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 – 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 Tyler Rampersaud – December 14, 2021

Maserati Classiche Authentication and Restoration Program...

Owning a Classic Maserati just got so much better. With over a century of automotive history within the brand, Maserati has a legion of classic cars loved by automotive enthusiasts all over the world. From the 3500 GT to the Mistral to the Ghibli, Maserati has spent the last hundred years creating beautiful pieces of automotive heritage. And now, Maserati Classiche, inaugurated December 14, 2021, allows classic Maserati owners to have the expertise and profession of Maserati themselves by their side. Maserati’s new Maserati Classiche program utilizes Maserati’s historical archive of documents on their previous models to verify the originality of classic Maseratis, produce parts that have since ceased production for excellent fit and improved reliability, perform routine repairs on classic Maserati cars, and restore and maintain their appearance to match the true beauty of the original car. MUST-READ: 80 Maserati Grecale SUV Prototypes Gather to Create Trident The first car to ever receive a Maserati Certificate of Authenticity from Maserati Classiche was a 1969 Maserati Mistral 3700 in the Auteuil silver color. Classic Maserati owners can request a Certificate of Authenticity on the Maserati Classiche Website for any limited-series Maserati, like the MC12 or limited edition Quattroporte, or any Maserati over 20 years old. Along with the Maserati Classiche program, to celebrate its inauguration, Maserati has also released a capsule wardrobe collection with men’s, women’s, and children’s clothing available on the Maserati Store. Now that owning a Classic Maserati is even dreamier than before, have a look at the Maseratis for sale on the duPont REGISTRY by clicking below. Classic Maseratis For Sale

By Edward Jones – November 16, 2021

80 Maserati Grecale SUV Prototypes Gather to Create Trident

The largest trident we've ever seen. The Maserati Grecale was originally meant to be unveiled today, November 16, but the Italian automaker has pushed back the premier to Spring 2022. While we do have to wait for the official unveiling, Maserati has at least given us a tease of the new luxury SUV in a spectacular manner. A total of 80 Maserati Grecale prototypes were brought together to create a 328-foot-long trident. Maserati also took the prototypes to the streets of Milan for some photos that can also be found in this article. While 80 prototypes may seem a lot for Maserati to create, there are actually over 250 development models spread across the world. Just imagine how big the trident would be if they used them all. If you'd like to add a luxury ride to your garage, be sure to check out all Maseratis for sale on duPontREGISTRY.com. Source: Maserati

1970 Maserati Ghibli 4 7 Spyder by Ghia 0

By Jordan Aquistapace – November 03, 2021

RM Sotheby’s Guikas Collection: 1970 Maserati Ghibli 4.7 ...

Presented by RM Sotheby's - Destined to remain in its native Italy when new, the Ghibli 4.7 Spyder presented here was shipped to Rome following its completion at Maserati’s facilities in Modena in February of 1970. Finished in Giallo over a black leather interior, it is one of only 83 production 4.7-liter Ghibli Spyders—and one of a mere 25 examples built to left-hand drive specifications, fitted with a manual gearbox, and delivered new to Europe. Originally delivered to an airline pilot based in Rome, this Ghibli Spyder was sold to an American around 1975 and was subsequently shipped to his home in Texas, where the car remained for the following 10 years. The car was then exported to Ontario, Canada, where it was enjoyed for several years prior to being restored to its present black-on-black color scheme. The restoration itself cost more than $85,000 and took more than two years to complete. At this time, the standard Ghibli wheels were replaced with a set of original Borrani wire wheels. These wheels were sourced through Carlo Borrani himself, who agreed to sell the then-owner four of the last 12 handmade wheels at a cost of approximately $12,000. Later returned to its native Italy, the Ghibli Spyder was bought there in 2017 by Mr. Guikas through RM Sotheby’s. It has travelled minimal milage since the completion of its restoration, and the approximately 50,000 km on its odometer at the time of cataloguing are believed to be original. Among the finest open-top Maserati models ever produced, these cars are rarer than a Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Spider and arguably more attractive. It goes without saying that they have always been desirable, and attractive examples such as this could form the cornerstone of any significant Maserati collection. RM Sotheby’s will present this vehicle as part of a single-owner collection comprised of 75 of the finest racing and road cars in the world, offered entirely without reserve. The Guikas Collection, to be sold at Paul Ricard Circuit in France in November 2021, presents pedigrees spanning from the endurance racing of the 24 Hours of the Le Mans to the world stage of Formula One and nearly everything in between. The collection of race cars will provide modern racing enthusiasts an introduction into virtually all vintage racing series worldwide, including GT and road cars that are equally impressive which offer a wide selection of Pre- and Post-War sports cars. View Listing

By Jordan Aquistapace – October 25, 2021

The Maserati x Fragment Capsule Collection Is Available Now

Italian supercar performance meets luxury Japanese streetwear. Earlier this year, automotive enthusiasts and streetwear collectors were shocked by the announcement of an upcoming Maserati x Fragment Collection. The Italian car manufacturer joins forces with Japanese multidisciplinary artist and designer Hiroshi Fujiwara to create an apparel line dedicated to the art of performance. Maserati x Fragment is proud to release its all-new collection featuring modest designs that pair perfectly with premium materials. MUST-READ: The All-New Motorsport Collection Is Available Now The collection includes a sweatshirt, zip-up hoodie, t-shirts, and a hat that all feature branded logos from the two industry leaders. The collection release merges Hiroshi’s sensitivity to contemporary street culture with Maserati’s boldness towards a new era of performance. The Fragment meets Maserati capsule collection is now available starting at $91. Shop the all-new apparel collection from Maserati x Fragment by clicking the link below. Shop The Maserati x Fragment Collection Media Source: Maserati

By Jordan Aquistapace – October 21, 2021

The Maserati Levante Trofeo Fuoriserie By Michelin Star C...

Levante Trofeo Fuoriserie Edition for Chef Alajmo: the tradition of Italian excellence illuminated by the brightness of the future. The Italian culture is known for mastering its involvement in two areas, cooking exquisite cuisine and manufacturing performance-focused sports cars. It's a way of life that renown 3-star Michelin Italian Chef Massimiliano Alajmo knows all too well. The team at Maserati is proud to welcome the youngest Michelin Star winning chef to its House of Trident family with an exclusive vehicle created under its customization division. The blank canvas began as a Maserati Levante Trofeo Fuoriserie Edition and quickly transformed to represent an extension of Alajmo. MUST-READ: Maserati Debuts F Tributo Special Editions of the Ghibli and Levante The Levante Trofeo Fuoriserie for Alajmo sports the colors of the chef’s logo: black for exteriors and gold for interiors. Along with the colors representing his branded logo, they also tie into some of the essential elements and ingredients found in the kitchen. According to Chef Alajmo, when adherence to the rules leads us away from our original goals and ideas, we must break these rules so to reaffirm the true essence of what we are doing, be it cooking, or automotive engineering. Levante Trofeo Fuoriserie Edition for Alajmo was unveiled at the Alajmo family’s three Michelin star restaurant, Le Calandre in Padua, on 20th of October, where guests enjoyed a unique “Golden Dinner”, a ‘Fuoriserie’ culinary experience created to celebrate the colors and flavors of this unique collaboration. View all current Maserati Levante models for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Maserati Levante For Sale on duPont REGISTRY Media/Information Source: Maserati

By Gabriel Vega – October 13, 2021

Maserati Debuts F Tributo Special Editions of the Ghibli ...

These new editions celebrate Maserati's racing history. The Maserati Ghibli and Levante are, without a doubt, the brand's best-selling models for the U.S. market. Banking on its history in motorsport, the Italian carmaker has decided to produce two new special edition versions of the pair called the F Tributo editions. The "F" in the name refers to the last name of five-time Formula One champion Juan Manuel Fangio. Fangio famously piloted one of the brand's most recognizable F1 cars, the 250F. The "Tributo" in the name simply means that these new special editions pay homage or tribute to the brand and Fangio himself. In terms of upgrades, these limited editions will come in one of two colors, Rosso Tributo (Red) and Azzurro Tributo (Blue). Maserati opted to include yellow accents throughout the exterior to tie these new vehicles to Fangio's F1 car, such as in the wheels and brake calipers. For the interior, both the Ghibli and the Levante feature full-grain black leather. However, you can pick between yellow or red contrasting stitching. Order the Levante, and you'll get 21-inch Anteo wheels in gloss black, while the Ghibli comes with 21-inch Titano wheels in gloss black. Power on both models comes from a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 developing 424 hp and 428 lb-ft of torque. All-wheel drive is available as an option; however, rear-wheel drive comes standard on both. Check out Levante and Ghibli models for sale below. Maseratis For Sale Source: Maserati

By Edward Jones – September 22, 2021

Maserati Grecale SUV Gets a Reveal Date

A new SUV will be joining the Maserati Levante. The new Maserati Grecale is set to be unveiled to the world on November 16th during an event in Milano. Maserati says that the new Grecale will "play a key role for the Brand and transform the everyday driving experience into something outstanding and extraordinary." As for the name, it follows Maserati's pattern of naming models after famous winds, starting with the Mistral. And... that's really all we know about the new Maserati SUV for right now. So, be sure to check back with us in the future for more information. Source: Maserati

By Edward Jones – July 08, 2021

Maserati Levante Trofeo Fuoriserie Edition for Massimo Bo...

This Maserati looks as though it drove through a rainbow. Maserati has unveiled the new Levante Trofeo Fuoriserie Edition for Massimo Bottura, a one-of-a-kind luxury SUV that's a stunning display of personality. Massimo Bottura is an Italian chef patron of Osteria Francescana, a three-Michelin-star restaurant. The design of this Maserati was inspired by Bottura's past growing up in the Motor Valley. It was here that he would race through the Emilian countryside, throwing splashes of mud on the cars leaving "racing scars" as he called them. For this SUV, however, the mud has been replaced with splashes of vivid colors that are as vibrant and delightful as the dishes Bottura creates. Making the design possible is Maserati Fuoriserie, the automaker's customization program. If you're looking to have your new Maserati customized in a unique way, be sure to check out everything that Maserati Fuoriserie can accomplish by talking to your local Maserati dealership. Source: Maserati

By Andrew Nabors – April 26, 2021

Maserati Unveils Levante & Ghibli Special Editions

The F Tributo celebrates victories January 17th, 1954 was the day of Maserati's first F1 race. Behind the wheel was Juan Manuel Fangio, and it was the beginning of a long winning streak. Fans of Fangio will enjoy the new F Tributo editions of the Levante and Ghibli. Both models are offered in 2 exclusive colors: Rosso Tributo and Azzurro Tributo. Several new styles of 21" wheels are also part of the package. The same exterior theme is replicated inside, and the vibrance will keep you smiling 24/7. Our Maserati dealers have hot Summer deals, so click the button to learn more! Browse Maserati For Sale Images (C) Maserati

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