The RS2000 will be a successor of the 1969 Melkus RS1000, a small sportscar with gullwing doors and a 992 cc 3-cylinder 2-stroke engine, capable of 66 kW and 200 km/h.

The RS1000 was based on a ladder frame with a roll-bar integrated into the windscreen frame and behind the driver, combined with fiberglass body panels.

It was produced in just over a hundred units until 1979.

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."

Company founder Heinz Melkus, with the RS-1000 (1970)

The RS2000 will be produced in a very limited series (25 units per year); manufacturing will be carried out in a way similar to the current RS 1000 limited edition replica.

The construction of the prototype will start on January 2007, in partnership with the Dresden University of Technology and Sebastian Wolfram (HMW Designer).

The project goal is to unveil the car to the public within spring 2008 and to start production within the same year.

The approximate price should be about 75,000 EUR. Estimated performances are a top speed of 250 km/h and a 0-100 acceleration in just 5.5 seconds, enabled by the lightweight construction (total mass under 1,000 kg).

Design concept

Main designer Sebastian Wolfram was challenged 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 rétro design [...]; the proportions are stronger and sportier."

Provisional data sheet

Vehicle layout

• Closed Coupe with wing doors, central engine

Dimensions

• Total length: 4,000 mm
• Total width: 1,800 mm
• Total height: 1,120 mm
• Wheels: 16 inches front / 17 inches rear
• Total weight: less than 1,000 kg

Chassis

• Steel tubular chassis with integrated roll-bar and carbon front crash box
• double triangle suspensions

Engine

• up to 2.0 liters 4-inline cylinders unit delivering 130-200 hp

Performances

• Top speed: 250 km/h
• 0-100 km/h acceleration: 5.0 s
• Fuel consumption: 10-12 l/100 km

Price

• Approx. 75,000 EUR

(Source: Melkus via MotorFull)