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 07, 2022

Maserati Enters Formula E With The New Tipo Folgore Gen 3...

Lightning strikes Maserati’s racing efforts. Motorsport is an important part of Maserati’s history and with the latest announcement from the Italian luxury manufacturer, it will also be an important part of the brand’s future, as Maserati has announced the first fully-electric racing car in its history: the new Maserati Tipo Folgore Gen3, a new electric racer poised to join the ranks of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, which is entering its ninth season. MUST READ: The New Maserati Grecale’s Global Premiere Wins At The 2022 Art Directors Club Italia Awards It was at Maserati’s home in Modena, Italy where the new race car was revealed, and its blue livery pays homage to Maserati’s iconic brand color. It was 96 years ago when Maserati’s first race car, the Tipo 26, made its debut, finishing first place in its category at the 1926 Targa Florio with Alfieri Maserati driving. Named Folgore, just like its roadgoing electric vehicles, Maserati looks forward to seeing the Gen3 electric racer’s cutting-edge technology help shape electric vehicles that are driven on the world’s roads every day and move EV technology forward. The new all-electric race car looks forward to being tested in Valencia, Spain, and starting Formula E’s 17-race calendar in Mexico City on January 14, 2023. View All Maseratis For Sale Source: Maserati

By Tyler Rampersaud – November 16, 2022

The New Maserati Grecale's Global Premiere Wins At The 20...

This award shows that Maserati knows how to make an entrance. The new Maserati Grecale is the Italian luxury brand’s newest SUV, which is smaller than the Levante and unveiled by Maserati with the concept of “Everyday Exceptional.” With the option to have immense power coming from Maserati’s new Nettuno V6 engine in the Trofeo version of the small luxury SUV, the new car is practical, nimble, stylish, and powerful as any great Maserati should be. At the Art Directors Club Italia Awards, Maserati’s “Everyday Exceptional” premiere film for the Grecale earned gold in the Brand Entertainment category, as well as the Best Use of YouTube Award. MUST READ: Barbie Maserati Grecale Is An Ultra-Limited Edition Built For A Good Cause These awards stand for excellence in video production and creativity, and for Maserati, it proves just how much of a success the Grecale has been thus far, and the fact that audiences have been receptive to its features and performance. With the incredible success of the global premiere film for the new Maserati Grecale SUV, the outlook for the brand’s new SUV is quite optimistic. View All Maserati Grecales For Sale Source: Maserati

By Gabriel Vega – October 26, 2022

Barbie Maserati Grecale Is An Ultra-Limited Edition Built...

Unveiled earlier this year, the Maserati Grecale is one of the brand’s newest products and its latest volume play. It slots into a very popular section of the SUV market and can potentially be a big seller. The SUV unveiled today is the complete opposite, as it’s an ultra-limited model, limited to just two units. Built in collaboration with toy manufacturer Mattel and its Barbie brand, this latest Grecale variant has two main goals. The first is to show off the brand’s Fuoriserie customization program, which allows customers to tailor their car’s colors and materials to a much higher degree than a standard order. In keeping with that custom theme, this Grecale is the only one built with this bright specification. The Maserati is set to unveil the second unit some time in 2023. The second, and most important goal, is to raise money for Mattel’s Barbie Dream Gap project. The toymaker’s in-house global initiative focuses on raising money for charities worldwide to help provide equal opportunities for girls. According to Maserati, it’ll accomplish this by donating a portion of its sale price. The carmaker has yet to publish how much this unique Grecale costs. Outside, the Barbie Grecale is characterized by its bright pink paint and subtle yellow accents. According to Maserati, it features an iridescent topcoat that creates a rainbow effect under direct sunlight. Black wheels contrast nicely against the bright paintwork and match the subtle exterior Barbie branding on its front fender and rear quarter panel. Inside, it features a black leather interior with pink stitching throughout. Its embroidered headrests even feature a “B” instead of the usual trident logo. Behind the bright paintwork, this SUV is a Grecale Trofeo, meaning it’s powered by a 530-hp version of the brand’s twin-turbocharged Nettuno V6. This rare version of the Grecale was unveiled yesterday during the 2022 Neiman Marcus Fantasy Gifts gathering in Los Angeles, CA. View All Maserati Grecales For Sale Source: Maserati

By Tyler Rampersaud – October 25, 2022

Maserati Reveals The First Images Of The New GranCabrio P...

Maserati evolves its open-air grand tourer. The name Maserati evokes the idea of classic Italian driving pleasure, imagined scenes of winding coastal roads behind the wheel of a powerful, luxurious, and beautiful machine. With the top down, it gets even better. The Maserati GranCabrio spent years as Maserati’s convertible Italian grand tourer, and based on the Maserati GranTurismo, it had that exact power, luxury, and beauty. Now, a new Maserati GranTurismo has been revealed, and Maserati has announced that a new GranCabrio will be coming very soon. MUST READ: 2022 Maserati Ghibli Trofeo Review: A Transitional Period The first images of the prototype version of the GranCabrio have been revealed, and along with the GranTurismo, which includes the GranTurismo Folgore, Maserati’s first all-electric model, the GranCabrio will be the second model in the Folgore range. The new Maserati GranCabrio is expected to launch next year, and in the meantime, the prototype is undergoing testing to make sure that it lives up to the name it has achieved for years. View All Maseratis For Sale Source: Maserati

By Tyler Rampersaud – October 14, 2022

The New Maserati FTributo Special Edition Cars Honor Mari...

Maserati honors a groundbreaking moment in racing history. It was in 1955 that Maria Teresa De Filippis took the wheel of a Maserati A6GCS with Luigi Bellucci to win 9th place overall and 4th in the two-liter class at the 39th Targa Florio. Three years later in 1958, she would become the first woman to ever compete in Formula 1, that time with a Maserati 250F. It’s been 67 years since Maria Teresa De Filippis boldly defied convention with her racing career, and to honor that, Maserati has created the new FTributo Special Edition, a limited series of Maserati Ghibli and Levante cars that honor her story. MUST READ: 2023 Maserati GranTurismo Revealed With All-Electric Variant Two exclusive colors represent the FTributo Special Edition cars, Arancio Devil and Grigio Lamiera. Arancio Devil is a bright orange, and it’s named after a nickname that Maria Teresa earned: “the she-devil.” Grigio Lamiera is inspired by the track, where she, and with her, the Maserati brand forged their legacies in the racing world. The cars come with 21-inch wheels, and details throughout that represent the Maserati brand in cobalt blue or orange. The interior boasts full-grain leather and a color scheme that complements the exterior, with orange and cobalt blue stitching paired with black or natural upholstery. With bold styling that echoes her dedication to racing, these new special FTributo Maseratis lovingly revisit the history of Maria Teresa De Filippis. View All Maseratis For Sale Source: Maserati

By Tyler Rampersaud – September 30, 2022

A New Maserati Retail Concept Debuts In Milan

A new Maserati brand experience takes shape in Milan. Maserati has spent the past few years transforming its brand, from the introduction of a new flagship supercar, the MC20, built to carry the torch that the legendary MC12 lit, the new Grecale SUV, as well as a new version of the iconic GranTurismo luxury sports coupe. Now, Maserati is announcing that its retail concepts will follow a similar transformation to its lineup and the place where we are first able to witness that is in Milan, Italy. MUST READ: The New Maserati Project24 Track-Only Supercar Will Feature Unique Personalization The new store concept is in Milan’s Magenta district, and it’s called “sartoria | officina.” The reason for the name is that “sartoria” refers to a tailor’s atelier, whereas “officina” refers to a workshop. New York-based experience design firm Eight Inc. created the concept in conjunction with Maserati to showcase the cars’ beauty, luxury, and potential for customization. The hospitality of the facility is characterized by a counter where visitors can configure Maseratis and enjoy wine, espresso, or cold-pressed juice. With futuristic technology and 3D digital experiences as part of the concept, Maserati highlights its Fuoriserie customization program within the retail experience. By the end of 2022, the new concept will branch out from Milan into Hong Kong, Shanghai, Melbourne, Madrid, and Berlin, and starting in 2023, Los Angeles, Toronto, London, and Tokyo are next on the list. View All Maseratis For Sale Source: Maserati

By Tyler Rampersaud – September 27, 2022

The New Maserati Project24 Track-Only Supercar Will Featu...

Maserati’s new race car is abundant in performance, exclusivity, and style. One of Maserati’s strongest suits as a brand is in looks. When it comes to elegant design and Italian style and luxury, it’s difficult to find cars quite like Maseratis that capture the driving joy of Italian luxury performance cars as well as they do. The new MC20 is currently the greatest example of Maserati’s ability to roll performance, style, luxury, and innovation in one, and while the more performance-dedicated new Maserati Project24 is a track-only supercar, Maserati continues to do what it does best and make cars that boast unparalleled beauty and elegance. MUST READ: The New Maserati GranTurismo Is On The Streets Ahead Of Its Official Reveal This is achieved through Maserati’s customization program, Fuoriserie, through which customers will be able to personalize their Project24 cars to the highest level. Each Project24 car will be unique and customized by its owner, where it will make a statement on every track that it visits, both when it’s standing still and when it’s driving at intense speed. View All Maseratis For Sale Source: Maserati

By Tyler Rampersaud – September 14, 2022

The New Maserati GranTurismo Is On The Streets Ahead Of I...

The new Maserati GranTurismo is out and about. For Maserati, the GranTurismo is one of the brand’s most timeless examples of driving pleasure and luxury. A classic grand touring coupe, the car is inspired by the Maserati A6 1500 from 75 years ago, and its ethos of sports car joy has yet to fail in impressing drivers, enthusiasts, and collectors worldwide. The new generation of the GranTurismo is ready to be unleashed, and Maserati has taken it to the streets before it is officially revealed. Maserati has announced that the Modena and Trofeo versions of the new GranTurismo are equipped with the brand’s new Nettuno V6 engine, originally revealed with the MC20 supercar. MUST READ: NOVITEC Shows Off New Upgrades For The Maserati MC20 In the lightweight, mid-engined, and low-slung MC20, the engine is able to deliver incredibly quick 0-60 times and a top speed above 200 mph, however, the performance of the GranTurismo will likely be somewhat different, as Maserati has promised a driving experience true to the “gran turismo” name, with high performance but also comfort that is “suitable for long distances and comfortable journeys.” Maserati has also promised an all-electric version of the new GranTurismo, which will be named the GranTurismo Folgore, or “lightning” in Italian. The Folgore name will denote other all-electric offerings from Maserati, as well. As a new Maserati GranTurismo is on the horizon, new and improved technology continues to enhance a timelessly classic driving experience. View All Maserati GranTurismos For Sale Source: Maserati

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

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