accelerating and most advanced supercar in history.'
Codenamed P40, Autocar UK reports the new electric model will be revealed later this month, headlined by a range-topping version that'll produce over 880kW of power, 1800Nm of torque, be equipped with four-wheel-drive and a new 'turbine range extender.'
The top-spec version will be powered by four separate electric motors, one on each wheel, with energy supplied by a centrally mounted 42kWh liquid-cooled battery. A two-wheel-drive version is also planed.
An aluminium monocoque chassis as well as carbon fiber components could enable the vehicle to weigh in at around 1600kg.
The four-wheel-drive Ariel is also said to be accelerate form 0-100km/h in 2.4 seconds, 0-160km/h in 3.8 seconds, and be electronically limited to 257km/h (160mph).
The battery will supply energy to the electric supercar for between 160-193km, thereafter a 35kW turbine range extender will kick in. Current estimates state the car will be capable of 15 minutes of flat-out driving before needing 50 minutes of 'fast-charging.'
“We’re building tomorrow’s aspirational car using our small-company agility to beat the big companies," Ariel boss Simon Saunders told Autocar UK.
"We love the Ariels we make now, but we know we have to embrace new technology. If we don’t, in 20 years we’ll be making antiques, and we could even be legislated out of existence.”
Ariel's first electric model is planed for production as early as 2020.
We now eagerly await further details of this potential supercar slayer.