Maserati News

McLaren W1 First Drive: Ferocious Hypercar Transcends the Track

You know things are getting serious when McLaren rolls-out the ‘1’ suffix. The origin story is, of course, the very first road car McLaren ever built, the F1. Designed by visionary Formula 1 aerodynamicist and engineer Gordon Murray, it arrived in 1992 and rendered all other supercars obsolete. The tiny, lightweight F1 embraced carbon-fibre material technology, adopted a radical centre seat driving position with two passengers set back and either side and was powered by a 6.1-litre V12 engine from BMW that might as well have been passed down directly from the Gods. Game-changer? That doesn’t even come close to describing its impact, even if at the time sales didn’t come easy… The P1 was very different. Rather than a unique side project from the Formula 1 team, it was instead a statement piece for McLaren Automotive, a new road car division still in its infancy. It arrived in 2013 and was a wild-eyed showstopper. It traded the long-legged gait and supple suspension of the F1 for a weaponized hybrid system capable of delivering 903bhp and huge blue flames from its drainpipe exhaust. In Race mode, it lowered by 2-inches and its massive concave rear wing extended into the sky. The P1 was all about aerodynamic downforce, crazed acceleration and a snorting, angry soundtrack that mixed venomous twin-turbocharged V8 with the manic whirr of electric motors. Not so much a car as a force of nature. And now there’s this: The W1. It’s a true successor to the P1 with a similar brief and, on the face of it, it evolves rather than radically reinvents McLaren’s vision for the ultimate hypercar. This is not a criticism. How could it be when the result is this dramatic and has such staggering, other-worldly potential? The W1 has 1258bhp delivered to the rear wheels. It’s capable of 0-124 mph in 5.8-seconds, the quarter mile in 9.6-seconds at 167 mph and produces 2205lbs of downforce at 174 mph. The active aerodynamics – particularly a rear wing that extends way out beyond the rear of the car – are pure performance art and deliver massive aerodynamic efficiency. The result, aside from looking extremely cool, is that the W1 is McLaren’s fastest road car around a racetrack. Ever. Their benchmark circuit is the breath-taking Handling Track at the Nardo proving ground in southern Italy, where the W1 beats their previous benchmark, the flyweight McLaren Senna, by three seconds per lap. Or “a lifetime” as they call it in racing. Maybe two lifetimes! Core to the W1’s performance is the new ‘Aerocell’ carbon fibre tub. With integrated seats and a raised footwell to allow for inboard pushrod-operated front suspension – which in turn gives air a clean path to the huge underbody diffuser – it’s light, stiff, space efficient and has been instrumental in McLaren realising a full ground-effect concept. Just like last year’s F1 cars, which were the fastest ever made. There is also an active front wing and the aforementioned complex rear wing dubbed ‘Active Long Tail’. All of which is very admirable. But the ‘anhedral’ or gullwing doors and the fantastically shirnked-wrapped feel to the minimalist, highly-focussed interior are a pretty good side effect. The W1 feels special. Those fixed seats are perhaps a shade more upright than expected, and the driving position is less obviously racecar than, for example, the Aston Martin Valhalla or Ferrari F80. However, once you’ve adjusted the pedals (they move on a slider) and the delicate, slim-rimmed and alcantara-trimmed steering wheel, there’s an overwhelming sense of purpose. The cabin is so tightly tailored and imparts a sense of lightness and agility before you so much as start the all-new 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, which makes 916bhp all on its own and revs to 9200rpm. Reach up to a roof-mounted control panel to find the starter button. Maybe this fighter plane trope is a little corny, but somehow you feel thrilled rather than manipulated. The W1 has a sense of humour as well as all that motorsport-derived sophistication. There’s a short delay, but when the engine does fire it’s instant – as the high-powered hybrid system negates the need for an old-school starter motor. A sharp flare of revs tells you that this engine is hyper-responsive and angry. On some deep level your brain and body have been sent all the signals required to prepare for something new and intense. Ahead of us, an empty Mugello racetrack, so press and hold the blue button next to the red starter to select Race mode. The centre display graphic shows the W1’s transformation in real time as it lowers by 37mm at the front and 17mm at the rear whilst simultaneously undocking all that active aero goodness. Race mode is not road legal and is geo-locked. You can show your friends and neighbours the aero dance, but it won’t allow you to select a gear to actually drive unless you’re at a circuit. Incidentally, the rocker switches either side of the display binnacle allow further options now: Toggle up the Handling control on the left for Race+ (for F1-spec super smooth tracks) or stick to Race for gnarlier ones. On the right toggle select ‘GP’ for sustained performance over a stint or ‘Sprint’ to unleash all 1258bhp for a time attack. There’s also a DRS and Boost function on the steering wheel. But I guarantee you won’t have the mental capacity to use them… Exit the pitlane, pin the throttle and W1 takes maybe a millisecond or two to gather its might (the gearing stretches to around 60mph in first, nearly 100mph in second, primarily to aid traction), but then lunges at the first turn with incredible ferocity. It instantly feels light, almost like inertia is no longer a thing. McLaren really does prize lightweight engineering, and at 3084lbs (dry) the W1 has a 278lbs advantage over the Ferrari F80. Plus, Ferrari uses figures for cars fitted with every single carbon fibre option. In reality, the gap is probably wider still. The impression of agility and stunning control continues as the track is unravelled at startling pace. The electric motor mounted to the side of the new 8-speed dual-clutch transmission is good for 342bhp and 324lb ft and it boosts any low rev lethargy the new flat-plane crank V8 might have (spoiler alert: It doesn’t appear to have any), so the W1 just feels massively, almost impossibly powerful at any revs. Even so, there’s real reward for wringing it out to 9200rpm and the power curve feels superheated but organic, too. In Race mode the steering – still hydraulically powered – has less assistance and it is noticeably heavier than other McLarens. However, that resistance is welcome as it gives you something to push against and imparts so much information about the front grip level. New Pirelli Trofeo RS tyres with a bigger front footprint than P1 or Senna really help. The front-end feels incredibly secure and the rear-axle follows with perfectly-aligned precision. The whole car feels super-stiff, completely locked into the surface and inspires confidence, but there’s an inherent agility and adjustability that means you’re quickly confident to push at its limits and really impose yourself on the chassis. It’s such a complex car but the driving experience is intuitive, and the driver feels a key contributor rather than just amazed (or terrified) observer, holding on for dear life. Every dynamic ingredient really is shockingly effective and yet has a subtlety and lightness of touch. From that delicious steering to the incredible brakes, the W1 just feels so mission-focussed, so hooked-up. Only the new 8-speed gearbox is a slightly disappointment. It’s fast and punchy, but after the scintillating energy of the Ferrari F80 ’box it feels competent rather than inspired. Other quibbles – it’s okay to quibble when the starting price is $2.1-million before tax and destination charge. Well, that new twin-turbocharged V8 sounds tightly wound and aggressive but if you have a P1 tucked in the garage you’ll miss the snorting, Darth Vader-style soundscape and all the drama that goes with it. Ferrari does this better, too. The F80 sounds deathly dull from the outside but is a riot of turbochargers, electric motors and all sorts of mechanical fury within the cockpit. Even so, the W1 is wildly entertaining on track, and the rear-drive configuration makes it more of a challenge and more satisfying than the F80 when chasing lap times or just sliding around for fun. In the Ferrari, you must second-guess what the front e-axle might do, whereas in the W1 it’s all on you. There are plenty of tools to help, including the ingenious Variable Drift Control, but somehow the W1 is more heroic. Or at least fools you into feeling more heroic – which is surely the point! On the road? Nimble, loaded with feel and sublime response. The ride is noticeably tougher than, say, a 750S but the control is ramped-up too, and with a bit more speed the whole car finds a delicious rhythm. Sport mode for the drivetrain brings some nice turbo whooshes and chirps, but the noise remains high-quality rather than extreme excitement. It is perhaps the one area the W1 feels just a little too tame. Of course, there’s nothing tame about the raw performance… which is genuinely shocking and literally hurts your neck muscles after a few hours. How McLaren has given the W1 such immense traction through just two driven wheels is beyond me. So, is it worthy of that ‘1’? I think so. Perhaps we won’t be talking about $25-million auction results for the W1 in 30 years from now, as we are for the F1. Perhaps it doesn’t quite have the amazing presence and jaw-dropping star quality of the simply gorgeous P1. But it is such an intense experience and the way it marries stunning track performance with delicate poise and entertainment on normal roads is something akin to magic. Maybe not ‘the one’ but definitely a searing, outrageous addition to McLaren’s fiercest family line. Just 399 W1’s will be built and they’re all sold. I’m not surprised at all. View All McLarens For Sale Images: McLaren Automotive

Maserati Brings Supercars, EVs & More To 2026 Brussels Motor Show

By Tyler Rampersaud – January 12, 2026

Maserati At The 2026 Brussels Motor Show

Over a century of history has made Maserati one of the most cherished and important names in the Italian automotive industry, and in 2026, the legendary manufacturer is celebrating a century of its presence in motorsport, as well as a century of its unmistakable Trident emblem. Kicking off the year, Maserati has brought a sizeable presence to this year’s Brussels Motor Show, showcasing its supercars, Fuoriserie special editions, and other vehicles that demonstrate the highest level of luxury and design excellence that the brand currently offers. Maserati’s new MCPURA Cielo, the open-top successor to the MC20 Cielo, was present at the show, along with the all-electric GranCabrio Folgore and Grecale Folgore, and the special edition Grecale Lumina Blu, and a VIP-exclusive event also saw the presence of the Maserati GranTurismo and GranCabrio Meccanica Lirica one-off, as well as the GT2 Stradale supercar. Created to celebrate a homecoming for the production of the GranTurismo and GranCabrio to Maserati’s historic Modena plant, the one-off creations are an homage to Modena’s historic connection with the automotive industry, as well as the city’s theatrical and musical heritage. Meanwhile, the GT2 Stradale is the road-going supercar meant to bridge the gap between the Maserati MC20 and the racing-bred Maserati GT2. Bringing the best of its current lineup to this year’s Brussels Motor Show, Maserati starts 2026 by showcasing its diverse offerings of both electric and combustion-powered models that, despite their differences, both combine luxury, performance, and iconic Italian automotive design. Whether it’s a grand touring convertible, a racing-derived supercar, or an all-electric luxury SUV, Maserati continues to deliver Italian flair and over a century of heritage with its cars. View All Maserati For Sale Image Source: Maserati

By Jordan Aquistapace – July 08, 2024

Maserati Is Set To Unveil Its Iconic MC20 Series at 2024 ...

Maserati is off to Goodwood in style. The Goodwood Festival of Speed remains one of the most prestigious automotive events for both manufacturers and car enthusiasts. It preserves every era of automotive excellence, showcasing historic and modern icons while giving drivers the opportunity to demonstrate their talents in thrilling hill sprints against the clock. From July 11 to 14, Maserati will participate in the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed, paying homage to its groundbreaking super supercar, the MC20. This Trident halo car was first introduced in 2020 with the innovative V6 Nettuno engine, available in coupé and convertible. This year, Maserati will unveil two special series of the MC20: the Icona and Leggenda, each limited to just 20 units, celebrating the brand's history and return to FIA GT. Maserati's MC20 Icona and Leggenda will each take center stage at the event, featuring liveries inspired by the victorious MC12. These special editions, with exclusive interiors from the Fuoriserie Personalization Program, will be on display in the Supercar Paddock alongside the MC12 Versione Corse and the stunning MC20 Cielo in Blu Victory. In addition to these track-focused supercars, Maserati will also showcase the GranCabrio Folgore, the first 100% electric convertible on the market, on Goodwood's Electric Avenue. The electrified convertible, featuring 800V technology, combines Maserati's sport-driven design with optimal and efficient performance. The Goodwood Festival of Speed aims to be a thrilling celebration of Maserati's legacy and future, with the MC20 series and GranCabrio Folgore taking center stage. View all Maserati MC20s for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Maserati MC20 For Sale Source: Maserati

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By Jordan Aquistapace – August 22, 2022

Maserati Makes Its Mark On The Pebble Beach Concours d'El...

The event, which began with the North American debut of the MC20 Cielo continued with activities at the exclusive “House of Maserati” at Pebble Beach. Monterey Car Week 2022 proved to be an action-packed event with an array of vehicle unveilings, giving the car community a sneak peek at what’s to come for industry-leading manufacturers. Of all in attendance, Maserati had an incredible presence throughout the week by displaying classic, modern, and futuristic examples. The festivities of The Quail: A Motorsport Gathering began with an unclose presentation of the all-new Maserati MC20 Cielo, led by Maserati Chief Executive Officer Davide Grasso and CEO of Maserati Americas Klaus Busse. Also on display during the event were the new Grecale Trofeo performance and the MC20 Coupé super sports car. Nearby, the elegant “House of Maserati” was created to provide a suitably luxurious representation of the Trident brand’s style, offering its friends typical Italian ‘La Dolce Vita’ hospitality. MUST-READ: Watch The Best 2022 Monterey Car Reveals On Sunday during The Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, the Maserati MC20 Cielo was one of the few examples on the Concept Lawn that attracted the attention of all the fans in attendance. The 630 horsepower open-cabin supercar accompanied the countless Maserati examples that entered the Concours d’Elegance, highlighting the historic timeline of Maserati and its passion for creating Italian performance cars. View all the current Maserati MC20 examples for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking on the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY for more upcoming luxury lifestyle news and Monterey Car Week 2022 releases. VIEW ALL MASERATI MC20 FOR SALE Source: Maserati

By Andrew Nabors – March 09, 2021

Master the MC20 at Maserati Driving Experience 2021

You deserve an Italian vacation after being locked down for a year. That's why we invite you to master the new MC20 at Maserati Driving Experience 2021. Varano is an ancient city on the road between Rome and Paris. Should you feel up for a challenge, this will be the 22nd year for the Master Maserati driving courses. These long weekends occupy 10 dates between May 27th to October 14th, and they are tailored for your skillset. The school has trained 7,000 owners from over 50 countries, but this is the first time they have included a supercar. The MC20 offers 621 horsepower and 538 lb-ft of torque and our dealers will be happy to sign you up. Stay with us for all your Maserati news. Shop Maserati Images (C) Maserati S.p.A.

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By Andrew Nabors – December 17, 2020

2021 Maserati MC20 Reveal Wins "World's Best Event"

Raising the bar for every other automaker, the 2021 Maserati MC20 reveal has won "World's Best Event". On the evening of September 19th, 500 guests were invited to Modena. An incredible production at the historic racetrack incorporated augmented reality and a projection screen of almost 7,000 square feet. The next day, downtown Modena and their historic Viale Ciro Menotti manufacturing plant were adorned in graphics to celebrate the history of the brand. Discover the Cover – November 2020: The New Maserati MC20 Supercar Because the festivities were simulcast around the world, they were awarded prizes for "Digital/Hybrid Brand Experience” and "Digital/Hybrid B2C" at the International Festival of Events and Live Communication. This festival judges almost all live events, so this is a big award for Maserati. Click the button below to view their latest inventory and stay with us for all your automotive events. Browse Maserati For Sale Images (C) Fiat-Chrysler

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