Showing posts with label Wiesmann. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Wiesmann. Show all posts

Thursday, April 24, 2008

Wiesmann Roadster (2006)

The Wiesmann Roadster

The Wiesmann-Roadster which is manufactured since 1993, has been adapted permanently to the latest technical development. It's a dynamic and powerful sports car, made for convertible enthusiasts, taking its very own market position, supported by an ever growing fan community. The Wiesmann brand is established.

In succeeding years the Wiesmann-Roadster has been continuously developed and kept up-to-date with engineering progress. With almost 500 examples now having been built, a quality of finish has now been achieved which is unequalled among comparable small-scale manufacturers.

In 2003, on the 10th anniversary of the factory, Wiesmann gave the models a facelift: from the 300th. Roadster, all vehicles leaving the factory had a number of optical and technical detail alterations. The classic shape of the car body, which became very successful and is particularly loved by Wiesmann customers, retained unchanged. Improvements to the interior and modest alterations to the Roadster's external appearance were signs of the continued logical development of the vehicle concept.

Additional options allow the customers to individualise their own hand-made dream car. Individuality is the magic word! After all, the customer wants a car that is individually equipped, tailored to his wishes, crafted to suit him and make him satisfied and happy.

The Wiesmann-Roadster is available with two powerful engines:
MF 30 - 170 kW/231 HP - 2,979 cc
MF 3 - 252 kW/343 HP - 3,246 cc

Even though the performance of the normally-fitted engine with 3 litres and 231 HP (achieving a power-weight ratio of 4.67 kg/HP) is adequate for a sports car, this was not always sufficient to fulfil all our customers' wishes for engine performance. This culminated in the offer of a further engine from the BMW stable, the M engine from the 3-series.

The driving qualities of the Roadsters with this engine, with its output of 343 HP and 365 Nm (resulting in a power-to-weight ratio of the car at its empty weight of 1,180 kg of 3.44 kg/HP) combined with a sequential manual 6-speed gearbox are driven to the very peak of driving enjoyment.

The extension of standard equipment covers the following new features:

Standard equipment

+ BMW M3-Motor 252 kW/ 343 HP and 365 Nm
+ Dynamics switch (throttle valve control selectable sporty/ comfortable)
+ New design of the rear light-clusters and the front flashers
+ Additional side blinkers in the sills
+ Redesigned door-lock
+ New switch design in the central console
+ New control lights display
+ New design for the instrument panel
+ Interior improvements with leather elements in cross-stitch pattern

Special equipment available at an extra price

+ Sequential 6-speed gearbox (SMG II) with switch on the steering wheel (2 driving modes: manual gear-change with steering wheel switch or with the gear stick; automatic mode)
+ Drivelogic (6 different driving programmes for comfortable driving through to sporty driving)
+ Acceleration assistant (for optimum vehicle acceleration at sports car racing level)
+ Control light display with gear indicator
+ DSC Dynamic Stability control (manual cut-out)
+ Modification of the front lighting units (additional xenon or H7 headlights)
+ Wider wheels (255/30 on 9.5x19" front, 295/30 on 11x19" rear)

The optical and aerodynamic developments, in combination with the modified standard equipment and great variety of individual possibilities, once again enhanced the attractiveness of the Wiesmann-Roadster.

Base price:
Wiesmann Roadster MF 30 € 91.000 incl. VAT
Wiesmann Roadster MF 3 € 96.000 incl. VAT

Wiesmann GT (2006)

The Wiesmann GT

The success of the Roadster concept is based on a successful synthesis of classic design and state-of-the-art engineering. This encouraged Friedhelm and Martin Wiesmann to develop a new, similarly fascinating, sports car on the basis of the Roadster, the Wiesmann GT.

The two-seater coupé celebrated its premiere as a production vehicle at the IAA 2005 in Frankfurt, to be acclaimed by the motoring experts.

Despite the suggestions of a classic design as a further development of the Wiesmann-Roadster it was a completely new car which was created. Basic data were gained from the Wiesmann Racing GT, which was tested as a experimental vehicle under extreme conditions during the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring in 2002.

Since it was clear from the outset that this vehicle would not only be optically different, but based on different fundamental data, from the Roadster, there was plenty of room for manoeuvre in the development. Starting point for considerations was the engine. This was to represent a new sparkle, come what might.

Since, as it is well known, displacement can only be replaced by one thing, and that is more displacement, thoughts quickly made friends with the idea of using a BMW V8 engine of 4.8 litres capacity. This made a larger engine compartment than the Roadster's essential, which consequently meant

that all the dimensions of the Wiesmann GT would have to be oriented towards that.

Thus, the GT grew in all directions, compared with the Roadster: it was three centimetres higher, eleven wider, and no less than 37 longer. To take account of the rather higher fuel consumption of the larger engine, 10 litres additional fuel tank volume was provided, at 70 litres, to guarantee adequate range on longer journeys.

The challenge now facing the engineers was to convert the engine's output into vehicle dynamics. Normally, a larger vehicle also weighs more, which in turn adversely affects the performance figures. This was avoided by designing an aluminium monocoque, familiar from the racing scene. In this way, the increase in weight was kept within bounds, and at 70 kg was extremely modest for a car of this size. The bodywork is of lightweight, high-quality, fibreglass-reinforced compound material and in the familiar manner is also fabricated in the factory.

The xenon headlights ensure good visibility in darkness, and the rear lights, which consist of LEDs, not only give a clear signal but are also unmistakable as the hallmark of the Wiesmann GT even at night.

With a power-to-weight ratio of 3.41 kg/HP the Wiesmann GT is to be found in the leading group of sports cars. The low centre of gravity, the perfectly-tuned running gear combined with the bullish torque delivered by the engine, the optimum seating position for driver and passenger ensure unalloyed driving enjoyment.

The Wiesmann GT is an individual sports car with a classic design, which fits perfectly in the automotive landscape and which will capture its own niche.

Base price: € 111.000 incl. VAT

Wiesmann GT MF5 (2008)

Completed just in time for the start of the IAA: the Wiesmann GT with the model name of MF 5 and a 10-cylinder motor. Hiding behind this unpretentious name is the most exciting sports car ever to be presented by Wiesmann to the public.

It is a perfect blend of the corporate philosophy's contents, which is a combination of beautiful body shapes and state-of-the-art technology. The appearance of this super sports car alone would clearly signal the arrival of something extraordinary: a very low and cowered-down body in combination with wide base tyres stand for abounding power and a highly racy vehicle to be expected.

Wiesmann fulfils the desire of many a GT enthousiast, who had welcome the successful expansion of the Wiesmann model portfolio, and who, at the same time, had still wanted for the engine to become even racier.

Dipl.-Kfm. Friedhelm Wiesmann (business graduate), spokesman of the board, explains: „Our intention is to meet these demands with the GT MF 5. This new sports car tops off our porfolio of models, setting the new benchmark when it comes to the Wiesmann sports cars' driving performance - which is rather impressive anyhow."

Dipl.-Ing. Martin Wiesmann (graduate engineer), managing director in charge of development and production, says: „Compared to the normal GT, it is already the outer appearance of the MF 5 that would be outstanding: both a wing as well as a diffusor generate the necessary rear-suspension drive line, thus ensuring an excellent stability especially for those high-speed moments. A lot of effort went into the development of a high-performance chassis to make sure the MF 5 driver will enjoy the ride and yet will at all times be safe no matter what."

The drive system of this super sports car comprises a 12:1 compacted V 10-cylinder front-mounted mid-engine with a cubic capacity of 5 litres boasting 507 HP which are generated by 7,750 crankshaft rotations. A maximum torque of 520 Nm ensures a powerful drive at all speeds and driving fun at its best.

GT experts will immediately notice the lower total height (- 5 cm), the slight increase in width (+ 9,6 cm), and the increase in total length by 8 cm to 4.3 m compared to the MF 4 with a correspondingly bigger track gauge of + 10 cm (front) and + 9.8 cm (rear). These details are crucial for its very low centre of gravity and hence its good roadability.

In spite of all its safety features, the vehicle's bigger size, the engine's high capacity, and the corresponding sequential 7-speed transmission system (in connection with a variable differential lock) account for a modest increase in weight of only 100 kg compared to the MF 4. The resulting driving performance is beyond each doubt: the acceleration time of 0 - 100 km/h is 3.9 seconds, and the power to weight ratio amounts to a sensational 2.7 kg/HP. With this value the MF 5 ranks among the top class of the sportsters league.

In order to be able to control such a powerful vehicle, both its driver as well as its fellow passenger need to be in close contact with it. The GT MF 5 therefore comes with especially designed bucket seats with an excellent lateral support, which by request may be adjusted to the driver's and fellow passenger's body contours. They give the necessary support, for the passengers to have a firm grasp in view of the great acceleration forces that may develop, and to be able to fully enjoy the driving performance. Special carbon seats are also available by request.

The passengers' safety is ensured by energy absorbing car body parts, by a stiff aluminium monocoque including a side-collision protection structure, and by the serial ABS combined with a dynamic stability control system DSC.

The months following the world premiere will be reserved for fine tuning and long-term as well as endurance testing, in order to fulfil all requirements of those already highly interested in Wiesmann's newest super sports car.

The market launch of the Wiesmann GT MF 5 fully suitable for daily use is scheduled for spring of 2008. The price of the GT MF 5 with its comprehensive equipment amounts to 178,900 € incl. VAT. Exclusive carbon parts are also available by request.

ENGINE
V10 Front-mounted mid-engine with three-way catalytic converter, petrol injection, stainless-steel double-pipe exhaust
cylinder/valves: 10 / 4
cubic capacity: 4,999 cm3
bore/stroke: 92.0 / 75.2 mm
max. power: 373 KW (507 HP) at 7,750 rpm
max. torque: 520 Nm at 6,100 rpm
fuel consumption:
combined: 14.8 l/100km
city: 22.7 l/100km
highway: 10.2 l/100km
CO2 emission: 357 g/km
MOTOR CONTROL
digital motor electronics (DME), double VANOS (variable camshaft control), fully electronically controlled single throttle valve, shear force oil supply, ion-current knock control system, three-way catalytic converter, heated lambda probe, activated carbon filter, controlled fuel tank venting, light-alloy engine block, light-alloy cylinder head, on-board diagnostics, double-flow exhaust system
WEIGHT/DIMENSIONS
curb weight: 1,380 kg
permitted weight in total: 1,650 kg
weight distribution front / rear: 50 / 50
length/width/height: 4,300 / 1,956 / 1,170 mm
wheelbase: 2,507 mm
front track gauge: 1,560 mm
rear track gauge: 1,636 mm
CONSTRUCTION
aluminium monocoque, bonded and riveted
BODY
high-quality, fibre-glass reinforced composite material, diffusor, rear wing, enlarged air inlets, green-toned color glazing, laminated-glass windscreen, safety glass side window and rear screen, free choice of paint
TRANSMISSION SYSTEM
sequential 7-gear SMG automatic transmission
differential: variable differential lock
DRIVING PERFORMANCE
top speed: 310 km/h
acceleration 0-100 km/h: 3.9 s
FUEL TANK CAPACITY
70 l
SAFETY
air bags for driver and fellow passenger, integrated side-collision protection, ABS (antilock braking system), DSC (dynamic stability control), safety steering column adjustable in height and length, BMW safety system incl. approved electronic immobiliser system (Elektronische Wegfahrsperre EWS lll), 3-point seat belts, hydraulic power-assisted steering
EQUIPMENT
refrigerator, bucket seats, leather interior, Xenon headlamps and additional headlamps, central locking system, electric window lift, electric wing mirror adjustment, electronic revolution counter, electronic tachometer, fuel gauge, water temperatur gauge, oil temperature gauge, oil pressure gauge, analog watch, aluminium gear lever knob, velour carpet in passenger compartment and boot, glove box with lighting, passenger compartment lighting