Wiesmann GmbH is a German automobile manufacturer that specialises in hand-built custom convertibles. The company, which has its factory in Dülmen, was founded by brothers, engineer Martin Wiesmann and businessman Friedhelm Wiesmann, in 1988. The business was temporarily closed in May 2014, but is set to return with a new model, powered by a BMW M division-sourced V8 engine. The relaunch of the Wiesmann brand has more than one model in the pipeline and the pre-development phase of the car has been completed. A teaser video of the brand’s rebirth, posted on their website, tells viewers to “expect the unexpected”, while showing glimpses of what could be the first car of the brand’s new era.
In its previous era, Wiesmann used BMW six-cylinder engines to power its MF models, until the introduction in 2003 of the GT MF4, which used BMW’s 4.8-litre V8, and the MF 5, which used the M5’s 5.0-litre V10.
The company’s first roadster left the workshop in 1993. By 2006, they were producing 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, which made around 180 hand-built cars each year, used a gecko logo because they claimed their cars “stick to the road like geckos to a wall”.
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 from the M3 (E46). The engine has a displacement of 3246 cc with a maximum power output of 252 kW (338 hp; 343 PS) 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 (97 km/h) 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.