The new Rezvani Beast is an Ariel Atom-based lightweight with 700bhp

This is the ‘performance-oriented Beast’, because the standard, 500bhp version was a little too sedate. Ladies and gentlemen, meet the 700bhp ‘Beast X’.

It’s the work of California-based supercar company Rezvani, and is a carbon-fibre bodied speedster built for, well, speed.

Underneath, as you’ll already know, sits the chassis of an Ariel Atom, but significantly upgraded, including carbon fibre body panels to hide the Ariel's modesty.

This new ‘X’ version, however, gets a pair of Borg Warner high-performance turbochargers strapped to its 2.4-litre four-cylinder Honda 'K24' engine. The engine itself also benefits from forged pistons and valves, and strengthened internals.

So, after turning up the boost, power now stands at a heady 700bhp, matched to a six-speed manual gearbox as standard (though a sequential auto ‘box is on offer), driving the rear wheels, complete with a limited slip diff.

Though heavier than an Atom, it’s still a featherweight, clocking in at just 839kg. That extra power sees the Beast's 0-60mph time drop by two-tenths to just 2.5 seconds. Yeah, it’s quick.

Elsewhere, you’ll spot the new wings, a revised front and rear fascia, and of course, the obligatory dual carbon fibre wings which are said to help handling. Not a bad idea, with 700bhp on board and not much else (Rezvani doesn’t buy into the whole ‘driver aids’ thing).

There are also 10-way adjustable Bilstein dampers and monster brakes, beefy anti-roll bars and 19-inch wheels.

If you want a MegaBeast in your life, you’d better hurry – Rezvani is only building five Beast X models, at a cost of $325,000 each (around £215,000).