Geneva 2008: Wiesmann GT MF 5

The expert in the class of sport-exclusive coupes and roadsters – the manufacture Wiesmann has shown the extreme 2-door “cooper” - Wiesmann GT MF 5 with the engine from BMW M5.

Wiesmann GT4 has gone out of date. Its place is taken by a more powerful, more stylish and more attractive bolide - GT MF 5.

In comparison to the ancestor, the novelty has significantly increased its “weight” – got wider, lower and longer. Moreover, it got a modernized body with new design elements like a front lip, huge air-intakes, side channels, anti-wing and a run-out.

The “core” is a 507-hp V10 unit borrowed from the current M5 (the previous GT4 was equipped with a 4.8-liter V8) with the max torque on 520 Nm. The engine works with a 7-grade sequential transmission SMG with the rear driver and sport block-differential. 0-100 km/h acceleration – 3.9 seconds, max speed – 310 km/h.

The further innovation of the manufacture is a stiff sport chassis, high-performance braking system by Brembo and exclusive leather finishing of the interior with sport seats.

In Europe the car will be available from autumn 2008 at around 180 000 euro.

Technical Summary:

• Car name – Wiesmann GT MF 5
• Engine – V10
• Power – 507 hp
• 0 – 100 km/h acceleration – 3.9 seconds
• Max torque – 520 Nm
• Tuning – transmission, chassis, interior
• Weight – 1460 kg
• Price – 180 000 euro
• Release date – autumn 2008

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In front of us is another attempt of an electromobile. The car is aimed at replacing a traditional 5-seat passenger car. The only thing to worry about is the spreading of electricity refilling stations along the roads.

In Geneva the Norwegian company TH!NK came up with the concept under the name Ox. It is an utterly electric car made for 5 passengers. No, better to put it this way – it is a prototype of a new serial car which is to be launched in 2011.

Sounds interesting, isn’t it? Serial electromobiles are rare in the modern world. And to tell you the truth in the majority of cases it is tiny ugly carts. And if there springs up an electric car which is close to a normal car in all the parameters – it turns out to be a sky-high expensive sportcar like Tesla Roadster.

The construction of OX is a module one and resembles GM Autonomy developments. The lower part of the car can be used for a number of models. It features battery compartments. The upper part of the body features the power cage of the interior which can be furnished with various panels. It is interesting that these panels are mainly non-painted plastic. According to the creators’ idea these panels will be recycled after the car is utilized.

The car weights 1.5 tons, from which 350 kg - are the batteries. The basic battery variant is Li-Ion accumulators by the company A123 Systems.

The car’s electric engine which spins the from wheels has the nominal power of 60 bhp and the power of 100 kW. This enables not to 100 km/h in 8.5 seconds. The max speed is 130 km/h. The power reserve – 200 km (in a city – 250 km where the additional power reserve is enabled by power recuperation while braking). OX’s full recharging from an average socket (220 volt/16 A) takes 12 hours, but the batteries can be 80% full within one hour!

As an option the Norwegians are planning to equip the car with ZEBRA batteries by the Swiss company Mes Dea. These batteries have a number of advantages:

• Higher specific capacity
• Higher specific power
• Reasonable price

But there is at least one significant drawback – these are “hot” batteries, their work mode is 300 degrees Celsius. With these batteries the car can drive up to 450 km on a single charge.

In fact it doesn’t matter if all the gems of the car are preserved when it gets a serial version but not a concept. It seems that some of the options can be rejected in order to decrease the cost. For instance, top batteries (not being extremely powerful they enable extra drive in sunny weather) or keyless car access which recognizes the driver and adjusts the position of the steering wheel, seats, mirrors, turns on the favorite radio station and shows the received emails. Satellite navigation and constant Internet connection means regular car-driver communication as well as the access to a number of services.

Yet there is a question: is the little-known company TH!NK ready for serial production? Don’t worry. The company has already had an experience. The company has a serial model City. Thus the Norwegian roads carry about 1200 cars built by the company.

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Techart GTstreet Cabrio with a premiere in Geneva

Techart is going to show the extreme variant of cabrio Techart GTstreet in Geneva. The car is made on the base of Porsche Turbo Cabriolet in the 991th “wrap.”

In fact the car is nothing of a sensation. Last year The company’s stand in Geneva boasted the “juicy” supercar Techart Gtstreet Coupe. And that car was splendid.

This time – only a cabrio which has become the owner of an “aggressive” 630-hp 3.6-liter engine (the serial version – 480 ponies) with the max torque of 820 Nm. The car posted a 0-100 time in less than 4 seconds and the max speed is 345 km/h.

Of course, besides the power unit the specialists of the company modified the body, running gear and the interior of the novelty.

The exclusive convertible is equipped with an “angry” body-kit which in combination with a stiff sport suspension and lowered clearance supplies the car with a brilliant dynamic performance.

• The rims – 20-inch
• The Brakes - ceramics

As for the interior here (like in other models by the tuner) the new owner can choose from versatile leather, alcantara, carbon and aluminum details and various multimedia gadgets.

In Germany the new Techart GTstreet Cabriolet will cost from 250 000 euro.

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New Mercedes CL500 4Matic will be unveiled in Geneva

So Mercedes-Benz is planning to release the 4WD variant of the model CL in Geneva - 4Matic CL500. The car will be available in Europe in summer 2008.

Green light to 4WD. The new 2-door flagman CL500 4Matic is equipped with a 388-hp V8 power unit and a number of safety systems – for instance, “Presafe.” Moreover, the novelty has gained weight (due to the 4WD scheme) – around 70 kg. And now the average fuel consumption makes 12.1 liters for 100 km. CL500 4Matic posted a 0-100 time 5.4 seconds and the max speed is 250 km/h (electronically limited).

The cost of the novelty hasn’t been announced yet.