The Wiesmann company has been manufacturing some of the best coach-built performance cars of the old continent, since 1988. The focus of the company has always been quality and performance. Wiesmann is nailing it for the last 22 years. And in April 2022 the company announced its first EV project, codenamed Thunderbolt.
The company was started by two brothers who went to the Essen Motor Show held in 1985. But failed to find any cars that fulfill their expectations. And like any self-respecting German, when they failed to find a car, they decided to build their own.
Wiesmann’s Journey
The MF3 Roadster was a great success. The car was revealed 5 years after development in 1993. The car had a custom-designed chassis and drivetrain and it was running on a BMW M3 engine. Overall, the car was wonderful. The customers had to wait long as all the cars were custom built to order.
This level of trust and reliability was recognized by BMW. Since, two companies have signed a partnership deal, allowing Wiesmann to sell cars with BMW warranty.
After MF3, Wiesmann launched the GT MF4. This was a convertible car and the engines were updated to BMW twin-turbo V8s. This car brought Wiesmann immense success. The company even opened a new factory in 2008 which shaped like a gecko. Gecko is the company’s logo and it represents the company’s cars which are meant to stick to the roads just like those little lizards.
Next was GT MF3 which was launched the same year. After its success, Wiesmann started expanding in Asia and in the Middle East. But this expansion was noticed by Contec Global. They not only bought the company but also invested huge funds in 2016 for the development of new models.
Project Thunderbolt
After that, fast-forward to 2022 and we have the very first EV project from the company. Entangled with the rich history of the company, huge investment, and the purest form of passion, Wiesmann has come up with Project Thunderbolt. This will be the world’s first all-electric convertible sports car.
The car frame will be designed by Wiesmann with recognizable troupes. The engine is still a secret, named project Gecko.
Now, the design is different. You won’t be mistaking the car for any other brands. It has Wiesmann’s signature long bonnet, sculpted wheel arches, classic grille, low slung body with a hump over the rear axle, and finished with round taillights that are running towards the bumper. There aren’t any visible tailpipes.
A true Wiesmann fan will identify the car from a mile away. It was already a perfect design and it seems like, Wiesmann didn’t experiment this time around. Just simple updates here and there. Keeping the car modern looking while keeping the recognizable characteristics.
The interior design is on a different level and it feels luxurious. After all, this is a performance car.
The center console is carved from a single piece of carbon fiber and everything is angled towards the driver. There is a screen but it is not the main focus. The screen sits below the gauges, preserving that classic look.
The seats are made of high-quality leather. It is true, that the interior is led by leather and carbon fiber. The car is ready for serious driving. There is a little on/off button beside the speedometer and it goes all the way to 300km/h. Hopefully, this is not just for the look.
The Project Thunderbolt is the most powerful car manufactured by Wiesmann to date and that says something.
Power
There are two electric motors placed in the car, each generating 340KW power. Making the total power generated by the car 680KW which is similar to 912 horsepower.
Torque
The torque is 1100Nm. Not a breakthrough but good enough to fly you off the track if you are not careful.
Architecture
The car is powered by an 800V architecture. The car has a 92KWh battery that can be charged at 300KW DC. This means you will only have to spend a short time in the charging stations. Along with this, the 0-100km/h in 2.9 sec is really impressive.
Breaks
The Thunderbolt is equipped with 380mm breaks both in front and back. And this is a good idea, with this much power, you can never be too safe. The same principle goes for the 21” tires with a width of 305mm for the rear and 265mm for the front.
Be sure to get the tires from your favorite tire-maker as you will have to change them frequently.
Weight
The car is made from carbon fiber, steel, and aluminum. It weighs 1775Kg. So, the power and weight ratio is 513.8 hp per tonne and that is 20 hp greater compared to Bugatti Veyron. There’s also a luggage space of 305 liters.
Overall, Wiesmann’s Thunderbolt is not an average car. It is exceptional. You can order it now and they will tailor-make it for you as per your requirements.
