Orca 113 from Liechtenstein: The Story Behind an Ultra-Rare Supercar

Predatory Engineering - Speed has always inspired bold dreams. From the earliest racing machines to today’s hypercars shaped by wind tunnels and digital simulations, the pursuit of performance continues to push boundaries. In the early 2000s, while established European giants dominated the spotlight, a small company from Liechtenstein quietly set out to build something fierce, radical, and unforgettable. What emerged was a supercar named Orca.

The Orca C113 is the first variant of the Orca 113 platform and made by the Liechtenstein-based automaker called Orca Engineering. (Picture from: ClassicDriver)

Despite its aquatic name, the Orca bore no visual resemblance to the killer whale. There were no marine motifs or ocean-inspired curves. The name was chosen to reflect character rather than appearance—an apex predator in its own habitat. Orca Engineering envisioned a machine that would dominate the road with the same authority that an orca commands in open waters.

The Orca C113's body consists of ten large pieces screwed into the structure. (Picture from: TopSpeed)

Orca Engineering was founded in 2003 by René Beck and his son Ralph in Zurich, Switzerland, before relocating to Ebenholz, Liechtenstein. As a newly formed manufacturer, their ambition was striking: to develop a complete supercar platform from scratch. That platform would be known as the Orca 113, and it would form the backbone of the company’s bold entry into the high-performance world.

The Orca C113 also features with Lamborghini-like scissor doors was launched for the first time at one of the world's leading automotive exhibitions, Geneva Motor Show 2003. (Picture from: Mad4Wheels)

The first variant, the Orca C113, made its global debut at the 2003 Geneva Motor Show—one of the most prestigious automotive exhibitions in the world. The letter “C” stood for coupé, the number “1” signified the brand’s first model, and “13” represented René Beck’s personal lucky number. Adding to its dramatic presence, the C113 featured scissor doors reminiscent of Italian exotics, instantly positioning it within serious supercar territory.

The Orca C113 is powered by a MTM-optimised twin turbo 4.2 V8 Audi engine capable spew out power of 650 horsepower, and 664 lb-ft of torque. (Picture from: SeriousWheels)

Two additional versions expanded the lineup. The Orca R113 embraced a roadster layout, offering open-air performance without sacrificing structural precision. At the pinnacle sat the Orca SC7. Its name was straightforward: “SC” denoted supercar, while “7” indicated its extremely limited production run of just seven units. Exclusivity was not a marketing afterthought—it was built into the car’s identity.

The Orca SC7 variant while sat on display at the 2005 Geneva International Motor Show. (Picture from: UltimateCarPage)

Technically, the Orca 113 platform was impressively advanced for a small manufacturer. Lightweight materials played a central role in its construction, including aluminum, magnesium, and titanium. The body panels were crafted from carbon-Kevlar, helping the car achieve a remarkably low overall weight of approximately 850 kilograms. That figure alone placed it among the lightest performance machines of its class at the time.

The Orca SC7 known as the highest variant of the Orca 113 platform and is made only 2 units of the initially company's plan 7 units. (Picture from: UltimateCarPage)

The suspension system used double wishbones at both the front and rear, paired with coil springs and alloy uprights. Every suspension component was CNC-machined from aluminum and coated in carbon fiber for additional strength and reduced mass. Stopping power came from ventilated and cross-drilled carbon composite brake discs on all four corners, gripped by eight-piston calipers—hardware typically reserved for elite racing-inspired vehicles.

Under the hood, the Orca C113 was powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.2-liter V8 engine sourced from Audi and optimized by MTM. The engine produced 650 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque, numbers that were formidable even by early-2000s supercar standards. With that output and its lightweight construction, the Orca claimed a top speed of 224 mph (360.5 kph), placing it in direct competition with the era’s most ambitious performance icons.

The Beck LM800 is designed to be extremely light with a weight of 1,984 lbs and incredibly aerodynamic. (Picture from: Supercars)

The original plan was to build between 10 and 15 hand-assembled cars per year, aiming for a total production of 198 units across all variants. However, financial realities proved challenging. By 2007, due to limited investor backing and insufficient buyer demand, the Orca 113 project came to an end. Only seven cars were ultimately produced: three C113s, two R113s, and two SC7s, making it far rarer than initially intended.

The Beck LM800 is powered by a 4.2-liter twin-turbo V-8 engine with 650 horsepower and estimated has an acceleration from zero to 60 mph in only 3-seconds. (Picture from: VistaPointe)

Even so, the vision did not fade completely. In 2007, the company introduced the Beck LM 800, an extremely lightweight and aerodynamically focused machine weighing just 1,984 pounds. It retained the 4.2-liter twin-turbo V8 producing 650 horsepower, capable of accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in around three seconds. A more luxurious version, the Beck LM 820, followed shortly after. Today, the Orca remains a striking reminder that bold engineering ambitions can emerge from unexpected places, leaving behind a story that still intrigues enthusiasts who value innovation, rarity, and fearless imagination. *** [EKA [11012022] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | AUTOMOTO.IT | DISENO-ART | GTPLANET.NET | TRINITITUNER.COM | AUTO.VERCITY.RU | WIKIPEDIA | MINHCHAU24H | TOPSPEED | CLASSICDRVER | RUUKIEHIMSELF | SERIOUSWHEELS | MAD4WHEELS ]

Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.