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 Andrew Nabors – March 11, 2021

Watch a Maserati MC20 Drifting in the Alps

The hills are alive with the sounds of 621 horsepower, so let's watch a Maserati MC20 drifting in the Alps. It looks like this Italian Stallion is ready to take on any competitor, so engineers are enduring the frozen conditions to make sure your MC20 will be flawless. The tests involve everything from climate control to the flexibility of rubber and composite parts. The Nettuno V6 is all-new, so the dry-sump oil system needs to feed the turbos and bearings regardless of the temperature. Here in Clearwater, several automakers use our hellish summers to heat soak their upcoming models, so it's nice to see the other end of the spectrum. Maserati is also celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Bora today, one of the most beautiful cars ever made. Click the button to find one for yourself! Shop Maserati https://www.facebook.com/Maserati/videos/1072309433258710 Image (C) Maserati S.P. A.

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.

By Andrew Nabors – January 27, 2021

Maserati MC20 Awarded Most Beautiful Supercar Of The Year...

Tonight in Paris, the Festival Automobile International will live-stream their annual gathering. The 36th-annual event will be live-streamed, so we will watch the Maserati MC20 be awarded "Most Beautiful Supercar Of The Year 2021". Developed entirely in-house, the famed coachbuilders are proud to say their supercar is 100% Italian. An all-new V6 doesn't share technology with their cousins at Ferrari. Exclusive to the MC20, the 2.9-liter twin-turbo churns out 630 horsepower and 538 lb-ft of torque. Plenty enough to reach 60 mph in 2.9 seconds. With a top speed of 203 mph, the public reveal also won the World's Best Event. What's more, the MC20 was the star and cover car of the November 2020 issue of duPont REGISTRY. Maserati For Sale Buy This Issue Now Image (C) Maserati S.p.A.

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

By Andrew Nabors – October 12, 2020

Maserati MC20 Development Details Divulged

Now that the MC20 has been formally unveiled, it is time to show some of the finer details. In their latest Social Media posts, the Maserati MC20 development details have been divulged. Without diving into the technical aspects, these images show the attention to detail we all admire. Maserati MC20 and Trofeo Collection Presented by Maserati of Long Island From their iconic Trident emblem on the battery to the clean routing of the high-voltage wiring, we can see the inverter, motor/generator, and wiring running to the front end. The simulator shows an impressive lap time, so tell us your favorite aspects of the MC20 and stay with us for all your Maserati updates. Browse Maserati For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – September 17, 2020

Maserati MC20 Arrives With Sonus Faber Audio

Car audio was once a booming (literally) sector of the aftermarket. But ever since infotainment systems have become more integrated and complex, the big names in audio are joining forces with the manufacturers. GM and Bose have been tied at the hip for 40 years, Ford offers Sony speakers, and Chrysler's Infinity system of the '90s was theater quality. Supercar owners demand the best, and that is why the Maserati MC20 will arrive with Sonus Faber audio. " width="680"> Maserati MC20 For Sale Twelve speakers each have their own channel in a 695-watt amplifier. Only the finest silk is used for the tweeter cones, and the system is sound-staged to cancel the less desirable sounds of the twin-turbo V6. Their goal was for the passengers to be able to visualize each instrument being played, something that is difficult to do even in the best concert venues. Maserati engineers have the same attention to detail for all their models, so click the button above to find yours and stay with us for all your Maserati news.

By Edward Jones – September 11, 2020

Maserati MC20 Configurator is Live: Build Your Own

Just after the Maserati MC20's unveiling, a configurator for the new supercar has gone live. This configurator gives us all a chance to live out our dreams and create the MC20 that we'd love to see in our garage. In the configuration are a few options that will have you decided for some time. For me, it was deciding on a color. I ended up picking Giallo Genio (yellow) and pairing it with blue calipers and the 20-inch Corsa Design Forged Wheels in matte Dark Miron. Inside, I chose the Nero/Blue Cielo design because that blue is just so striking. My only gripe is that it doesn't quite match the blue of the calipers. Pre-Order Your Maserati MC20 Maserati also lets you add a few options to your MC20, like the Exterior Carbon Fiber Package, Interior Carbon Fiber Package, Maserati Trident stitched onto the headrests, Sonus Faber sound system, Sport Suspension with suspension lifter and a lot more. Below you can see the other colors offered, which include Bianco Audace (white), Rosso Vincente (red), Blu Infinito (blue), Nero Enigma (black) and Grigio Mistero (silver). Click the button if you'd like to build your own Maserati MC20. Build Your MC20

By Edward Jones – September 09, 2020

The Maserati MC20 Revealed - A New Era for the Trident

Unveiled today, September 9, 2020, is the new Maserati MC20. This new supercar is setting the tone for Maserati's new and exciting era. As a successor to the MC12, the MC20 has big shoes to fill but its design, specs and technology point to a perfect fit. Powering the new MC20 supercar is Maserati's new Nettuno engine, a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 engine. This powerplant produces 630 horsepower and 538 lb-ft of torque. With a weight of just 3,307 lbs, its power-to-weight ratio are best-in-class. Maserati notes that the MC20's combination of a weight power will allow it to sprint from 0 to 60 in under 2.9 seconds. It will also have a top speed of over 201 mph. For the MC20's design, Maserati took inspiration from their history. From the front, design cues from the MC12 can be found in both the grille and placement of the hood's air vents. Unlike the MC12, however, the MC20 does feature butterfly doors that Maserati says provides function and ergonomics. As for the overall aerodynamics of the MC20, Maserati put it through its paces. To be more specific, they put it through over 2,000 man-hours in the Dallara Wind Tunnel. This allowed Maserati's designers to create a sleek vehicle with a drag coefficient under 0.38. And if you're looking for a rear spoiler, that's a bit hidden as it's an active and discreet rear wing. Inside the Maserati MC20 is a cabin that's dedicated to the driver. Maserati designed the interior in a way so the driver has all functions readily available to them with minimal distractions. Highlights of the interior include the two 10-inch screens (one acting as the instrument screen and the other for multimedia), carbon fiber center console, wireless smartphone charger, and a convenient storage compartment underneath the armrest. Maserati says that the new MC20 will be connected at all times, allowing the driver to take advantage of connected navigation, Alex and a Wi-Fi hotspot. All of these connected features can be controlled through the Maserati Connect app. Alongside the launch of the new Maserati MC20, the Italian automaker is also announced six new colors that they have developed for the supercar. This includes Bianco Audace, Giallo Genio, Rosso Vincente, Blu Infinito, Nero Enigma and Grigio Mistero. One important point that Maserati has discussed whole revealed the MC20 is that this is not nearly the one and only variant that we will see. They state that the MC20's design will not only allow them to create a coupe version, but also a convertible one and, get this, a fully-electric one. Yes, in the future we will more than likely be seeing an all-electric MC20 supercar. Production of the new Maserati MC20 supercar is slated to beginning at the end of 2020 with orders being accepted right now. View All Maseratis for Sale

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