German company Wiesmann GmbH first appeared on our common radar in 2005 when it announced the production of a BMW-powered roadster with exciting styling and impressive power from the weight. Unfortunately, the company succeeded in 2013 after plans to expand beyond Europe never materialized. An investor bought what was left of the company and announced in 2020 that the company would re-fire the furnaces to start burning a few more of these.
Last month Wiesmann teases it New Thunderball Project, but did not provide any details. This week, those details come to light and it’s far more exciting than anyone could have imagined. The BMW engine is gone, replaced by a series of batteries and electric motors. Thunderball is still styled like any other Wiesmann that you’ve never seen, despite the lack of need for a long hood to accommodate the front engine. The classic style is great and all, but what are the specs?
Wiesmann says the car is heading towards a ready-to-drive weight of 3700 pounds, which is pretty impressive. The carbon fiber bodywork and properly sized 83 kWh battery pack and RWD architecture mean the car isn’t as heavy as the Escalade and should help boost the vehicle’s dynamic performance. Even with a normal-sized battery pack, the Thunderball is said to be able to deliver 311 miles of range, and the rear-mounted pair of engines deliver 671 horsepower and 811 foot lubs of torque. That’s good enough for a 2.9-second 0-60 time, and with one motor powering each wheel, it’s possible to have a rather difficult torque and traction vectoring system.
The company said it was trying to put “car driver DNA” into its electrics. “A change in settings gives the driver a moment of purposeful enjoyment,” says Wie.smann. “Something lacking in most electric vehicles on the market today.” Apparently the paddles on the steering column act like a gear lever, adjusting the car’s regen brake to simulate engine braking. It’s not entirely new technology, but it’s exciting to see it applied to a shop-sport electric car.
So how much for all this futuristic technology in an old-fashioned wrapper? Apparently it will start at 300,000 euros (about $316,000 at current exchange rates). If you really want one, you can order one now. However, there is no word yet on whether this car will come to the US market. This is hope.
