In 1989, a little-known French automaker, MVS, quietly introduced a mid-engine sports car poised to disrupt the market—not with raw performance, but with an unprecedented blend of comfort and exotic appeal. The Venturi was designed to be an accessible exotic, avoiding the harsh realities often associated with high-end sports cars.
The Underdog Story
MVS was founded by engineer Claude Poiraud and stylist Gérard Godfroy, who envisioned a French sports car that didn’t punish its driver. Starting with a VW GTI chassis mockup in 1984, they secured funding and partnered with race car builder Jean Rondeau by 1985. By 1987, the first production Venturis rolled off the line, built by a lean team of just 35 employees. This efficiency allowed MVS to sidestep many typical automotive manufacturing pitfalls. They focused on design and assembly, outsourcing parts from established suppliers like Renault and BMW, a strategy that kept costs manageable and quality high.
A Comfortable Exotic?
The Venturi’s appeal lay in its practicality. Unlike the cramped interiors of Ferraris or Corvettes, the Venturi offered generous space for even taller drivers. Its low sills and high door cuts made entry and exit easy, a stark contrast to the contortionist act required by some competitors. The car’s structure was stiff, minimizing rattles, even after 2,000 miles of testing.
MVS prioritized appointments and comfort. The interior featured high-quality leather and wood trim, with straight seams and refined finishes. While the turbocharged 2.5-liter PRV V-6 engine emitted some turbo snorting, the overall driving experience was far less stressful than that of other exotic brands. Acceleration was decent at 6.7 seconds to 60 mph, braking performed well, and handling was forgiving, making the Venturi approachable even for those not accustomed to high-performance cars.
Market Challenges
Despite its advantages, the Venturi faced an uphill battle. Priced at $68,900, it was only $9,000 cheaper than a Ferrari 328GTB, a far more established brand. The U.S. importer, North American MVS, ambitiously planned to sell 300 units in the first year, a tough goal for an unknown marque with no automotive heritage.
The Venturi represented a unique approach in a fashion-driven market. It offered an exotic experience without the usual sacrifices in comfort or refinement. Whether that was enough to overcome brand recognition and consumer preferences remained to be seen.
Ultimately, the MVS Venturi showed that an exotic car could be accessible, comfortable, and well-built. Its success, however, hinged on whether buyers valued practicality as much as prestige.
