Engineering brothers Martin and Friedhelm Wiesmann founded the Wiesmann car company in 1988 to construct and sell hand built convertibles that could be customised to requirements. It was a grand idea that ultimately failed in 2014 but was bought out by a new team – hopefully the new range of cars are just as good as the earlier ones.
I first came across these cars at the Geneva Motor Show in 2010 and instantly wanted one – the stance of the car and the feeling of quality throughout has put the Wiesmann MF4 on my list of cars I absolutely have to own.
MF30
It took until 1993 for the first car to be sold, a MF30 roadster. These cars utilised BMW’s M54B30 6 cylinder 3.0 engine and corresponding transmission to produce 230bhp and cover the 60mph sprint in 5.9 seconds. The cars were given a gecko logo – the marketing blurb stated that the cars stuck to the road like geckos to a wall!
MF3
MF4 / MF4 GT
The MF4 GT was launched shortly thereafter and had the distinction of being the first coupé designed and built by Weismann.
Wiesmann MF4 GT (2007) – Vital Statistics
| Power | 270 kW (367 bhp) @ 6300 rpm | |
| Torque | 490 Nm (361 lb/ft) @ 3400 rpm | |
| 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) | 4.6 seconds | |
| Maximum speed | 291 km/h (181 mph) | |
| Fuel consumption (average) | 12.3 l/100km (23.0 mpg) | |
| Fuel type, tank capacity | Petrol, 70 litres | |
| Weight | 1390 kg | |
| **** | **** | |
| Engine | BMW N62B48, DOHC, Double VANOS, Variable valve lift, Aluminium engine block, Aluminium cylinder head, Continuously variable length intake manifold | |
| Displacement | 4799 cc | |
| Cylinders and valves | V8, 32v | |
| Transmission | 6 speed sports automatic | |
| Drivetrain | RWD |