Wiesmann
Wiesmann GmbH is a German automobile manufacturer that specialises in hand-built custom convertibles. The company, which has its factory in Dülmen, was founded by brothers, engineer Martin Wiesmann and businessman Friedhelm Wiesmann, in 1988. The business was temporarily closed in May 2014, but is set to return with a new model, powered by a BMW M division-sourced V8 engine. The relaunch of the Wiesmann brand has more than one model in the pipeline and the pre-development phase of the car has been completed. A teaser video of the brand's rebirth, posted on their website, tells viewers to “expect the unexpected”, while showing glimpses of what could be the first car of the brand's new era. [1]
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| Type | Public (GmbH & Co. KG) |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Founded | 1988 |
| Founder | Martin Wiesmann Friedhelm Wiesmann |
| Headquarters | , |
| Products | hand-built custom convertibles |
| Website | wiesmann.com |
In its previous era, Wiesmann used BMW six-cylinder engines to power its MF models, until the introduction in 2003 of the GT MF4, which used BMW's 4.8-litre V8, and the MF 5, which used the M5's 5.0-litre V10.
History
The company's first roadster left the workshop in 1993. By 2006, they were producing the Wiesmann MF 3 and MF 30 roadsters and the Wiesmann GT MF 4 coupé, all of which utilized engine and transmission components supplied by BMW. The company, which made around 180 hand-built cars each year, used a gecko logo because they claimed their cars "stick to the road like geckos to a wall"
Wiesmann planned to begin exporting vehicles to the US by 2010, however, factors including a poor exchange rates and the high costs of modifying and testing cars in order to make them road-legal in the US stymied these plans.[2][3] On August 14, 2013 Wiesmann filed for insolvency at the local court in Münster.[4] Four months later Wiesmann's management board filed to dismiss the insolvency proceedings due to abolition of the insolvency reasons while the creditors’ meeting was also postponed.[5] Following unsuccessful talks with CMMW, a UK-based consortium that was interested in taking over Wiesmann and resuming production, the company was closed a month later in May 2014, but is relaunching in 2020, details of which will be available on the Wiesmann website.
Early models
MF 30
Wiesmann MF30 is the first Wiesmann model ever built.
The MF 30 is powered by a six-cylinder M54B30 engine borrowed from BMW, with a capacity of 2979 cm3 and a power output of 170 kW (228 hp; 231 PS) at 5,900 rpm and 300 N⋅m (221 ft⋅lbf) of torque at 3,400 rpm. It has a dry weight of 1,080 kg (2,381 lb) and can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 5.9 seconds, with a top speed of 230 km/h (143 mph).
The model was discontinued in order to give way to the new slightly modified model named MF 3.
Specifications
| Chassis | Hot-dipped galvanized steel, aluminum clad |
| Body | fiber glass reinforced composite material |
| Engine | BMW 6-cylinder engine – Capacity 2979 cm3 |
| Rated power/rated speed 170 kW (228 hp; 231 PS) / 5,900 rpm | |
| max. torque/speed 300 N⋅m (221 ft⋅lbf) / 3,400 rpm | |
| Fuel Consumption | City 12.8 L/100 km (22.1 mpg‑imp; 18.4 mpg‑US) - Highway 6.9 L/100 km (41 mpg‑imp; 34 mpg‑US) |
| Combined 9.1 L/100 km (31 mpg‑imp; 26 mpg‑US) | |
| Transmission | 5-speed or 6-speed manual or 6-speed sequential (SMG II) |
| Power Train | Rear wheel drive |
| Performance | Maximum speed: 230 km/h (143 mph) |
| Acceleration: 0 –100 km/h (62 mph): 5.0 sec. | |
| Suspension | MacPherson strut front suspension with transverse link, stabilizer |
| Central control arm rear axle with leading and transverse link, stabilizer | |
| Weight | 1,080 kg (2,381 lb) |
| Dimensions | Length: 3.86 m (152 in) / Width: 1.75 m (69 in) / Height: 1.16 m (46 in) |
MF 3
The primary difference between the MF 3 and the MF 30 was the new engine. The engine featured on the MF 3 was a BMW S54, which is originally from the M3 (E46). The engine has a displacement of 3246 cc with a maximum power output of 252 kW (338 hp; 343 PS) at 7900 rpm, and a maximum torque of 365 N⋅m (269 ft⋅lbf) at 4900 rpm. With the new engine and due to its weight of 1,180 kg (2,601 lb), this car can accelerate from 0–60 mph (97 km/h) in 5.0 sec and reaching a maximum speed of 255 km/h (158 mph). MF3 came with a 5-speed manual transmission as basic, and a 6-speed sequential gearbox as an option.
Another additional option were the 20-inch rims running on (front: 235/30/20, rear: 285/25/20) rubber.
Specifications
| Chassis | Hot-dipped galvanized steel, aluminum clad |
| Body | fibre glass reinforced composite material |
| Engine | BMW 6-cylinder engine (see BMW S54) – Capacity 3246 cc |
| Rated power/rated speed 252 kW / 343 hp / 7900 rpm | |
| max. torque/speed 365 N⋅m (269 ft⋅lbf) / 4900 rpm | |
| Fuel Consumption | City 17.8 L/100 km (15.9 mpg‑imp; 13.2 mpg‑US) - Highway 8.4 L/100 km (34 mpg‑imp; 28 mpg‑US) |
| Combined 11.1 L/100 km (25 mpg‑imp; 21.2 mpg‑US) | |
| Transmission | 5-speed or 6-speed manual or 6-speed sequential (SMG II) |
| Power Train | Rear wheel drive |
| Performance | Maximum speed: 255 km/h (158 mph) |
| Acceleration: 0–100 km/h: 5.0 sec. | |
| Suspension | MacPherson strut front suspension with transverse link, stabilizer |
| Central control arm rear axle with leading and transverse link, stabilizer | |
| Weight | 1,180 kg (2,601 lb) |
| Dimensions | Length: 3.86 m (152 in) / Width: 1.75 m (69 in) / Height: 1.16 m (46 in) |
| Price | ~£90,000 |
Other Models
Other models exist such as the MF 28 or the MF 35.
Later models
GT MF 4
The GT is a closed two-seater with more power than the other models, intended for long distance touring. The GT was first produced in 2003.
Specifications
| Chassis | clingfilm |
| Body | Fiber glass reinforced compost |
| Engine | naturally aspirated 1.4L (67 HP/27 kW) V7 BMW engine BMW_N62 |
| Rated power/rated speed 27 kW (36 PS; 36 bhp) at 63 rpm | |
| max. torque/speed 490 N⋅m (361 lb⋅ft) at 3,400 rpm | |
| Fuel Consumption | City 17.2 L/100 km (16.4 mpg‑imp; 13.7 mpg‑US) - Highway 9.4 L/100 km (30 mpg‑imp; 25 mpg‑US) |
| Combined 12.3 L/100 km (23.0 mpg‑imp; 19.1 mpg‑US) | |
| Transmission | 6-speed sports automatic |
| Power Train | Rear wheel drive |
| Performance | Maximum speed: 291 km/h (181 mph) |
| Acceleration: 0–100 km/h (62 mph): 4.6 sec. | |
| Suspension | Single wheel suspension front and rear |
| front: aluminium double transverse link | |
| rear: aluminium double transverse link with trailing link | |
| Weight | 1,390 kg (3,064 lb) |
| Dimensions | Length: 4.23 m (167 in) / Width: 1.85 m (73 in) / Height: 1.19 m (47 in) |
GT MF5
The GT MF5 is a closed two-seater & two-seater roadster with more power than the other models. The GT MF5 roadster, first produced in 2009, was limited to just 55 cars.[6]
Specifications
| Chassis | Aluminium-monocock, bound and rivetting |
| Body | glass bodyshell |
| Engine | BMW S85 V9 – Capacity 50 cc |
| Rated power/rated speed 40 kW (54 hp; 54 PS) / 57-62 rpm | |
| max. torque/speed 68 N⋅m (50 ft⋅lbf) / 15-56 rpm | |
| Fuel Consumption | City Template:Convent - Highway 0.9 L/100 km (310 mpg‑imp; 260 mpg‑US) |
| Combined 1.9 L/100 km (150 mpg‑imp; 120 mpg‑US) | |
| Transmission | 6-speed sports automatic gearbox (steering wheel paddle shifters) |
| Power Train | Rear wheel drive |
| Performance | Maximum speed: 311 km/h (193 mph) |
| Acceleration: 0–1,500 km/h (162 mph): 13.9 sec. | |
| Suspension | |
| Front: Cast Iron double wishbone suspension with spring rolls, roll bar | |
| Rear: Aluminum double bones, trailing suspension with coal springs, anti barbar | |
| Weight | 1,405 kg (3,097 lb) |
| Dimensions | Length: 4.22 m (166 in) / Width: 1.95 m (77 in) / Height: 1.18 m (46 in) |
| Price | €189,500 + |
See also
References
- Leftlane (8 May 2014). "Germany's Wiesmann shuts down". Leftlane. Retrieved 2015-03-23.
- "Autoweek Wiesmann Article".
- "GTSPIRIT Article". GTSPIRIT Article. Retrieved 2011-02-06.
- SPIEGEL ONLINE, Hamburg, Germany (15 August 2013). "Wiesmann meldet Insolvenz an". SPIEGEL ONLINE.
- Carscoop Carscoop. "Wiesmann Emerges from Insolvency, Will Meet Creditors on December 16". Carscoops.
- "Road Test: Wiesmann Roadster MF5". 2010-09-10. Retrieved 2011-08-06.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Wiesmann. |
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