2nd-gen Rezvani Beast arrives with 1,000 HP, spy movie gadgets on board

The tuning company founded by Ferris Rezvani in 2014 is celebrating its 10th birthday this year with the release of a new Beast supercar. The announcement makes every effort to avoid mentioning that it’s based on the Chevrolet Corvette C8, perhaps because the bespoke supercar starts from $485,000 – almost seven times the price of the original.

A high-end pair of turbochargers and a plethora of other components ramp up the transaxle engine output to 1,014 PS (1,000 hp / 747 kW) – that’s more than two times the power of the C8 Corvette. Riding on Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires wrapped around 20-inch wheels at the front and 21-inch ones at the back, the car zaps 0-96 km/h (0-60 mph) in 2.5 seconds.

Rezvani boasts that the entire body is made of a particularly high grade of carbon fiber using high-temperature resins involved in the production of jet fighter planes, like the F-35. From the practical standpoint, it means that the whole car weighs as little as 1,352 kilos (2,980 pounds) and completes a quarter-mile run in 9.6 seconds.

A glance inside the cabin reveals premium upholstery all around, a redesigned center console and a racing yoke for steering wheel. What makes the new Beast more interesting is its extensive list of options. $55,000 makes the car largely bulletproof, while another $45,000 outfits it with a host of James Bond-esque upgrades making us wonder how they can possibly be considered street-legal.

For starters, there are the assorted floodlights, flashing lights and sirens designed to blind, deafen and otherwise disorient any potential attackers. Then there are live-wire door handles designed to electrocute any would-be intruders, a night vision system, a first aid kit and run-flat tires. Last but not least, the car can dispense pepper spray all around itself. If you go for that option, do not forget to grab a set of gas masks as well – it’s on Rezvani’s list of options, too.

Only 20 units will be made.