The new Project Thunderball EV is ready for production. An elegant, retro-style, zero-emission two-seater. Stellar price
March 13, 2023
Wiesmann is back. The small German company founded in the second half of the 80s by the two brothers who gave it its name: it had become famous for its retro-style sports cars equipped with BMW engines. Bankrupt in 2013, it was saved in 2016 by the London entrepreneur Rohenn Berry, who decided to put the brand back on the market with a zero-emission ultra-luxury spider. It’s called Project Thunderball EV: presented for the first time in April 2022, it is preparing to debut on the market. Production will begin in 2024 and, according to the house, all the specimens that will come out in the first year have already been sold. The style maintains strong references to history: it is a dry two-seater with a retro look. The bodywork is characterized by soft and rounded lines, a long front bonnet and a set-back passenger compartment.
A CLASSIC-MODERN MIX
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The passenger compartment is studied down to the smallest detail, alternating natural-coloured leather upholstery with more modern inserts in brushed aluminum and carbon fibre. The fully analog instrumentation is combined with two displays located behind the steering wheel and in the center of the dashboard. For the first time in Wiesmann’s history, the soft top is electrically operated. The spider will be produced in Dulmen, north of Dortmund, in a factory called “Gecko” where specialized personnel will be dedicated to the construction of individual specimens with artisanal techniques. “We are extremely proud of the return of a legendary brand like that of Wiesmann – said Berry, current CEO and owner of the house – Project Thunderball EV represents the beginning of a new electrified era for our brand”.
TWO ENGINES
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The car, which has a carbon fiber bodywork to keep weight as low as possible (it stops at 1,700 kg), is powered by two electric motors placed at the rear capable of developing a total power of 680 HP and discharging onto the ground – strictly from the rear wheels alone – a powerful torque of 1,100 Nm. While awaiting further technical data, we know that Project Thunderball EV is capable of sprinting from 0 to 100 km/h in just 2”9. As for the battery, the car is equipped with a nominal 92 kWh accumulator (83 kWh net) with 800 Volt architecture capable of recharging with alternating current up to 22 kW and direct current up to 300 kW. The declared range is 500 km. For the brand’s comeback in style, the price could only be for amateurs: 300,000 euros.
March 13, 2023 – 4.20 pm
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