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 – February 21, 2022

Maserati's New Personal Service Lab Makes Maintenance A B...

Owning a Maserati comes with a whole host of new perks. The Maserati Personal Service Lab introduces Maserati customers to a new range of services that provide a luxury experience to perfectly match the ownership of an icon in the Italian luxury automotive world. With the new Pick-up & Delivery and Courtesy car services, Maserati owners can enjoy convenience and luxury not only in their car, but also when their car is getting serviced. Maserati’s Pick-up & Delivery service allows the Maserati owner to have their car taken to be serviced from an address that they specify, and when that service is completed, the car will be taken back to the exact same address. This way, Maserati owners with busy lives with family, work, or social obligations can make sure that their car always gets the attention it deserves. MUST READ: Maserati’s Family Fleet Grecale Takes To The Streets, And Drops Major Hints Along with that is the Courtesy Car service. This service allows Maserati owners to drive a Maserati provided by the dealership, while their own Maserati is being serviced. This also provides luxury and convenience to the same people who need to continue their busy lives, and can’t afford the time to wait for work to be done on their car. These services will be available at Maserati dealerships, and can be purchased at any point during your ownership of a Maserati, and having them makes owning a Maserati just that much better. See All Maseratis For Sale Source: Maserati

By Tyler Rampersaud – February 15, 2022

Maserati's Family Fleet Grecale Takes To The Streets, And...

“Ciao. I’m the Maserati Grecale. I can’t tell you much more.” That’s the simple greeting displayed on the side of the latest Maserati Grecale SUV. Ahead of its premiere, the SUV has already been out and about on the street and playing a part in the daily lives of the Maserati Family as part of the Maserati Family fleet. The Grecale’s makers, designers, and engineers have all had the opportunity to test, use, and enjoy the car as it gets ready to be unveiled to the whole world. MUST READ: Maserati Fuoriserie Customization Program Launches Limitless Style Possibilities For now, the car is still in camouflage, but as more Greacles are seen, the camouflage becomes more and more revealing. This new Fleet Grecale is the most revealing one yet, with most of the shape of the car discernable. Maserati says that everything about the car will be revealed on March 22, but for now, the camouflage livery on the car teases some of the specifications Maserati plans to boast about once the Grecale is fully revealed. These include acceleration time, luggage space, legroom, and sound system. While it’s no surprise that Maserati would make a car with impressive attributes, this does make the full reveal just that much more anticipated.

By Tyler Rampersaud – February 03, 2022

Maserati Fuoriserie Customization Program Launches Limitl...

A new level of customization and personalization is coming to Maserati. Fuoriserie is the name of Maserati’s new customization program, and it allows you to make the Maserati of your dreams in a way you’ve never been able to before. Customers are able to customize the Levante, Ghibli, Quattroporte, and the MC20, and to spark creativity, Maserati has three collections of customizations to choose from. MUST READ: Maserati Gives the Levante, Ghibli, and Quattroporte the MC Treatment Starting February Corse is a collection inspired by vintage racing and specifically Maserati’s racing heritage. With classic stripes and liveries, the Corse customers can live out their “gentleman racer” fantasies in their dream Maserati. Unica is unapologetically contemporary. The collection features bright colors and bold patterns and speaks to the customer who lives in the moment. Futura is for the customer who goes fearlessly forward, with its industrial colors, and space-age minimalist aesthetic. Maserati has also created cars in collaboration with Chinese brand Canotwait, Massimo Bottura, Michelin-starred Chef Alajamo, and David Beckham through the Fuoriserie program. Along with the collections, Maserati makes it clear that this program has incredible potential to create beautiful and unique Maseratis.

By Tyler Rampersaud – February 02, 2022

Maserati Gives the Levante, Ghibli, and Quattroporte the ...

The MC Edition Levante, Ghibli, and Quattroporte look and perform like they mean business. MC, short for Maserati Corse, has been the designation given to Maserati models that were made to perform. The MC12, GranTurismo and GranCabrio MC, and the MC20 are some of the models that have had the honor of carrying that title, and now the Levante, Ghibli, and Quattroporte get to join them. MUST READ: Maserati Grecale Prototypes Play in the Snow in Lapland, Sweden Each one of these cars will get a V8 engine and will be tuned and optimized for “uncompromising driving pleasure.” Along with that, the new MC models feature exclusive colors, Giallo Corse, and Blu Vittoria. These colors are an homage to the colors of Modena, and therefore represent the Motor Valley and the birthplace of the Maserati Brand. The Levante MC receives a set of 22-inch wheels, while the Ghibli and the Quattroporte get 21-inch wheels. Both sets of wheels are finished in gloss black, with blue brake calipers to capture the spirit of Maserati. With stunning looks and performance to match, the new MC Edition is available in EMEA, APAC, and China from February 2022 All Maseratis For Sale

By Tyler Rampersaud – January 26, 2022

Maserati Grecale Prototypes Play in the Snow in Lapland, ...

The Grecale’s first snow day isn’t all fun and games. As Maserati continues to test out the prototypes for its new SUV, the Grecale, the time of year has rolled around where some extreme weather can put the car to the test. And that’s exactly what Maserati decided to do. MUST READ: Discover The Limited-Edition ‘Maserati Meets Fragment’ Ghibli Sport Sedans Out in the far northern Lapland region of Sweden, the Maserati Grecale was tested for its ability to start up, drive, and do everything that it needs to do in temperatures as cold as -30 degrees Celsius, which works out to be -22 degrees Fahrenheit. Image Source: Maserati The Grecale performed excellently in every test, managing track laps, corners, straight sections, inclines, declines, and more challenging driving situations on snowy and icy surfaces, where those challenges are exacerbated. While the Grecale’s premiere was pushed back from this past November to this spring, the time for it to be unveiled draws nearer and nearer, and we cannot wait to see the Levante’s little sibling in action and on the road.

By Jordan Aquistapace – January 21, 2022

Discover The Limited-Edition 'Maserati Meets Fragment' Gh...

Maserati takes the Ghibli to the next level with help from Fragment. The global launch of the ‘Maserati Meets Fragment’ collaboration shocked the automotive and streetwear fashion worlds with an apparel collection that blends the values of both brands. Since its release in October 2021, Maserati x Fragment has been working towards incorporating inspirations from Fragment into one of the Italian automotive manufacturer’s performance chassis. Maserati is now proud to announce the release of two Fragment-inspired Maserati Ghiblis. The new Operanera and Operabianca take on the artistic visions of creator Hiroshi Fujiwara and his world-renowned streetwear brand. MUST-READ: The Maserati x Fragment Capsule Collection Is Available Now Based on the Ghibli sports sedan, the ‘Maserati Meets Fragment’ vehicles come available in a black or white variation with hints of Fragment featured throughout the design of the vehicle. The exterior of the special edition Ghiblis includes a chrome ‘Fragment’ badge that displays beautifully within the large mesh-style front grille. The interior layout features premium leather and Alcantara, contrasting silver inserts for the vertical stitching, and the Trident on the headrests, as well as seat belts in dark blue. A very limited number of these unique vehicles are allocated for North America and are now available through Maserati’s dealership network. View all current Maserati Ghibli models for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY Daily for more luxury gear news and supercar collaboration releases. View All Maserati Ghibli 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 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

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

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