Category: Maserati (Page 3 of 3)

ON THE TRACK: Sir Stirling Moss OBE to Reunite with Maserati 250F at Silverstone Classic

June 17, 2014 / moto+match / 0 Comments

Photo: Maurice Rowe

Racing legend Sir Stirling Moss OBE will be back behind the wheel of one of his favourite grand prix cars to lead both record F1 and Maserati centenary parades at this summer’s Silverstone Classic (25-27 July).

The world’s biggest ever F1 parade will mark 50 grands prix at Silverstone – a major milestone that will be reached in July. Maserati is the award-winning event’s official ‘Celebration Marque’ for 2014 and will be celebrating its first 100 years with a special cavalcade of its finest road and competition cars.

Both special commemorative parades will take place on the full Silverstone Grand Prix Circuit on ‘Super Sunday’ 27 July and, appropriately, both will be fronted by Moss driving a Maserati 250F.

Hailed as one of the greatest grand prix cars ever created, the 250F was pivotal in Moss’ early F1 career. He raced one to his maiden grand prix podium at the superfast Spa-Francorchamps circuit in 1954, and in 1956 won at both Monaco and Monza when competing for the Maserati factory team.

“It will be very, very special to lead both the wonderful parades in a 250F,” enthused Moss, now aged 84. “The Maserati is probably the most beautiful looking and user-friendly Formula One car ever built; it’s delightful to drive and a real collector’s item. It was also very important to me. Not many people know this, but my father went to see Mercedes in 1953 to ask Alfred Neubauer [the team’s legendary F1 team manager] to give me a drive. He said that he’d been impressed by my driving in crappy cars but wanted to see me in something that could win. So we bought the Maserati. My first race was the Swiss Grand Prix at the tricky Bremgarten circuit and, in the wet, I put the Maserati on pole in front of [Juan-Manuel] Fangio, [Alberto] Ascari and all the Mercedes! As I said, it was a fantastic car to drive.”

The Maserati 250F that Moss will be driving at Silverstone is the chassis originally raced by Roy Salvadori back in the fifties and is one of just 26 ever produced. In total, the 250F won eight grands prix and was instrumental not only in establishing Moss as one of Britain’s top sporting stars but also in the great Fangio winning world championship titles in both 1954 and 1957.

“It’s always wonderful when things fall into place so perfectly,” enthused Event Director, Nick Wigley. “To have Sir Stirling Moss – the only British driver ever to win a grand prix in a Maserati – leading both parades in a magical 250F is just the best possible scenario. Even in our wildest dreams, we couldn’t have hoped for a finer sight.”

Full details on tickets (which must be purchased in advance) to see Sir Stirling Moss leading both anniversary parades can be found on the official www.silverstoneclassic.com website.

AT THE CONCOURS: Maserati Gets Best of Show and Other Awards at Villa d’Este

May 27, 2014 / moto+match / 0 Comments

Tuesday, 27th May 2014 – The 2014 edition of the ‘Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este’ competition could not have gone better for Maserati, especially in this year of celebrations marking the centenary of the company’s foundation.

Indeed, Maseratis earned the highest plaudits from the judges and public alike, collecting the Best of Show prize as well as other prestigious awards including the “Design Award for Concept Cars and Prototypes”.

The surprise winner of the jury’s Best of Show trophy, sweeping aside a host of prestigious rivals, was the dark blue 1956 Maserati 450 S, owned by Swiss entrepreneur and collector Albert Spiess. In 1956 and 1957, the Modena car manufacturer built just ten of these 2-seater racing cars, fitted with a 4.5-litre 400 HP engine and a body by Fantuzzi. This car, chassis number 4502, left for the United States in October 1956, purchased by Tony Parravano. It went on to compete in a number of races, meanwhile changing ownership several times before coming into the possession of the present day Swiss owner. At Villa d’Este the 450 S also triumphed in its own racing category, “For the track – racing for glory”, reserved, as the name suggests, for racing models from the 1950s and ’60s.

In the special centenary category “Maserati – the first century”, which saw six Maserati cars from different eras in the running, the V4 Sport from 1929 (chassis 4002) outshone its “sister” models, taking the jury’s top award. It is a truly rare and unique automobile, owned by Lawrence Auriana (USA). Only two were ever made, but one was converted into a V5 that was subsequently destroyed during a race. The V4 features a 16-cylinder V engine comprising two Tipo 26B inline-8 blocks, for a total cylinder capacity of 3,961 cc, delivering 305 HP. On 28th September 1929 Baconin Borzacchini set a world record in the V4 on the road circuit at Cremona (only partially asphalted), notching up an average speed of 246.069 km/h over a distance of 10 km. In 1934 the car displayed at Villa d’Este was rebodied as a Spyder by Zagato at the behest of the new owner, who also had it repainted in two shades of green. The V4 enjoyed more success than the other equally prestigious Maseratis present, namely: Maserati A6G/54 Berlinetta Allemano 1956 Jonathan Segal US; Maserati A6G/2000 Berlinetta Zagato 1956 Claudio Scalise AR; Maserati 150 GT Prototype Spider Fantuzzi 1957 Andreas Mohringer AT; Maserati Quattroporte 1st Series Saloon Frua 1965 Ermanno Keller IT; Maserati A6GCS Berlinetta Pininfarina 1953 Matteo Panini IT.

On Saturday the jury awarded the A6GCS Berlinetta the Auto & Design Trophy for the most thrilling style. Pininfarina made only four chassis mounted with a 6-cylinder 2-litre engine; it was this design that provided the Maserati Style Centre inspiration for creating the Alfieri concept car, unveiled at this year’s Geneva Motor Show. In a hypothetical passing of the baton, it was precisely the Maserati Alfieri that earned important recognition from the public at the parade held at Villa Erba, as it scooped the Design Award for Concept Cars & Prototypes, heralded as the most exciting prototype of the 2014 edition. The concept car designed to celebrate Maserati’s 100th Anniversary is an exciting but also functional prototype whose name pays tribute to Alfieri Maserati who, with the help of his brothers, promoted and founded “Officine Alfieri Maserati” in Bologna in Via Piepoli back in 1914.

The Maserati Alfieri was designed at the Maserati Style Centre in Turin by a group of designers coordinated by Marco Tencone, elaborating on a project by Lorenzo Ramaciotti, now Head of Global Design FCA. The Alfieri was driven into the exhibition area at Villa Erba by Harald Wester, CEO Maserati, who collected the award in person.

Also at Villa Erba, Maserati set up its own exhibition space to celebrate the marque’s 100th anniversary. On show, the new Ghibli plus the GranCabrio MC, alongside other vintage masterpieces of engineering, including a 1934 4C and a 3500 GT Spyder.

Lastly, also taking part in the “Six Days in the Sixties” class of the motorcycles category of the Concorso d’Eleganza, was a 1961 Maserati T 4 Regolarità 156 cc single-cylinder motorcycle, presented by the Bologna Historical Registry of Maserati Motorbikes.

ON THE BLOCK: Original Gems Shine at Lucky Spring Classic 2014

May 26, 2014 / moto+match / 0 Comments

A black-plate 1967 Maserati Mistral 4000 stored in Washington since 1978, a 1964 Facel Vega Facel III stored in Northern California since 1974, and an original Fiat Tippolino Garden Car will be sold to settle estates at no reserve at the Lucky Collector Car Auction this weekend. The sale will be held on the grounds of the LeMay Family Foundation’s Marymount Campus in Tacoma, Washington on Saturday, May 31 2014.

In addition to the anticipated Euro and American sports cars, there are dozens more collector and low-mileage driver-quality vehicles, as well as barn finds and classics offered at no reserve. Other highlights include early Corvettes, Porsches, Mercedes-Benz, muscle cars, and vintage trucks. The event is expected to include 120 cars, 30 motorcycles, mahogany boats, and memorabilia.

ON THE BLOCK: Unique Maserati Merak by Saurer at Silverstone

April 22, 2013 / moto+match / 0 Comments

Take one already amazing sports car and put it in the hands of motorsport specialists Carrosserie Saurer in Switzerland and the end result is a truly exceptional example of automotive styling and engineering.

Indeed, while the word ‘unique’ is widely overused, it takes just one look at this stunning silver 1975 Maserati Merak by Saurer, which is being offered on 17^th May at the Silverstone Auctions hosted International Trophy Sale, to know it is not a cliché.

Being incredibly rare also means it’s a well-known and well-documented motor car, ensuring that whoever has the pleasure of owning it next will know its complete history.

Life began for this 1975 model as any other Merak (if there is such a thing as ‘any other Merak’) but this particular example was earmarked for greatness.

In 1984 its painstaking transformation at Swiss-based Saurer, a land famed for precision engineering took shape.

The redesigned bodywork was formed to create what Paul Saurer considered to be his ideal ‘Hot Merak’ and the end result exceeded expectations and which will be available to view in the ultra-modern Wing building at Silverstone race track before the car auction commences at 2pm on Friday 17^th May.

However, it’s not just the eye-pleasing redesign that catches the attention because all the original running gear has been retained – only increasing its collectability.

For more information about this very special 1975 Maserati, estimated at between £35,000 to £40,000, or for any of the other cars being offered at the International Trophy Sale, visit www.silverstoneauctions.com.

ON THE BLOCK: 1968 Maserati Ghibli Barn Find at Silverstone International Trophy Sale

March 19, 2013 / moto+match / 0 Comments

Silverstone Auctions has unearthed arguably one of the most beautiful Maserati’s ever made that has been locked away for the past 14 years in dry storage.

Needing a complete restoration, this 1968 Maserati Ghibli barn find has been estimated at between £12,000 to £16,000 and will finally come to market at the Silverstone Auctions hosted International Trophy Sale on Friday 17^th May.

Nick Whale, managing director, Silverstone Auctions, said: “With some loving care and attention, this stunning Ghibli can once again rule the road as one of the most beautiful Maserati’s to be built.

“Indeed, it’s not every day that such a unique opportunity is presented in the classic car world, so I would urge interested parties to get in touch with Silverstone Auctions for more information about this car.”

The Ghibli was conceived in 1965-66 by Giorgio Giugiaro, then chief designer at Ghia. Its stunning good looks were just part of the story as it was mated with Maserati’s most powerful engine at the time – a 330 bhp V8 unit.

Unfortunately the end came for the Ghibli in 1973 with the introduction of its direct successor the Khamsin. Although more technically advanced, many would say that what it made up for in gadgets and gizmos was no match for the Ghibli’s styling.

“This is undoubtedly one of the best barn finds uncovered by the Silverstone Auctions team and it will be very exciting to see how it performs at the International Trophy Sale,” added Nick.

For more information about this 1968 Maserati Ghibli and the International Trophy Sale, for which entries are being invited, visit www.silverstoneauctions.com.

ON THE BLOCK: 2014 Maserati Quattroporte Fetches $340,000 for Charity at Naples Winter Wine Festival

January 28, 2013 / moto+match / 0 Comments

Englewood Cliffs, NJ, January 28, 2013 – The sixth generation Maserati Quattroporte, unveiled at the 2013 North American International Auto Show, proved a valuable member of the Naples Winter Wine Festival’s auction. The larger, lighter and more powerful Italian flagship netted a winning bid of $340,000 (actual North American pricing has not been announced). The winners, owners of a fifth generation Quattroporte, will be amongst the first to have their new Italian flagship sedan delivered in the United States.

Maserati has on several occasions brought Italian design, style, luxury and performance to this event, which benefits underprivileged and at-risk children in Collier County, Fla., through the Naples Children & Education Foundation. The foundation has provided grants to 36 children’s charities and funds long-term strategic initiatives focused on children’s early learning, medical/oral health, out-of-school programs, behavioral health and childhood hunger.

About the 2014 Maserati Quattroporte:
The 2014 Maserati Quattroporte is a significant leap forward that not only sets the high-technology tone for the Trident brand’s upcoming range of new-models, but also remains faithful to Maserati’s long history of luxury sports sedans. The powerful and proprietary Maserati engines and the large cabin are at the core of the Quattroporte’s design. Dominated by a long, powerful nose and a concave Trident grille a clear link is created to both current and historic Maseratis.

The newly-developed direct-injection engine family boasts a 523 hp 3.8-litre V8 and a 404 hp 3.0-litre V6, both of which are twin-turbocharged, designed by Maserati Powertrain and assembled by Ferrari at their plant in Maranello. All versions come equipped with the latest eight-speed automatic transmission developed with ZF. The V8 is the fastest, most powerful and efficient four-door Maserati has ever built, reaching 60 mph in 4.6 seconds and achieving a top speed of 191 mph.

The all-new architecture retains the Quattroporte’s exquisite handling with near 50:50 weight distribution, double-wishbone front suspension and a state-of-the-art five-link rear suspension.

The V6 twin turbo Q4 All-Wheel Drive variant is capable of a top speed of 177mph. The “Q4” system is capable of redistributing the torque instantly from full rear wheel drive to a balanced near 50/50 distribution between front and rear wheels when more traction is needed.

New standards of quality in design, development, fabrication and process controls are employed in the facility building the Quattroporte, while traditional hand-crafted design continues inside and out of the Quattroporte’s cabin. Interior luxury leaps forward technically, too, with features like a touch control screen, adjustable pedals, WLAN-based WiFi and an optional 15-speaker, 1280 Watt Bowers & Wilkins audio system.

In 1963, Maserati established the benchmark for the luxury sports sedan. The new Quattroporte continues to elevate the standard of high quality engineering, supercar performance all within the space, luxury and daily driving ability of a sedan.

About the NCEF:
Naples Children & Education Foundation, founders of Naples Winter Wine Festival, have raised $116 million at the festival since 2001. The festival is the most successful charity wine auction in the world, and Wine Spectator magazine has ranked NWWF as the nation’s top charity wine auction since 2004. NCEF’s mission is to create and expand charitable programs serving underprivileged and at-risk children in Collier County. As a direct result of NCEF investments, more than 150,000 children have had their lives improved. For more information about NCEF or the Naples Winter Wine Festival, or to make a donation, visit www.napleswinefestival.comor call 888-837-4919.

IN THE NEWS: The Abarth 695 Maserati Edition Debuts at the Mille Miglia 2012

May 18, 2012 / moto+match / 0 Comments

The new Abarth limited edition will be displayed at Piazza della Loggia in Brescia in conjunction with the historical revival of “the most beautiful race in the world”
The new Abarth 695 Maserati Edition is an exclusive convertible equipped with a 180 HP 1.4 Turbo T-Jet 16v engine combined with the Abarth Competizione gearbox

May 17, 2012 , Auburn Hills, Mich. – The Abarth 695 Maserati Edition, the new limited edition of only 499 vehicles to be sold mainly in European markets, will make its public debut on the occasion of the thirtieth anniversary of the Mille Miglia, which Enzo Ferrari called “the most beautiful race in the world.” Displayed at Piazza della Loggia in Brescia, in the midst of the collectors’ automotive jewels and “luxury cars” of today, this glamorous car represents the bond between Abarth and Maserati and is based on a host of shared values, including attention to detail, elegance and a passion for
performance and sport.

Following the collaborative project three years ago with Ferrari and the creation of the Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari, this project reinforces the presence of Abarth in the luxury sport segment, this time flanked by a brand whose history of sporting achievements and elegant road cars is recognised worldwide. Karl Abarth and Alfieri Maserati: two legends, united by passion for mechanics and engines, who lent their names to two of the most prestigious companies to manufacture cars marked by style and unmistakable performance.

Just as the Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari is the utmost expression of Abarth’s sporty character and “racing spirit,” this new limited edition combines sheer elegance and the comfort of a “GranTurismo” with the handling of a car fit to take to the road every day.

The new Abarth 695 Maserati Edition is an exclusive convertible that blends the sportiness of a high-performance car with the refined, elegant aesthetics of a convertible. In keeping with Maserati’s standards, this new limited edition is distinguished by excellent handling and outstanding sportiness, together with a great level of comfort and attention to materials and details.

The new Abarth 695 Maserati Edition features exclusive style details and technical features developed by Abarth engineers for Maserati. To start with, the 1.4 Turbo T-Jet 16v engine is boosted to 180 HP and teamed with the electrically operated Abarth Competizione manual gearbox with steering wheel controls, which enhances the performance of the engine with reduced gearshift times as well as offering an experience of superior comfort behind the wheel.

To improve performance, in particular for acceleration, the car is fitted with performance tyres on 17″ alloy wheels featuring a special Maserati-inspired “Neptune” design. The ride and braking system have also been strengthened to cope with the extra power: Brembo 305 mm disc brakes with grey fixed four-piston callipers and special Koni shock absorbers guarantee performance in complete safety.

The Abarth 695 Maserati Edition wouldn’t be complete without the variable back-pressure “dual mode” exhaust, designed to improve engine performance and deliver an inspiring sound above 3,000 rpm, with tailpipes that have been modified to assume the hexagonal shape that has always been a hallmark of Maserati cars.

The car’s exterior features a body painted in Pontevecchio Bordeaux. This colour from Maserati is achieved with special three-layer paintwork that reflects light and accentuates the shine of the colour. The same paintwork is also found on the door-mounted mirrors. The electrically controlled soft top is made of grey fabric.

The new Abarth adopts Xenon headlamps with dipped and driving light functions for improved light emission and excellent performance in all weather conditions. These devices deliver three times the light intensity and duration of standard halogen headlamps.

The customisation is just as complete on the inside. The interiors demonstrate both the attention to detail and the sportiness that characterise the two brands, starting with seats upholstered entirely in sand beige leather, with strips featuring single-layer padding, sporty but elegant and comfortable at the same time, and stylish details such as the number “695” heat-printed on the head restraints. The dashboard and gearbox trim are distinguished by a special matte-finish carbon lining, further enhancedwith the 695 logo, while the door panels and rear panels undergo a special UV-LUX treatment, which lends the trims an elegant grey “flocking” effect.

The black leather steering wheel is characterised by beige leather inserts and tricolour hub and houses the wheel-mounted gearbox controls, while the instrument panel has been specifically produced by the Jaeger brand. Other details enrich the interior, such as the aluminium pedal unit and sill plate, the carbon fibre kick plate with customised “Abarth 695 Maserati Edition” graphics and the plate with the car’s series number from 1 to 499. Lastly, as proof of its touring vocation and to enhance the on-board experience, the Abarth 695 Maserati Edition comes as standard with a boosted JBL hi-fi audio system with nine speakers and an eight-channel amplifier supplying 400 W of total power.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
ABARTH 695 MASERATI EDITION 180 HP 1.4 TURBO T-JET 16V MTA

ENGINE
4 cylindres in line, 4 valves per cylindre, 1368 cm3
Power: 180 HP (132 kW) at 5500 rpm
Maximum torque: 250 Nm in sport mode at 3000 rpm
Supercharged with Garrett 1446 turbo

TRANSMISSION
Abarth Competizione gearbox with 5 speeds, C510 gearbox family with gear paddles on the steering wheel

SUSPENSION
Front: Abarth Koni shock absorbers with FSD valve
Rear: Abarth Koni shock absorbers with FSD valve
Lowered ride.

STEERING
Electric power steering with “sport mode”

BRAKES
Floating, perforated and self-ventilating front brakes ø 305 mm × 28 mm
Perforated rear brakes ø 264 mm × 22 mm
TTC – Torque Transfer Control

WHEELS
Neptune Design 7×17″ alloy wheels
Tyres: 205/40 R17″

EMISSIONS
Euro 5 EEC-F5 Standard

CO2 EMISSIONS
151 g/km

FUEL CONSUMPTION
Urban consumption (l/100 km): 8.4
Combined consumption (l/100 km): 6.5
Extra-urban consumption (l/100 km): 5.4

PERFORMANCE
Max speed: >225 km/h (140 mph)
Acceleration of 0–100 km/h (0-62 mph): <7 secs

SPECIAL CONTENTS
SPECIAL “BORDEAUX PONTEVECCHIO” PAINT FROM MASERATI
XENON HEADLAMPS
TITANIUM GREY SOFT TOP
AUTOMATIC CLIMATE CONTROL
LEATHER STEERING WHEEL WITH RADIO CONTROLS
BLUE&ME TOMTOM 2 NAVIGATOR
BEIGE LEATHER SEATS
DASHBOARD FASCIA AND GEARBOX TRIM IN MATTE CARBON
DOOR PANELS, CONSOLE AND TUNNEL IN “FLOCKED” UV-LUX
DUAL-MODE EXHAUST WITH SPECIAL MASERATI-INSPIRED DESIGN
JBL HI-FI SYSTEM
BAG SET by TRAMONTANO