Veritas RS III: Insane BMW V10-Powered Supercar goes into Production

Remember the Veritas RS III, the open-cockpit purebred supercar with the M5-sourced V10 engine that pays homage to the 1940's era BMW racing team? Well, it's finally going into a limited series production with the first of a total of 30 hand-made examples set to be delivers to customers in January 2010. Veritas says that even before the actual start of production, five of the 30 luxury cars have already been sold while another eight have been reserved. But before you start day-dreaming, learn that prices start at a whopping €345,00 or about $517,000 at today's exchange rates.

The German company said that a staff of 15 people install the chassis, bodywork and interior at three workstations, with production of a completed model taking about eight weeks.

The RSIII is a 1+1 seater with a covered passenger seat that can be opened if required. The vehicle's body that is made out of ultra-light carbon fiber is built atop of a tube frame developed by Vermot AG.

The 4.68 meter long and 2.02 meter wide supercar is powered by a 5.0-liter V10 from the BMW M5/M6 that makes 507HP and is coupled to either a 7-speed SMG transmission or a manual 6-speed gearbox that send all those ponies to the rear-wheels.

Weighing in at just 1080kg or 2,380 lbs, it is capable of accelerating from standstill to 100km/h (62mph) in under 3.2 seconds and reach a top speed of 347 km/h or 216 mph.

The RS III rides on 22-inch alloy wheels shod in high-performance Dunlop tires size 255/30 at the front and 325/25 at the rear while other highlights include a new braking system from Brabham Racing with 380 mm rotors and six piston calipers at the front and 355 mm rotors and four piston calipers at the back as well as a height-adjustable sport suspension.

Mazda RX-Z: A... Diesel-Electric Hybrid Design Study for RX-8 Replacement

What you see pictured here is a conceptual vision for a 2+2 sports coupe with reverse opening rear doors designed to replace the current Mazda RX-8. The so-called Mazda RX-Z was conceived by Romanian design student, Adrian Ciprian who took a different -but not necessarily better- styling approach ditching most typical new-generation Mazda design cues except for the 'smiley' five-point grille.

The artist also claims that he envisions the RX-Z being fitted with a hybrid powetrain comprising of a front-mounted diesel engine and a pair of electric motors at the rear.

Understandably, this means that the Mazda-badged sports car proposal isn't much of a member of the 'RX' series, but hey, it's just a hypothetical design study.

Via: Diseno-art

Acura Integra GSR Dressed Up Like a BMW with Lambo Doors, Mercedes Fenders and NSX

Eerie? Tacky? Disturbing? Take your pick. For the second time in a few months after our find of the Acura Integra with the Porsche fascia and Toyota Supra bodykit, we've stumbled upon yet another Integra mishmash on eBay. This custom-build gets headlights and taillights from the latest BMW 5-Series mixed with the Bavarian firm's kidney grilles, Lamborghini-style doors and according to the seller, front fenders from a Mercedes and rear air inlets from the Acura NSX. If your taste buds can handle it, hit the break for more pictures along with the seller's detailed description of the car.

Seller's Description:

"1998 CUSTOM Acura Integra GSR. Modified with a BMW 5 series headlight an taillight conversion. The front end of the car Has the 5series headlights with a M3 Grill molded to the Mercedes fenders. The door handles an all the body moldings have been shaved for the smooth look. NSX vents have been molded in the rear quarters. The stock taillights were removed an the 5 series taillights were installed. Then the car was painted Ocean teal made by Exotic colurs!! Its riding on 18' elite barbs an air ride suspension.

Powered by compressed Nitrogen an electric 3way valves an a ten switch box. For the Up, down, an side to side. The interior is a custom silver an black with chrome flake. The seats are rapped in white vinal with chrome flake. The center consil was fiberglassed for a PS2. It has a 7 in flip out TV in the dash an two TV's in the headrest. Indiglo gages for better look at night. The stereo is 2 JL 12's powered by a audioban amp. In a custom trunk enclosure wrapped in black cloth with a floating Nitrogen bottle in the center! T

he motor runs great. Only 64,000 miles.Gets great gas mileage an look good!! It's a 5 speed manuel transmisstion. This car is show ready, an Can be a daily driver. I don't drive it but maybe 20 times a year but It can be a daily driver. I have over 40 Grand Invested in it. I was asking 15k. but Lost my job an need to sell it. This car has won best of show at NOPI an other big named car shows. Its one of a kind an really need to see it to respect the quality of work!!! So Don't drop abunch of money on a car that takes for ever to fix up!! Buy one that's already done!!!"

Link: eBay , Via: Cardomain

Classic Japanese Cars at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show

Together with their new production cars and concept studies, some domestic automakers also brought along with them a handful of Japanese classics to display at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show floors. First up is the 1980 Mazda Familia hatchback which was essentially the Mazda3's forefather. Toyota had a 1981 Toyota Soarer Coupe and the GT HYBD, a gas-turbine hybrid concept version of its first production sports car, the Sports 800 that went on sale in 1965.

Mazda displayed the 1970 500cc rotary-powered RX-500 Concept while Mitsubishi exhibited Japan's first series production automobile, the 1917 A Model which was based on the Fiat Tipo 3. Finally, Honda showed off a first generation (1976-1981) Honda Accord CVCC three-door hatchback.

Photos shot by our Tokyo Motor Show reporter, Phil Alex