Mosler MT900: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|High-performance sports car}} |
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The '''MT900''' is a [[sports car]] built in the [[United States]] by [[Mosler]]. Three submodels have also been produced. The '''[[#MT900R|MT900R]]''' was a racing version of the MT900. The basic car was updated as the '''[[#MT900S|MT900S]]''' for [[2005]], with the '''[[#Photon|MT900S Photon]]''' being its racing variant. The original MT900 was introduced in [[2001]] and the MT900S continues in production. Components for 25 MTs were produced as of January, 2005, though only three road cars and eleven racing versions have officially been completed. |
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{{Use American English|date=April 2023}} |
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{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2023}} |
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{{Infobox automobile |
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| image = MoslerMT900-3.jpg |
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| name = Mosler MT900 |
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| manufacturer = [[Mosler Automotive]] |
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| aka = |
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| production = 2001–2011 |
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| assembly = [[Florida]], [[East Dereham]] (final assembly) |
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| predecessor = [[Consulier GTP|Mosler Raptor]] |
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| successor = |
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| doors = [[Butterfly doors|Butterfly]] |
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| class = [[Sports car]] ([[S-segment|S]]) |
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| body_style = 2-door [[coupé]] |
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| layout = [[Rear mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout|Rear mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive]] |
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| platform = |
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| engine = 5.7 L ''[[GM LS engine#LS1|LS1]]'' [[V8 engine|V8]]<br> 7.0 L ''[[GM LS engine#LS7|LS7]]'' V8 |
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| transmission = [[ZF Friedrichshafen]] 6-speed [[manual transmission]] |
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| wheelbase = {{cvt|109|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} |
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| length = {{cvt|189|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} |
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| width = {{cvt|79|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} |
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| height = {{cvt|44.5|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} |
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| weight = {{cvt|1488|lbs|kg|0|abbr=on}} |
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| sp = US |
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| related = |
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| designer = Rod Trenne |
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}} |
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The '''Mosler MT900''' is a high performance [[sports car]] built by now-defunct American automotive manufacturer [[Mosler Automotive]]. |
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==MT900== |
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Three submodels were produced. The '''MT900R''' was a racing version of the MT900. The basic car was updated as the '''MT900S''' for 2005, with the '''MT900S Photon''' being an optional performance package. The original MT900 was introduced in 2001 and the MT900S finished production in May 2011. Components for 25 MTs were produced as of January 2005, though only about 35 road cars and 50 racing versions have officially been completed (c.20 of which are MT900S). The MT900 was the replacement for the [[Mosler Raptor]]. |
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The MT900 was designed by Rod Trenne, who previously worked on the [[Chevrolet Corvette|Corvette]] C5. The name stood for '''M'''osler, '''T'''renne, and the car's '''900''' [[kilogram]] (1984 lb) target weight. |
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==MT900== |
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The MT900 used a [[carbon fiber|carbon-fiber]] chassis with a ''[[GM LS engine#LS1|LS1]]'' [[V8]] engine mounted amidships, powering the rear wheels. Power output is 350 hp (261 kW), with 350 ft·lbf (475 N·m) of [[torque]]. A [[ZF]] [[transaxle]], designed for [[Porsche]], was mounted upside down to allow the engine to sit in front of the rear axle. |
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{{Infobox automobile |
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| image =Mosler MT900 at the British International Motor Show 2006.jpg |
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| name =Mosler MT900 |
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| manufacturer = |
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| aka = |
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| production =2001<br>1 produced |
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| assembly = |
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| predecessor = |
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| successor = |
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| class = |
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| body_style = |
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| layout = |
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| platform = |
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| engine =5.7 L ''[[GM LS engine#LS6|LS6]]'' [[V8 engine|V8]] |
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| transmission = |
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| wheelbase = |
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| length = |
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| width = |
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| height = |
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| weight ={{cvt|1175|kg}}<ref name="Car and Driver MT900" /> |
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| related = |
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| designer = |
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}} |
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The MT900 was designed by Rod Trenne, who previously worked on the [[Chevrolet Corvette|Corvette]] C5. The initials were for Mosler, Trenne, and the car's 900 kilogram (1984 lb) target weight. |
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The original MT900 weighed 1175 kg (2590 lb), much more than the target weight, but could still accelerate to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 3.5 seconds according to ''[[Car and Driver]]''. The MT900 they tested could also do a 12.0 second quarter mile at 118 mph (190 km/h), and they recorded a top speed of 150 mph (241 km/h), limited by the redline. More impressive, the MT900 pulled 1.02 g on the skidpad. The EPA estimated 19 and 28 mpg (12.4 and 8.4 L/100 km) in city and highway driving, respectively. |
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The MT900 used a [[carbon fiber|carbon-fiber]] chassis with a ''[[GM LS engine#LS6|LS6]]'' [[V8 engine]] mounted amidships, powering the rear wheels. Power output is {{cvt|350|hp}}, with {{cvt|350|lb·ft}} [[torque]].<ref name="Car and Driver MT900">{{Cite web|url=https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a15139113/mosler-mt900-road-test-review|title=Mosler MT900|last=Neil|first=Dan|date=2001-03-01|website=Car and Driver|language=en-US|access-date=2019-10-09}}</ref> A [[ZF Friedrichshafen|ZF]] [[transaxle]], designed for [[Porsche]], was mounted upside down to allow the engine to sit in front of the rear axle. |
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The car had a somewhat plain exterior was designed for [[aerodynamics]], with a low 0.25 [[coefficient of drag]]. List price was [[USD|US$]]164,000. Sales were certainly slow, however, with some reports even indicating that not a single road version of the MT900 was sold. |
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The original MT900 weighed {{cvt|1175|kg}}, much more than the target weight, but could still accelerate to {{cvt|60|mph}} in 3.5 seconds according to ''[[Car and Driver]]''.<ref name="Car and Driver MT900" /> The MT900 they tested could also do a 12.0 second quarter mile at {{cvt|118|mph}},<ref name="Car and Driver MT900" /> and they recorded a top speed of {{cvt|150|mph}},{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} limited by the redline. The MT900 pulled 1.02 g on the skidpad.<ref name="Car and Driver MT900" /> The [[United States Environmental Protection Agency|U.S. Environmental Protection Agency]] (EPA) estimated {{cvt|19|mpgus}} and {{cvt|28|mpgus}} in city and highway driving, respectively.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} |
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The car had a somewhat plain exterior designed for [[aerodynamics]], with a low 0.25 [[coefficient of drag]]. List price was [[USD|US$]]164,000. Sales were certainly slow, and only a single prototype was produced.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} |
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{{-}} |
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==MT900R== |
==MT900R== |
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{{Infobox automobile |
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| image =Mosler MT900R.jpg |
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| name =Mosler MT900R |
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| manufacturer = |
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| aka = |
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| production =2001–2011<br>Approx. 30 produced |
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| assembly = |
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| predecessor = |
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| successor = |
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| class = |
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| body_style = |
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| layout = |
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| platform = |
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| engine =5.7 L ''[[GM LS engine#LS1|LS1]]'' [[V8 engine|V8]] |
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| transmission = |
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| wheelbase = |
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| length = |
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| width = |
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| height = |
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| weight ={{cvt|1020|kg}}{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} |
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| related = |
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| designer = |
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}}[[File:Mosler MT900 R.jpg|left|thumb|MT900 R at the 2022 Le Mans Classic]] |
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Introduced at the same time as the basic MT900 was the race-ready |
Introduced at the same time as the basic MT900 was the race-ready MT900R. It was designed for use in various international motorsports series for an estimated price of $119,000. The MT900R made its competition debut at the 2001 [[24 Hours of Daytona]], and would be campaigned by a factory Mosler team for the full season of the [[Grand American Road Racing Championship]]. The entry finished the year ninth in their class championship. |
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For 2002, the French Perspective Racing team would become the full-season entry in Grand American and saw an improvement in performance. At Daytona the MT900R finished 13th overall and fifth in their class before winning at the next round at [[Homestead-Miami Speedway]], helping the team to third in the championship. Rollcentre Racing and Balfe Motorsport (with aid from Rollcentre) would bring the Moslers to Europe in 2003, starting the [[British GT Championship]] year strong with three straight one-two finishes, before finishing the year with four more victories. The Rollcentre squad edged out Balfe for the championship that year. In Grand American, the Moslers were moved to the faster GTS class, but Perspective Racing improved on the previous year's Daytona effort with a ninth-place finish and the class victory. Mosler Automotive would take one more victory that season. |
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The MT900R won the British and Spanish GT championships, and the car was competative in the FIA GT championship as well. Three MT900s were entered at the May, 2005 RAC Tourist Trophy race at Silverstone, England, finishing second, fifth, and twelfth. The car also took a class win at the FIA GT race in Imola, Italy. |
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Martin Short's Rollcentre Racing team also took their MT900R to a second-place finish in the inaugural [[Bathurst 24 Hour]] in [[2002 Bathurst 24 Hour|2002]] at the famous [[Mount Panorama Circuit]] in [[Bathurst, New South Wales|Bathurst]], [[Australia]]. Rollcentre backed this up in the [[2003 Bathurst 24 Hour|2003 race]] with a fifth-place finish. The MT900R proved very quick on the circuit's Mountain and Conrod Straight's (both over 1 km in length), with Short finding he was able to match the speed of the [[Holden Monaro 427C]]'s which used an Australian developed version of the larger 7.0L (427cui) V8 engine used in the [[Chevrolet Corvette C5-R]]'s at [[24 Hours of Le Mans|Le Mans]], as well as the 6.0L [[Lamborghini V12 engine|V12]] powered [[Lamborghini Diablo GTR]]. |
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Rollcentre and Balfe would continue in the British GT Championship in 2004, although Balfe would also enter the [[Spanish GT Championship]]. The Moslers would struggle in British GT and score no wins, but Balfe was able to earn two victories in Spanish GT, winning the drivers' championship by a mere point. 2005 would see Balfe entering the [[FIA GT Championship]], although the car was not [[homologation|homologated]] and could not fight for points. Rollcentre would go on to win the [[Britcar]] 24 hours at [[Silverstone Circuit|Silverstone]]. Escuderia Bengala and Escuderia Motor Terrasa would compete in Spanish GT, while Eclipse Motorsport and Cadena GTC took over British GT competition. |
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===MT900 GT3=== |
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Launched in late 2006, the Mosler MT900 GT3 was an attempt by Rollcentre Racing to adapt the MT900R for compliance to the new [[FIA GT3]] category used in various championships. However, the lack of production Moslers led to the FIA rejecting the homologation and forcing Rollcentre to turn elsewhere. The car is allowed into the [[International GT Open]], [[Australian GT Championship]] and [[Belcar]] series along with the British GT championship which runs to GT3 rules, but has not been approved for other series which use the GT3 category. MT900R GT3's use the [[GM LS engine#7.0 L|LS7]] 7.0L [[V8 engine|V8]] (427cui) rather than the [[GM LS engine#LS1|LS1]] 5.7L (350cui) version from the original MT900R. |
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==MT900S== |
==MT900S== |
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{{Infobox automobile |
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| image =Purple Mosler MT900S.jpg |
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| name =Mosler MT900S |
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| manufacturer = |
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| aka = |
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| production =2003–2010<br>20 produced |
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| assembly = |
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| predecessor = |
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| successor = |
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| class = |
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| body_style = |
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| layout = |
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| platform = |
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| engine =2001–2006 5.7 L ''[[GM LS engine#LS1|LS1]]'' [[V8 engine|V8]]<br>2007–2010 7.0 L ''[[GM LS engine#LS7|LS7]]'' [[V8 engine|V8]] |
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| transmission = |
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| wheelbase = |
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| length = |
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| width = |
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| height = |
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| weight ={{cvt|998|kg}}{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} |
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| related = |
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| designer = |
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}} |
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The MT900 underwent several changes to become the '''MT900S''', with {{cvt|435|hp}}{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} from its Corvette Z06-derived ''[[GM LS engine#LS6|LS6]]'' V8. The car weighs {{cvt|998|kg}} without fuel.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} |
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An early prototype MT900S, despite being up {{cvt|390|lb|order=flip|0|abbr=}} and down {{cvt|65|hp}} from the production version, posted a 0-60 mph time of 3.5 seconds and a quarter-mile time of 12 seconds flat.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} |
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A newer edition with {{convert|600|bhp|abbr=on|0}} accelerated {{cvt|0|to|60|mph}} in 3.1 seconds in a ''[[Car and Driver]]'' test in early 2006.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.caranddriver.com/roadtests/10768/road-test-review-2006-mosler-mt900s-page2.html |title=Road Test Review: 2006 Mosler MT900S - Car and Driver - April 2006 |access-date=2006-04-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060417123653/http://www.caranddriver.com/roadtests/10768/road-test-review-2006-mosler-mt900s-page2.html |archive-date=2006-04-17 }}</ref> |
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In June 2005, Mosler announced that they had reached EPA and [[California Air Resources Board]] (CARB) certification on the MT900S, allowing road car sales to begin in the United States. The price was set at $189,000 with two examples having been built as of January 2005. American filmmaker [[George Lucas]] took delivery of the first street-legal MT900S in December 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/20/george-lucas-receives-first-mosler-mt900-supercar/?|work=[[Autoblog (website)|Autoblog]]|title=George Lucas receives first Mosler MT900 supercar|first=Damon|last=Lavrinc|date=December 20, 2006|access-date=April 16, 2023}}</ref> |
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==Photon== |
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The MT900 underwent several changes to become the '''MT900S'''. It now boasts 435 hp (324 kW) from its Corvette Z06-derived ''[[GM LS engine#LS6|LS6]]'' V8. The car weighs just 2200 lb (998 kg) without fuel. |
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{{Infobox automobile |
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| image = |
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| name =Mosler MT900S Photon |
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| manufacturer =Mosler Automotive |
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| aka = |
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| production =2003–2010<br>2 produced (1 2003 and 1 2010) |
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| assembly = |
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| predecessor = |
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| successor = |
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| class = |
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| body_style = |
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| layout =Mid-engine Rear Drive |
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| platform = |
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| engine =5.7 L ''[[GM LS engine#LS6|LS6]]'' [[V8 engine|V8]] 2003 <br>7.0 L ''[[GM LS engine#LS7|LS7]]'' [[V8 engine|V8]] 2010 |
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| transmission =Hewland 6-speed |
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| wheelbase = |
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| length = |
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| width = |
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| height = |
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| weight ={{cvt|898|kg}} |
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| related = |
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| designer = |
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}} |
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A '''MT900S Photon''' variant is available which adds a [[Hewland]] [[transmission (mechanics)|transmission]], thinwall subframes, Dymag carbon fiber [[magnesium]] wheels, [[titanium]] springs, and [[Graphite-reinforced plastic|carbon fiber]] seats and bodywork, reducing the car's weight to just under its initial target at {{cvt|898|kg}}.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} As of January, 2011, a second Photon had been built and was sold for use in the United Kingdom. |
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{{-}} |
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==MT900SGT== |
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An early prototype MT900S, despite being up 390 lb (177 kg) and down 65 hp (48 kW) from the producion version, boasted a 0-60 time of 3.5 seconds and a quarter-mile time of 12 seconds flat. |
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{{Infobox automobile |
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| image = |
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| name = Mosler MT900SGT |
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| manufacturer = |
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| aka = |
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| production = none built |
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| assembly = |
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| predecessor = |
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| successor = |
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| class = |
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| body_style = |
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| layout = |
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| platform = |
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| engine = 7.0 L ''[[GM LS engine#7.0 L|LS7]]'' [[V8 engine|V8]] |
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| transmission = |
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| wheelbase = |
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| length = |
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| width = |
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| height = |
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| weight = {{cvt|1080|kg|0}}{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} |
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| related = |
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| designer = |
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}} |
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In 2010, Mosler announced they would release a facelifted version of MT900, based on the MT900M which participated in [[2010 Super GT season]]. A rendering was made of the facelifted MT900 which was as far as the redesign progressed. In May 2011 production was stopped and the factory closed down. |
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{{clear}} |
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==MT900M== |
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In June, 2005, Mosler announced that they had reached [[EPA]] and [[CARB]] certification on the MT900S, finally allowing road car sales to begin in the [[United States]]. The price is set at $189,000 with two examples having been built as of January 2005. |
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{{Infobox automobile |
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| image = ThunderAsia MT900M 2011 Super GT Fuji 250km.jpg |
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| name = Mosler MT900M |
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| manufacturer = |
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| aka = |
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| production = 2010–2011 |
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| assembly = |
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| predecessor = |
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| successor = |
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| class = |
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| body_style = |
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| layout = |
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| platform = |
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| engine = 3.4 L ''[[Judd (engine)|Judd]]'' [[V8 engine|V8]] |
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| transmission = |
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| wheelbase = |
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| length = |
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| width = |
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| height = |
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| weight = {{cvt|1080|kg|0}}{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} |
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| related = |
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| designer = |
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}} |
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[[File:Melvin Choo 2010 Super GT Fuji 400km qualify.jpg|thumb|left|Mosler MT900M GT300 car at the [[2010 Fuji GT 400km]] ]] |
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In 2010 Super GT season, the MT900M made its debut at the second round of the season in [[Okayama International Circuit|Okayama]] by Thunder Asia Racing, a GT300 team based in [[Singapore]]. Unlike the other MT900 entered in previous Super GT seasons, it uses a 3.4-liter V8 [[Judd (engine)|Judd]]-powered engine and an aero kit specified for the GT300 class regulations. |
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{{-}} |
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== |
== Citations == |
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{{Reflist}} |
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== General and cited references == |
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A '''MT900S Photon''' variant is available which adds a [[Hewland]] [[transmission (mechanics)|transmission]], thinwall subframes, BBS [[magnesium]] wheels, [[titanium]] springs, and [[Graphite-reinforced_plastic|carbon fiber]] seats and bodywork, reducing the car's weight to just under its initial target at 898 kg (1980 lb). This is technically a $50,000 option package for the MT900S. As of January, 2005, a single Photon had been built and was sold for use in the United Kingdom. |
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{{refbegin}} |
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* {{Cite journal|title=Mosler MT900 Preview|url=http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=19&article_id=3114&page_number=1| journal=[[Car and Driver]]|first = Dan | last = Neil|date=March 2001|volume=46 | issue = 9|pages=34–40}} |
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* {{Cite journal|title=No Quarter|journal=[[Sports Car International]]|first=Ray | last = Thursby|date=March 2003|issue=155|pages=40–44}} |
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* {{Cite web|url=http://www.motortrend.com/features/auto_news/112_news050617mosler/|title=Mosler MT 900 Supercar Comes To America|work=[[Motor Trend]]|date=17 June 2005|access-date=June 22, 2005 }} |
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{{refend}} |
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== |
==External links== |
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* {{Official website|http://www.moslerindustries.com/}} |
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* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090917013551/http://www.australiangt.com.au/car_specs_mosler_mt900_gt3.php Australian GT Championship Mosler] |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Mosler Mt900}} |
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* {{journal reference|Title=[http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=19&article_id=3114&page_number=1 Mosler MT900 Preview]|Journal=[[Car and Driver]]|Author=Dan Neil|Year=March, 2001|Volume=46.9|Pages=34–40}} |
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[[Category:2010s cars]] |
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* {{web reference|URL=http://motortrend.com/features/news/112_news050617mosler|title=Mosler MT 900 Supercar Comes To America|work=[[Motor Trend]]|date=June 22|year=2005}} |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Cars introduced in 2001]] |
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[[Category:Cars discontinued in 2011]] |
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[[Category:Mosler vehicles|MT900]] |
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[[Category:Rear mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive vehicles]] |
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[[Category:Sports cars]] |
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Latest revision as of 13:10, 12 April 2024
| Mosler MT900 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Mosler Automotive |
| Production | 2001–2011 |
| Assembly | Florida, East Dereham (final assembly) |
| Designer | Rod Trenne |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Sports car (S) |
| Body style | 2-door coupé |
| Layout | Rear mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive |
| Doors | Butterfly |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 5.7 L LS1 V8 7.0 L LS7 V8 |
| Transmission | ZF Friedrichshafen 6-speed manual transmission |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 109 in (2,769 mm) |
| Length | 189 in (4,801 mm) |
| Width | 79 in (2,007 mm) |
| Height | 44.5 in (1,130 mm) |
| Curb weight | 1,488 lb (675 kg) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Mosler Raptor |
The Mosler MT900 is a high performance sports car built by now-defunct American automotive manufacturer Mosler Automotive.
Three submodels were produced. The MT900R was a racing version of the MT900. The basic car was updated as the MT900S for 2005, with the MT900S Photon being an optional performance package. The original MT900 was introduced in 2001 and the MT900S finished production in May 2011. Components for 25 MTs were produced as of January 2005, though only about 35 road cars and 50 racing versions have officially been completed (c.20 of which are MT900S). The MT900 was the replacement for the Mosler Raptor.
MT900
[edit]| Mosler MT900 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Production | 2001 1 produced |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 5.7 L LS6 V8 |
| Dimensions | |
| Curb weight | 1,175 kg (2,590 lb)[1] |
The MT900 was designed by Rod Trenne, who previously worked on the Corvette C5. The initials were for Mosler, Trenne, and the car's 900 kilogram (1984 lb) target weight.
The MT900 used a carbon-fiber chassis with a LS6 V8 engine mounted amidships, powering the rear wheels. Power output is 350 hp (260 kW), with 350 lb⋅ft (470 N⋅m) torque.[1] A ZF transaxle, designed for Porsche, was mounted upside down to allow the engine to sit in front of the rear axle.
The original MT900 weighed 1,175 kg (2,590 lb), much more than the target weight, but could still accelerate to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 3.5 seconds according to Car and Driver.[1] The MT900 they tested could also do a 12.0 second quarter mile at 118 mph (190 km/h),[1] and they recorded a top speed of 150 mph (240 km/h),[citation needed] limited by the redline. The MT900 pulled 1.02 g on the skidpad.[1] The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimated 19 mpg‑US (12 L/100 km; 23 mpg‑imp) and 28 mpg‑US (8.4 L/100 km; 34 mpg‑imp) in city and highway driving, respectively.[citation needed]
The car had a somewhat plain exterior designed for aerodynamics, with a low 0.25 coefficient of drag. List price was US$164,000. Sales were certainly slow, and only a single prototype was produced.[citation needed]
MT900R
[edit]| Mosler MT900R | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Production | 2001–2011 Approx. 30 produced |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 5.7 L LS1 V8 |
| Dimensions | |
| Curb weight | 1,020 kg (2,250 lb)[citation needed] |
Introduced at the same time as the basic MT900 was the race-ready MT900R. It was designed for use in various international motorsports series for an estimated price of $119,000. The MT900R made its competition debut at the 2001 24 Hours of Daytona, and would be campaigned by a factory Mosler team for the full season of the Grand American Road Racing Championship. The entry finished the year ninth in their class championship.
For 2002, the French Perspective Racing team would become the full-season entry in Grand American and saw an improvement in performance. At Daytona the MT900R finished 13th overall and fifth in their class before winning at the next round at Homestead-Miami Speedway, helping the team to third in the championship. Rollcentre Racing and Balfe Motorsport (with aid from Rollcentre) would bring the Moslers to Europe in 2003, starting the British GT Championship year strong with three straight one-two finishes, before finishing the year with four more victories. The Rollcentre squad edged out Balfe for the championship that year. In Grand American, the Moslers were moved to the faster GTS class, but Perspective Racing improved on the previous year's Daytona effort with a ninth-place finish and the class victory. Mosler Automotive would take one more victory that season.
Martin Short's Rollcentre Racing team also took their MT900R to a second-place finish in the inaugural Bathurst 24 Hour in 2002 at the famous Mount Panorama Circuit in Bathurst, Australia. Rollcentre backed this up in the 2003 race with a fifth-place finish. The MT900R proved very quick on the circuit's Mountain and Conrod Straight's (both over 1 km in length), with Short finding he was able to match the speed of the Holden Monaro 427C's which used an Australian developed version of the larger 7.0L (427cui) V8 engine used in the Chevrolet Corvette C5-R's at Le Mans, as well as the 6.0L V12 powered Lamborghini Diablo GTR.
Rollcentre and Balfe would continue in the British GT Championship in 2004, although Balfe would also enter the Spanish GT Championship. The Moslers would struggle in British GT and score no wins, but Balfe was able to earn two victories in Spanish GT, winning the drivers' championship by a mere point. 2005 would see Balfe entering the FIA GT Championship, although the car was not homologated and could not fight for points. Rollcentre would go on to win the Britcar 24 hours at Silverstone. Escuderia Bengala and Escuderia Motor Terrasa would compete in Spanish GT, while Eclipse Motorsport and Cadena GTC took over British GT competition.
MT900 GT3
[edit]Launched in late 2006, the Mosler MT900 GT3 was an attempt by Rollcentre Racing to adapt the MT900R for compliance to the new FIA GT3 category used in various championships. However, the lack of production Moslers led to the FIA rejecting the homologation and forcing Rollcentre to turn elsewhere. The car is allowed into the International GT Open, Australian GT Championship and Belcar series along with the British GT championship which runs to GT3 rules, but has not been approved for other series which use the GT3 category. MT900R GT3's use the LS7 7.0L V8 (427cui) rather than the LS1 5.7L (350cui) version from the original MT900R.
MT900S
[edit]| Mosler MT900S | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Production | 2003–2010 20 produced |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 2001–2006 5.7 L LS1 V8 2007–2010 7.0 L LS7 V8 |
| Dimensions | |
| Curb weight | 998 kg (2,200 lb)[citation needed] |
The MT900 underwent several changes to become the MT900S, with 435 hp (324 kW)[citation needed] from its Corvette Z06-derived LS6 V8. The car weighs 998 kg (2,200 lb) without fuel.[citation needed]
An early prototype MT900S, despite being up 177 kg (390 lb) and down 65 hp (48 kW) from the production version, posted a 0-60 mph time of 3.5 seconds and a quarter-mile time of 12 seconds flat.[citation needed]
A newer edition with 600 bhp (447 kW) accelerated 0 to 60 mph (0 to 97 km/h) in 3.1 seconds in a Car and Driver test in early 2006.[2]
In June 2005, Mosler announced that they had reached EPA and California Air Resources Board (CARB) certification on the MT900S, allowing road car sales to begin in the United States. The price was set at $189,000 with two examples having been built as of January 2005. American filmmaker George Lucas took delivery of the first street-legal MT900S in December 2006.[3]
Photon
[edit]| Mosler MT900S Photon | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Mosler Automotive |
| Production | 2003–2010 2 produced (1 2003 and 1 2010) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Layout | Mid-engine Rear Drive |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 5.7 L LS6 V8 2003 7.0 L LS7 V8 2010 |
| Transmission | Hewland 6-speed |
| Dimensions | |
| Curb weight | 898 kg (1,980 lb) |
A MT900S Photon variant is available which adds a Hewland transmission, thinwall subframes, Dymag carbon fiber magnesium wheels, titanium springs, and carbon fiber seats and bodywork, reducing the car's weight to just under its initial target at 898 kg (1,980 lb).[citation needed] As of January, 2011, a second Photon had been built and was sold for use in the United Kingdom.
MT900SGT
[edit]| Mosler MT900SGT | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Production | none built |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 7.0 L LS7 V8 |
| Dimensions | |
| Curb weight | 1,080 kg (2,381 lb)[citation needed] |
In 2010, Mosler announced they would release a facelifted version of MT900, based on the MT900M which participated in 2010 Super GT season. A rendering was made of the facelifted MT900 which was as far as the redesign progressed. In May 2011 production was stopped and the factory closed down.
MT900M
[edit]| Mosler MT900M | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Production | 2010–2011 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 3.4 L Judd V8 |
| Dimensions | |
| Curb weight | 1,080 kg (2,381 lb)[citation needed] |
In 2010 Super GT season, the MT900M made its debut at the second round of the season in Okayama by Thunder Asia Racing, a GT300 team based in Singapore. Unlike the other MT900 entered in previous Super GT seasons, it uses a 3.4-liter V8 Judd-powered engine and an aero kit specified for the GT300 class regulations.
Citations
[edit]- ^ a b c d e Neil, Dan (March 1, 2001). "Mosler MT900". Car and Driver. Retrieved October 9, 2019.
- ^ "Road Test Review: 2006 Mosler MT900S - Car and Driver - April 2006". Archived from the original on April 17, 2006. Retrieved April 21, 2006.
- ^ Lavrinc, Damon (December 20, 2006). "George Lucas receives first Mosler MT900 supercar". Autoblog. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
General and cited references
[edit]- Neil, Dan (March 2001). "Mosler MT900 Preview". Car and Driver. 46 (9): 34–40.
- Thursby, Ray (March 2003). "No Quarter". Sports Car International (155): 40–44.
- "Mosler MT 900 Supercar Comes To America". Motor Trend. June 17, 2005. Retrieved June 22, 2005.