Mastretta MXT

The Mastretta MXT is an automobile produced by the Mexican car manufacturer Mastretta. It is the first car that Mastretta has designed without any foreign input. The MXT is based loosely on the Lotus Elise and the Audi R8. The MXT entered production on 1 January 2011. It has received national and international attention for being almost entirely produced and designed in Mexico. Production of the Mastretta MXT ended in May 2014.

Prototipo Cero
The MXT Prototipo Cero (Spanish for Prototype Zero) was the third automotive development by Mastretta and succeeded MXB and MXA kit-cars. The name "MXT" comes from Mastretta and Mexico as well as a reference to its Transverse engine configuration.

The Prototipo Cero was developed between 2004 and 2007, and was powered by a modified uprated Volkswagen inline-4 115 hp engine that is also used in the still-produced fourth generation Jetta. The increased power allowed the vehicle to reach 200 km/h however Mastretta decided the vehicle needed a more powerful engine. Production was originally set to begin in the first quarter of 2008 but the vehicle's release was postponed while Mastretta entered negotiations with several automobile manufacturers from which to acquire a more powerful engine.

Pre-production version


On 22 July 2008, the Mastretta MXT was presented at the British International Motor Show, held in London. Although the model shown was the prototype version, the company revealed that the final production version would be significantly different and specifications regarding the production model would be unveiled soon.

In 2009 Mastretta revealed the specifications and equipment to be equipped on the 2011 production MXT.

Standard features were planned to include racing bucket seats and seatbelts, Hella xenon headlights, ABS brakes, an SRS airbag system, 17 inch magnesium wheels, digital board instruments, Borla exhaust, an LCD display based digital MP3 and CD player entertainment system and automatic climate control system. The vehicle's security and safety features were specifically designed to surpass EU crash and safety standards and the vehicle was confirmed by lead designer Daniel Mastretta to already be undergoing tests to qualify for European quality and safety standards in 2009.

The 2011 serial-production MXT was powered by a 2.0 liter inline-4 with more than 240 hp, turbocharger and aftercooling allowing it to reach a top speed of over 230 km/h.

Three years after its first appearance on Automóvil Panamericano, the 2011 production model MXT debuted at the 2010 Paris Motor Show on September 30, 2010. The MXT entered production on 1 January 2011, at Mastretta's new factory in Mexico State with an expected 2011 production of 150 units. Around 70% (105 cars) will be exported to Europe and the United States, and 45 will remain for domestic sales.

Production version
The 2012 Mastretta MXT was officially introduced to the international motoring press at the Los Angeles motor show in November 2011. In production, it is constructed on a tube-frame monocoque chassis, using double wishbone suspension pieces front and rear, carrying coil springs and monoshocks. Carbon-fiber body elements and aluminum elements in the chassis contribute to a low curb weight of 930 kg. The engine is Ford's Duratec inline 4-cylinder, with an announced power output of 250 PS and 348 Nm of torque connected to a 5-speed manual gearbox.

Origin
Daniel Mastretta commented in London: We needed to create a great car because Mexico has no tradition of sophisticated sports car manufacturing. It is most important that our customers are delighted by the new MXT. That’s what we aimed to do from the first drawing of the car, but we also want to make our country proud of the MXT and to show the world what we can do.

Prices
The price for the MXT started at US$58,000 depending on options. Sales began in early 2011 in the United Kingdom and Mexico, followed by other countries including France and the U.S.