The return of The Beast, a 1,000-hp Corvette in a new body
In 2015, Rezvani Motors began its foray into the world of performance car manufacturing with The Beast, a street-legal race car. Now, the California-based boutique automaker is resurrecting the nameplate for its newest creation. Dubbed The Beast MK2, the aptly named vehicle will put out about 1,000 hp, double the power output of the original Beast supercar.
Unlike the first Beast that was based on the Ariel Atom, this new iteration shares its underpinnings with the Chevrolet C8 Corvette. However, Rezvani has gone to great lengths to differentiate the exterior design of The Beast MK2 from the mid-engine Corvette. The only apparent hints are the familiar side vents and removable targa top.
With a curb weight of 1,352 kilograms (2,980 pounds), the Rezvani Beast MK2 is around 300 kg (661 lbs.) lighter than the Corvette. That’s mostly down to bodywork made primarily from carbon fibre. Rezvani describes it as “a lightweight body made with special carbon fibre using
high-temperature resins that are used in the latest generation of US fighter jets.”
The Beast’s beating heart is a 6.2litre V8, also taken from the Corvette.
However, Rezvani has bolted on a pair of turbochargers for some extra grunt. The result is a power plant that churns out a heady 1,000 horsepower and 878 pound-feet of torque. That power is harnessed by an eight-speed twin-clutch transmission and fed to the rear wheels.
Grippy Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires help launch the Beast MK2 like a proper supercar. The carmaker claims it will hit 60 miles per hour in just 2.5 seconds and blow past the quarter-mile marker in 9.6 seconds, comparable with the Porsche 911 (992 gen) Turbo S.
Corvette undertones are evident in the interior, but again, there are some notable differences. The spine separating the driver and passenger areas is gone. Also, the steering wheel has been changed and now sports a yoke-style appearance.
Rezvani plans to build 20 examples of the Beast MK2, with each priced at over $650,000 (US$485,000). A James Bondthemed 007 package costs an additional $60,000 (US$45,000) and adds items like electrified door handles, gas masks and thermal night vision.
It doesn’t end there. Another $75,000 (US$55,000) gets you armoured exterior panels and bulletproof windows. These are all unusual options for a supercar. However, you can never be certain of where the limits are for Rezvani, a carmaker with a penchant for the extreme.