| Year
(of specifications) |
2011 |
| Engine |
1.8
litre 4-cylinder turbocharged |
| Transmission |
6-speed
manual RWD |
| Max
speed |
186 mph
|
| 0-60
mph |
4.5
seconds |
| Horsepower |
300
hp (350 hp for the GTS) |
| weight |
950
kgs / 2,094 lbs |
The Melkus name originated in East Germany during the time the
country was split in two following the Second World War. The
company was founded in 1959 by Heinz Melkus, and it ran through
to 1986 before it was closed down.
Then in 2006 the company was revived under the name Melkus engineering
by Peter Melkus, son of Heinz Melkus. Soon after, it was announced
the company was working on a new model. The Melkus RS2000 GT,
as it was called, premiered at the 2009 Frankfurt International
Motor Show. Two years later and it's ready for production.
The Melkus RS2000 GT is based around a composite and aluminium
chassis, with a fiberglass and carbon fiber body placed over
the top.
The bodywork itself takes inspiration from the only production
car the first Melkus company produced, the RS 1000 - although
understandably the RS2000 GT's design has been considerably
modernized. The resulting car looks fairly unique from some
angles, and from others it looks alarmingly like a new Lotus
model.
Entry to the Melkus RS2000 GT is via gullwing doors. Once inside
the occupants are met with a sparsely decorated cabin, but one
that is also reasonably well equipped - especially for a new,
small volume sports car manufacturer. There's all the basic
creature comforts like air conditioning, CD player with flip-out
screen, electric windows and dual airbags. Plus the colors of
the two-tone leather upholstery can be individually selected
by the buyer.
Powering the Melkus RS2000 GT is a mid-mounted turbocharged
1.8 litre VVTL-i engine which produces 300 horsepower. Although
if you pay extra and go for the GTS model then 350 hp is on
tap. Both cars use a 6-speed manual gearbox to transmit the
power to the rear wheels.
The RS2000 GT takes 4.5 seconds to reach 60 mph, while the RS2000
GTS takes just 3.9 seconds. Top speed of both cars is around
186mph. |
|
