Wiesmann Replaces BMW V10 with 4.4-liter Twin Turbo V8 on MF4 and MF5 Sports Cars

As previously reported, Wiesmann had to find a replacement for BMW's 5.0-liter V10, as the German automaker dropped the specific engine from its line-up. Fans need not to worry though, because Wiesmann stayed with Bavaria's finest. And by that we mean that Wiesmann opted to fit its GT and Roadster MF4/MF5 old-school-look sports cars with BMW's 4.4-liter V8 twin turbo direct injection petrol unit.

Delivering 407 hp (304 kW), between 5,500 and 6,400 rpm, the new engine allows the MF4 to go from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.6 seconds and reach a top speed of 180.8 mph (291 km/h).

The same powerplant is used by the MF5, albeit in a slightly modified form. Rated at 555 horses (414 kW), the new engines make the MF5 model series the most powerful Wiesmann of all time. The boosted V8 has all the oomph to catapult the German creation from standstill to 60mph in 3.9 second and on to a top speed of 193.2 mph or 311 km/h.

Wiesmann claims that all this performance doesn't cost you at the pump, as the new engine is good for 21.9 mpg (10.7 lt/100 km). Now, who will resist the temptation to floor the gas pedal in an MF5, beats me, but it's nice to see that Wiesmann wants to save the planet... Sort of.

In other news, the Wiesmann Roadster MF3 gets to keep its engine, though the 3.2-liter straight-six is now Euro 5 compliant.

By Csaba Daradics

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No More BMW V10s for Wiesmann, MF5s Likely to go Twin-Turbo

There's a problem with German work-of-art-on-wheels auto manufacturer Wiesmann. Let's see if you can piece it together. The clues are: 1) Wiesmann sources its engines from BMW, 2) its top models, the Roadster MF5 and GT MF5, use the M5's 507-horse V10, and 3) BMW is dropping its V10 in favor of "greener" twin turbo V8s.

Got it yet? There are no more engines for the cars! Wiesmann seems to be plum out of luck if it wants a 10-cylinder, but all is not lost for the Germanized Morgan. Company spokesman Frank Schütz said that a decision regarding the top model's engine will be made in the next couple months. Seeing as how BMW is switching over to those twin-turbo V8s, I'm thinking Wiesmann might do the same.

Since 2008, Wiesmann has sold approximately 100 units of the MF5. For some info about the car, check out our post from way back at the 2009 Frankfurt auto show.

By Phil Alex

Source: Automobilwoche (Sub. Req)

Frankfurt Premiere for Wiesmann Roadster MF5 with 507HP BMW M5 V10

Das Germans sure love playing around with colors as Wiesmann -unfortunately- proves with its new, limited edition Roadster MF5 that made its global debit at the 2009 IAA in Frankfurt. The rear-wheel drive roadster with the white finish and red detailing is powered by a BMW M6 / M6 5.0-liter V10 with 507 horsepower and 520Nm / 383 lb-ft of torque that launched the MF5 from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in just 3,9 seconds and on to a top speed of 309km/h or 192mph.

Wiesmann says that production will be limited to 55 units with each example priced at a hefty €189,500 which comes to about $278,000 US with today's exchange rates.

Wiesmann Roadster

Check out how cool this Wiesmann Roadster car is! Wisemann is an automobile manufacturer in Germany. The company was founded in 1985 by the brothers Martin Wiesmann and Friedhelm Wiesmann. The cars are manufactured by hand in Dülmen.

The company originally manufactured custom hard-tops for convertibles, which they continue to do. The first roadster left the workshop in 1993. As of 2006, they produce the Wiesmann MF 3 and MF 30 roadsters and the Wiesmann GT MF 4 coupé, all of which utilize engine and transmission components supplied by BMW.

The Wiesmann logo portrays a gecko, as Wiesmann cars "stick to the road like geckos to a wall".

Wiesmann had plans to begin exporting vehicles to the USA by 2010, but recent reports indicate that Wiesmann has no immediate plans to sell vehicles in the United States because of exchange rates and the high costs of modifying and testing the cars in order to make them road-legal there.

Here are pictures of the cool Wiesmann Roadster at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show 2009:

Wiesmann Roadster Specification:

Chassis    

Hot-dipped galvanized steel, aluminum clad

Body    

High-quality, fiber glass reinforced composite material

Engine     

BMW 6-cylinder engine – Capacity 2,979 cc

Rated power/rated speed 170 kW/231 hp / 5,900 rpm
max. torque/speed 300 N·m (221 ft·lbf) / 3,400 rpm

Fuel Consumption    

City 12.8 L/100 km (22.1 mpg-imp; 18.4 mpg-US) - Highway 6.9 L/100 km (41 mpg-imp; 34 mpg-US)
Combined 9.1 L/100 km (31 mpg-imp; 26 mpg-US)

Transmission     

5-speed or 6-speed manual or 6-speed sequential (SMG II)

Power Train    

Rear wheel drive

Performance    

Maximum speed: 230 km/h (143 mph)

Acceleration: 

0 -100 km/h: 5.9 sec.

Suspension     

MacPherson strut front suspension with transverse link, stabilizer
Central control arm rear axle with leading and transverse link, stabilizer

Weight    

1,080 kg (2,381 lb)

Dimensions    

Length: 3.86 m (152 in) / Width: 1.75 m (69 in) / Height: 1.16 m (46 in)