The Rezvani Beast Alpha X Blackbird Is A Re-Born Lotus With 700bhp

The Rezvani Beast Alpha X Blackbird. Doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue, does it? It’s like the team behind this car couldn’t stop naming it. Or perhaps after a brainstorm they decided to use everything on the shortlist.

But who cares - like the ‘standard’ Rezvani Beast, the Alpha X is a striking so-and-so, and in the best possible way. It should come as no surprise the ‘Blackbird’ bit of the name is inspired by the Lockheed SR-71 spy plane - there’s a definite military jet vibe to the angular carbonfibre body.

Unlike the original Beast - which was based on an Ariel Atom - you’ll find the guts of a Lotus Elise under the Blackbird’s feathers. It’s rather a lot more powerful than an Elise, thanks to the 2.5-litre inline-four mounted in the middle. It’s been turbocharged into oblivion and given a final tune by Cosworth, resulting in an output of 690bhp. Since the Blackbird weighs just 952kg, it’s quick: 0-60mph takes just 2.9 seconds.

Other features include AP Racing brakes with optional ceramic rotors, a removable roof and the amazing ‘Sidewinder’ doors you see in action above on the standard Beast Alpha. These slide forward to reveal a cabin clad in - you guessed it - lots of carbonfibre. You can even have Apple Car Play, if you want.

Naturally, this doesn’t come cheap: the starting price for the Alpha X Blackbird is $225,000. Just five will be made.