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Keating Berus supercar set for 2017 launch

Bolton-based supercar company is soon to launch the Berus and claims plans are afoot for a 2,000bhp monster version

Keating Supercars isn’t exactly the best known name on the car market, but this month the company is celebrating an eventful ten years in the business with a new car. Keating produces lightweight, super-powerful cars, with the priority squarely on driving thrills rather than luxury and its latest model, the Keating Berus, adheres to that formula.

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Keating plans to storm into its next decade with its most outlandish product yet – the Berus. The firm says the Berus has styling ‘like a snake’s fangs’ – and in fact takes its name from the venomous snake Vipera Berus. As with previous cars, Keating promises scary performance figures, too.

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The Berus will be available in three versions, kicking off with a naturally-aspirated unit giving 650bhp. Adding twin-turbochargers to this will push power up to 2,000bhp (of course), while an electric version promises green motoring with more than 400bhp on tap.

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So far, only a half-scale model of the Berus has been produced, and it’s on display at the University of Bolton’s Centre for Advanced Performance Engineering – where Keating Supercars is a partner. The company promises a debut for the Berus by 2017, though, so we’ll be able to see for ourselves if it’s a true contender in the supercar market.

A brief history of Keating

Keating’s first product, the TKR, was launched at the 2006 London Motor Show. It was built primarily for track purposes but a road-going SKR followed shortly after. These cars used parts from other hypercars like the Saleen S7 and Pagani Zonda, but were powered by a 7.0-litre General Motors LS V8. In twin-turbocharged form, Keating promised over 2,000bhp from this unit, with a claimed 0-60mph time of just two seconds.

A modified Keating TKR has been recorded in the past travelling at a staggering 260.1mph at El Mirage Lake in California, suggesting Keating’s bold claims may not be a million miles from the truth.

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However, Keating came back down to earth with its next product, the ZKR. Unveiled in 2011 it provided a comparatively measly 650bhp, but Keating claimed it should still sprint from 0-60mph in just 3.6 seconds.

The ZKR’s successor bought things back up, though. The Keating Bolt claimed an engine output of anywhere from 640bhp to 2,500bhp from the same 7.0-litre LS V8 engine. With a kerb weight of just 990kg, that’s sure to provide spectacular performance – Keating reckons a top speed of up to 340mph is on the cards - but early reports of the car are disappointing with a poor finish and dated technology attracting criticism.

How does over 2,000bhp sound to you? Let us know in the comments below...

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