Mastretta MXT
Encyclopedia
The Mastretta MXT is the first high performance sport automobile
produced by the Mexican
car maker Mastretta
, and is notable for being both completely produced and designed in Mexico, as well as the first fully Mexican made sports car. The MXT is a mid-size sports car
and its production officially began in January 2011.
for Prototype Zero) was the third automotive development by Mastretta and succeeded MXB and MXA kit-cars. The name "MXT" comes from Mastretta and Mexico as well as a reference to its Transverse engine configuration.
The Prototipo Cero was developed between 2004 and 2007, and is powered by the Volkswagen
inline-4 115 hp engine that is also used in the still-produced fourth generation Jetta
. Increased power allows the coupé to reach 200 km/h (124 mph). This contrasts with the top speed and performance of its predecessor, estimated 130 km/h (81 mph) using the VW flat-4 44 hp mounted on the original Beetle
. Production was to begin in the first quarter of 2008.
, held in London
. This was however the same prototype, so the final production version became likely to be unveiled at the Mexico International AutoShow
, held in late September; due to yet unknown reasons, the maker didn't show up.
General specifications and equipment were released later in 2009. Production features include racing bucket seats and seatbelts, Hella
xenon headlights, ABS brakes, two airbag
s, magnesium 17" wheels, digital board instruments, Borla exhaust
and, according to designer
Daniel Mastretta
, a maximum security level which is already being tested to qualify for European quality standards. Though the Prototipo Cero would originally dismiss basics on many modern-day cars (such as AM/FM/CD Radio or air conditioning), the pre-production version already includes them, notably an MP3 CD player and automatic climate control. In the final production version the equipment is said to vary from the early prototype.
The serial-production MXT will be powered by a 2.0 litre inline-4 with more than 240 hp, turbocharger
and aftercooling
allowing it to reach over 230 km/h (143 mph) on top speed.
Three years after its first appearance on Automóvil Panamericano, Mastretta announced the MXT will debut at the 2010 Paris Motor Show
on September 30, 2010.
The MXT is produced beginning 2011 at Mastretta's first car factory with an annual production of 150 units. Around 70% (105 cars) will be exported to Europe
and the United States
, and 45 will remain for national sales (only in Mexico
).
Automobile
An automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor...
produced by the Mexican
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
car maker Mastretta
Mastretta
Mastrettadesign Tecnoidea SA de CV is a Mexican car maker and design studio established by Mexican industrial designer Daniel Mastretta in Mexico City in 1987. Mastretta under Tecnoidea and Unidiseño brands has previously developed a small number of kit cars, but the 2010 MXT is the first fully...
, and is notable for being both completely produced and designed in Mexico, as well as the first fully Mexican made sports car. The MXT is a mid-size sports car
Sports car
A sports car is a small, usually two seat, two door automobile designed for high speed driving and maneuverability....
and its production officially began in January 2011.
Prototipo Cero
The MXT Prototipo Cero (SpanishSpanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
for Prototype Zero) was the third automotive development by Mastretta and succeeded MXB and MXA kit-cars. The name "MXT" comes from Mastretta and Mexico as well as a reference to its Transverse engine configuration.
The Prototipo Cero was developed between 2004 and 2007, and is powered by the Volkswagen
Volkswagen
Volkswagen is a German automobile manufacturer and is the original and biggest-selling marque of the Volkswagen Group, which now also owns the Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, SEAT, and Škoda marques and the truck manufacturer Scania.Volkswagen means "people's car" in German, where it is...
inline-4 115 hp engine that is also used in the still-produced fourth generation Jetta
Volkswagen Jetta
Although the Golf had reached considerable success, in the North American markets, Volkswagen observed that the hatchback body style lacked some of the appeal to those who preferred the traditional three-box configuration...
. Increased power allows the coupé to reach 200 km/h (124 mph). This contrasts with the top speed and performance of its predecessor, estimated 130 km/h (81 mph) using the VW flat-4 44 hp mounted on the original Beetle
Volkswagen Beetle
The Volkswagen Type 1, widely known as the Volkswagen Beetle or Volkswagen Bug, is an economy car produced by the German auto maker Volkswagen from 1938 until 2003...
. Production was to begin in the first quarter of 2008.
Pre-production version
On July 22, 2008, the Mastretta MXT was presented at the British International Motor ShowBritish International Motor Show
The British International Motor Show is an automobile show held biennially in the United Kingdom. It is recognised as an international show by the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d'Automobiles. The 2008 was the last event with no news of a return of the British International Motor Show...
, held in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. This was however the same prototype, so the final production version became likely to be unveiled at the Mexico International AutoShow
Salón Internacional del Automóvil México
The Salón Internacional del Automóvil México or simply SIAM is an annual auto show held at the Centro Banamex of the Hipódromo de las Américas racecourse in Mexico City, Mexico....
, held in late September; due to yet unknown reasons, the maker didn't show up.
Hella (company)
Hella KGaA Hueck & Co. is an internationally operating German automotive part supplier with headquarters in Lippstadt, North Rhine-Westphalia. Core businesses are vehicle lighting and electronics systems and components. Hella is also involved in the areas of vehicle diagnostics and thermal...
xenon headlights, ABS brakes, two airbag
Airbag
An Airbag is a vehicle safety device. It is an occupant restraint consisting of a flexible envelope designed to inflate rapidly during an automobile collision, to prevent occupants from striking interior objects such as the steering wheel or a window...
s, magnesium 17" wheels, digital board instruments, Borla exhaust
Exhaust system
An exhaust system is usually tubing used to guide reaction exhaust gases away from a controlled combustion inside an engine or stove. The entire system conveys burnt gases from the engine and includes one or more exhaust pipes...
and, according to designer
Designer
A designer is a person who designs. More formally, a designer is an agent that "specifies the structural properties of a design object". In practice, anyone who creates tangible or intangible objects, such as consumer products, processes, laws, games and graphics, is referred to as a...
Daniel Mastretta
Daniel Mastretta
Juan Daniel Mastretta Guzmán is an Mexican engineer and designer. In 1987 he founded Mastretta Design, a design and automotive company...
, a maximum security level which is already being tested to qualify for European quality standards. Though the Prototipo Cero would originally dismiss basics on many modern-day cars (such as AM/FM/CD Radio or air conditioning), the pre-production version already includes them, notably an MP3 CD player and automatic climate control. In the final production version the equipment is said to vary from the early prototype.
The serial-production MXT will be powered by a 2.0 litre inline-4 with more than 240 hp, turbocharger
Turbocharger
A turbocharger, or turbo , from the Greek "τύρβη" is a centrifugal compressor powered by a turbine that is driven by an engine's exhaust gases. Its benefit lies with the compressor increasing the mass of air entering the engine , thereby resulting in greater performance...
and aftercooling
Intercooler
An intercooler , or charge air cooler, is an air-to-air or air-to-liquid heat exchange device used on turbocharged and supercharged internal combustion engines to improve their volumetric efficiency by increasing intake air charge density through nearly isobaric cooling, which removes...
allowing it to reach over 230 km/h (143 mph) on top speed.
Three years after its first appearance on Automóvil Panamericano, Mastretta announced the MXT will debut at the 2010 Paris Motor Show
2010 Paris Motor Show
The 2010 Paris Motor Show took place from 2 October to 17 October 2010, in Paris Expo, Porte de Versailles.For 2010, the theme of the special exhibition was "The Incredible Collection 2: automobile manufacturers collections and museums."- Production cars :...
on September 30, 2010.
The MXT is produced beginning 2011 at Mastretta's first car factory with an annual production of 150 units. Around 70% (105 cars) will be exported to Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
and the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, and 45 will remain for national sales (only in Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
).