Ariel Atom 700 is a turbo-supercharged 700-hp track weapon

If you're willing to ditch sleek supercar looks and just about every automotive creature comfort in the pursuit of pure performance, you might consider the Ariel Atom 3. Powered by a 2.4-liter Honda I4 engine cradled in an exoskeletonlike frame, the Atom 3 boasts a 0-to-60-mph time of just 2.9 seconds

But maybe those performance numbers just aren't enough for you. If so, Piedmont, S.C.-based DDMWorks might have a solution. The automotive performance shop has announced its newest creation, the Ariel Atom 700.

As its name suggests, the Atom 700 squeezes 700 hp from a 2.0-liter Ecotec I4 engine. This feat is accomplished with a turbocharger-supercharger pairing. DDMWorks claims that comparing the vehicle's 700 horses to its 1,450-pound curb weight yields a power-to-weight ratio of 2.07 pounds per horsepower—better than most exotics on the market.

Engine modifications are backed up by a host of other mechanical improvements, including a custom-fabricated exhaust setup. DDMWorks suggests that Atom 700 purchasers undergo special driver training before taking their new toy for a spin. That's probably a wise idea.

The wide range of options available on the Atom 700 means that DDMWorks hasn't announced vehicle pricing, but the standard Atom 3 retails for $52,480.

By Graham Kozak