Automobiles wearing the letter "W" hold niche appeal amongst enthusiasts who appreciate their rich histories or standout characteristics setting them apart. With limited production numbers adding exclusivity, these often six-figure vintage vehicles have attracted serious collectors willing to pay top dollar at high-profile auctions.
What exactly makes W cars so special and sought-after? For starters, old-school brands like Wiesmann, Wolseley and Willys pioneered innovative designs or technologies that shaped the wider automotive landscape over a century ago. Today, boutique manufacturers like W Motors advance bleeding-edge engineering and exotic materials into ultra-limited hypercars.
No matter the niche, understanding these unique models also means understanding wider automobile culture spanning eras and engineering ideologies. From interwar roadsters to contemporary supercars, W cars encapsulate a spirited, creative constant in the automotive sphere.
Let‘s explore seven of the most intriguing:
1. Wuling HongGuang Mini EV
China‘s runaway hit combines mini dimensions with mighty accessibility.
| Year | Units Sold | Growth |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 112,000 | – |
| 2021 | 978,000 | +773% |
| 2022 | 1,600,000 (est.) | +64% |
Backing up those sales figure, HongGuang‘s tiny $5,000 USD price tag made it the most affordable EV in China by far. With familiar city car shape, modern tech and livable 200 km (~125 mi) range, the popular Wuling attracted tech-savvy youth and rural buyers to EVs. By cleverly maximizing interior room around compact 24 kWh LFP batteries, versatility also allows commercial use for small business owners.
Wuling have announced updated models targeting 300 km range and more performance, keeping momentum as a leading micro mobility solution. Countries like India have taken interest in this formula addressing huge emerging market demand.
2. Weber Faster One
This German/Belgian collaboration aimed for lightweight extremes.
Weber Automotive advanced ambitions through partnerships with established racing firms. Their radical Faster One applied F1 construction standards towards an uncompromised street-legal machine.
Its bare carbon monocoque weighed just 70 kg (154 lbs) dry. Extensive titanium hardware secured suspension and braking components to the robust safety cell. The active rear wing and subtle splitter generated over 1 tonne (2205 lbs) of downforce loads for incredible grip when pressed hard into its race-compound tires.
Power came courtesy of a quad-turgo Audi 5.6L V10 shared with the R8 supercar, yet tuned to a phenomenal 1,200 horsepower and 1,180 Nm (870 lb-ft) torque fed through a 6-speed sequential paddle-shift gearbox. Just 10 customer cars saw production, with each example reportedly selling to collectors for around €1 million euros.
3. Wiesmann MF5 Roadster
This boutique German automaker stays dedicated to the pure roadster experience. Their MF5 model represents one current pinnacle through contemporary engineering applied tastefully upon classic charm.
Hand-hammered steel fenders swell organically from the MF5‘s slim aluminum chassis, echoing style from heritage racers and pre-war BMWs. Yet generous 20" wheels, meaty tires and adjustable suspension suggest serious sporting intent hiding beneath the long, elegant hood.
Peeking inside, rich leather and brushed metal finishes play against natural wood veneers and neat button controls. A wide firewall separates passenger space from mechanical works taking place just behind. It‘s a cozy tailored suit wrapping focused purpose.
Motivation comes courtesy of BMW‘s 4.8L V8. Refined internally to 455 horsepower and 500 Nm (369 lb-ft) torque, the creamy twin-cam powerplant eagerly revs to its 7,200 rpm limiter. A smooth 6-speed manual puts the power to rear 275-series rubber. An active limited-slip differential further elevates handling precision when pressing on.
Just 58 examples see production, representing purity through modern execution rather than nostalgic imitation.
4. W Motors Fenyr Supersport
This fledgling Lebanese supercar outfit debuted in 2015 aiming directly for the elite hypercar ranks. Featuring dramatic styling penned by designer Ralph Debbas, the Fenyr Supersport‘s jet fighter canopy hints at aviation inspiration throughout.
Beneath composite bodywork, the carbon fibre monocoque chassis weighs just 125 kg (275 lbs) dry. Suspension control arms bolt directly to the one-piece tub for ideal stiffness and responses. Inside the sleek cockpit, leather and machined metal finishes play up executive jet luxury against the visible carbon surfaces.
At the Supersport‘s heart lies a specially developed twin-turbo 4.0L flat-six pumping out 900 horsepower. mating to a 7-speed automated manual gearbox, acceleration force pins occupants against their seats as it blasts from 0-60 mph in under 3 seconds. Clam-shell doors flip open to step out and admire the wild creation now doing over 245 mph (394 km/h) at full tilt.
Just 25 examples exist as a showcase of dedication and technical mastery from this ambitious young firm.
5. Wolseley Hornet
Pre-dating most familiar automakers, Britain‘s Wolseley holds the title as longest-running marque still existing from 19th century origins. Although absent from today‘s showrooms, their cheeky Hornet roadster showed interwar styling and engineering advances.
One of the smallest 1930‘s British cars at just 134 inches (3.4 m) long and 52 inches (1.3 m) tall, the original Hornet‘s size matched its perky, lively temperament. Clever packaging placed its advanced overhead-camshaft engine mounted front to back for cabin space despite the diminutive wheelbase. Up front, hydraulic brakes afforded excellent stopping power from its upright seating position.
Priced affordably around £165 when introduced, its brisk performance, sharp handling and cute, cheerful styling won many fans through Production‘s end in 1936. Nearly 3 decades later, the philosophy of minimalist packaging and spritely dynamics lived on through the seminal Mini and Sprite roadsters.
6. WR LM87
This wild one-off exercise aimed squarely at extreme performance without limitation. Young designer Zagato spent 5 years perfecting its wind tunnel shape while revered Engineer Giugiaro focused immense power culled from a championship-winning 1980s Ferrari Formula 1 engine.
The stressed carbon chassis weighed just 750 kg (1653 lbs) alone, ready to mount a 650 horsepower 4.2L DOHC V12 piston engine lifted and bored from Ferrari‘s 312T3 racer. mating to a 5-speed manual, the mid-mounted powerplant propelled a claimed 257 mph (413 km/h) top speed potential, rivaling the fastest road cars of the era.
Carbon brakes and center-lock wheels contained immense cornering forces while active suspension tuning manipulated its enormous, adjustable rear wing for stability. Though a working prototype, the LM87 never reached series production. However its state of the art approach toward unrestricted performance influenced hypercar development for decades to follow.
7. Wiesmann MF3 Roadster
MF3 represents the purest expression of traditional roadster priorities using extensive modern execution over nostalgic imitation. First debuting in 2003, continuous development keeps its responsive character competitive even against today‘s algorithmic supercars.
Classic proportions promise rear-drive power with front-mid engine placement shifting weight rearwards. Generous dash-to-axle ratio hints at potent motivation once unleashed. Taut lines stretch over sustainable yet elegant hand-beaten steel panels following principles now fading from mass production.
Inside, six cylinders spin smoothly across the cabin, singing towards 7,200 rpm redline. Crisp manual engagement selects ratios with proper hydraulic clutch heft. Engine sound and steering feedback pass unfiltered to the driver‘s senses, enabling natural rhythm between man and machine.
While many modern performance cars push isolation and electronic augmentation, the MF3 rather represents simplified priorities distilled to fundamental nearly forgotten sensations. Its enduring appeal proves traditional sports car enthusiasms still thrive today.
As highlighted among the above diverse examples, these rare W machines hold distinction through bold style, fearless engineering or innate character unmatched by more ordinary transportation appliances.
Whether embodying cheeky minimalism, avant garde technology exercises or the last bastions of traditional craftsmanship, W cars occupy valuable niches on the enthusiast landscape.
Their limited availability and famous pedigrees have thus captured committed collector interest while spreading joy, pride and inspiration across the wider automotive community over decades.
Inclusively celebrating ALL facets pushing possibilities, the automotive landscape shines brighter thanks to their unique contributions. Let‘s continue appreciating the W cars daring to push boundaries at the innovative fringe!
