The German coachbuilders Weismann unveiled the new MF5 Roadster at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The MF5 is limited to only 55 units, each priced at 189,500 Euros and features the classic curves of an English sports car at first glance with an unparalleld driving experience that could only come from a modern day high tech package.
The Weismann MF5 roadster is powered by a 5.0 Liter V10 from a BMW M5 mounted in the front midship position for better weight distribution and features a few tricks to ensure that all 507 HP and 384 lb-ft of torque make it to the ground through the BMW sourced SMG sequential 7 speed gearbox that allows it to rocket from 0 to 60 MPH in just 3.9 seconds on its way to reaching a top speed of 192 MPH.
With this much power comes great responsability, so the MF5’safety system includes: an integrated side impact protection beam, ABS, DSC, a safety steering column that is adjustable in both height and length, BMW’s security system including an electronic engine immobilizer (EWS III), 3 point harness, Hydraulic Power Steering and the oh so important driver and passenger airbags.
Weismann engineers will put their skills to the ultimate test when they assemble a car live at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
A disclaimer, though. They’re not going to build a car from scratch because, well, we assume that’s going to take more than a day, especially if you’re doing it by hand. What the engineers – we heard that there will only be two on hand for the public demonstration - are going to do, however, is to put the final detailing on a GT MF4 during the introduction of the company’s new GT M5 Roadster.
It’s a unique ploy by the German manufacturer to attract a crowd at the motor show, most of whom, have probably never seen a car being worked on by its engineers up close and personal. Weismann’s rationale behind this quick-fix-‘er-upper is to showcase the company’s exceptional skills and efficiency in building a car while in front of guests, customers, and media personnel.
We can’t think of any other reason – maybe apart from giving a car for free – to drum up interest in your brand than building a car in front of the whole place to see, so you can accept that just like us, a lot of people will be curious to see just how the engineers at Wiesmann handle the pressure of building a GT MF4 in front of what we expect to be a strong gathering of curious onlookers.
The Frankfurt Motor Show is a month away and the entire auto industry is the buzz is already in the air. In what is expected to draw a who’s who of automakers, the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show is shaping up to be one for the books.
One automaker that has kept a low profile for months is now ready to steal the show at Frankfurt. We are, of course, talking about Wiesmann and their latest production supercar, the MF5 Roadster.
For the German-based niche car maker responsible for some past jewels of the road like the MF4 Roadster and the MF5 GT, the MF5 Roadster serves as another culminating moment for the folks at Wiesmann. The long-awaited MF5, a car that in some respect combines the elements of its two predecessors, is the personification of a powerhouse trapped in an unassuming body case. Showcasing its 507-horespower V10 engine - which it actually got from the BMW M5 and M6 – the MF5 can drive from 0-60 mph at just a tad under 4 seconds and reaches maximum speeds of 190 mph.
No photos of the MF5 Roadster have been released (the one photographed above is the MF5 GT) so you can expect that the unveiling of this supercar has become one of the most highly-anticipated parts of the Frankfurt Motor Show. That, and the fact that the Wiesmann only produced 55 of these bad boys at around €190,000 each, makes the MF5 unveiling a can’t-miss show for those going to Frankfurt.
The German coachbuilders at Wiesmann revealed their MF4 Roadster at the Geneva Motor Show; it is a completely new vehicle that pays homage to the classic MF3. Like the MF3 Roadster, the MF4 is also hand-built and will be priced at 128,900 euros ($163,000) for a standard version and at 137,900 euros ($174,500) for the higher performing MF4-S Roadster.
Weismann is offering two BMW engines for their new model. The first powers the standard version: a 4.8 liter V8 that produces 367 HP and for the MF4-S: a V8 with 420 hp and a displacement of 3999 cm3. The engines are mated to either a traditional automatic transmission or a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox.
The MF4-S Roadster can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds and will hit a top speed of 186 mph.
UPDATE 06/12/11: Been a while since we last saw the Wiesmann Roadster MF4 in its natural element: an empty strip of tarmac on a military airfield ready to get pounced on. In this video, the GT version of the MF4 is accompanied by two MF3 Roadsters as it blasts off, the piercing sound of its 420-horsepower engine breaking the silence surrounding the airstrip. It’s a great video for any fans of high-powered retro-looking sports cars. Check it out after the jump.
Wiesmann has been teasing the MF4 for a while now. Last month we got the final confirmation that we will be seeing a few new projects from the German company including the MF4 Roadster.
Now the company has revealed the first teaser image of the German roadster with very British styling. The MF4 will be powered by a 367 hp 4.8-liter BMW V8 that is borrowed from cars like the 650i. An S version will get the 4.0-liter V8 borrowed from BMW M3.
Wiesmann may just be getting it right. It takes modern German engineering and wraps it in classic English styling.
The latest version of this modern-retro marriage is MF4-S, which well see for the first time in the flesh at the Geneva Motor Show in March. We were already expecting the MF4 and the MF5, but the surprise MF4-S’s 420 hp 4.8-liter V8 lifted from the BMW M3 will make a nice middle point between the 367 hp MF4 and 507 hp MF5.
The MF4-S will be offered with either a manual or an automatic dual-clutch transmission. It is built on a aluminum monocoque chassis and has a lightweight bodywork. The MF4-S is part of Wiesmann’s celebration of its twentieth anniversary, so production will be limited (about 30 units).
Wiesmann, the well-known German sports manufacturer, unveiled the details of its latest handmade creation: the GT MF5. The brand new car based on the MF4 coupe, is powered by Bmw’s 507hp V10 engine found also on the M5 and M6 models. The MF5 packs 140 more horsepower due to the fact that its older brother, the MF4, is powered by the 367 hp 4.8 V8 engine also manufactured by Bmw.
In a recent interview, Martin and Friedhelm Wiesmann, founders of the Wiesmann company, which produces the puristic handmade sports cars with the same name announced that MF4 and MF5 roadsters are programmed to debut in 2009 at the Geneva Auto Show.
The Wiesmann MF4 Roadster will be powered by the same 4.8 liter V8 engine made by Bmw found also on the MF4 GT and capable to deliver 367 hp and a top speed of 290 km/h. The MF5 Roadster will use the famous V10 engine also found also on the Bmw M5 and M6. The engine capable of delivering 507 hp will push the car from 0-100 km/h in just 3.9 seconds while the top speed will be of 310 km/h.
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.
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