This is more than twice the official price of the Wiesmann ‘Project Thunderball’
by Alina Moore, on
Wiesmann is a small German sports car maker that specializes in hand-building custom convertibles and coupes. It was founded in 1988, but filed for bankruptcy in 2014. A year later, the company was bought by British entrepreneurs, Roheen & Sahil Berry, who were supposed to make a new model known as “Project Gecko” in 2018. While the name is, of course, closely related to the company’s logo, the Gecko was supposed to be offered with the same V-8 engine found in the previous BMW M5 generation.
The model never happened. Instead, Wiesmann decided to keep with the times, and while it took them another four years, the name is now back on the market. The new model – known as Project Thunderball – was actually a very good decision.
One of the first units built went under the hammer at the prestigious amfAR Gala Cannes during the weekend, where it was sold for €700,000 – or about $750,000 at the current exchange rates. All proceeds will be used in the global fight against HIV and AIDS. Stars like Christina Aguilera, Ricky Martin, and Charli XCX were also part of the event, while Carine Roitfeld presented an amazing fashion show.
Project Thunderball is an all-electric sports car powered by two electric motors sending power to the rear wheels. With a combined output of 680 horsepower and 811 pound-feet of torque, Project Thunderball goes from 0 to 62 mph in just 2.9 seconds. The sports car is crafted from advanced carbon fiber and weighs more than 1,700 kilos (3,747 pounds), which gives it a power-to-weight ratio of 2.5 kg/HP. The model will be equipped with an 83 kWh battery and promises a WLTP range of over 500 kilometers (about 310 miles).
The model is now available for order, but it doesn’t come cheap. Prices will start from €300,000 – about $325,000 at the current exchange rates. Each unit will be hand-crafted at the company’s ‘Gecko’ factory, in Dülmen, Germany. Despite being electric, the company promises the Thunderball will provide the performance, driving pleasure, and styling of a true Wiesmann.
Roheen Berry, owner and CEO of Wiesmann, said at the event: “amfAR does vital work in the fight against HIV and AIDS, and we are delighted to have supported its cause through our involvement in this very prestigious event. The Cote d’Azur could not be a better backdrop to introduce Project Thunderball in the metal for the first time, and through the generosity of the winning bidder on the night we are very pleased to be able to contribute much-needed funds for amfAR to put to good use.”