Ariel Atom V8- Price update

The new Ariel Atom V8 will cost £120,000 Back in May we reported that the Ariel Atom V8 was in the pipeline, a range-topping 500bhp version of Atom’s road-track monster. Which is twice as much power as the standard Atom – which churns out around 245bhp – and a massive 200bhp more than even the Supercharged Atom. Even in standard spec the Atom manage 0-60mph in a blistering sub 3 second sprint, thanks to its almost non-existent bodywork and ultra low weight.

Aston Martin Hybrid Hydrogen Rapide S race car revealed

The new Aston Martin Rapide S was revealed in January, and now Aston Martin are taking the Rapide S racing, but with a twist – it’s going to be able to run on hydrogen. Aston Martin has been working with hydrogen experts Alset Global and have developed a twin turbo version of their 6.0 litre V12 that can run on petrol, gaseous hydrogen or a blend of both and the plan is to run the Rapide S at the 24 Hours of Nürburgring next month with at least one lap run on hydrogen alone. The hydrogen system in the Rapide S (which AM are calling a hybrid, but it’s only a hybrid in the sense it uses two fuels, not that it uses electric motors) has a hydrogen fuel rail, storage tanks and its won engine management system to control combustion.

Michael Mauer appointed head of design at Porsche

Porsche AG has anounced the appointment of Michael Mauer to take over as chief designer from Harm Lagaay, who will retire on July 1 after 15 years in the post. Michael Mauer, 41, studied automobile design at Pforzheim University, and started his career at Mercedes-Benz. In 1989, he was appointed design project leader for the Mercedes V Class models, and was in charge of design work for the first SLK model generation.