Rezvani Beast 500 revealed

The Rezvani Beast 500 is a new sports car, based around the Ariel Atom chassis, with a wild-looking body, not dissimilar in concept to an old evo favourite – the Lamborghini Aventador J.

The new company, founded by US designer Fardees Rezvani, has no direct links with Ariel, but uses the British sports car as a basis for the Beast. Thanks to a 500bhp version of the Atom’s supercharged engine, the Beast will hit 0-60mph in 2.7secs. This is matched up with a six-speed manual gearbox and limited slip differential.

There will also be the option of a lower powered Beast 300, using the turbocharged 2.0-litre engine, which will still hit 0-62mph in 2.9secs. Both engines are prepared in the USA by Atom specialists DDM.

Weighing in a 704kg, the new car's body is built from carbon fibre, and Rezvani says it can also be fitted with a removable windscreen. The body will be built in the USA, with carbon fibre specialists N2A Motors chosen to do the manufacturing.

It's completely road legal, and prices start in the US from $139,000 (around £82,410), with two special launch edition cars being sold at $124,900 (£74,049).