New Elise Competitor on the way from...Mexico?

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Mexico’s Lotus Elise: Mastretta MXT unveiled at London show.

Although our neighbors to the south produce many of the world’s vehicles, Mexico has never actually designed and manufactured its own vehicle. However, that will soon change as Mexico’s Mastretta has unveiled the MXT at the London Motor Show.

Built on a rear-wheel drive platform, the Mastretta is powered by a Ford-sourced 2.0L four-cylinder. Thanks to a turbocharger, the MXT’s powerplant produces a healthy 240 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque.
Thanks to extensive use of aluminum and other light-weight materials, the MXT tips the scales at just under 2,000 pounds. The MXT’s combination light weight and turbocharged power is said to result in a 0-60 time in the four second range, with a top speed of 150 mph.
The MXT will hit the UK market next year with a price tag of £32,999, but supplies will be extremely limited. The MXT’s initial production run is pegged at just 80 units.
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Linky (including full size pictures).


Not a bad rookie effort. Though I obviously question its safety, I imagine Mexico has been building U.S. and German cars for long enough to understand the concept far more than the Chinese do. While the styling looks a bit chunky compared to the shrink-wrapped Elise, it does have its own sort of flair to it.
If the initial run of the car is a success, and if they can price this low enough in the assumed second run of cars that it stays away from the Elise SC, Lotus may have a problem on their hands. Though its lack of a targa top may hurt it. At the very least it should be better than the Europa.
 
The Mexican market really is something of an enigma to a lot of people, and they really do have an awkward taste in cars. It really seems like a good effort, honestly, and I'm very very pleased with the outcome. Its a shame that we don't get some of the cars they have down there, and as it sounds, we may not be getting this car here either.
 
I don't know how they've made it but it looks like it weighs double the real figure. Not to mention that the shape immediately brings to mind a (unsuccessfully) bodykitted Opel Speedster. It lacks pretty much all the finesse and the "light on its feet" looks of the Elise, or even the bigger and heavier Evora for that matter. I have no doubts for the performance but the exterior simply isn't cutting it.
 
But it's nowhere near as "cheap" as the Elise either. Which unless there's something spectacular to it, is about the only area it will have a chance of beating it.

And it somehow manages to look like a Gallardo/599/Smart Roadster love child.
 
Looks good, but I'm expecting some pretty mean fail. Would like to be proved wrong.

I mean, if Tommykaira missed the mark...
 
Looks like a shrunken Proto Spirra with a swapped front end, which honestly looks awful. I don't think many people would rather have this than an Elise, but we'll see I guess.
 
I'm not surprised it's being offered in Europe and not America. Americans have to many preconceived notions about Mexicans and their culture.
 
to be honest i dont think it looks half bad ...... BUT....



nobody in their right mind would take this over an established sports car company

let alone lotus
 
I like the back of it.. looks very well designed and not too over the top.... very compactly done and looks a lot like the Gallardo's basic shape.

Robin
 
Something about it screams "Kit" to me, and, while I'll admit, it's not a bad first try, It's certainly not going onto my personal GT wishlist.
 
Toronado
Doesn't the Elise R start at around the same price?
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At £32,999 the price is more comparible with the Elise SC which is £32,550.

But of course, when the prices get that close you have to look at what you get included options wise for your money aswell.
 
I must agree with the Toronado, the styling is both chunky, but with flair. It lacks a bit of natural grace in my opinion, but it's handsome in the same fashion as the Tesla, a stylish, though soulless, bullet train.

It seems to combine styling elements from nearly everything, most notably the Caparo headlamps. Honestly, it reminds me of a car I would see in Midnight Club I. It's a nearly amazing design, with abstractly awkward proportions bringing the spirits down.

I hope it's been well-engineered...
 
It looks like the startup-company car that it is. It definitely doesn't have the refined styling of the Elise. I'm guessing the interior is also as bare as they come. I'd say it looks like the same level of refinement as a Gumpert or an Ultima.

BUT, it looks like performance will the the deciding factor. I doubt it will be able to outperform an Elise, but I'll say it'll be great around a track. But definitely nto a road car.
 
Somehow seems a bit "parts-bin", and yes, the styling does take some getting used to.

But it's an interesting car, and I'm wondering what it'll actually be like.
 
I'm still surprised no one has made a joke about beans or said something along the lines of "¡Ándale! ¡Ándale! ¡Arriba! ¡Arriba!"
 
We're a more mature bunch than to fall to such crass stereotyping.

and we don't know if it's really all that fast.
 
Well... if it's a Ford 2-liter, it's possibly flex fuel, and could be methane powered...
 
There's a good Mexican prescence in Houston, so I'm sure that some of this city's own Mexican folk that love cars would be excited at this offering. Some cars not sold in America (yet sold in Mexico) show up in Houston sometimes. I've seen a few Peugeot 206's, a Renault RenaultSport Clio V6, a Chevrolet Toronado (it's a ute), and a Nissan Platina.

But to think our neighbors to the south can produce a sports car to rival the Lotus Elise, that's saying something. Interesting sports cars are where you find them. Who thought groups in Malaysia and Morocco (Laraki Fulgara, which is more like a Ferrari 360 Modena) can make their own supercars? I usually think internationally anyways, so I'm pretty interested about this car. It looks like a proper baby superexotic to me. This Mastretta group is going up against a legendary British car company that's stressed its principles in amazing handling cars that benefit from light weight (unless you count the Esprit and the Carlton).

Best-case scenario for Mastretta is if this car ends up being considered and respected as an Elise alternative. That's what any car company wants to be able to do- make true and complete alternatives to well-designed and well-performing cars. That is, unless you can create a car to be in a league of its own. We'll see how this car does. Give it a year or two.
 

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