Frankfurt: The Wiesmann GT MF 5…is Awesome

Instead of debuting their new handbuilt masterpiece, the GT MF 5, at the Frankfurt Auto Show, Wiesmann took the opportunity to show off their newest showroom and newest auto all at once.

Bowing just down the street (we hear, our navigation of Frankfurt left a little to be desired) from the IAA, the new Wiesmann super-coupe certainly pulls no punches as far as its appearance. Shown for the first time in a love it or hate it Tiffany Blue, the MF 5’s exaggerated wing, along with blacked out grill and wheels, are bound to divide the opinion of enthusiasts.

Beyond debate are the performance numbers of the Wiesmann. Using the 507 horsepower (European spec, of course) V-10 from BMW’s M6, the killer coupe will sprint from 0-62 mph in just 3.9 seconds, and top out at an eye watering 193 mph. The lower and wider MF 5 is able to hang on at those outrageous speeds, using its aero modifications to generate downforce and aid high-speed stability.

At € 178,900 (that’s $248,000) Wiesmann will be more than happy to custom fit seats and interior, or throw in a selection of super-lightweight carbon bits for just a modest premium. We’ll just ask for a black paintjob and some huge sun glasses, thanks.

(Click on the thumbnails below to launch a high resolution gallery of MF 5 images or on the jump to read Wiesmann’s official press release.)

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

Preliminary Technical Data Wiesmann GT MF5

ENGINE:
V10 Front-mounted mid-engine with three-way catalytic converter, petrol injection, stainless-steel double-pipe exhaust
cylinder/valves: pcs. 10 / 4
cubic capacity: cm3 4,999
bore/stroke: mm 92.0 / 75.2
capacity rating / speed rating: KW / HP / min-1 373 / 507 / 7,750
max. torque / number of revolutions: Nm / min-1 520 / 6,100
max. number of revolutions: min-1 8,250
compaction: :1 12
fuel type / octane number: ROZ 95-98
fuel consumption: combined 14.8 l/100km
in town 22.7 l/100km
out of town 10.2 l/100km
CO2 emission: combined 357 g/km
emission type: EU 4
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: kg 1,380
permitted weight in total: kg 1,650
axle load distribution front / rear: % 50 / 50
length/width/height: mm 4,300 / 1,956 / 1,170
wheelbase mm 2,507
front track gauge mm 1,560
rear track gauge mm 1,636
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
gear ratio: :1 3.99/2.65/1.81/1.39/1.16/1/0.83 R 3.99
rear axle ratio: :1 3.62
differential: variable differential lock
DRIVING PERFORMANCE:
top speed km/h 310
acceleration 0-100 km/h s 3.9
TANK CAPACITY:
70 liters
CHASSIS / WHEELS:
front suspension: double wishbone axle, stabilisator
rear suspension: double wishbone axle and trailing link, stabilisator
front rims: 8,5J x 19, light-alloy RS-GT
rear rims: 10,0J x 19, light-alloy RS-GT
tyre dimensions: VA 245/40 ZR 19 / HA 275/30 ZR 19
front brakes: compound brake ventilated discs
rear brakes: compound brake ventilated discs
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