Wiesmann was established in 1988 with the intention to build bespoke sports cars combining German engineering and a distinctly British design language. Despite the many challenges a low-volume auto manufacturer has to face the company built a small production run of unique roadsters and coupes that were highly regarded for their prodigious grip, forceful acceleration and sharp handling characteristics.
The in-house developed and built bodies gave them an unmistakable silhouette on the road. Now, after a five-year hiatus, Wiesmann is preparing to release its latest model, codenamed Project Gecko.
Continuing the Wiesmann tradition of combining German running gear with a British design aesthetic, the new model also draws on the rather special BMW V10-powered MF5 for inspiration. This time, however, it will be fitted with the Bavarian marque’s twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 and eight-speed automatic transmission, the very same setup that is fitted to the current crop of M cars. No power outputs have yet been revealed but judging from past models Wiesmann is unlikely to modify the engine, which means at least 600hp will be on tap to power a car that will undoubtedly weigh far less than the current M8 Coupe. Performance claims are a 0-62mph time of under 3.5-seconds and a top speed of over 200mph.
Heading the launch of the new model is owner and chief executive Roheen Berry who is working along with his brother Sahir on the project, much like the collaboration between brothers Martin and Friedhelm Wiesmann who started the company all those years ago. Berry is very pleased to be part of the next step in Wiesmann’s future and said, “This last true independent manufacturer of German sports cars is back and has an exciting future to look forward to. When we set out on this journey we said we wanted to re-engineer an icon and we are on track to do exactly that.”
For now, all we know of Project Gecko is that it will be using BMW running gear, retaining the front mid-engined and rear-wheel drive layout and that the design will be more of an evolution of previous models rather than an entirely new vehicle. A number of the original Weismann team will be working on the project which will be hand-built at the original Dülmen factory.
That said, it will still be packed with cutting-edge technologies to ensure that it meets the latest regulations in key markets and to ensure that the latest Wiesmann sports car lives up to the high standards its predecessors have set. Production is set to start next year and further details will be revealed over the coming months, anyone who is interested can now put their name down on the waiting list for what is surely going to be a highly desirable and very rare sports car.
Images courtesy of Wiesmann
