A sports car designed and made in Mexico? Sure, why not! Set to debut in December at the 2008 International Mexican Auto Show, the Mastretta MTX is designed by Mastretta Design from Mexico City, and might possibly be going on sale in the first quarter of 2008. The car features a mid-engined 2.3L 4 cylinder engine developing 200hp with 0-60 predicted to be in the 6 or 7 second range, and speed topping out at about 143mph. While that doesn't sound very powerful at all, keep in mind that the car only weighs 2,200 pounds. All these numbers are pure speculation however as specs have not been finalized. Here's hoping they at least bump the horsepower up to 260-300 range. But even so, this car still sounds like it would be one fun ride. Keep in mind that the Lotus Elise only comes with a 190hp engine and weighs 2000 lbs.

The Mastretta MXT is a high-performance 2 seat sports car, engineered to deliver outstanding performance through mechanical excellence. Every system, every component was engineered to make the driving experience an absolute thrill.

The Mastretta MXT is presented as the first high-performance sports car from Mastretta Cars, the new automotive manufacturer based in the city of Toluca, Mexico. The MXT is Mastretta’s answer to the lightweight sports car market, offering a highly advanced vehicle with aggressive design and outstanding driving dynamics, while simultaneously responding to more environmentally conscious times by achieving a high level of efficiency.

The ultra-light coupé, weighing in at just 930kg, is a completely new 2-seater mid-engine sports car developed using advanced motorsport technology and aerospace materials. The MXT is very much a driver´s car, so the priority from the beginning was to deliver outstanding performance through purity of design. Its powerful turbocharged 2.0 engine develops 250 hp, allowing the MXT to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 4.9 seconds. This acceleration is harnessed by a finely tuned chassis, allowing the vehicle to develop more than 1.1 G of cornering and braking force.

In spite of its remarkable performance, the Mastretta MXT has the robustness and practicality to be driven daily, as it is well suited for long distance journeys and city driving alike. The interior is spacious, the vehicle is fitted with beautifully crafted carbon fiber seats wrapped in premium leather while interior accents are trimmed in Ultrasuede, creating the perfect balance between elegance and performance. The car is equipped with the latest technological amenities, including a multimedia system featuring GPS, Bluetooth and iPod compatibility. While performance oriented, the ride enjoys a high level of comfort due to lightweight vehicle construction. The MXT is a unique car that offers a high level of versatility, making it a perfect vehicle for daily spirited driving or as a powerful racetrack weapon.

Exterior Design

Designing a car is more than creating a beautiful shape. Our design team followed the traditional racing principles of functionality and lightness. Even at first sight, the striking design of the Mastretta MXT reflects its high performance nature.

Overall, the MXT has a very compact appearance. It sits low and broad on the road. From every angle the proportions of the car have a great balance. The main lines were influenced by features that define the modern high-performance vehicle: low height, two seats and a mid-engine configuration; creating the ideal layout for optimal handling response and stability. Proportions of the wheelbase, width, minimal overhangs, and height give the Mastretta MXT a stunning presence, while simultaneously suggesting lightness and speed.

The final shape of the car was dictated by the principles of aerodynamics. The flowing line that travels along the center of the car, starting with the low nose through to the rear spoiler, channels the air in a very clean way while generating enough downforce to give the MXT agility and balance at low and high speeds. Large side scoops provide breathing and cooling for the turbocharged engine. The flat aluminium underbody also plays an important part as it directs the air to the rear diffuser, not only avoiding lift but enhancing rear stability, essential features for the performance driver.

Components and details that form part of the exterior design enhance the beauty of the basic shape. The style of the headlights, painted in a contrasting color to the body, seamlessly follows the overall design. The side windows are frameless. The single exhaust system is elegantly housed in the center of the diffuser. Laser-cut lettering adorn the Mastretta name on the rear bumper and the MXT denomination on its sides.

Interior Design

The Mastretta MXT was engineered and built around the cockpit. The seats are positioned close together and as low as the chassis allows, creating an ideal seating position for performance driving and allowing the driver to enjoy optimal road feel.

Despite the vehicle’s small dimensions, the interior is spacious enough to comfortably seat adults of up to 6’3" (1.90m). Bespoke carbon fiber seats trimmed in leather were developed to provide maximum support for the driver under high g-force generated by the Mastretta MXT when cornering, accelerating and braking. The flat-bottomed steering wheel, covered in suede, has a diameter of only 320mm, a size that facilitates quick turn-in. The aluminium pedals are positioned to allow precision footwork, with the throttle located slightly in front of the brake pedal to facilitate the heel-and-toe technique.

All the interior materials are classified specifically for the auto industry, including fire retardant carpets and treated leather, while Ultrasuede covers many elements. The end result is a high quality interior that fulfills all technical, safety, and visual expectations of a performance sports car.

Excellent visibility is facilitated in the front by a low nose that allows the driver to see the road ahead and by a clear view of the front fenders that facilitates precision turn-in at corners.

The Mastretta MXT is equipped with air conditioning to make the car suitable for long drives in any weather condition. For every day practicality, the in-car media system incorporates GPS navigation, iPod connectivity, hands free communication via Bluetooth, a DVD player and other technological features.

Engine

The turbocharged 2.0 litre Duratec four cylinder engine is located behind the cockpit and in front of the rear wheels with a transaxle configuration, connected to a MTX-75 five-speed manual gearbox.

With a power output of 250 bhp (186 kW ) and 250 lb/ft of torque, this powerplant is excellently suited to the MXT as it is compact and lightweight while delivering fantastic levels of high performance and drivability.

A bespoke engine management system was developed for performance driving: it has immediate throttle response and a consistent torque output throughout the rev range, while the turbo lag is unnoticeable. The shift lights at the top of the digital instrument cluster indicate the exact time to change gears, allowing the driver to make the most of engine performance.

Despite the impressive power figures, the MXT complies with Euro 5 emissions standards, and delivers an outstanding fuel consumption average of 25 miles per gallon.

Manufacturing

The Mastretta MXT is a powerful machine designed to deliver outstanding performance through mechanical excellence. This requires the use of bespoke materials and components, and a construction process that blends advanced technology with careful craftsmanship.

From the construction of the aluminium chassis to the delicate finish of the composite body, Mastretta employs high quality manufacturing techniques that transform concept into reality.

With a complete design and engineering package that is entirely new and developed in house, the MXT has 1,800 separate purpose-built parts that fit together with utmost precision. The chassis is made from laser-cut aluminium sheets and extrusions that are bonded together with aerospace adhesive, complemented with a structural carbon-fiber floor and chromoly roll cage. As a result, the chassis is outstandingly light and rigid while the cockpit is very safe.

As the chassis is being manufactured, other departments fabricate all mechanical components and sub-assemblies, such as the hand-made suspension, engine structure, fuel tank and body panels. All parts undertake quality control testing before arriving at the assembly area, where the car is finally put together. Employing clever solutions that remain true to the purity of design, the MXT uses high quality components from specialized manufacturers such as custom-made HiSpec braking system and the turbocharged Duratec 2.0 engine, which fit seamlessly with the rest of the package.

Chassis

Built from specially designed aluminium extrusions and carbon fiber, the bespoke chassis of the MXT was engineered to provide high rigidity and low weight. The suspension of the Mastretta MXT perfectly complements the potential of the lightweight semi-monocoque and powerful engine, which results in outstanding levels of lateral grip and traction. The car corners flat and stable.

The semi-monocoque constitutes the basis of the vehicle's class leading dynamics and performance. Weighing just 930kg, the car accelerates from a standstill to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds and generates 1.1G of lateral acceleration. Its low weight also aids other performance parameters as well as fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

Aluminium extrusions and sheets are bonded together with aerospace industry-derived cold-cure adhesive, with a tensile strength of 2,000 psi, to form the main cockpit tub. The carbon fiber floor beneath the entire cockpit area increases the car’s stiffness, while the lightweight steel rear subframe gives unity to the chassis and provides a strong backbone for the engine and rear suspension assembly. The aluminium fuel tank is placed within the monocoque, between the passenger cell and engine compartment.

The MXT features a fully independent double wishbone suspension front and rear, with a front anti-roll bar that further stabilizes the car. The shock absorbers and coil springs are finely tuned for grip. This setup provides optimum agility, stability and steering precision, while still delivering a surprisingly good level of ride comfort.

Performance

The Mastretta MXT is about performance. Advanced engineering, lightweight materials and a powerful engine act together to achieve the superb dynamics of the MXT. Steeped in the principles of modern racing technology, the MXT does not include driver aids or electronic assists that dull the driving experience.

As a driver’s car, the most important development aim was to focus on optimizing acceleration, cornering and braking capabilities. With an overall weight of just 980 kg and a turbocharged Duratec 2.0 litre engine producing 250 hp, the MXT accelerates from 0-100km/h in 4.9 seconds and reaches a top speed of 260 km/h. The high-performance chassis can generate lateral acceleration of up to 1.1 G, making exceptional cornering speeds possible, while the fadeless braking system, which consists of 300mm cross-drilled discs with 4 piston calipers front and rear, provides outstanding stopping power.

But despite its remarkable performance, the MXT is not intended to be a hard-core track day special that maximizes speed but offers no practicality. Thus, the car is very well suited for long-distance road driving, oriented towards spirited drivers who seek an exhilarating drive. Benefiting from light weight, low center of gravity and relatively long wheelbase, the chassis offers a fine balance between ride and handling. Despite its agility and power, it is easy to control even at the limit of grip.