Thursday 30th September 2010

Paris: Mastretta MXT

Mid-engined Mexican makes our Chimis Changa - possibly

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All the way from Mexico the Mastretta MXT is the tequila to the Lotus Elises's nettle tea.

The mid-engined sports car comes with a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine boasting 240bhp and 184lb ft of torque.

You're not going mad if you think you've seen the MXT before - it's been doing the rounds for years in concept form, but the car here in Paris is apparently the real deal.

The MXT comes with the option to switch between 'road' and 'race' mode - so it's a safe bet that the MXT has been designed for a life on the limit.

To add credence to that, Mastretta is remaining tight lipped on its final weight, but they've previously claimed they're looking to hit 900kgs.

That'll be around Lotus Elise weight then... More power, similar weight, £33,000 price tag and a distinctive design...

The MXT could teach us Gringos a lesson. Or not.

[Maiathualdar]

Ugly

[Frimley111R]

not.

[LuS1fer]

Ugly

[Nicodema]

A bit like a rounded off Prodrive P2, looks wise.

[Carsie]

Lol! - "One man's meat........" I like it

[leghorn]

Looks better in Orange!

[ManOpener]

Nicodema said:

A bit like a rounded off Prodrive P2, looks wise.

That's what it reminded me of.
I like it. If it comes to the UK at the £30k price bracket it might just steal some of Lotus' thunder. Not that they have that much thunder to steal these days...

[louismchuge]

Looks like a cheap kit car to me

The proportions aren't great either

[doodles19]

Ugly.

[SR06]

leghorn said:

Looks better in Orange!

looks like an XR2 kit car!

[Mr Gearchange]

Could whoever is taking photo's at the show please attach a flash to their camera?

[SR06]

God I hate it when these small companies pop along to the local caravan centre to buy rear lights for a trailer.

[Cotty]

It looks odd and I don't like those front light covers

[deevlash]

[BriC175]

Jesus! That basically looks like the same car!!

I do like it though

[SAndals]

[quote=deevlash]

Who makes that Conti GT knock off in the background???

Have Hyundai switched which manufacturer their basing their Coupe on this year?

[SWoll]

BriC175 said:

Jesus! That basically looks like the same car!!

I do like it though

Yeah, it's uncanny.......

Other than the fact that they both have 4 wheels and are silver I don't see any particular similarities.

The second is the worst Audi R8 knock off ever!

[teen_cerbera]

Baby Gumpert?

[torchy6]

Maiathualdar said:

Ugly

That's the first thought that came into my head also - doesn't anyone build pretty cars anymore

[GTRene]

not bad me thinks...ok maybe not a beauty, but a lot of fun cars aren't anyway
price is good too.