Just a week before its world debut at the British Motor Show, we can reveal the first ever car designed and built in Mexico – the Mastretta MXT.
Featuring a Ford-sourced 240bhp 2.0litre turbocharged Duratec and weighing in at just 900KG, the MXT is capabale of sprinting from 0-60mph in under 5 seconds. Aircraft techniques are used for the chassis and the fibreglass body is sculpted using closed mould techniques.
“We needed to create a great car because Mexico has no tradition of sophisticated sports car manufacturing,” says designer Daniel Mastretta. “It is most important that our customers are delighted by the new MXT. That’s what we aimed to do from the first drawing of the car, but we also want to make our country proud of the MXT and to show the world what we can do.”
The model that will be on display next week will be the penultimate prototype, Vehicle Certification Agency testing should be complete by October before the model goes on sale in Januray 2009 with a base price of £32,999. A total of 80 units are planned each year in right-hand-drive format.
Mastretta MXT first ever car designed and built in Mexico
150mph, 0-60 in less than 5secs
Chassis employs aircraft construction techniques
Prices from £32,999
World Debut at press day Stand N10 ExCeL, London
Bristling with design flair, the all-new Mastretta MXT is the exciting and exclusive new sports car that will put Mexico on the map and offer UK drivers performance and more choice in the sub £40,000 sector.
The lightweight two-seater weighs just 900kg. And with top speed of 150mph, it is aimed at thrill seekers who also have an eye to the environment, who want to have fun and enjoy driving without causing damage through their car’s excessive weight and power.
Mastretta MXT is the first car to be designed and built in Mexico, and the aggressive and sculpted sports coupé makes its debut here at the British International Motor Show.
This unique, rear-wheel drive two-seater’s 2.0litre turbocharged Duratec engine develops nearly 240bhp pushing it on to 60 mph from rest in less than 5.0secs.
Constructed from bonded aluminium, the semi-monocoque chassis features aircraft style technology. Closed mould techniques sculpt the distinctive body from high quality fibreglass and the air-conditioned interior is leather-trimmed.
Direct racecar feel comes through rack and pinion steering – 2.8 turns lock to lock. And 293mm ventilated brake discs with ABS as standard slow the car with eye-popping power, when necessary. Mastretta MXT has double wishbone suspension front and rear.
Lifestyle Automotive is the company licensed to import and distribute the cars in Europe and company boss Tom Martin is confident of success with Mastretta MXT.
“Customers who place orders at the show will be able to register their cars in May next year,” he says. “The Mastretta MXT on display at ExCeL 22 July - 3 August is the penultimate prototype,” Martin says. “We should complete Vehicle Certification Agency testing by October and RHD production, which is limited to 80 cars in the first full year, will start by January.”
National pride as well as burning ambition for their new car motivates the Mastretta brothers who have taken the car from idea through concept to reality.
“We needed to create a great car because Mexico has no tradition of sophisticated sports car manufacturing,” says designer Daniel Mastretta. “It is most important that our customers are delighted by the new MXT. That’s what we aimed to do from the first drawing of the car, but we also want to make our country proud of the MXT and to show the world what we can do.”
Come and see the sensational Mastretta at the British Motorshow and decide for yourself.
"240bhp 2.0litre turbocharged Duratec" that's where the article lost my attention. But as to the car itself, the fiberglass makes it look as if it's constructed of plastic, and like afterace2 said, it looks like an R8/porsche/mr2
It might not be the most innovative design, but it's still good looking. 0-60 is under 5 seconds is quick for 240BHP.
Sure, fiberglass might not be the most advanced material, but at least it's light. Better than driving a fat Renaultsport Clio.
In my opinion it's a perfect medium level sports car, cheap to run, cheap to insure and most of all, cheap to repair the dents and bruises due to lack of driving skill.
I can see why the article said "Mexico has no tradition of sophisticated sports car manufacture" because this offering certainly doesn't measure up to my expectation of that description ... we can only hope that it never becomes an export item lol
I'm not sure why there is so much hate over this. Mexico is trying to enter an industry they have no history in, and instead of words of encouragement, all I see are giggles and scorn.
Mexico and Mastretta, I say well done lads. I hope you go very far with this and other future projects.
Yawn.