Wiesmann is back with a hand-built, screen-free sports car for real enthusiasts
Finally, a comeback that isn't another electric SUV with a giant screen
In a world drowning in touchscreens and two-tonne electric SUVs, here is something to gladden an enthusiast's heart. The cult German sports car maker Wiesmann is coming back, and it is doing so with exactly the kind of car the purists have been begging for: light, analog, hand-built and utterly focused on the joy of driving.
An unapologetically analog philosophy
Wiesmann could not be clearer about what this new car is, and is not. It prioritises low weight over digital gadgets, an analog driving feel over autonomous assistance, and a genuinely rewarding experience over screen real estate. There is, pointedly, no touchscreen dashboard, and the cabin is trimmed in leather and machined aluminium. In the company's own words, this is emphatically not another electric SUV with a 35-inch screen.
Hand-built, one at a time
Every Wiesmann will be fully hand-built at the brand's characterful Gecko Factory in Dulmen, Germany. More than that, each car is treated as a bespoke commission: no two will leave the factory in the same configuration, and owners are involved throughout the entire build process, choosing materials, finishes and equipment. It is coachbuilding in the truest sense, a world away from mass production.
A Dutchman helping steer the revival
There is a lovely Dutch angle here. Wiesmann has appointed Jasper den Dopper as its new chief technology officer, tasked with overseeing engineering, service and vehicle provenance, and with establishing an official service network across Europe and the US. Den Dopper is no stranger to cherished niche brands, having previously managed Spyker's technical heritage, parts supply and enthusiast owner network. His hiring signals that Wiesmann wants to look after its cars and customers properly for the long term.
Revealed at Pebble Beach
The new model will make its debut at Pebble Beach in late August 2026, one of the world's most prestigious stages for exclusive machinery. Owner and CEO Roheen Berry, who has led the company since 2016, is keeping the details under wraps for now, saying only: "We are working on something extraordinary and cannot wait to show it this year at Pebble Beach." Crucially, the engine, and whether it is combustion or electric, has not yet been revealed.
AutoNext Take
This is music to our ears. As the industry piles on ever more screens, weight and complexity, a small German maker doubling down on lightness, tactility and pure driver engagement feels almost radical. Wiesmann has always made gorgeous, characterful sports cars, and a comeback built on the things enthusiasts actually care about, rather than chasing tech trends, is exactly what we want to see. It sits beautifully alongside other analog dreams like the Automobili Mignatta Rina.
The big unknown is what powers it. A soulful combustion engine would suit the analog ethos perfectly, though Wiesmann has flirted with electric power before, so we will be watching Pebble Beach closely. Either way, the arrival of a bespoke, hand-built, screen-free sports car, with a passionate Dutchman helping look after it, is a genuine tonic. Welcome back, Wiesmann. We have missed you.
