Introducing the Mastretta MXT

Mastretta MXT

First car designed and built in Mexico

By Clinton Deacon
July 17, 2008 4:00 PM
Filed Under: British Motor Show, Specialty Marques

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.

Press Release

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.

Mastretta MXT – the figures

Price (rrp)

£32,999

Weight

900 kg

Engine

1999 cc

Power/weight

267/tonne

Aspiration

Supercharged

Length

3900 mm

Power

240 bhp

Width

1790 mm

Torque

184 lb ft

Height

1150 mm

Transmission

5 speed manual

0-60 mph

< 5 secs (est)

Front tyres

205/45 R17

Rear tyres

235/45 R17