BERLIN: Classy convertible manufacturer Wiesmann is back on the block, and more than 30 years after German engineer Friedhelm Wiesmann launched the MF series with his brother Martin, he is once again selling cars with old-school charm.
The new roadster is based on the BMW Z4, with carbon fibre panels and a fettled engine and it manages to make the original car look, well... kind of boring.
The modern styling is new and the Wiesmann no longer seems to have escaped from a classic car event. It also has a new name and comes from Bavaria instead of Westphalia. What remains is Wiesmann DNA and the high standards set by the former company.
Together with two small-series specialists from the town Welden, who reimagined the evergreen BMW 2002 sports saloon as an "Everytimer" a few years ago, Wiesmann is once again making, two-door sports cars.
Badged as Boldmen CR4, the sportster retails at just under €185,000 (RM857,000) and should attract just as much attention from those in the market for a fiery Ferrari.
Unusually for this sub-supercar price bracket, production of the Boldmen CR4 has been pegged at 30 examples for the first series. The trio of firm founders also say no more than 120 cars a year will leave the factory annually.
By the way, "C" stands for carbon, "R" is for roadster and 4 represents the first number of its power output expressed in metric horsepower.
Wiesmann has made widespread use of the BMW parts bin to create his latest baby and by using the Z4 as a basis, the firm has saved a lot of time and development costs.
The BMW comes complete with sophisticated electronics so there was no need to invent those wheels again. Any BMW dealer is capable of looking after and maintaining the car, although fastidious owners might want it serviced at the factory near the German city of Augsburg or at three other specialist dealers.
All this helps down the purchase price while ensuring a decent profit market for Wiesmann and Co.
With its pouting grille and bug-eyed headlamps the Wiesmann bears scant resemblance to the Z4 and the underpinnings are completely clad in lightweight carbon fibre. The deeply-notched flanks and curve of the rear wings has a hint of old-Wiesmann about it but the Boldmen is not really retro to look at.
For this money customers expect a classy interior and Wiesmann has largely junked plastic in favour of leather-covered surfaces. The range of cockpit colours is large, with much room for individual customization. No two cars are designed to be the same.
To match the looks Wiesmann engineers chose to beef up the engine.
The standard M40i unit in the Z4 was deemed to be lacking in real urge so Wiesmann dialled in 408hp using some software tweaks. Maximum torque goes up to a stump-pulling 610Nm and the engine sound has been fettled to let the six cylinders sing.
The Boldmen will dash from zero to 100kph in 3.9 seconds and top 250 kph before electronic gubbins choke off the power.
Straight-line, white knuckle performance is not what this car is about and despite the Porsche-like stats, the Boldmen is designed to be both a driver's car and a relaxing gran turismo.
