Frankfurt Auto Show: Melkus RS2000

With a design reminiscent of the classic GT cars from LeMans, the RS2000 is currently showcased at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show, based on the Lotus Elise and rivaling with the latest Mercedes-Benz model, the SLS AMG.

The Melkus RS2000, that also features gullwing doors, will be produced in a limited run of 25 units each year and will sell for 107,000 euros.

The RS2000 shown at the Frankfurt Motor Show is built from glass-fiber reinforced polyester body, which makes the sports car weigh only 950kg. As we said, It uses the same Toyota-powered unit as the Lotus Elise mated with a 6-speed transmission.

The 1.8-liter, 16-valve, 4-cylinder engine outputs 270 bhp. The light weight and power output allows it to accelerate from a standstill to 100 km/h in just 4.9 seconds, and reach a top speed of 250km/h.

The car has been fitted with an aluminum double-wishbone suspension, which Melkus designed himself. Interiors can be customized as you wish, but luxurious features are already standard. For safety, the chassis of the Melkus RS2000 has a monocoque architecture and the car benefits from a carbon Crashbox and roll bars.

The RS2000 is the successor of the 1969 Melkus RS1000. According to Melkus, "a successor of the RS1000 was Heinz Melkus' dream; now Peter and Sepp Melkus, son and grandchild of the designer and running driver, are going to turn this dream into reality."

It was designer’s Sebastian Wolfram job to reinterpret and improving the original design of the RS1000. "It is a new interpretation of the original stylistic language without the goal of a retro design [...]; the proportions are stronger and sportier."