The standard has been raised in the world of bonkers motoring. Behold, the Ariel Atom 500. The Honda inline-four is replaced by a naturally-aspirated 500-hp 3.0-liter V8. Considering the Atom's slightly heavier than an eyelash, this will be spectacular. Updated.

Want to outrun Bugatti Veyrons in an open-wheeled roadster? It'll cost you at least $160,000. But with a 0-60 time of 2.5 seconds, with the Ariel Atom V8, you'll at least be getting your money's worth.

Not content with just offering up a totally visceral experience in the 'base' Atom, Ariel has decided to up the ante by mating their bare bones street racer with an RS Performance 500-horsepower 2.4-liter V8.

UPDATE: It's official, here's the fist photo of the new Atom 500, the V8-powered Ariel! We've seen the Ariel sporting a dual hayabusa V8, and we've just heard the news about the Caterham 7 RS, which will sport an RS Performance V8. Combine those stories and you get the Atom 500, which reportedly will feature the same…