Veritas may have ceased production in 1952 after producing just 75 vehicles but the German automaker will soon be back on the automotive landscape with its radical RS III. Following spy shots from last year, the production version of the Veritas RS III is set to debut at the exclusive London Salon Privé.
The production RS III was first previewed by the Veritas RS3 concept in 2001, powered by a 6.0-liter BMW-sourced V12 with around 670 bhp and 760Nm (561lb-ft) of torque. Featuring design cues from the original cars from more than 50 years back, the RS3 was the perfect evolution of the brand.
At one point Veritas moved into the construction of boats, and the RS3 represents that faithfully with its road-going interpretation of a sea vessel. Thanks to its tubular chassis structure, total weight is a lithe 950kg (nearly 2,100lbs) so the manufacturer’s claim of a 350km/h (217mph) top speed doesn’t seem that unreasonable.
Last year a more modern interpretation of the RS3 concept popped up for testing at the Nürburgring, leaving no question the car was indeed heading for production.
Dubbed the Veritas RS III, the car will finally debut at the London Salon Privé. Veritas is planning to produce 50 RS IIIs per year, with the first cars being delivered later this year. Prices are expected to start at around $375,000.
The concept’s BMW-sourced V12 has been swapped for the German automaker’s 5.0L V10, which will make 600 horsepower in the RS III. That power combined with a car that only weighs 2,360 pounds — thanks to a carbon-kevlar body — will net a 0-62 run of only 3.2 seconds, with a top speed of 216 mph. A 480 horsepower V8 will also be available, which will still be capable of rocketing the RS III to 60 in under four seconds.
05/15, 9:42 AM
posted by:
jimbocardude2
1!! and not digging those headlights
05/15, 11:02 AM
posted by:
92GTA
I’m not feeling any of it. It’s like elegance and bling gone wrong, horribly!
05/15, 12:18 PM
posted by:
zeegone
The days are coming quick when we get to see cars like this. It looks really strange but i’d sure as hell drive one. Merceds SLR Stirling-Moss or this, hmmmmmmmm….
05/15, 12:28 PM
posted by:
telememo
That’s funny, one of the few cars that look better standing still. The action shots make it look like a kit car someone built in their garage.
05/15, 12:41 PM
posted by:
scratchy
nice toy. imagine going to a business meeting in an Armani suit and a racing helmet
05/15, 2:15 PM
posted by:
F3INT))AP3X
Watch the Top Gear episode or clip with this car in it and all you haters will be tasting your feet; this car is nothing but a pure and unadulterated driving experience.
05/15, 3:29 PM
posted by:
Car_Fanatic
I see some Fisker in there, a little of Maserati, and a dash of Tesla.
05/15, 7:10 PM
posted by:
Das Stig
It’s not a great looking car to be honest. Sure it carries heritage, but I think it could’ve been more presentable to rekindle the Veritas spirit from the 50’s, another thing is that it’s extremely expensive. I will add that telememo is correct, it does look like a kit car, sadly.
05/15, 9:56 PM
posted by:
maxcar
it’s got some really nice moves, and a little busy in other places. as far as useless 2-seaters are concerned, i’d take this modern interpretation over, say, a miata-like traditional roadster. whom i kidding, i’d take an atom or an x-bow.
05/16, 12:04 PM
posted by:
shane train
Car_Fanatic: Really? I think I see some 49 Veritas BMW Spyder, some 49 Veritas C90, some 48 RS, and A LOT of the 2001 RS3.
Check those out. Tesla?
05/18, 4:32 AM
posted by:
A4
…looks like it would sink.
07/24, 7:25 PM
posted by:
The Stig
Don’t some folks convert Subaru engines for aircraft use?