Melkus
RS2000 GT
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 186 mph.
