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 Tyler Rampersaud – October 28, 2023

1-of-23 2023 Maserati MC20 In Digital Mint Listed For Sale

Experience Maserati’s new supercar with an exclusive edge. The Maserati MC20 heralds a new era for the historic Trident brand, bringing a supercar to the manufacturer’s portfolio of beautiful Italian luxury machines for the first time since the ultra-exclusive MC12 of the early 2000s. With Maserati’s signature great looks, luxurious appointments, and the manufacturer’s powerful Nettuno V6 engine, the MC20 boasts a compelling combination of performance, luxury, and style. However, the exclusive Fuoriserie program from Maserati adds exclusivity and personalization at an elevated degree to the mix. This 2023 Maserati MC20 for sale at Alfa Romeo Maserati of Santa Monica in Santa Monica, California, is an incredible example of this customization. With only 23 examples like it in North America, it features a rare and head-turning spec that is fitting for any supercar of its caliber. The exterior boasts a matte paint finish, in a unique color named Digital Mint. Open the butterfly-style doors, and the exclusivity continues. You’ll be greeted to an interior upholstered in leather and Alcantara, both in an “Ice” color, reflecting the cold look of the minty exterior color. Unique touches include the chevron pattern in the seats, as well as the legendary Maserati Trident embroidered on each headrest. If you want to add Maserati’s new incredible supercar to your exotic car collection with a degree of exclusivity a step above, this could be just the car for you. View the price and listing by clicking below. View Price And Listing Image Source: Alfa Romeo Maserati of Santa Monica

By Gabriel Vega – March 07, 2023

Maserati MC20 GT2 Begins Track Testing Head Of June Debut

It'll race for the first time at this year's 24 Hours of Spa.

By Tyler Rampersaud – September 12, 2022

NOVITEC Shows Off New Upgrades For The Maserati MC20

The Maserati MC20 gets a NOVITEC makeover. Maserati’s new MC20 supercar is the realization of the performance potential that the Trident brand has left dormant for years. Its Nettuno V6 engine has revolutionary levels of performance and it marks the beginning of a new chapter when it comes to what Maserati is capable of in the supercar world. However, for companies like NOVITEC, even the best cars have room for improvement, and improvement is exactly what NOVITEC did with the MC20, giving it a performance and style upgrade that adds both extra speed and extra flair. MUST READ: Mod Squad: The World of Aftermarket Upgrades The new exhaust and performance upgrades that NOVITEC added to the MC20 raise power to a total of 711 horsepower, and torque comes up to an impressive 603 lb/ft. That performance comes with sportier looks to match, as the MC20 with NOVITEC upgrades gets a fresh set of wheels and an upgraded sport suspension. In addition, new aerodynamic pieces are seen throughout the car, all made of racing-inspired exposed carbon fiber, giving the beautiful Italian luxury supercar an intimidating and edgy twist. View All Maserati MC20s For Sale Source: NOVITEC

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 Tyler Rampersaud – July 13, 2022

Check Out The Maserati MC20 Going All Out At 180+ MPH On ...

Maserati’s newest performance flagship is in action where it can go full throttle, literally. Maserati’s new MC20 supercar is a statement of what Maserati is truly capable of when it comes to performance, beauty, and innovation. In this video, we get to see the car do what it’s built to do best: go fast, and it’s going to do that on what is probably the best road in the world to do that: the Autobahn. With no speed limit, there are few other places in the world that aren’t test tracks where a driver can truly let Maserati’s revolutionary Nettuno V6 engine sing. MUST READ: The New Maserati Grecale Trofeo And MC20 Cielo Take On The Goodwood Hillclimb On the road, the car was easily able to reach soaring speeds of over 180 mph, and even at such high performance it looks and sounds like the elegant Maserati that it is. Maserati has proudly created the Nettuno V6 as an in-house engine that makes the MC20 capable of ludicrous performance, like a top speed of 202 mph, and a 0-60 time of just 3.2 seconds, thanks to an incredible 621 horsepower and 538 lb/ft of torque coming from the V6 engine. If the stats didn’t prove that the MC20 is a worthy successor to the MC12 despite having only half the cylinders, this video certainly should. View All Maserati MC20s For Sale Source: YouTube/AutoTopNL

By Tyler Rampersaud – May 25, 2022

The New MC20 Cielo Is Maserati's Latest Spyder

Open-air Italian luxury comes to Maserati’s flagship supercar. The Maserati MC20 is the brand’s latest flagship supercar, and a show of force when it comes to Maserati’s capabilities in performance, luxury, and amazing style. Now, that gets even better with the introduction of the MC20 Cielo, the spyder version of the MC20. It features similarly incredible performance as its coupe counterpart thanks to Maserati’s Nettuno V6 engine and combines that with a luxurious and ingenious electrochromic glass roof that can be configured to be opaque or clear, and opens and closes in a mere 12 seconds. MUST READ: 2022 Maserati MC20 Review: A Fresh Take On A Winning Formula Refusing to compromise, the MC20 Cielo weighs less than 120 pounds more than the coupe, and the car was tested to ensure amazing performance with the roof both open and closed. In the style department, the MC20 Cielo only improves on its coupe cousin, with the coupe’s butterfly doors remaining. With the launch of the MC20 Cielo, a new color is introduced: Acquamarina, composed of layers of pastel grey and aquamarine mica. With the sky above and supercar power within, the Maserati MC20 just got even better. Source: Maserati

By Tyler Rampersaud – May 16, 2022

The New Maserati MC20 Cielo Is The MC20's Convertible Cou...

The Maserati MC20 goes al fresco. With summer fast approaching, it’s prime time for one of the most special joys in the automotive world, the open-air driving experience of a convertible. The Maserati brand speaks to a very specific convertible driving experience, that of the Italian Sun and the nearby Mediterranean Sea. No matter where you are in the world, however, Maserati is creating a slice of that fantasy with the new spyder version of the Maserati MC20 supercar, which the brand will call the MC20 Cielo. MUST READ: The GearBox: Maserati MC20 Hyper Style Cielo, meaning “sky” is exactly what the driver will experience in this new MC20 convertible, along with its incredible supercar performance provided by the Nettuno V6 engine with F1-derived technology. It’s bound to be a breathtaking car both to look at and drive, with incredible performance and open-air thrills. While the name has been revealed today, Maserati plans to shed more light on the Maserati MC20 Cielo on May 25. Source: Maserati

By Jordan Aquistapace – April 08, 2022

Maserati at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters 2022

Meet Maserati's new lineup at the tennis world's main stage. Since its initial launch, the Maserati MC20 continues to prove itself as the brand's re-introduction into the supercar market. Looking to showcase its performance-focused vehicle lineup to the public, Maserati hits the open road to visit the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters 2022 tennis tournament. Maserati is proud to sponsor the world’s most prestigious tennis event with the MC20 Fuoriserie and Grecale on-scene for all to enjoy. The two examples are beautifully displayed in the VIP Village, where guests can admire each vehicle up close with a breathtaking ocean view of Monte-Carlo. The special edition Maserati MC20 Fuoriserie features an exclusive livery that pays tribute to the iconic Maserati Birdcage, a successful vintage race chassis now celebrated as an icon to collectors and enthusiasts. Courtesy of the Maserati Fuoriserie customization program, this special MC20 accentuates the concepts of style and sportiness that bring the brand closer to the world of tennis. The Maserati Grecale Trefeo defines itself as an everyday exceptional sports SUV, perfectly blending versatility, elegance, performance, and innovation. The Trofeo version is equipped with a high-performance 530-horsepower Twin-Turbocharged V6 engine based on the Nettuno platform seen in the MC20 supercar. It embodies the most extreme aspect of Maserati, with the explicit focus on performance while never sacrificing comfort. Maserati is on-scene during the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters 2022 as the official car, with a dedicated fleet to keep the players and guests on the move. View all of the current Maserati models for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY for more upcoming supercar news and releases. View All Maserati For Sale Source: Maserati

By Tyler Rampersaud – December 21, 2021

Maserati Announces MC20 Cabrio Prototype Camouflaged in C...

Maserati’s new flagship supercar has its day in the sun, and now its driver does, too. The announcement of a successor to the legendary Maserati MC12 last year caused quite a stir, especially considering that the Maserati MC20 will out-accelerate its predecessor with an engine half the size, and a much smaller footprint in general. For the past year, however, the MC12 having a Targa top meant it had the open-air experience that the MC20 lacked. But alas, the MC20 delivers yet again as Maserati announces a new prototype for an MC20 Cabrio. MUST READ: David Beckham’s Maserati MC20 Revealed as a Celebration of Miami Camouflaged in a pattern of clouds to reference the sky being invited into the car’s convertible interior, Maserati has released photos of the new car, and also says that the body of the car will, like the coupe version, be made entirely of carbon fiber and composite materials. Maserati also says that the same will be true for the coming electric version of the MC20. Maserati has not said anything yet about whether the performance of the cabrio will be the same as the coupe, but we are sure the MC20 Cabrio will be exhilarating in every way. Source: Maserati

By Andrew Nabors – April 07, 2021

Maserati MC20 ARIA Unveiled by Seven Designs

Only 25 examples will be offered. The battle for V6 supercars is heating up. Those that won't abide by the McLaren Artura will enjoy the Maserati MC20 Aria from Seven Designs. This carbon fiber kit is based on a design language they have cultivated over three decades. Based in NYC, their goal is to evoke new emotions from Maserati owners by perfecting the lines of the car. If you missed the reveal, their latest offering has 630 horsepower and 542 lb-ft of torque; ad it hits 60 mph in only 2.9 seconds. Body kids are very divisive in this office, so we need you to tell us if this is a Home Run or foul ball. If you haven't confirmed your allocation for the MC20 our dealers stand ready to open the door to their next generation of performance. Find your new Maserati by clicking the button and stay with us for all your MC20 updates. Shop Maserati Images (C) 7 Designs

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