Wiesmann GmbH
 | |
| Company type | Public (GmbH & Co. KG) |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Founded | 1988 |
| Founder | Martin Wiesmann Friedhelm Wiesmann |
| Defunct | 2014, (liquidation) |
| Headquarters | Dülmen, Germany |
| Products | Automobiles |
| Website | wiesmann.com |
Wiesmann GmbH was a German automobile manufacturer based in Dülmen, Germany. The company was founded in 1988 by two brothers, engineer Martin Wiesmann and businessman Friedhelm Wiesmann. The cars are manufactured by hand in Dülmen. The Wiesmann logo portrays a gecko, as they claim their cars "stick to the road like geckos to a wall".
The company originally manufactured custom hard-tops for convertibles, which they continue to do. The first roadster left the workshop in 1993. As of 2006, they produced 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 made 180 cars in a year by hand.
Wiesmann had plans to begin exporting vehicles to the USA by 2010, but recent reports indicate that Wiesmann has no immediate plans to sell vehicles in the United States because of exchange rates and the high costs of modifying and testing the cars in order to make them road-legal there.[1][2] On August 14, 2013 Wiesmann filed for insolvency at the local court in Münster.[3] Later, the management board of the Wiesmann corporation filed to dismiss the insolvency proceedings due to abolition of the insolvency reasons. The creditors’ meeting was postponed to December 16, 2013.[4] As of early April 2014, discussions have been held with a UK-based consortium, CMMW, to take over Wiesmann and resume production. Wiesmann was liquidated in May 2014.[5]
Previous 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/231 hp (232 PS) at 5,900 rpm, reaching 300 N⋅m (221 ft⋅lbf) of torque at 3,400 rpm. Due to its dry weight of 1080 kg, the car can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 5.9 s 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/231 hp / 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: 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 known from the M3 (E46). The engine has a displacement of 3246 cc with a maximum power output of 252 kW (343 PS / 343 hp) 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 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 | ~£60,000 |
Other Models
Other models exist such as the MF 28 or the MF 35.
Current 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 | Aluminum |
| Body | Fiber glass reinforced composite material |
| Engine | BMW Naturally Aspirated V8 engine (see BMW S65) – Capacity 4,395 cc |
| Rated power/rated speed 300 kW/402 HP/407 PS / 5,500-6,400/rpm | |
| max. torque/speed 600 N⋅m (443 ft⋅lbf) / 1,750-4,500 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: 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 examples. GTspirit gave the GT MF5 Roadster a positive review during their road-test in September 2010.[6]
Specifications
| Chassis | Aluminium-monocoque, bonded and riveted |
| Body | glass fiber bodyshell |
| Engine | BMW twin-scroll twin turbocharged V8 engine (see S63) – Capacity 4,395 cc |
| Rated power/rated speed 408 kW / 547 hp / 555 PS / 5,750-6,250 rpm | |
| max. torque/speed 680 N⋅m (502 ft⋅lbf) / 1,500-5,650 rpm | |
| Fuel Consumption | City 15.8 L/100 km (17.9 mpg‑imp; 14.9 mpg‑US) - Highway 7.9 L/100 km (36 mpg‑imp; 30 mpg‑US) |
| Combined 12.9 L/100 km (21.9 mpg‑imp; 18.2 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: 0–100 km/h: 3.9 sec. | |
| Suspension | |
| Front: Aluminum double wishbone suspension with coil springs, anti roll bar | |
| Rear: Aluminum double wishbone, trailing arm suspension with coil springs, anti roll bar | |
| 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
- ^ "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.
- ^ Leftlane (8 May 2014). "Germany's Wiesmann shuts down". Leftlane. Retrieved 2015-03-23.
- ^ "Road Test: Wiesmann Roadster MF5". :. 2010-09-10. Retrieved 2011-08-06.
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External links
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| Production models | |
| Prototype and Concept models | |
