Autoblog

Wiesmann MF5 Roadster channels Caped Crusader with Black Bat special

Noah Joseph — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 16:01:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Convertible, Performance, Europe, MISC

The term "Batmobile" is one that gets thrown around a lot in automotive circles. Pretty much anything black and sinister is described as the Dark Knight's new ride. But aside from the handful of custom vehicles made for the various TV shows and movie installments over the years - ranging from campy to badass - few have been truly worthy of the name. Enter the Wiesmann MF5 Black Bat.

Starting with the top-of-the-line V10-powered MF5 retro roadster, customizers SchwabenFolia and Dahler have produced the closest thing to a genuine Batmobile this side of the Tumbler... particularly when photographed against the backdrop of a rather Wayne Manor-esque gothic mansion. They've wrapped it in matte black, blacked out the chrome and given it a set of noir BBS 20-inch alloys with polished rims.

There's even a little Batman logo on the back, but the party piece is the ECU reflash and new exhaust that have brought output up from the 507 horsepower featured in the old BMW M5 and M6 to a nice, round 600. Six-piston Brembo calipers keep the power in check, but with that much bat-juice under hood, we wouldn't expect to see this beast sitting still for long - so you'd better check it out in the high-res image gallery if you want to catch a glimpse.

Wiesmann MF5 Roadster channels Caped Crusader with Black Bat special originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Nov 2011 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wiesmann upgrades all V10 models to twin-turbo V8

Jeff Glucker — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 15:32:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Performance, MISC

Spy Shots: Wiesmann prototype out for a spin - Click above for high-res image gallery

Wiesmann was in a bit of a pickle when BMW announced it was no longer producing its V10. In addition to the M5 and M6, the high-revving 10 was used to power the Roadster MF5 and GT MF5 and we assumed Wiesmann would make the switch to the new 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine. We were right. What we didn't guess is that it would be sticking the new mill under the hoods of both the Roadster MF4 and GT MF4. The Wiesmann MF3 will retain its 343 horsepower six-cylinder engine.

No word yet on how much power the twin-turbo will produce when utilized with the MF4, but when stuffed into the engine bay of the MF5 it's set to produce 555 horsepower, allowing it to run from 0-60 mph in less than four seconds, hit a top speed of 193 mph and become the most powerful Wiesmann ever produced.

Gallery: Spy Shots: Wiesmann Coupe

[Source: Wiesmann]

Continue reading Wiesmann upgrades all V10 models to twin-turbo V8

Wiesmann upgrades all V10 models to twin-turbo V8 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Oct 2010 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Wiesmann coupe prototype looking sinister

Jeff Glucker — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 12:57:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, MISC

Spy Shots: Wiesmann Coupe prototype - Click above for high-res image gallery

Wiesmann, builder of exotic sport coupes that boast BMW power, has been working out a problem. The issue is that its sporty two-door MF5 and GT MF5 both featured V10 Teutonic muscle, but that engine has since been put to sleep. Apparently, they've now figured out what mill they want to place under their cars' long snouts. Spy photographers in Germany managed to capture a blacked-out Wiesmann GT MF5 taking a cruise and stopping for fuel.

Wiesmann have stated that even though the V10 has gone away, the MF5 will not. New versions will be produced utilizing an as-yet unannounced BMW engine. Our guess? The new 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 that will be found in the next-generation BMW M5/M6. That would be a nice jump in power for the Wiesmann MF5, since the V10 was rated at 500 horsepower and the new twin-turbo V8 is rated closer to 560 hp.

Gallery: Spy Shots: Wiesmann Coupe

[Source: CarPix]

Spy Shots: Wiesmann coupe prototype looking sinister originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 Oct 2010 12:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Wiesmann MF5 exiting production as BMW V10 supply dries up *UPDATE

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Plants/Manufacturing, BMW, Specialty

Wiesmann MF5 Roadster - Click above for high-res image gallery

It's not easy to build a car without an engine. Shocking news, we know, but it has major ramifications for small boutique automakers that don't have the resources to design and manufacture powerplants of their own. One such company is Wiesmann, which has historically relied on engines from German automaker BMW.

As you may know, Wiesmann's top-level MF5 borrows the same V10 engine that BMW uses in its M5 and M6. As good a choice as any other, no? Problem is, those models are currently being phased out and production has just come to an end... and that includes those V10 engines we were just talking about.

And without an engine... well, you know the rest. It's not entirely clear what Wiesmann is going to do moving forward - and our trusty Google Translator is having a hard time deciphering exactly what our German source is trying to say - but it seems the specialty car company may either cancel its MF5 entirely or attempt to switch over to BMW's new twin-turbo V8. We'll see.

*Update: Wiesmann reports back the following: Yes we stop producing the MF5 with the V10 engine but we will not stop the MF5 model. We are currently in discussion which engine we will take. It will surely be BMW but the details have not been decided yet.

Gallery: Frankfurt 2009: Wiesmann MF5 Roadster

[Source: Focus.de]

Report: Wiesmann MF5 exiting production as BMW V10 supply dries up *UPDATE originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 Aug 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wiesmann to unveil limited production MF5 Roadster in Frankfurt

Noah Joseph — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Convertible, Performance, BMW

Wiesmann MF4 Roadster - Click above for high-res image gallery

With the international auto show rolling in to Frankfurt only once every other year, you can bet that Germany's automakers will be there in full force to show off their latest wares. And in between the new Porsches and BMWs, niche automaker Wiesmann will also be showcasing its new limited production MF5 Roadster.

Taking the best attributes from the MF4 Roadster and the MF5 GT, the MF5 Roadster packs the 507-horsepower V10 engine from the BMW M5 and M6 and packs it into a lightweight retro roadster frame for what promises to be an exhilarating drive. The sprint to 100 km/h (62 mph) comes in just 3.9 seconds before topping out at a claimed 310 km/h (192 mph).

Only 55 examples will be built, and sold at a list price of €189,500 (circa $313k USD). You can check out the details in the press release after the jump, and while Wiesmann hasn't released images of the MF5 Roadster specifically, you can check out its MF5 GT and MF4 Roadster stablemates in the galleries below.

Gallery: Wiesmann GT MF5: Pre-preview

Gallery: Wiesmann Roadster MF4

[Source: Wiesmann]

Continue reading Wiesmann to unveil limited production MF5 Roadster in Frankfurt

Wiesmann to unveil limited production MF5 Roadster in Frankfurt originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Aug 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Safety First: Wiesmann MF5 sets the pace for FIA GT Championship

Noah Joseph — Sun, 03 May 2009 10:11:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Europe

Wiesmann MF5 FIA GT Safety Car - Click above to view in high resolution

The 2009 FIA GT Championship kicked off this weekend at England's stoic Silverstone circuit, and with it a number of new racing machines - including competition versions of the Nissan GT-R, Audi R8 and Ford GT - started their bid for the crown. But at the front of the field was another beast entirely. While other racing series tend to go with more mainstream, albeit high-end vehicles to set the pace at their events - Corvettes at Indy, Bimmers at MotoGP, Mercedes AMGs at F1 grands prix and DTM - the FIA GT Championship has opted to go with something decidedly more obscure: the Wiesmann MF5.

The niche retro sportscar is made by small German exotic automaker Weismann, and is differentiated from the stock GT by the motivation of one of the most lauded engines in autodom: the high-revving V10 from the BMW M5 and M6. With over 500 horsepower under the hood, the MF5 hits 60 in less than four seconds, giving it the pace it needs to stay ahead of the field.

[Source: Wiesmann]

Safety First: Wiesmann MF5 sets the pace for FIA GT Championship originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 03 May 2009 10:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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