Although the company fumbled several years ago, Wiesmann is gearing up hard for a major comeback. They did not meet earlier deadlines set for them during “Project Gecko” the company continues to make moves to bring Wiesmann not only back but into the future of luxury car manufacturing.
The company is operating almost as secretively as MI6 in a James Bond movie, which is appropriate because the title of their latest project reminds one of a classic Bond film. “Project Thunderball” has been underway for a bit now, and a camouflaged prototype emerged when the company announced its new plans. While details are still very minimal, here is what we do know about Wiesmann’s new supercar, Project Thunderball.
8 It Is The First Wiesmann Car Since 2014
Wiesmann cars were on the market for almost 30 years, and they produced some classic gems like the MF 30 and the MF 3. But unfortunately, poor business decisions, a volatile market, and several other factors caused the company to go belly up in 2014.
While the company declared bankruptcy, some entrepreneurs saw this as an opportunity. Soon after acquiring the company, new owner Roheen Berry began to make moves to revive the iconic supercar brand.
7 Wiesmann’s Owner Roheen Berry Believes This Car Is The Company’s Future
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Although Project Gecko was supposed to be delivered in 2020, Berry remains confident thanks to Project Thunderball. In an enthusiastic press release, Berry says that the car will “electrify” Wiesmann (sparking rumors about the car's engine) and that this car will not only receive Wiesmann but bring it into the future.
His exact words were, “Thunderball will continue Wiesmann’s reputation for setting the standard for performance, craftsmanship, and sheer enjoyment. With its unequivocal style, this is the Wiesmann fit for the 21st century, and this is just the beginning.”
6 It Will Be A Soft-Top Convertible
There is one thing we do know about the car thanks to the few images and videos released. Images show the camouflaged prototype to be a soft-top, roadster convertible.
No word is available yet whether the company will offer a hardtop trim, but considering the current status of the company, they are likely to keep customer options limited for the sake of fast-tracking production.
5 It Might Have A Totally New Engine
Wiesmann autos have been utilizing BMW engines for years; cars like the MF 30 used a six-cylinder 220-230 horsepower engine block and the Wiesmann GT MF4 utilized a BMW V8.
Rumors began circulating about a new GT 5 powered by an M5 engine in 2021. Project Gecko, as it was called, utilized a hybrid twin-turbocharged V8. That said, we do not yet know what type of engine Project Thunderball is operating with. It will likely utilize the same V8 as Project Gecko, but as rumors swirl about the future of the company, one can’t be too sure, especially since the name “Project Thunderball” connotates electrification of the car.
4 It Has Not Slowed Down “Project Gecko”
Although Project Gecko is well overdue to be turned in by the company for its final grade, Wiesmann is allegedly still working on the project. As mentioned above, Project Gecko continued Wiesmann’s tradition of using BMW engines, but that could very easily change with Project Thunderball.
While late, the company is still putting time and energy into Project Gecko, and Project Thunderball will be working in tandem with the earlier project. That said, based on Berry’s comments, it seems that the company put most of its faith in Thunderball.
3 It Is Rumored That It Will Be An EV
The name “Thunderball” connotates lightning, and lighting means electricity. Speculation abounds about Wiesmann’s new car due to the company’s insistence on secrecy, but both the name and timing of the car lead experts to suspect that Project Thunderball is an electric vehicle (EV) in the works.
Presently, the demand for EVs, even from luxury brands, is skyrocketing. It seems like every manufacturer, from Ford to Rolls-Royce, is getting in on the EV market, especially thanks to skyrocketing gas prices in North America. If Project Thunderball is the future of Wiesmann, it would make perfect sense to make the car an EV.
2 It Will Come With An Automatic Transmission
No word is available yet if the car will offer a manual transmission, much to the annoyance of some enthusiasts. However, updates about the car have confirmed that the prototype being tested right now is using an automatic.
The last two Wiesmann cars made before the company’s closure were the GT MF5 and GT MF4, both of which only had 6-speed automatic transmissions. The earliest versions of Wiesmann cars offered either a 5-speed automatic or 6-speed manual. If the car is an EV, it will have automatic transmission.
1 Stiff Competition As More Luxury Companies Enter The EV Market
As mentioned before, the EV market is growing exponentially. Ford plans to have 600,000 EVs on the market ASAP, and plenty of luxury companies are going all-electric. BMW, who provided Wiesmann with their engines for years, will be an all hybrid or EV manufacturer by 2030.
Rolls-Royce, which is owned by BMW, will be all-electric by that time as well and is entering the luxury EV market with the Spectre, which is also still undergoing factory tests like Project Thunderball. Porsche will have more EVs available in 2025, and countless other manufacturers are about to introduce their EV sports cars to the market. While it is good news that Wiesmann is back, they still have an uphill battle to win in such a saturated market.