Wiesmann Plots Return with New Sports Car

Revived Germany sports car specialist Wiesmann GmbH plans to launch a new sports car in 2019.

The yet-to-be-named model will be Wiesmann’s first car since the company was purchased out of bankruptcy by Indian investors in 2015. As with its previous offerings, the new car will be powered by a BMW-sourced transmission and V-8 engine.

Targeting global markets, Wiesmann aims to produce both right- and left-hand drive vehicles. No other details were provided.

Formed in 1988, Wiesmann specialized in hand-built custom convertibles. The cars were adorned with gecko logos in reference to their road-holding performance.

Wiesmann produced about 180 vehicles per year, including a mix of MF 3 and MF 30 roadsters and the GT MF 4 coupe (pictured). The company filed for bankruptcy in 2013 and closed its factory in Dulmen, Germany, in May 2014, after failing to get approval to import vehicles into the U.S.

In 2016, Wiesmann hired former Mercedes AMG manager Mario Spitzner to run the company.