All posts in “Maserati”

Lucid Air and Maserati MC20 unveiled | Autoblog Podcast #644

In this week’s Autoblog Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Greg Migliore is joined by Associate Editor Byron Hurd. Before they get to the juicy news of the week, they chat about the cars they’ve been driving, including a Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R, Audi A6 Allroad, Mazda CX-9 and Kia Niro. It’s been a busy week in the news department, with GM investing in Nikola, Lucid Motors launching the Air electric sedan, Maserati unveiling the MC20 mid-engined supercar and a farewell to the Lexus GS. Then they talk about having a newfound respect for the Fox Body Mustang and the Mazda CX-9.

Autoblog Podcast #644

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2023 Maserati MC20 Folgore planned with three-motor electric powertrain

Maserati’s first new model of the 2020s, the MC20, strays from the path that’s leading carmakers towards electrified and connected vehicles. The brand is nonetheless headed in this direction, and Autoblog can reveal it’s planning to release a range of battery-powered cars called Folgore, a name which means thunder in Italian.

Developed in-house, the 800-volt Folgore powertrain consists of one electric motor mounted over the front axle, and two electric motors installed over the rear axle. Sandro Bernardini, the man responsible for the second-generation GranTurismo, told us this configuration is not going to be reserved for high-performance, high-end cars. It will be the norm. And, although the rear motors are bolted into a single unit that’s about the size of a modern four-cylinder engine, there is no mechanical connection between them, meaning Maserati’s electric models will benefit from true torque vectoring. Ditching gasoline isn’t an excuse to stop chasing performance.

As we’ve previously reported, Maserati’s first series-produced battery-powered model will be the next GranTurismo, which is tentatively due out in 2021. Motorists who don’t want or need an electric car will be able to order the coupe with a version of the 3.0-liter Nettuno V6 engine that powers the recently-unveiled MC20. Speaking of, the mid-engined coupe will become a mid-motored, zero-emissions coupe a little bit later in its production run. It was developed with both electricity and gasoline in mind from the get-go.

Bernardini couldn’t share concrete technical specifications, but he noted his team is designing the powertrain to achieve maximum range. Engineers notably went to significant lengths to make the motors smaller, lighter, and more efficient, we’re told, and the technology will be compatible with 300-kilowatt fast-charging. While performance details are also under wraps, Autoblog learned the electric version of the MC20 will “absolutely be more powerful” than its 621-horsepower gasoline-burning counterpart. It will be heavier, too, but the power hike will more than make up for the weight gain, and its handling won’t be adversely affected.

Chassis mock-ups confirm the MC20 Folgore will share its basic underpinnings (including its carbon fiber tub and its subframes) with the gasoline-powered model. Its front motor will occupy the space normally reserved for the frunk, while its rear motor will slot neatly between the two wheels. Maserati is putting the lithium-ion battery pack directly behind the firewall for weight distribution reasons; it will be the heaviest part of the car, after all.

Does an electric MC20 need a low-mounted grille, or air vents chiseled into the rear end? Not necessarily.

“Going electric is the next logical step. We are trying to avoid unnecessary air openings and air outlets, in contrast to some of our competitors that seem to depend on them to convey a message. In our case, it’s about the purity of the body. We can further purify the car by reducing the amount of air intakes and air outlets, which will help us tell the design story even better,” explained Maserati head of design Klaus Busse in an interview with Autoblog.

Francesco Tonon, the head of Maserati’s product planning team, told us the MC20 Folgore will make its debut by 2022, and its debut is penciled in after the Spyder-badged convertible model’s. When it arrives, it will join the aforementioned second-generation GranTurismo and a new SUV positioned below the Levante in Maserati’s family of electric models. Production will take place in Modena, Italy, on the same assembly line that began making the gasoline-powered MC20 in September 2020.

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Maserati MC20 Revealed: New Maserati Supercar!

The Maserati MC20 has now been officially revealed. We saw the photos yesterday, the details have now been confirmed as the covers were removed in Modena.

The Maserati MC20 was designed in Modena and will be built at the Viale Ciro Menotti plant. The Italian brand has created a new production line in the space once occupied by the GranTurismo and GranCabrio models.

Maserati MC20: Key Details

– First of a new Maserati era
– 100% made in Modena
– New Nettuno V6 engine produces 630 horsepower and 730 Nm of torque
– 100 km/h in just 2.9 seconds with a sub 1,500 kg weight

Maserati MC20: Engine & Chassis

Details for the new Nettuno engine were already known. The 3.0 litre V6 is mounted at a 90 degree angle. It is rated to 630 hp and packs 730 Nm of torque.

Maserati confirm a 100 km/h sprint time of 2.9 seconds, a 200 km/h sprint time of 8.8 seconds and a top speed in excess of 325 km/h.

Power is routed through an 8-speed DCT gearbox to the rear wheels via a mechanical limited slip differential. An electronic differential is said to be optional.

The suspension setup includes double-wishbones at the front and rear with an anti-roll bar. The Maserati MC20 weighs in at under 1,500 kg of kerb weight.

The braking system consists of 6 piston Brembo callipers at the front and 4 piston callipers at the rear. The braking power is enough to allow for a 33 metre braking distance from 100 km/h.

Maserati MC20: Design

The design is typically mid-engined supercar. The aerodynamics were honed in the Dallara Wind Tunnel with a drag co-efficient of 0.38.

The front end takes cues from the Maserati MC12 with a low air intake and prominent Maserati trident. The bonnet gets two air intakes either side of a flat bonnet. Along the side, deep wheel vents cut into the Maserati MC20 door panel.

The roof line slopes gently towards an uncluttered rear end. The rear taillights are narrow and split by a Maserati logo. Two centrally mounted exhausts are reminiscent of the outgoing Maserati GranTurismo.

The addition of butterfly doors give the Maserati MC20 a visual edge.

Launch colours include Bianco Audace, Giallo Genio, Rosso Vincente, Blu Infinito, Nero Enigma and Grigio Mistero

Expect a convertible version to follow.

Maserati MC20: Interior

Inside, the MC20 uses two 10 inch screens: one for the cockpit and the other for the Maserati Multimedia System (MIA).

The carbon fibre-clad central console gets a wireless smartphone charger, the driving mode selector (GT, Wet, Sport, Corsa and a fifth, ESC Off, which deactivates the control functions), two speed selection buttons, the power window controls, the Multimedia System controls, and a storage compartment underneath the armrest.

All of the other controls are on the steering wheel, with the ignition button on the left and the launch control on the right. The Maserati Connect program makes it easy to access services.

Maserati MC20: Competitors

Pricing has yet to be announced for the MC20. That said, it looks likely that the Maserati MC20 will compete with the McLaren 570S and Porsche 911.

Maserati MC20 Leaked Online Hours Before Debut

The Maserati MC20 has leaked online hours before it was set to debut. The mid-engined Italian supercar is expected to debut later today at an event in Modena, Italy.

The leaked photos show a car which takes inspiration from a number of sources. The front end takes cues from the Maserati MC12 with a low air intake and prominent Maserati trident.

The leaked photos show that the bonnet gets two air intakes either side of a flat bonnet. Along the side, deep wheel vents cut into the Maserati MC20 door panel. Side sills look to be carbon fibre.

Those doors open with a butterfly effect, something McLaren have been known for in recent years. The roof line slopes gently towards an uncluttered rear end.

The rear taillights are narrow and split by a Maserati logo. Two centrally mounted exhausts are reminiscent of the outgoing Maserati GranTurismo.

From a previous press releases, we know that the Maserati MC20 gets a twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre petrol motor. It puts out 630 hp and 730 Nm of torque through a Getrag 8-speed dual clutch gearbox.

The first all-new Maserati since 2015 will debut later today. We will bring you all of the official information for the Maserati MC20 once it is released.

Maserati MC20 spy photos show supercar in broad daylight

The upcoming Maserati MC20 mid-engine supercar has been teased a number of times, but thanks to new spy photos, we finally get a clear look at the prototype. Our spy photographer caught the MC20 in broad daylight from nearly every angle, and it was wearing relatively thin camouflage.

The nose of the MC20 seems to take a lot of inspiration from past and present Maseratis. It has a slightly more aggressive oval grille that will house a big trident square in the middle. Two smaller grilles flank the center one. The headlights and hood design look slightly reminiscent of the MC12 supercar, which was based on the Ferrari Enzo. The lights have a similar shape that looks like it might wrap down around the sides of the fender. The little vents in the hood also call to mind the MC12.

The sides of the MC20 aren’t too over-the-top. It has two relatively small intakes in the rear fender, one upper and one lower. There’s a small vent in the front fender. The body’s lines are smooth and curvy. The rear pillar is fairly thick and the side skirts are rather deep. The wheels have quite a bit of vinyl covering, but they seem to have some sort of three-spoke or split three-spoke design.

At the rear of the car, there are few wings, spoilers or other aerodynamic paraphernalia besides the simple rear lip to distract from the clean curves. What we can see of the taillights suggests thin, wide units with arrow-like points in the lighting elements. There appear to be plenty of vents for cooling and aerodynamics, and the twin tailpipes exit roughly in the middle and a bit inset to the edges of the car.

While we don’t know all the details about the car, we know a fair bit about what will power it. It will use a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 making 630 horsepower and 538 pound-feet of torque. It’s also an in-house engine, not one built by Ferrari. There have been reports that the engine could see a hybrid version with multiple electric motors appear with over 700 horsepower, but it’s also possible that those reports of an electrified engine could simply be referring to a 48-volt mild-hybrid assist that could be a part of the standard V6. We’re expecting the regular V6 MC20 will be rear-wheel-drive with some kind of dual-clutch or conventional automatic transmission. If the high-output hybrid rumors are true, that version would likely be all-wheel-drive. We should know more when the car makes its debut this September.

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The Rolls-Royce Dawn leads this month’s list of discounts

If you’re one of the few readers of this site who is in the market for a $350,000 Rolls-Royce Dawn, well, first of all, good for you. And you should be prepared to keep some extra money in your pocket, too, as the drop-top Roller leads this month’s list of the largest monetary discounts with an average of $14,733 taken off the machine’s $359,250 sticker price. That means buyers are paying an average transaction price of $344,517 for the 2020 Rolls-Royce Dawn this month, according to data provided to Autoblog by TrueCar.

An intriguing pair of supercars land in second and third positions this month. The 2019 Acura NSX is selling for an average of $145,174 this month, which represents a 9% discount, or $14,373. With an eerily similar 9% discount of $14,079 comes the 2020 Aston Martin Vantage, which has an average transaction price of $142,002 this month. The Maserati Quattroporte is up next with an average discount of $13,634.

Another Rolls-Royce model lands in the fifth spot, but instead of the aging Dawn it’s the brand-new Cullinan SUV. Although the luxury ‘ute boasts a large discount of $12,427, its staggeringly high retail price of $332,750 means buyers are getting a little less than 4% off the sticker. More interesting to most buyers will be the 2019 Lincoln Navigator, which is one of our favorite full-size SUVs in America. Buyers of Lincoln’s range-topping vehicle are getting average discounts of $11,761. That represents a 13.4% savings for a final price of $75,940.

For a look at the best new car deals in America based on the percentage discount off their suggested asking prices, check out our monthly recap here. And when you’re ready to buy, click here for the Autoblog Smart Buy program, which brings you a hassle-free buying experience with over 9,000 Certified Dealers nationwide.

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Maserati switching to in-house twin-turbo V6 and turbo four

Automotive News has been able to put some output figures to the two primary engines that will power Maserati’s renaissance. Last year the Italian luxury brand sent notice that it would terminate its deal to with Ferrari to use the Maranello-sourced F160 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 and F154 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8. As new Maserati models appear and current models are overhauled, the brand will begin installing either Maserati’s own 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6, or an FCA-sourced 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. The V6 will greet the world from the middle of the MC20 supercar poised for debut in September, assuming nothing goes worse with the world than it already has.

Rumor from Mopar Insiders and Allpar forums is that Maserati began building its V6 based on Alfa Romeo’s 690T V6. Alfa Romeo puts the 690T in the Stelvio and Giulia Quadrifoglio, the engine’s development having started seven years ago with Ferrari’s F154 V8 as its heart. Tuned for speed, peak output could reach 542 horsepower. After making its home in the racy coupe, the V6 will also serve a new midsize Maserati crossover coming next year, as well as the next GranTurismo coupe and GranCabrio convertible. In the crossover, power is apparently limited to no more than 523 horses.

In Maserati’s new V6, one piece of technology that permits such high output and emissions friendliness is turbulent jet ignition (TJI). German supplier Mahle has been developing the technology for at least 10 years, and put it to use in Ferrari’s Formula 1 engine about five years ago, after which Japan’s Super GT manufacturers picked it up. Instead of a spark plug igniting fuel directly in the combustion chamber, TJI places the spark plug and an injector nozzle at the top of a “jet ignition pre-chamber assembly.” The injector shoots a mist of gasoline into the pre-chamber, the spark plug fires, and the force of ignition in the pre-chamber sprays the combustion through tiny holes at the bottom of the pre-chamber into the cylinder as the piston rises. Mahle says the shorter burn and improved combustion spread means cleaner-burning gas engines that emit fewer emissions.  

AN says that the “new V-6 engine will be ‘electrified’ in some form.” It’s not clear if that means all versions of the V6 will get some sort of hybrid assistance, or if — as had been thought — there will be a non-hybrid unit. The last report we got on motivation for the MC20 strongly suggested a non-hybrid V6 at launch making around 600 hp, followed by a hybridized V6 with all-wheel drive good for 700 horsepower. The hybrid form is said to eventually replace the TT V8 in the upper-tier Ghibli and Quattroporte, but not before the Ferrari-sourced engine steps up to 582 hp later this year.

When AN writes that “Electrified versions of new V-6 eventually will replace 3.8-liter Ferrari-built turbocharged V8 in Maserati Levante, in two versions with 523 hp and 572 hp,” the opening adjective and the higher output lead us to believe in the chances of a non-electrified V6. 

The second engine will be the Global Medium Engine (GME) 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. That engine does duty right now in other group products such as the Jeep Wrangler and Cherokee, and Alfa Romeo Giulia and Stelvio, topping out at 270 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The mill makes its Maserati debut in the Ghibli hybrid that launches online on July 15.

Maserati teases MC20 prototype again reminiscing about the Targa Florio

Maserati spent its weekend reminiscing about victory in the 1940 Targa Florio, putting an MC20 prototype to work enhancing the gravitas of the anniversary. After winning the Targa in 1937, 1938, and 1939 with the Maserati 6CM and its 1.5-liter supercharged inline-six throwing 175 horsepower, the House of the Trident showed up in 1940 with the brand new 4CL powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder cranking 220 hp. Luigi Villoresi, who’d driven the 6CM to triumph the year before, crossed the line first in the 4CL to close out European racing until the end of World War II.

With a return to racing on the automaker’s mind, Maserati took a camouflaged MC20 to the same Favorita Park roads that hosted the Targa. The soft-focus spy shots were taken in front of the Floriopoli stands, a stretch of bunting and banners not far from the Targa start line as historic competitors headed into the Sicilian mainland.

The MC20 is as photogenic in these shots as all the others, and as mysterious. The automaker seems intent on making everyone wait until the September debut to for any details that the prototype doesn’t put on display. Prime among enthusiast interest is the powerplant. With Ferrari shutting down its supply of engines to the fellow Modenese sports car maker, Maserati says its new mid-engined coupe will be “the first car to use [its] new engine, brimming with innovative technological contents, developed and built by Maserati in-house.” Short odds figure on a molto potente twin-turbo V6 sending power to the rear wheels through an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, the long money isn’t afraid to bet on a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8  to replace the F154 V8 that Ferrari provides.

With race engineers undoubtedly sorting out a version for sports car racing as we speak, Maserati will certainly hope the competitive version matches the exploits of the 4CL. The vintage race car took pole in its first race, earned its first victory two races later, snatched up a bag of silverware before WWII, won the first race held in Europe after the war ended, and continued winning in 4CL and 4CLT trim until 1951 to take 31 total victories — nine more than the MC12 race car.

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Maserati MC20 appears in artsy, blurry teaser

Maserati said it’s entering a new era. Judging by these teaser shots of the a camouflaged MC20 prototype supercar, it’s clear Maserati plans to strut its way into that new era con il coraggio and braggadocio. Maserati took its future flagship to the Piazza degli Affari in Milan, for a set of mostly blurry photos in front of Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan’s sculpture called “L.O.V.E.” Maserati called the artwork “a symbol of Italian audacity in international contemporary art,” for the sake of clarity, we’ll call it a giant marble bird flipped at anyone who might ask, “You talkin’ to me?”

The MC20 is thought to be built around the carbon chassis laid up for the 4C, stretched lengthwise and across to create an overall larger package. We can’t tell much about the real masterpiece in the photos, but it is clear the MC20 prototype has shed its gawky bodywork borrowed from the Alfa Romeo 4C to slip into something more comfortable. A very Maserati nose leads with a large grille and sits prominently ahead of the other bodywork. Behind that, an Italianate supercar form combines plenty of intakes, deep side skirts, a seamless rake to the backlight, and a short rear overhang.

In back, powertrains developed at Maserati and for Maserati should make all sorts of lusty noises. The top powertrain is expected to be a hybrid V6 with three electric motors and around 600 horsepower, there’s hearsay about an all-electric model, and rumors of a turbocharged V8 won’t die. The only gearbox mentioned so far is an eight-speed dual-clutch shooting power to the rear wheels. Autoevolution believes the hybrid engine will translate into a sprint to 62 miles per hour in around two seconds and a top speed beyond 186 miles per hour, just the kind of giddy-up one would expect from a challenger aimed at the Lamborghini Huracán Evo. If anything, 600 hp sounds conservative seeing as the Alfa Romeo Giulia GTA gets 540 hp from its 2.9-liter turbocharged V6 without electric help. The MC20 will take on Lamborghini’s championship-winning finest on the track, too, the MC20 — for Maserati Corse 2020 — surely headed for an FIA entry in track-only form.

For now, the MC20 continues its driving program to prepare for its debut in May. The coupe version should come first, going on sale in Europe late this year and in the U.S. sometime next year, followed by a convertible variant.

Maserati Should Make the Maserati MilleMiglia Concept

It’s clear that Maserati is working on something special. Its plans have been leaked several times in recent years. Maserati’s product road map includes an all-new sports car due to be released this year. In addition, Maserati is planning a replacement for the Gran Turismo next year. It should be a good two years for the Italian manufacturer.

The Maserati MilleMiglia Concept you see in the photos is not part of the company’s official plans. It has been produced by Luca Serafini as a render of something he believes Maserati should be interested in, and for good reason!

There has been a revival of interest in the open-cockpit Speedster in recent years. The Ferrari Monza SP1 and SP2, McLaren Elva and Mercedes-Benz McLaren SLR Stirling Moss are three examples. Couple the recent revival with Maserati’s historic traditions and a Speedster doesn’t seem out of sorts.

Some of Maserati’s most valuable cars have been Speedster models. The Maserati 300S, Maserati A6GCS and the Maserati Tipo 61 are three examples. All three were born for the race track. With the Speedster design all but gone from the world of motorsport, the road is now where these cars belong.

Serafini’s design starts with a single halo seat concept, like the Maserati 250F and 6CM. Translated into something modern, the Maserati MilleMiglia Concept has a much wider track and bodywork. The lines flow aerodynamically, a short windscreen deflects air away from the driver.

Maserati MilleMiglia Concept

Behind the driver sits a ram air-intake which presumably doubles as a roll-over bar. The fine details include light bar headlights and taillights, together with intricate side mirror designs. The driver sits in a carbon fibre cockpit, upon a cut-out seat with leather padding.

The Maserati MilleMiglia Concept actually looks remarkably production-ready, yet we know that this is not part of Maserati’s product road map. The car we expect to see this year will be a Coupe, either front or mid-engined. All we know, in terms of details, is that it will feature a new powertrain entirely developed and built by Maserati.

GTSPIRIT NEWSLETTER

Maserati Ends Production of the GranTurismo – Looks to the Future!

It is the end of an era at Maserati. The final Maserati GranTurismo has left the factory floor. The GranTurismo Zéda is a one-off, built to celebrate the extraordinarily long production run that the GranTurismo has enjoyed.

The GranTurismo Zéda is set for a world tour, promoting its replacement, due for a 2021 reveal. It has been designed by Centro Stile Maserati. The distinctive elements include the paintwork which moves from a satin finish to a burnished “metallurgic” effect, back to front. The colour begins at the front with Maserati’s traditional blue, blending towards the back into a light silver colour.

It’s difficult to believe that the GranTurismo has been around since 2007. It debuted at the Geneva International Motor Show 2007, a four-seat, two-door coupé, with Pininfarina design. It’s biggest draw was that 4.7 litre Ferrari V8 engine. It provides an epic soundtrack in every iteration.

The end of the GranTurismo’s production run also marks the beginning of renovations at Maserati’s Viale Ciro Menotti plant in Modena. The Italian company has announced that it will adapt the factory for a new generation electrification and autonomous driving.

The new GranTurismo and GranCabrio are set to be produced in Turin. As for the Modena factory, the press release confirms only that it will house a new “super sports model” slated for launch in 2020. Maserati’s press release promises a: “new era of electrification for the Maserati range of cars, constituting the first models to adopt 100% electric solutions in the history of the Brand.”

GTSPIRIT NEWSLETTER

2019 Maserati Levante Trofeo Review

When Maserati introduced their Levante SUV a few years ago, I was immediately smitten. Not only was it a great looking SUV but the interior felt so exceptional – full of rich wonderful-smelling leathers, aluminum, carbon fiber, and artfully design – that I immediately began trying to arrange a loan so that we could review it. At the time, the Levante only came with a V6, which promised decent power along with it’s Q4 AWD. It didn’t seem particularly exciting, but it had a sportiness and refinement that appealed to me.

It turns out that while Maserati was offering the V6 Levante to the general public, it’s engineers were secretly working on a top secret skunk works-style after-hours project: building a V8 Levante. Why? Because some people are never satisfied with basic. Because the potential to be the best SUV was there. At some point they let management in on it. The execs must have been impressed because it received their blessing, was introduced in 2018, and went on sale in 2019.

In February of this year, in the middle of a particularly bad and prolonged ice storm, Maserati delivered a Levante GTS to us for a review. The GTS had a Ferrari-engineered and -built 3.8L bi-turbo V8 under the hood and a trick electronically-adjustable suspension that adapted to all possible conditions but also raised and lowered the vehicle to give more ground clearance or to provide better aerodynamics. After spending a week with it through an ice storm, through heavy snow, through heavy rain, and even a day of warm dry weather, we came away extremely impressed with the Levante GTS. In fact, we thought the Levante GTS was the ultimate SUV. It is an exceptional vehicle.

Recently Maserati offered us a few days with their new Levante Trofeo – their ultimate iteration of the Levante. Boasting an even more powerful Ferrari-engineered and -built bi-turbo V8 and a new “Corsa” suspension setting, the Trofeo is built track-capable and is just as wonderfully luxurious and technologically loaded as the GTS.

We accepted the invitation so fast we swear we heard a sonic boom. So on a hot, sticky summer day the Levante Trofeo was delivered for us to explore for a few days. It was still as gorgeous looking as we remembered it.

Visually, the Trofeo initially appears identical to the GTS. Only a sharp eye will discern the new 21” wheels, the carbon fiber accents on the rockers, the carbon fiber front splitter and fascia ducts for the brake cooling, and the chrome Trident Trofeo badges on the C-pillars. Even with these flashy accents, the purity of the Levante design shines through.

Maserati Levante Trofeo For Sale

The inside is identical to the GTS too – rich dark gray leather and glossy carbon fiber brightened by aluminum trim bits. The controls are laid out in a logical and intuitive arrangement. None of the controls require any head scratching to figure out. Everything is obvious and simple, as it should be. The front seats are well bolstered but easy to get into and out of. They’re both heated and ventilated for extra comfort. The rear seats are less bolstered but have plenty of legroom for adults, are heated, and fold flat for extra cargo capacity. The steering wheel is carbon fiber with leather inlays where you most often grab it. The molded carbon fiber paddles behind the steering wheel are simply a work of art that hint at what Maserati is capable of with carbon fiber.

Pop the hood and one of the most beautiful engines ever greets you. Underneath a narrow carbon fiber engine cover, emblazoned with a chrome Maserati Trident, sits a surprisingly narrow V8 with breathtakingly gorgeous blood-red crinkle-finish valve covers and an identical air plenum. GORGEOUS. It elicits low whistles and heavy breathing from everyone who sees it. The sounds it makes will literally make you weak in the knees. Ferrari’s influence is clear and perfectly suitable for this Maserati.

Maserati Levante Trofeo Ferrari Engine

This engine has 40 more horsepower than the Levante GTS – a total of 590 hp – making it the most powerful Maserati ever buiilt with the exception of the legendary MC12 Corsa. How’s THAT for impressive? In fact, it has the highest specific output of any Maserati (156hp/L). And 730Nm of torque. All that power is channeled through Maserati’s 8-speed transmission to the Q4 AWD system. Most of the power goes to the rear wheels, but up to 30% is sent to the front wheels when accelerating or rear wheel slippage is detected. The 8-speed transmission is remarkably smooth and shifts are split-second fast. Unlike a lot of paddle shift systems on the market today, the paddle actuated shifts are immediate; there’s zero hesitation between the click of the paddle and the transmission’s shift.

The Brembo brakes are some of the largest we’ve seen on an SUV. Thick ventilated 380mm disks fill out the 21” wheels and are straddled by enormous 6-piston Maserati blue calipers. They stop the Levante like a brick wall stops a scooter. Demonstrating them will literally hang your passengers up in their seatbelts. That you can stop such a large and heavy vehicle with as little drama as these do is amazing.

Maserati Levante Trofeo Side View

The suspension consists of classic unequal length wishbones up front and an advanced multilink system in back. Combined with magnetoheleogical shocks that firm up at the push of a button and height-adjustable airbags, it might be the most sophisticated suspension available. The basic ride is plush but confidence inspiring. Pushing the button on the center console with the shock absorber icon firms up the suspension and makes it more sensitive to changing road conditions.

Pressing the Sport button lowers the vehicle about an inch and makes the engine, transmission, and suspension more responsive. The ride firms up but is still comfortable. Holding the Sport button longer engages Corsa mode, which lowers the ride height about another inch and firms up the suspension even more and makes everything even more responsive. The I.C.E. (Increased Control & Efficiency) button retards the engine and makes the drive system more sensitive in lousy weather conditions. Off-Road raises the suspension nearly two inches for improved ground clearance and gives a near 50/50 front/rear power distribution. With so many options, the Levante Trofeo is nearly unstoppable and certainly exceedingly capable in all conditions and environments.

If that all sounds technologically impressive, it’s even more impressive to drive. Pressing the start button fires that glorious engine which rumbles quietly but authoritatively under the hood. Moving the shifter into R, the backup camera image shows you both what’s behind you and also what’s around you. Back out carefully, straighten the wheel, shift into D, and we’re off.

Maserati Levante Trofeo Interior

The engine note grows in intensity but remains muted unless you wind it out above 4000 rpms, at which point the exhaust valves open and the sound level rises with a roar. Acceleration is brutally fast – if you want it to be. Maserati gives it’s 0-60 time as 3.9 seconds and that’s about exactly what it feels like. Cornering is surprisingly sharp and body roll is controlled no matter your speed. As you progress from standard drive mode to Sport mode to Corsa mode, your performance levels, suspension firmness, and engine noise levels all increase.

I suspect it’d give even the gorgeous GranTurismo a run for it’s money. The Trofeo is also a great grand tourer. With the windows up and the a/c on, traveling down the freeway at 85 mph, the Trofeo is as quiet as a soundbooth inside. There’s minimal wind noise, minimal engine noise, and minimal suspension bumps coming through the chassis. This is the kind of vehicle you’d absolutely love on a cross-continent trip, then be tempted to take to the track and give a few Porsches a run for their money. It’s so capable you can easily forget it’s essentially an SUV though “SUV” doesn’t really do it justice. It’s more of a multipurpose machine – off-road adventurer, sports car, and executive luxury car – in the shape of an SUV.

But one of the most fun things about driving a Maserati is that everyone wants to experience it. “I’ve never been in a Maserati! Can I sit in it?” Most certainly. “I’ve never ridden in a Maserati before. Can I get a ride?” Absolutely! Let me demonstrate the Launch Control! And in reference to the Joe Walsh song “Life’s Been Good To Me (So Far)”, “Can it really do 185?” It can. Or so Maserati tells me. We didn’t try but having experienced how quickly it can rocket up into triple-digit speeds, we don’t doubt them. When you drive a Maserati, crazy things start to happen. People stop you and ask about it. Take it to an event and you find yourself taking four other guests on a quick demo drive. Enemies become friends. Police start following you. You find your wife sitting in it in the garage, reading through the owners manual.

Maserati Levante Trofeo Review

Frankly there’s everything to love and very little to dislike. In fact, the only complaint I had was that my right knee could have used some padding to protect it from the hard plastic on the center console. Small price to pay though when that engine is growling like a mad animal from under the hood and the scenery is stretching out and blending together like you’re making the jump to hyperspace.

I suppose I could also complain about the gas mileage but let’s be honest…I wan’t driving the Trofeo for fuel efficiency. More for effect. And there was plenty of effect.

The Trofeo – quite possibly the very pinnacle of the Maserati line – is priced at $173,000. That’s a lot of money, but given the amazing capability of the car and the amazing engine, we don’t really think it’s unreasonable. It certainly won’t be for Maserati’s well-heeled clients. We actually think it’s reasonable. And we want one in our garage.

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1957 Maserati 300S

Between 1955 and 1958, Maserati produced a racing car called the Maserati 200S. It competed in the FIA’s World Sportscar Championship, boasting a 3.0-liter engine that output a 245 bhp. Decades later, it’s here and you can chuck it in your garage. If you have $6.5 million, that is.

Fewer than 30 units of the 1957 Maserati 300S were made, ever. British Formula One racing legend Sir Stirling Moss drove 300S models in eight international races during the late 1950s. He called the car one of his favorite racing beasts ever. It’s no wonder why that is — this is one of Maserati’s most significant masterstrokes. A legend among legends.

Moss liked this particular model so much that he signed the dashboard, which probably explains why it’s so darn expensive. But don’t get us wrong — the price seems right. In 2013, a 1955 Maserati 300S went for $6.1 million in Bonham’s auction at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. This one includes a De Dion rear axle and a transverse four-speed gearbox. You’ll also find two chain driven camshafts. This was a star in its heyday, and it kind of still is now.

This specific model, with chassis number 3070, comes courtesy of Redline Automotive Restorations. They’re a high-end classic and vintage restoration shop based in Connecticut. The 1957 Maserati 300S is part of their Elite Inventory. A fitting name, needless to say. If you have millions to burn, this is sure expenditure.

SHOP HERE

Photos courtesy of Redline Automotive Restorations

Ferrari to Stop Providing Maserati Engines

A Big Hit for Maserati

One of the big pluses for the Maserati brand was the Ferrari-sourced engines in the cars. Now that seems it will end. According to The Motley Fool, on a recent earnings call, Ferrari stated that it would stop producing engines for its former sister brand. 

Ferrari was spun off from FCA as part of an IPO in 2015. This set it apart from the other FCA brands, and now the company wants to stop producing engines for Maserati. 

“Eventually, we will no longer supply engines to Maserati, which actually from our perspective is actually a good thing, both from a margin perspective, but also the fact that we can transfer a lot of the labor that’s been focused on the engines to the car side of the business,” Ferrari CEO Louis Camilleri said during the earnings call. 

The engines will stop coming to Maserati in either 2021 or 2022. While this isn’t a huge deal for Ferrari, it’s a rather big one for Maserati. The car company used Ferrari-sourced engines in the Ghibli, Quattroporte, Levante, GranTurismo, and GranCabrio. 

It’s unclear what Maserati will do. The company could design and build its own engines, but it could also source an engine from another one of FCA’s brands. Carscoops points to Dodge, almost joking at the prospect. However, a raucous HEMI V8 in a Maserati would get the job done. Still, it’s not very on-brand for Maserati. Time will tell what the company decides to do. 

Why Exotic Super SUV’s Are The Way Of The Future

Less than a decade ago, the distinction between SUV’s and other vehicle types was clear. The introduction of SUV cross-overs brought about a new breed of SUV. An off-shoot of these cross-over SUVs came to being once sports car manufacturers entered the SUV market, creating the “Super SUV.”

The idea was to provide everything in one vehicle – a powerful engine, elegant design, luxury interior, and unparalleled performance with a 4×4 option. Lamborghini came up with the term Super SUV in 2017, when they released the concept of the Lamborghini Urus.

Following in their footsteps, other major sports car manufacturers also joined in.

The S-SUV Future

Range Rover Super SUV
[Image via Autocar]

Sports cars have traditionally featured two-seats, with some exceptions offering four passenger options as well. However, that’s not enough for some people. Super SUV’s are 5-7 seater vehicles, boasting powerful engines that make light work of the added weight.

Super SUVs deliver a faster, more comfortable off-road experience. Imagine sitting in the luxury of a Bentley while crossing the Himalayan plains, or cruising through the desert with a Ferrari roaring under you. As these super crossovers make their way into the mainstream, maintaining these vehicles also doesn’t demand much effort.

For instance, in Arizona, you can explore the Apache Trail in your S-SUV, or cruise the historic Route 66.

There’s no worry if you damage your windshield because SunTec’s Scottsdale windshield replacement crew will have you sorted in no time! SunTec Auto Glass specializes in repairing and replacing windshields and auto glass on exotics, supercars, and of course Super-SUV’s.

The future is all about convenience and this is precisely why Super SUVs are set to take over the automobile industry. An all-in-one option is an automotive enthusiast’s dream come true — spacious cabins, higher seats, and more driving options.

Eventually, it is estimated that future S-SUV’s will be more affordable, providing a luxurious and powerful alternative to sports cars and SUV’s alike.

The Lamborghini Urus

Lamborghini Urus Super SUV
[Image via Lamborghini]

Lamborghini’s first attempt at an SUV caused ripples across the automobile industry. A combination of Lamborghini’s classic style coupled with outstanding performance, the Urus starts out at $200,000.

Its twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 delivers a whopping 641 horsepower on an all-wheel configuration alongside an eight-speed automatic transmission. This powerful engine boasts a 0-60mph time of 3.2 seconds!

The interior has a classic Lamborghini jetfighter-style design that has all the hallmarks of a luxury SUV and sports car. From leather seats to adjustable gauges, go from luxury to raw power in seconds, literally.

The Bentley Bentayga

Bentley Bentayga Super SUV
[Image via Bentley]

Bentley was looking to rock the SUV world and their introduction of the Bentley Bentayga blew everyone away with a top speed of 187 mph! With a price tag of $197,725, the Bentayga is a supercar in an SUV’s body – the very definition of a Super SUV.

A twin-turbo 6.0-liter W12 engine under the hood delivers a robust 600 horsepower. Along with the eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, the Bentayga goes 0-60 mph in 3.6 seconds.

The entirely leather interior comfortably seats 5 people. The full-option Bentayga also offers 22-inch alloy rims as well as an absolutely ridiculous 1,950-watt, 20 speaker audio system and back-seat entertainment tablets.

The Maserati Levante

Maserati Levante Super SUV
[Image via Motor Trend]

Following the trend of Super SUV’s, Maserati came up with the relatively cheaper Levante starting at $77,475. Positioned as the reinvention of Italian luxury, the Levante is available in four varieties with individual engine capacities and features.

The base version has a twin-turbocharged V-6 capable of 345 horsepower. Maserati’s Trofeo version put out an unimaginable 550 horsepower but also costs an eye-watering $171,475. The all-wheel base version goes 0-60 mph in 5.1 seconds, rivaling mid-tier sports cars.

With a specific focus on the leather-intensive interior, Maserati has also splashed out on a fully automatic, state-of-the-art, all-inclusive infotainment system. While the Levante cuts corners on trunk space, it offers a world-class luxury experience.

1973 Maserati Bora 4.9

The Maserati Bora is an iconic model from the Italian sportscar manufacturer. A landmark car, it earned Maserati several of its firsts — first mid-engine layout, first fully-independent suspension chassis, and so on.

There were rumors in 1968 that Ferrari was going o unleash a mid-engine vehicle called Dino. Not wanting to be potentially outdone, Maserati got to work quickly. It began designing its own mid-engine car, but with an entirely different direction. Whereas Ferrari’s Dino didn’t carry the brand name and had only a wee V6 engine, the Bora was a larger GT with a V8. Its design harkened back to the ‘50s, with tapered edges, boxxy curves, and that droopy hood.

Still, Maserati stopped with the nostalgia there. And we’re glad it did. Though ‘50s-heavy, this ride still represents the zenith of 70s Italian design. Its long, low look crafted by legendary Giorgetto Giugiaro is enough of an indication. But just in case it doesn’t suffice, turn to the car’s hydraulic system, which powers everything from the pedals to the headlights.

The model above is a 1973 Bora Maserati 4.9, which comes with a 4.9-liter V8 engine. It’s coated in the original campagne colorway, too, looking like rust if you watch it at certain angles. With completely matching numbers, too. Comprehensively restored in 1989, the only thing this bad boy needs right this second is a driver. One who’s worthy enough to hightail this uncompromising supercar to great distances. Oh, and $280,000, please. Head to PrinsClassics and get on a quote.

BUY IT HERE

Photos courtesy of PrinsClassics

1956 Maserati A6G/2000 Berlinetta Zagato

Coinciding with the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, and filled with plenty of unique pieces of automotive history of their own, the RM Sotheby’s Monterery auction is always a sight to to behold—even if you can’t…

Official: 2019 Maserati Levante Trofeo

After a performance SUV? It would seem that you aren’t alone! Performance SUV’s are in high demand at the moment. Mercedes-AMG, BMW and Audi all produce high performance versions of their SUV’s. Lamborghini, Bentley and even Rolls-Royce have realised the potential too. Maserati? The Maserati Levante Trofeo fills that gap in their model range.

The Levante has been around for a little while now. The Maserati Levante Trofeo is the natural extension of the platform. Introduced at the New York Auto Show 2018 last week, it features a Ferrari-developed V8 engine. It is one of the fastest SUV’s currently on the market, if not the fastest!

The example in the press photos is a limited series model, aimed at the U.S. and Canada market, although we expect that the Maserati Levante Trofeo will soon be available worldwide. It comes fitted with a 3.8-litre Twin Turbo V8 engine delivering a staggering 590 hp and 730 Nm of torque. 0 to 100km/h is possible in just 3.9 seconds with a top speed in excess of 300 km/h.

Underpinning the Levante is a unique calibration for the Q4 Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system. From the cabin, the driver is able to choose the new “Corsa” mode together with the Normal, I.C.E., Sport and Off Road modes. The Maserati Integrated Vehicle Control (IVC) system replaces the traditional Electronic Stability Program (ESP) system.

Stylistically, the Levante gets new carbon fibre exterior pieces. The side air intakes sit lower, with two aerodynamic wings. New bezel blades and a carbon fibre splitter finish the front. A new rear diffuser and a set of quad exhaust pipes finish the rear. The headlights are new Full Matrix LED units and the detailing is piano black.The c-pillars get “Seatta” Trofeo logos.

At the business end of things are a set of 22-inch forged aluminium wheels – the largest ever fitted to a Maserati. Calipers come in red, blue, black, silver or yellow.

Inside, the sport seats feature full-grain “Pieno Fiore” natural leather in black, red and tan each with contrasting stitching. Inlays are matte carbon fibre with a specific instrument cluster graphic and Trofeo floor mats. An exclusive option is the Bowers & Wilkins, 1,280-watt, 17-speaker sound system.

The launch edition model will get eight unique exterior colours and most of the spec list ticked. Pricing has not yet been announced.

Maserati Levante Trofeo

There’s a new contender for the title of the fastest super-SUV on the market and this one is gonna be hard to beat (unless you’re driving a Lamborghini Urus, that is). Powered by a Ferrari-built 3.8-litre bi-turbo V8, the mighty Maserati Levante Trofeo cranks out 582bhp and 538lb ft, reaching 60mph in 3.7 seconds, on its way to a top speed of 187mph (300km/h).

Now, we could stop right there, but since you asked for more details, here they are: The weight distribution on this bad boy is a perfect 50:50 across the axles, all-wheel drive is on tap of course, along with a new ‘Corsa’ driving mode, and adjustable air suspension.

We also hear the ultra-limited (what did you expect?) Trofeo will ride on forged aluminum wheels wrapped in 22″ tires and will boast a carbon fiber aero kit, twin bonnet vents, carbon fiber engine cover, and luxurious leather inside available in black, red or tan.

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