Mexico's first car: It's a winner. - LotusTalk

XPcarguy · 07-25-2008, 10:24 AM

London 2008: Mastretta MXT will be Mexico's first homegrown car - Autoblog

Be sure to check out the high res gallery for alternate views.

The car is fitted with a Ford duratec with 240 bhp and the overall weight is just under 2000 lbs. I think it looks great. If it were available "with a removable top" and/or "at all in the US", I'd be intrigued to say the least.

Still, I plan on retiring in Mexico so this bodes well for my long term plans. Maybe after I lose my hair and don't want my toupee to fly away.

Tracktimeplz · 07-25-2008, 10:32 AM

Id paint the headlights and air damn, but over all not bad.

Its road handling specs are what im interested in. If released in the US it could be strong competition for the Elise/Exige

Flash G · 07-25-2008, 10:33 AM

Kinda looks like a lotus, from Mexico

®epost

Minnis · 07-25-2008, 10:34 AM

how many Peso's? Wow nice power to weight and turbo! I guess all that practice building cars for everybody else (VW for instance) paid off.

edit: I see they claim it's turbo and then later supercharged? which one? plus the tire sizes, 205F/235R look pretty good. Did they have anyone 6ft tall sit in it? It still needs help in the looks department for any real kind of money.

intofx · 07-25-2008, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XPcarguy

London 2008: Mastretta MXT will be Mexico's first homegrown car - Autoblog

Be sure to check out the high res gallery for alternate views.

The car is fitted with a Ford duratec with 240 bhp and the overall weight is just under 2000 lbs. I think it looks great. If it were available "with a removable top" and/or "at all in the US", I'd be intrigued to say the least.

Still, I plan on retiring in Mexico so this bodes well for my long term plans. Maybe after I lose my hair and don't want my toupee to fly away.

Oh, there will be plenty of them in America... just not legally!

...m... · 07-25-2008, 10:45 AM

...this car looks totally designed as a direct competitor to the elise/exige...i'm very interested in seeing it hit the market, unfortunately the manufacturer's website appears to be down at the moment...

http://mastrettadesign.com

...i've seen weights listed at under 2000 and at 2200, and power listed at 200 and 240...

perryeyges · 07-25-2008, 10:53 AM

Looks a little blocky(poor design) amnd the rear smacks Mistsubishi. Yuk!

holewczynski · 07-25-2008, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Minnis

I guess all that practice building cars for everybody else (VW for instance) paid off.

Heh. I owned a Mexico-produced Jetta and if you think you'll escape bad electronics, think again. Next time you see a Jetta or a Beetle on the road, see if they have either a burned out headlight or tail light. I had to keep bulbs in stock to keep up. Also, Chrysler had recalls on the Mexican-built PT Cruisers...

knucklehead · 07-25-2008, 11:27 AM

Looks like a mix of about four cars. The Opel, Lotus being the most apparent. Unfortunately, the bits and pieces seem to fight each other and aren't very cohesive.

Phantom · 07-25-2008, 11:53 AM

Looks like failed birth control between Gallardo & Elise-

The gallery pics just aren't working for me- I'd have to see it in person-

Bavarian Motorist · 07-25-2008, 12:13 PM

Looks like a miniature Gallardo from the side...

goelise · 07-25-2008, 01:45 PM

I like the car from certain angles but the rear view killed it for me. My wife does not like it at all. Says the lines are too rigid and straight.

The power to weight sounds good though! I wonder what type of suspension setup this car will have?

jeph · 07-25-2008, 02:18 PM

The headlights are stolen straight from the Smart Roadster. Otherwise looks like fun.

chuck_risen · 07-25-2008, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goelise

I like the car from certain angles but the rear view killed it for me. My wife does not like it at all. Says the lines are too rigid and straight.

The power to weight sounds good though! I wonder what type of suspension setup this car will have?

I though the view of that hideous looking front end was the worst. The front clam (or hood, whatever it is in this thing) looks like it was modeled after a Pringles potato chip.

necro · 07-25-2008, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuck_risen

I though the view of that hideous looking front end was the worst. The front clam (or hood, whatever it is in this thing) looks like it was modeled after a Pringles potato chip.

intofx:

Icedog_16 · 07-26-2008, 04:21 PM

I was less than enthused watching a video of it going around a track. It sounds very uninspiring and the interior make that of the Elise look expensive. And at $55K, the choice between the two is not a tough one.

YouTube - Mastretta Mxt

chuck_risen · 07-26-2008, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Icedog_16

I was less than enthused watching a video of it going around a track. It sounds very uninspiring and the interior make that of the Elise look expensive. And at $55K, the choice between the two is not a tough one.

YouTube - Mastretta Mxt

Wow. How boring. I think I could beat it with the Corolla. I know I have taken some turns faster than that in it. I agree with your comment about the sound too.

coolingmist · 07-26-2008, 05:13 PM

Why they would choose a NICHE vehicle to be the first car they produce is odd.

If that vehicle was sold in the US for 30K it would be a good deal, but at the same price of the elise?? no way. The exterior looks like it was put together by a 10 year old with his first LEGO set.

njcu · 07-26-2008, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Icedog_16

YouTube - Mastretta Mxt

lot of heavy breathing going on in that video. lmao what's up with the camera guy?

...m... · 07-26-2008, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by njcu

lot of heavy breathing going on in that video. lmao what's up with the camera guy?

...dude, have you ever been to mexico?..it's hot!..

07-25-2008, 10:24 AM	#1 (permalink)
XPcarguy Unregistered alien Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: The tirewall. Posts: 1,079 Images: 6	Mexico's first car: It's a winner. London 2008: Mastretta MXT will be Mexico's first homegrown car - Autoblog Be sure to check out the high res gallery for alternate views. The car is fitted with a Ford duratec with 240 bhp and the overall weight is just under 2000 lbs. I think it looks great. If it were available "with a removable top" and/or "at all in the US", I'd be intrigued to say the least. Still, I plan on retiring in Mexico so this bodes well for my long term plans. Maybe after I lose my hair and don't want my toupee to fly away. __________________ Fine. I'll go build my own car... with blackjack and hookers. In fact, forget the car and the blackjack. Ahh, screw the whole thing.

07-25-2008, 10:32 AM	#2 (permalink)
Tracktimeplz Bruised thighs daily Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Northwest Florida Posts: 742	Id paint the headlights and air damn, but over all not bad. Its road handling specs are what im interested in. If released in the US it could be strong competition for the Elise/Exige __________________ LSD, Power steering, A Jedi craves not these things. 2005 Magnetic Blue Elise Forcefed 275 turbo SSR comp Wheels

07-25-2008, 10:33 AM	#3 (permalink)
Flash G Double Trouble Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Hollywood Hills Posts: 2,466	Kinda looks like a lotus, from Mexico ®epost __________________ Turn your flatscreen TV into a work of art. Modern Art DVD \| Plasma Aquarium DVD \| Widescreen Fireplace DVD 11 Esprit??? (When can I place my deposit?!) 07 Exige S - Ardent Red, Stage II Exhaust, LSD, Touring pack 06 Range Rover Sport - Java Black 05 Elise - Ardent Red, Stage II Exhaust, Touring pack Last edited by Flash G : 07-25-2008 at 11:29 AM.

07-25-2008, 10:34 AM	#4 (permalink)
Minnis Air Power! Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 381 Images: 1	how many Peso's? Wow nice power to weight and turbo! I guess all that practice building cars for everybody else (VW for instance) paid off. edit: I see they claim it's turbo and then later supercharged? which one? plus the tire sizes, 205F/235R look pretty good. Did they have anyone 6ft tall sit in it? It still needs help in the looks department for any real kind of money. __________________ Don Rosen Audi/Porsche Audi Brand Specialist 610-272-9200 x 170 sminnis@donrosenimports.com www.donrosenimports.com Last edited by Minnis : 07-25-2008 at 10:41 AM.

07-25-2008, 10:53 AM	#7 (permalink)
perryeyges XPRMTL Join Date: May 2004 Location: Berzerkley Posts: 2,822	Looks a little blocky(poor design) amnd the rear smacks Mistsubishi. Yuk! __________________ 05 Elise Spyder II, Chrome Orange, 1586lbs. Stasis/Alcon "lotus cut" brakes, Supercharged and Intercooled @305 Crank HP "My dream car is now operational!"

07-25-2008, 10:45 AM	#6 (permalink)
...m... peregrinus caelum Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 778	...this car looks totally designed as a direct competitor to the elise/exige...i'm very interested in seeing it hit the market, unfortunately the manufacturer's website appears to be down at the moment... http://mastrettadesign.com ...i've seen weights listed at under 2000 and at 2200, and power listed at 200 and 240...

07-25-2008, 11:27 AM	#9 (permalink)
knucklehead Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Marina del Rey, CA Posts: 2,994	Looks like a mix of about four cars. The Opel, Lotus being the most apparent. Unfortunately, the bits and pieces seem to fight each other and aren't very cohesive. __________________ Jacob Join Lotuscar.ning.com for LA Lotus social events 05 Exise, 2bular 6 inch exhaust. BWR double adjustable Penske shocks, Hypercoil springs, HIDs, BWR front sway bar, Light weight PC680 battery w/BWR brace, BWR Black badges and wheel centers, Custom SCC paint job, SCC OEM Exige mesh kit and Exige rear clam details, LSD, Lotus sport clutch and light weight fly wheel. Sector front splitter. Stebel horn. Multivex Mirrors. Volk CE28 wheels

07-25-2008, 11:53 AM	#10 (permalink)
Phantom Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Alabama Posts: 696	Looks like failed birth control between Gallardo & Elise- The gallery pics just aren't working for me- I'd have to see it in person- __________________ Grab Life by the Wheel

07-25-2008, 12:13 PM	#11 (permalink)
Bavarian Motorist Live to Drive Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Rye, NY Posts: 8,365	Looks like a miniature Gallardo from the side... __________________ Driving a Lotus Exige with sticky... performance tires on icy roads or in standing water is about as much fun as walking a high wire treated with WD-40 - Car & Driver BWR supercharged... I suppose I "got the power" now??

07-25-2008, 01:45 PM	#12 (permalink)
goelise AR #1275 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Midwest, USA Posts: 2,196 Images: 1	I like the car from certain angles but the rear view killed it for me. My wife does not like it at all. Says the lines are too rigid and straight. The power to weight sounds good though! I wonder what type of suspension setup this car will have? __________________ '06 Ardent Red Elise - black interior with LSS, Touring, HT, Starshield, Lotus Sport Clutch, Moroso Oil Pan, 2ZZ(#2), Ekological HIDs, Lotus Driving Lights, Stebel Horn, Bootie, Razo '06 Pedal mod,Snorkel Delete,Odyssey 680 with s111 bracket. Future Mods: Rear toe link brace/ Supercharger (BWR or Sector111? ) Thank you FVMC! WOO-HOO!

07-25-2008, 02:18 PM	#13 (permalink)
jeph Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 340	The headlights are stolen straight from the Smart Roadster. Otherwise looks like fun.

07-26-2008, 05:13 PM	#18 (permalink)
coolingmist Methanol Injection king Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 165	Why they would choose a NICHE vehicle to be the first car they produce is odd. If that vehicle was sold in the US for 30K it would be a good deal, but at the same price of the elise?? no way. The exterior looks like it was put together by a 10 year old with his first LEGO set. __________________ coolingmist.com

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