Automotive Exports December 2022

Wiesmann reveals next generation technologies for
latest Project Thunderball – the world’s first
all-electric convertible roadster
Wiesmann, the luxury sports car marque,
has revealed further technical details of
its highly-anticipated all-electric vehicle
codenamed Project Thunderball – a
vehicle that represents a return for the
iconic brand with the world’s first electric
convertible roadster. Designed with
Wiesmann’s DNA running throughout, the
car is an evolution of the exclusive German
brand’s history combining the distinctive,
sleek, looks of a Wiesmann with a modern,
highly engineered, electric powertrain
providing breath-taking performance.
The two-seater, rear-wheel drive Project
Thunderball sees twin electric rear-mid
mounted motors delivering up to 500kW
(680hp) to the rear wheels and 1100 Nm
of torque, bringing phenomenal straightline
performance and a targeted 0-62mph
(0-100km/h) sprint acceleration time of 2.9
seconds. Wiesmann’s precise engineering
of the cutting-edge electric powertrain
is key to delivering an emotional driving
experience that is a trademark of
Wiesmann sports car, embodied in timeless
design that befits a performance EV of the
modern era.
Platform and packaging
Project Thunderball has been built on
a bespoke chassis architecture with its
powertrain components cleverly packaged
to provide the lowest possible centre
of gravity. To keep the typical roadster
proportions, the position of the driver and
passenger are positioned as far backward
as possible, presenting a challenge to
integrate the drivetrain and large battery
into the vehicle’s small footprint.
The challenge was welcomed by its
engineers who have pushed the limits
of architecture configuration by locating
the drivetrain behind the driver’s seat
and battery modules in a T-shape along
the centre tunnel and into the front of
the vehicle along with the twin Axial flux,
PMSM e-motors. With lightweighting key
to efficiency, the vehicle’s powertrain
combined with its carbon fibre body
astonishingly weighs in at little more than
1700kg (3747lb), providing an outstanding
2.5kg per HP of performance.
Battery power
At the heart of the vehicle lies one of the
most energy and power-dense battery
packs available, providing a target range
of 500km (310 miles). The 92kWh (83kWh
available), Li-ion NMC, “module-to-pack”
technology is based on series modules with
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