Mexico’s first sports car is now on the market, and after naysayers scoffed at the idea that the country could produce such a thing, the car’s creators feel they have a lot to prove.
In 2004, Mastretta Cars announced that it would be entering the sports car world and they had more than a fair share of critics, especially those in Europe who laughed at the idea of a well made sports car being designed and made in Mexico.
Then, in November of 2010, Carlos and Daniel Mastretta presented the production version of the high-performance sports car to the press and more than 600 car enthusiasts, as well as details of production and marketing for national and international markets.
Later this month, the Mastretta MXT will finally be ready to leave the factory floor and hit the roads of Mexico.
The two-seater is said to be capable of going to 0 to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds, and is said to have been built for those that want to take to the tracks. It costs roughly $58,000 and as chief financial officer of Mastretta Cars, Jean-Paul Capin said, “On the track, it’s a giant killer.”
“You can race against really high-end sports cars, Porsches and Corvettes, because of the power-to-weight ratio and the way the cars are set up,” Chapin said. “On the track, they are highly competitive against those cars at a fraction of the price.”
The Mastretta website boasts:
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.
And though some don’t doubt the capabilities and the quality of the car they are still unsure whether Mexico can compete with the established go-to sports car manufacturers.
Mexico is currently ranked as the 10th largest auto manufacturer in the world, but only time will tell where it will rank on the list of top sports car manufacturers.
