Prototipo Cero The
MXT Prototipo Cero (Spanish for
Prototype Zero) was the third automobile developed by Mastretta, succeeding the
MXB and MXA kit cars. The name "MXT" refers to the car's
Me
Xican origins, and to its
Transverse engine configuration. The Prototipo Cero was developed between 2004 and 2007, and was powered by a modified
straight-four Volkswagen EA827 engine. This configuration allowed the vehicle to reach , but Mastretta decided the vehicle needed more power. Production was originally set to begin in the first quarter of 2008, but the vehicle's release was postponed while Mastretta negotiated with several automobile manufacturers to source a more powerful engine.
Pre-production version On 22 July 2008, the Mastretta MXT was unveiled at the
British International Motor Show in
London. The car shown was the prototype, but the company announced that the final production version would be significantly different, and that production specifications would be released soon. In 2009 Mastretta revealed the specifications and equipment for the 2011 production MXT. Standard features were to include racing bucket seats and seatbelts,
Hella xenon headlights, ABS brakes, a
Supplemental Restraint System, 17 inch magnesium wheels, digital instrument panel, a
Borla Exhaust system, an LCD based digital MP3 and CD player entertainment system, and an automatic climate control system. The vehicle's security and safety features were specifically designed to exceed EU crash and safety standards, and lead designer
Daniel Mastretta reported that the vehicle was already undergoing tests to qualify for European quality and safety standards in 2009. The 2011 production
MXT was powered by a
turbocharged,
intercooled 2.0-liter
straight-four engine with more than , allowing it to reach a top speed of over . Three years after its first appearance on
Automóvil Panamericano, the 2011 production model
MXT debuted at the
2010 Paris Motor Show on 30 September 2010. The
MXT entered production on 1 January 2011 at Mastretta's new factory in the
State of Mexico, with an expected 2011 production of 150 units. Around 70% (105 cars) were to be exported to Europe and the United States, and 45 were to be 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 and of torque connected to a 5-speed manual gearbox. ==Origin==