RE: Mosler MT900R

Wednesday 24th August 2005

Mosler MT900R

PetrolTed takes the wheel of this mighty road-race car


Mosler MT-900
Mosler MT-900

The roads are winding, relatively narrow and a squirrel just darted across the tarmac. The sun is shining through the thick green foliage and the tranquillity of the Surrey woodland is broken by the bark of an American V8 and the scream of a motorbike.

Straddling the centre line, two 12-inch wide tyres scrabble for grip on the crusty tarmac. Tearing the tarmac apart, the bark becomes a roar and wildlife scrambles for cover as the blue beast carves its way down the road scaring all before it.

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Masked by the roar of eight cylinders at full stretch is the scream of a bike engine. This is no two engined hybrid - that scream is from a motorbike trying to keep pace with the monster in the woods.

More empty tarmac greets us around each corner. It’s a big car on a small road. It’s a race car bouncing across a surface far rougher than it was designed for. It copes well though. Each cats eye sends a light thump through the cabin but the beast remains good natured. In 'road trim', the Mosler retains all of its rage but wrapped in a thin veneer of comfort.

Torque is delivered in a long smooth gush. There’s enough there to send us into the trees at the merest flick of an ankle, yet the chassis inspires confidence. Respect is mutual – it’ll look after us if not provoked.

We ease up for a few photos to find a gobsmacked biker ripping his helmet off and demanding to know what it was that he was following. “It sounds awesome,” he yells at us as we emerge from the gull wing doors.

Much discussion continues, the crux of which is that the two of us have emerged from a machine capable of matching the performance of some of Japan’s finest two wheeled insanity.

Just 75 Mosler MT-900s will emerge from the Norfolk factory for use this side of the Atlantic. Many observers have accused the Mosler of being nothing more than a race car with carpets. That’s not an entirely unfair accusation but it doesn’t do the car credit. The car is comparable to an Ultima – another “race car for the road” – but one that plenty of people are quite happy with.

Performance

Performance-wise, there are few cars to match it. In standard trim, it comes with a mighty 435bhp and torque to die for. Coupled with a kerb weight claimed at 1,000Kg, it’s a potent mixture. The huge tyres will help deliver that power and the wide, race-bred chassis will keep you glued to the road unless you’re very reckless.

Despite the race car origins, it’s a comfortable environment without race car rattles. Further tweaking will be done on the car  - kick plates, possible a carbon dash in place of the alcantara, etc, etc. It’s a good interior though – airy and comfortable. Access into the car is pretty easy and thanks to the expanse of glass it doesn’t feel claustraphobic or as snug as an Ultima.

Visibility is also good on the whole. It’s got a fairly large blind spot behind over your shoulder but with a bit of bowing and stretching it’s manageable. Vents in the engine cover give enough visibility behind although the only reason to look behind will be to see if you’ve lost your pursuers yet.

This car was left hand drive (RHD is available too) and the unfamiliarity and sense of width does make for a slightly nervous driving experience. A belief that every oncoming wrinkly in a Fiesta will catch the side of the Mosler does create a sense of unease!

Turning lock is good though and despite no power steering, it’s relatively easy to manouvre for a big car. The slick gearbox and torquey engine make low speed driving a breeze too.

Who will buy...?

It’s a curious car though. The most obvious competitor is the Ultima which is a bit smaller – easier on UK roads – cheaper, and speccing one as quick isn’t a problem. The Mosler’s larger cabin and greater exclusivity will win some fans though. The majority of Ultima owners also take the pleasure – and challenge – of building their own cars. Buying a Mosler off the shelf is therefore a somewhat different proposition.

I suspect most owners will – in no small part due to the £100,000 price tag – be collectors, or just very serious enthusiasts. There aren’t many scenarios that call for “I’m just nipping out in the Mosler”. Whilst the same could be said of F40s, they do benefit from a badge with more history than Mosler.

I don’t doubt that buyers will emerge for these 75 cars though. Finding an excuse to drive one won’t be difficult, so expect to see Moslers on the road soon with dozens of otherwise sane people popping out for 50 mile drives to get some milk…

Links

Thanks to Racing Green TVR for the photos

Author
Discussion

vetteheadracer

Original Poster:

8,271 posts

252 months

Wednesday 24th August 2005
quotequote all
Sat in this very car at Goodwood a couple of weeks ago, but wasn't allowed to take it for a spin around the track :banghead:
Parked next to a Diablo and a Koenigsegg it was definitely the best looking of the three IMHO.

If I had £100K (which I don't) I would have already paid my deposit........

.....except I would wait for the LS7 (7 litre engine from the new C6 Z06 Corvette) version............

dinkel

26,884 posts

257 months

Wednesday 24th August 2005
quotequote all
. . . or the Saleen S7-lump?

Great car and a nice review. Pics are a bit soso . . .

With proper cash I'd have the Superperformance Coupe . . . for this weeks offer.

I wonder what this car would do to an Ultima on trackdays . . .

Good to see cars that have that Countach-feel: essential driving without the worries of a radio or seat-heater . . .

mutt k

3,958 posts

237 months

Wednesday 24th August 2005
quotequote all
Ted, do you need an assistant by any chance? I could do the hard jobs for you, like, say, the car tests . . .

PetrolTed

34,424 posts

302 months

Wednesday 24th August 2005
quotequote all
Yep, managed to overexpose the pics unfortunately

cerbagriff

342 posts

240 months

Wednesday 24th August 2005
quotequote all
"Many observers have accused the Mosler of being nothing more than a race car with carpets". Well sounds fine to me - less is sooo much more and you really have to see this monster in the 'flesh' to appreciate it. I'd have one tomorrow if I could!

Viper

10,005 posts

272 months

Wednesday 24th August 2005
quotequote all
100K is good value compared to the similar looking Saleen, but the Mosler really needs a bit more ummpfff, at least 500 bhp

just off to check down the back of the sofa for loose change





>> Edited by Viper on Wednesday 24th August 12:00

vixpy1

42,620 posts

263 months

Wednesday 24th August 2005
quotequote all
Viper said:
100K is good value compared to the similar looking Saleen, but the Mosler really needs a bit more ummpfff, at least 500 bhp

just off to check down the back of the sofa for loose change





>> Edited by Viper on Wednesday 24th August 12:00


There is a 550bhp version available as well.

robdickinson

31,343 posts

253 months

Wednesday 24th August 2005
quotequote all
Whats that, £40-50k more than an ultima, £30-40k more than an m400? Looks nice tho

oppressed mass

217 posts

282 months

Wednesday 24th August 2005
quotequote all
"....There aren’t many scenarios that call for “I’m just nipping out in the Mosler”

I reckon there would be if you own a Mosler. How about

"I'm just nipping out in the Mosler because i can"

dds1

1,407 posts

257 months

Wednesday 24th August 2005
quotequote all
Hopefully test driving one of these this weekend if I am around. should be fun

PhantomPH

4,043 posts

224 months

Wednesday 24th August 2005
quotequote all
Looks very 'corvette' from the back.

Also looks (and sounds like it is) bloody massive!

rico

7,916 posts

254 months

Wednesday 24th August 2005
quotequote all
I'm a bit fan of the Mosler. Screams GT car for the road to me.

NJW 77

17,062 posts

237 months

Wednesday 24th August 2005
quotequote all
Pity poor Ted, doesnt he have a crap job (the bar steward)

L100NYY

35,075 posts

242 months

Wednesday 24th August 2005
quotequote all
Tough call though, a Mosler or one of these?

Gruffy

7,212 posts

258 months

Wednesday 24th August 2005
quotequote all
Gazboy said:
Anyone else think 430bhp isn't much for a 100 large?

Who cares about bhp? All about the 430bhp/ton (on the entry model!) power to weight ratio. Now that's what I'm talking about.

And at 1/3 of the price of the Saleen, I'll take 3 Moslers and cane the nuts off 'em until I've broken the first 2

Gruffy

Bomber Denton

8,759 posts

267 months

Wednesday 24th August 2005
quotequote all
Ted, jealousy is too weak a word! Awesome mate!

Viper

10,005 posts

272 months

Wednesday 24th August 2005
quotequote all
L100NYY said:
Tough call though, a Mosler or one of these?




the Saleen is the only current super supercar that interests me, its design is just so mean

you can keep all the others K'egg and such like, well perhaps not the Zonda

alanc5

295 posts

242 months

Thursday 25th August 2005
quotequote all
Gazboy said:
Anyone else think 430bhp isn't much for a 100 large?

Ted, how does it compare to the Cerb?


This is the same car that Tiff used to regain his fastest lap. It beat the Ducati bike too. From the looks on his face when he flawed it, to the overall results, this car has more than enough power. BHP is the wrong measure of permormance. The torque is supposed to be sensational- and you could see how it pinned him to the seat at low revs and continued its push through the range.

One of the favourite cars these, absoltey great, especially with the sequential pump action gearbox. Touring car sounds and feels, wow!

mjdavis

65 posts

255 months

Thursday 25th August 2005
quotequote all
Funny, a decade ago (even a few years ago), it would be silly to be here discussing the merits of two American "supercars". But here they are, and real Americans they are. Big V8s, not 3 liter V12s or turbo V6s. Lots of torque and no AWD. Good stuff, finally.

ahonen

5,015 posts

278 months

Thursday 25th August 2005
quotequote all
mjdavis said:
Funny, a decade ago (even a few years ago), it would be silly to be here discussing the merits of two American "supercars". But here they are, and real Americans they are. Big V8s, not 3 liter V12s or turbo V6s. Lots of torque and no AWD. Good stuff, finally.


Ah but one was designed and developed in Britain (the Saleen, done by RML in Northants), while the Mosler has had a lot of development in Britain and is built in Norfolk.

Bit like the GT40.