After laying under the radar since 2014, Wiesmann, a company once known for making notably unique and attractive sports cars, has returned. They made their comeback in the public eye by announcing their new Project Thunderball, a convertible electric sports car not seen since the likes of the original Tesla Roadster.
This new EV sports rear-wheel-drive and an incredibly light chassis and frame, while also featuring a powerful engine and long-range battery pack. As an all-electric sports car, it is a bit rare in that not many vehicles can lay claim to both aspects at once. Its lightweight construction and architecture allow for advanced agility, superior flexibility and maneuverability.
Read on to discover more of the inner workings, notable aspects, and unique features of Project Thunderball.
Weismann’s Unusual Powertrain Setup
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The setup for this powertrain shows aspects not usually seen in sports cars. Weismann’s Project Thunderball is an electric roadster, which in and of itself is a rarity. Furthermore, it’s the first electric convertible since Tesla unleashed their original Roadster some time ago. The vehicle contains a 92-kWh battery pack, running on an 800-volt architecture.
With this electric setup, the Thunderball can achieve 62 MPH in just 2.9 seconds. The vehicle’s suspension and roll bars are both adjustable and its 21-inch wheels are unique to Wiesmann, though they come with Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires.
Its maneuverability is increased by its light curb weight- 3747 lbs – allowing Project Thunderball to carve corners with ease. The electric motors (plural) mounted on the rear axle are known for their power, putting out 680 HP and 808 lb-ft of torque. The interior also is decked out with leather and features a Lotus-inspired steering wheel.
Carbon Fiber Makes It Lightweight
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For all its advanced electric features, the EV is made mainly from carbon fiber, so it doesn’t weigh as much as most of its other electric vehicle counterparts would. As mentioned earlier, the car’s body is constructed primarily from carbon fiber, with an aluminum chassis, which explains why it is so light. This allows the car to be nimble through the bends.
The Project Thunderball has a power-to-weight ratio of 2.5kg per HP, and keep in mind the engine already puts out 680 HP. Its battery capacity is also quite high for a Roadster because of the aforementioned 800-volt architecture. The battery can be charged gradually at the owner’s home, or using a public rapid charger.
Project Thunderball blends the classic Weismann sports car characteristics with modern electric powertrains.
Stats & Specs Go Electric
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The specs on Project Thunderball are more notable than most for being electric, or at least for being influenced by other EVs. It has two doors and two seats. In addition to carbon fiber and aluminum, steel is also used in some parts of the construction of this roadster. The rear-wheel-drive EV also features electric power steering, as well as traction control and dynamic stability control.
The brakes have 380 mm rotors in both front and back, featuring a six-piston caliper in the front and a four-piston caliper in the back. There is also a charge display that shows the driver how fast the car is charging based on range, as opposed to the percentage of the battery charged. Project Thunderball’s dual-motor configuration allows for more efficient power output, and its weight is almost evenly distributed, with 48% in the front and 52% in the back.
Like most EVs, Project Thunderball uses a single-speed direct drive transmission, but with a limited-slip differential. The brake energy recovery system has five different settings, with the driver adjusting the system’s severity via steering wheel-mounted paddles. A touchscreen infotainment system and sport-style seats are also part of the modern technological features as well.
Settings Break Precedents
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Weismann previously made retro-styled sports cars, many with V8, V10, and straight-six engines from BMW. The company filed for bankruptcy in 2013, went off the grid in 2014. The ownership changed hands to international technology firm Contec Global in 2016, and has now returned with Project Thunderball.
From an aesthetic standpoint, Project Thunderball blends design elements of classic Wiesmann sports cars with novel aspects and touches to make this and future vehicles more distinct. Weismann also aims for a more worldwide focus by aiming at global markets, so cars such as Project Thunderball are being manufactured with both left side and right side driver setup. This allows the car to be sold in more markets, although America is not one of them.
Weismann was in dormancy without new projects since 2014, but has now returned under new management with a promising vehicle. Also, of note is that “Project Thunderball“ is just a code name at the moment. And while the vehicle isn’t sold in the United States quite yet, the going MSRP in American Dollars is approximately $314,500. The company is said to be working on another model, code-named Project Gecko, which is expected to debut in late 2022.
Sources: wiesmann.com, Motor1.com
