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

By Edward Jones – March 29, 2018

Maserati Levante Trofeo Makes Debut at 2018 NYIAS

Maserati's new Levante Trofeo is the company's first SUV that has the heard of a V8 engine. This twin-turbo 3.8-liter V8 engine produces 590 horsepower and 538 lb-ft of torque available from 2,250 to 5,000 rpm. Mated to this engine is Maserati's Q4 Intelligent All-Wheel Drive System that uses all wheels for the fastest sprints possible. How quick, you ask? Maserati says the Levante Trofeo's 0 to 62 mph sprint can happen in 3.9 seconds.New Rolls-Royce "Wraith Luminary Collection" with Shooting Star Headliner

By Edward Jones – August 25, 2017

Maserati Ghibli GranLusso Revealed, Brings New Style and ...

When announced, the Maserati Ghibli was heavily praised for its entry-level price point, but luxury and power that was definitely not. After four years of the car's success, Maserati is giving the model range a new variant called the Ghibli GranLusso. This new variant sees modifications to both its design and technology.In the design department, the changes start off in the front-end where the Ghibli GranLusso has a new front fascia. Within this new front-end are chrome inserts and a grille with vertical chrome bars. It's easy to see that these changes allow the car to mix in with the style of the latest Maserati models. Along the sides, the new GranLusso badges can be found at the bottom of the front fenders. In the rear is a redesigned fascia that Maserati says the car a "sharper look to the model compared to the previous version."

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – February 22, 2016

Revealed: The 2016 Maserati Levante

Maserati fans have waited a long time for the company's first SUV to come to fruition, and it looks like the wait is just about over. The first ever SUV in Maserati's 100-year history is scheduled for unveiling at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show, but the car maker decided to give us a glimpse of the exterior a little earlier.Maserati Levante For Sale According to Maserati,The design of the Levante features clear associations with the Maserati brand and its distinctive Italian character: the aggressive front introduces new, tapered headlights separated into two elements, with the upper headlight unit connected to the radiator grille. Maserati's design signature is clearly visible on the sides: the three iconic air vents on the front wings, the trapezoidal C-pillar with the “Saetta” logo and the large, frameless door windows. The rear is dominated by the very tapered back window and streamlined shape, both typical of a high-performance sports car.The SUV will have great road-handling and excellent performance as well as a smooth, comfortable ride, features well-known to Maserati enthusiasts.Official unveiling is set for the Geneva Motor Show, though some first vehicles have already rolled off the assembly line and are scheduled for release in Europe in the spring. Release in the USA and other parts of the world, though not confirmed, can be expected later this year.Maserati For Sale

By Edward Jones – February 19, 2016

Maserati Levante SUV Leaked

Today, we get a sneak peek at the Maserati Levante SUV, which is supposed to be unveiled at Geneva in March. Leaked by Auto Week was a video that included stills of the new SUV.Auto Week also noted that it will be available with a 430 hp gas engine, and a 275 hp diesel engine. The three models will be the Levante 350, Levante 430 and the Levante Diesel, each utilizing a six-cylinder engine. The fastest will be the 430, which will run 0-62 mph in 5.2 seconds and have a top speed of 164 mph, with the 350 falling shortly behind at 6.3 seconds and 150 mph, and the Diesel at 6.9 seconds and 143 mph. They also say that it will have four-wheel drive and air suspension.While this is all we have at the moment, we will most certainly be getting official information in the near future, most likely before the Geneva Motor Show.Maserati For Sale

By Christina Avila – November 19, 2015

Maserati Shows Off New 2016 Line-Up at LA Auto Show

In Roman mythology, the trident was a powerful weapon yielded by only the bravest of gladiators. The three-pronged spear was simple in appearance but fierce inability, making it almost essential to any hard-fought victory.Maserati Levante For SaleFor over 100 years, Maserati has embodied the same characteristics, boldly branding the trident as their symbol in the automotive industry. With a century of vehicular excellence behind them, the Italian car company is set to debut a 2016 range that won’t disappoint.Just as a gladiator enters an arena, trident in hand, Maserati arrized at the Los Angeles Auto Show, ready for battle with a fully-loaded arsenal. In a press release today, Maserati showed off two of their latest additions to their big Italian family: the Ghibli S and the Quattroporte S.Armed with an impressive V6 engine, the S versions of the Ghibli and the Quattroporte can generate 410 hp, with rear-wheel drive. The latest models will also offer the exclusive Ermenegildo Zenga trim package, a collaborative design with the famous Italian fashion house. The results are a custom-fit woven silk interior available in three richly colored options – Nero, Cuoio and Rosso.Maserati will also had the GranTurismo coupe and convertible models on display at the show.Maserati For Sale (via Maserati)

By Caitlin Duffy – May 21, 2015

Hear the Mostro by Zagato Atelier For The First Time

There are few things that we know for certain about the new Mostro, coach built by Zagato Atelier, powered by Maserati, but what we do know is beyond impressive.It's the final car to appear on the list of registered vehicles for the 2015 Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este, which will occur May 23-24. It's listed as having an 8-cylinder engine and a Coupe Corsa body, and will be joining six other vehicles in the category of "Concept Cars & Prototypes," including Aston Martin's DBX Concept, the Lamborghini Asterion LPI 910-4 and the SCG003C #001 from Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus.And we now know that it sounds just as beautiful as it looks.A video added to YouTube today by Quattroruote shares with us the deep, purring growl of the Mostro's V8, and it is a soundtrack that cannot go on long enough. We even get an up close look at the interior in this video, seeing what appears to be a very sparse, minimalistic, racing-oriented design save for the lack of paddle shifters.(See Also: Maserati Alfieri Concept "Concept of the Year 2014" at Geneva)Be sure to give the video above a watch to see and hear this stunning new creature, and take a moment to browse our Maseratis for sale to find a cousin of this new Mostro for your garage. Stay with us as the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este draws to a close and more is released about this special guest.Maseratis For Sale (5/22/15 Update: An earlier version of this article referred to the Mostro as the Maserati Zagato Mostro, though the vehicle was not created by Maserati. To clarify the fact that this vehicle was coach built by Zagato Atelier and powered by Maserati, the title of the article and first reference to the vehicle have been adjusted.)(Source: YouTube, ConcorsodEleganzaVilladEste.com) See More Maserati News

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