Maserati of Minneapolis Blog

Cars & Cafe 2009

2009-04-29T18:42:00.006-05:00

Cars & Cafe 2009 promises to be even bigger than 2008. By the end of the year we had over 300 cars in attendance, and even more spectators. This year is still being graciously hosted by the AutoMotorPlex Minneaplis until we outgrow their spacious campus.

Here's video from October 2008, the final event of last year:

And here's a map to the AutoMotorPlex Minneapolis:

View Larger Map

The event is from 8am - 11am, and is always free - even the coffee!

E-mail mark (dot) potter (at) morries.com if you'd like to join my events mailing list - including Cars & Cafe updates, invitations to our F1 parties, car shows, and other events.

Cars & Cafe DVD now available!

2009-03-12T13:21:00.003-05:00

Matt Desmond has finally released the DVD for the 2008 Minneapolis Cars & Cafe season. These are the videos that were posted to YouTube & Vimeo, in their full-screen, unsuperdupercompressed video and audio presentations.

There is also a special surprise if you click the image of our dealership in the bonus materials section.

Pick up your limited edition copy here: http://www.middlepathproductions.com

The next Cars & Cafe is April 4th, 2009!

Formla 1 2009

2009-02-18T18:49:00.005-06:00

The 2009 Formula 1 season promises to be an interesting season, no matter who your favorite team is, or what you think of the new rule changes... From the interesting new wings, a return to slicks, the implementation of the Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems (KERS), and the absence of Honda..... well, at least it won't be dull? Here's a video Marty shared, from team Red Bull that highlights the rule changes for 2009:

Here's a video the Williams team made explaining their KERS system:

And this video shows us that carbon fiber does indeed conduct electricity:

Let's hope that isn't a theme this year...

Here is the full list of events this year: (not taking into account tape delayed races)

29 March - Formula 1 2009 season premier (Australian GP) 12(Midnight)-3am.
19 April - Formula 1 round three (Chinese GP) 1:30-4am.
26 April - Formula 1 round four (Bahrain GP) 6:15-9am.
10 May - Formula 1 round five (Spanish GP) 6:15-9am.
24 May - Formula 1 round six (Monaco GP) 6:15-9am.
7 June - Formula 1 round seven (Turkish GP) 6:15-9am.
21 June - Formula 1 round eight (British GP) 6:15-9am.
12 July - Formula 1 round nine (German GP) 6:15-9am.
26 July - Formula 1 round ten (Hungarian GP) 6:15-9am.
23 August - Formula 1 round eleven (European GP) 6:15-9am.
30 August - Formula 1 round twelve (Belgian GP) 6:15-9am.
13 September - Formula 1 round thirteen (Italian GP) 6:15-9am.
27 September - Formula 1 round fourteen (Singapore GP) 6:15-9am.
4 October - Formula 1 round fifteen (Japanese GP) 11:15pm-2am.
18 October - Formula 1 round sixteen (Brazilian GP) 10:15am-1pm.
1 November - Formula 1 round seventeen - the final race of the season (Abu Dhabi GP - Inaugural Race) 5:15-8am.

I have loaded all of these dates, as well as additional events into my public calendar, accessible on the right side of this blog, or by susbcription by clicking here. (link in the bottom right corner)

As always I will send out an e-mail with details before each race, so if you aren't seeing them, or would like to subscribe, send me an e-mail (mark.potter[at]morries.com).

USA Today's Review of the Maserati GranTurismo

2009-01-08T16:23:00.006-06:00

USA Today had a great review of the Maserati GranTurismo recently, here are some excerpts:

If you can talk about the Maserati Gran Turismo high-performance coupe for more than two minutes without using a naughty innuendo, you should get a prize. We'll try to remain prizeless.Just looking at the $121,000 GT is enough to make you vibrate, so you can imagine what happens when you actually drive it.

You lean into the throttle coaxing the Maserati-designed, Ferrari-built, 4.2-liter V-8 into delivering as much power and speed as your lawyer and bank account can handle. And you wonder: If this is a car, what are all those frumpy lumps of metal getting in your way? Or, if those are cars, what on earth is the GT? Because it's sure not like those.

Read the full article here: USA Today

GranTurismo MC Corse In-Car Video

2008-12-15T17:14:00.002-06:00

I ran across this in-car video of the GranTurismo MC Corse testing at Monza on YouTube today and had to share:

New Production Car Speed Record at the Nurburgring!

2008-10-09T16:30:00.004-05:00

For a long time I've pushed the fact that even though the Quattroporte was beat in horsepower and straight-line acceleration by the BMW M5 and the Mercedes S66 AMG, it was faster on the racetrack. The whole package of weight balance, suspension, chassis tuning, and electronics was such a superb setup that the car really is a lot faster than it looks on paper. EVO magazine proved it when they ran it around their Bedford Autodrome track in England. The Quattroporte was the fastest sedan, until they reconfigured the track and re-set the scores. Just look at these track times and the Quattroporte bests a lot of cars that should be faster.

Well now another Maserati has proven that it isn't all about horsepower or straight-line speed. EVO magazine teamed up with a car fanatic we can all be jealous of, and a professional driver to push 5 supercars around the legendary 'Green Hell', otherwise known as the Nürburgring Nordschleife, all in an effort to answer one question: "Which one's fastest?"

Apparently ONE guy is lucky enough to own an MC12, an Enzo, a Carrera GT, a Koenigsegg CCX, and a Zonda F. Now keep in mind, these cars range from 600 - 901 hp and are capable of sub 4 second 0-60 mph.

Surprisingly the most expensive car in the group - the Koenigsegg CCX came in dead last. Fast in a straight line, but the "...peaky way the power is delivered made it challenging to control." No lap time was published for the CCX. The Carrera GT came in 4th with a lap time of 7.28.71 - matching the time set by factory driver Robert Rohrl during development.

Third place went to the Ferrari Enzo, with a lap time of 7:25.21. The Pagani Zonda, powered by a 7.3 liter Mercedes powerplant came in second with a lap time of 7:24.65.

With a lap time of 7:24.29 the Maserati MC12 came in first place. Not only did it beat the rest of these massively capable supercars, but it set a new production car lap record in the process. The MC12 was the heaviest car in the group, had 'old-fashioned' steel brakes and conventional dampers, but still took them on and won. Just like in the GranTurismo and the Quattroporte, the MC12's sum is greater than its individual parts.

Just because one car should be faster than another on paper, doesn't make it so.

GranTurismo MC Corse Concept Revealed

2008-09-29T10:59:00.006-05:00

9/24 - Maserati's new concept car was unveiled during the Maserati Day, an event held at Monza. No word yet on whether this car will be produced for GT racing, but I think we'll see this competing in 2009, in either the FIA GT3 European Championship series that the Gran Sport Light used to compete in, or possibly the GT4 class that the Trofeo Light currently competes in.

Maserati's race engineers have fine tuned the GranTurismo S' aerodynaic efficiency with a new front bumper - increasing airflow to the engine and brakes, and a front "chin spoiler" for additional downforce. The hood features a new large air intake plus cooling vents towards the rear.

The front of the car now features side air-vents which lead into the new side skirts under the doors. To the rear of the car the boot spoiler has been re-sculpted to produce increased down force to match the front splitter. The lower rear bumper has been re-worked to incorporate additional air vents and centrally located tailpipes.

The Maserati Racing Department engineers have made major improvements to reduce the car's weight while also enhancing its performance. The chassis has been significantly lightened and stiffened with the application of an integral rollcage, to meet FIA regulations.

The coachwork, partially modified to meet new FIA regulations, is in composite material. This has led to better weight distribution and an overall weight under 3,100 lbs, a 1,000 lb reduction from the production GranTurismo S.

The suspension, brakes, wheels and tires have seen upgrades to meet racing specification including: Single-rate racing dampers, larger brake discs with moobloc racing calipers, and new 13x18" rear and 12x18" front wheels wrapped in racing slicks.

The engine has been revised to further increase performance without impairing reliability. The 4.7L V8 now generates 450 hp, and 376 lb-ft of torque at 4750 rpm. The intake and exhaust systems have been revised through a new open element air filter beneath the large hood inlet, and a full racing exhaust system with race-type catalytic converters and silencers.

Specifications:

Engine: V8
Displacement: 4,691 cc
Maximum power: 450 hp
Maximum torque: 376 lb-ft at 4,750 rpm
Power to weight ratio: < 7lbs/hp
Body: In composite material. Windscreen, rear, and side windows in Lexan.
Chassis: In welded steel with integral rollcage structure, FIA approved
Interior: Backward-set driving position, with racing seat, dashboard and control console in carbon througout. 6-point HANS compatible seat-belt.
Electrical System: Specific, with data acquisition system.
Fuel Tank: 26.4 gallon, with carbon safety structure, FIA approved.
Brakes: Steel discs, front ⌀ 15", ⌀ rear 12.5", without ABS.
Wheels: Front 12x18", rear 13x18"
Tires: Racing slicks
Weight: < 3,100 lbs

Links:
maseraticorse.com

Cars & Coffee - New Location Recap

2008-09-23T18:25:00.002-05:00

As I mentioned previously Cars & Coffee is now at the MotorPlex in Chanhassen. As we found out last month, this new location is going to be a great spot moving forward. Matt posted up this great video from last month's gathering:

Here is a map to 8200 Audubon Road, Chanhassen 55317:

View Larger Map

For more information on the Auto MotorPlex: www.automotorplex.com

Wayzata Rotary and The Minneapolis Club Car Show

2008-09-02T17:54:00.002-05:00

Sunday, September 7th, 2008 (rain or shine)
Time: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Admission Price: $15 per car. Spectators are FREE!

This show will feature vintage, classic, custom, foreign and specialty cars on display. Proceeds from the event will benefit local and international humanitarian projects.

The Auto Show is held in conjunction with James J Hill Days, a family festival featuring art, music, food, kids' carnival, parade and other fun events on the shores of beautiful Lake Minnetonka.

View Larger Map

Cars & Coffee - New Location

2008-09-02T17:26:00.003-05:00

Our monthly gathering of automotive enthusiasts is moving! Last month's show was so successful it was clear the Caribou parking lots were not going to be sufficient. So this month we move to the MotorPlex in Chanhassen.

Here is a map to 8200 Audubon Road, Chanhassen 55317:

View Larger Map

For more information on the Auto MotorPlex: www.automotorplex.com

Cars & Coffee MN - August Recap

2008-08-04T10:02:00.004-05:00

Saturday's Cars & Coffee was amazing - over 250 cars came out on a beautiful Saturday morning. The sheer diversity of cars was incredible - from an incredible 1960's Ferrari 250 GT Lusso, to some really clean old Bugs. Next month promises to be even bigger - and we're working on an adjacent lot that can handle the extra turnout.

Here is a slideshow of pictures I took:

[edit: 8-22]
Matt Desmond just posted his video:

Wheels of Italy - 2008

2008-07-30T17:10:00.005-05:00

August 24th
10am - 4pm
Free for owners, Free for admirers
All Italian vehicles welcome.
FREE Gift bag to the first 250 Italian cars on display!

View Larger Map

Cars & Coffee

2008-07-10T15:21:00.005-05:00

This past Cars & Coffee event was awesome - we had more cars representing more makes and eras than any previous event. This monthly meeting continues to grow and should become a permanent part of twin cities car culture. If you haven't yet made it down - you're really missing out.

Cars & Coffee happens on the first Saturday of each month. After each event there is a rotating schedule of driving activities - from dyno pulls to photo shoots. We will try to continue to hold get-togethers indoors during the winter, with karting, open houses, and other events in planning.

I maintain an e-mail announcement list for the Formula 1 events here at the dealership, for all of the Cars & Coffee events, and other events of interest to high-end automotive enthusiasts. To sign up for this list, send me an e-mail mark.potter@morries.com. I send out an e-mail once every two weeks on average - so don't worry about your inbox being filled with junk.

Video from July:

The next C&C is scheduled for August 2nd - details here

Followup: More Photos of the Bellagio Fastback and A8 GCS

2008-05-13T13:13:00.002-05:00

The reborn Carrozzeria Touring made a big splash at Villa d'Este. As the featured marque of the Concorso d'Eleganza this year, the fathers of the classic Superleggera construction method took the wraps off two stunning coachbuilt Maseratis. While we wait for Touring to release more information on the swoopy A8 GCS sportscar and Bellagio Fastback, the Carrozzeria has graced us with a few new images of the two cars.

[source: AutoBlog]

Gran Turismo S: Now Accepting Orders

2008-05-13T13:10:00.002-05:00

When the Maserati GranTurismo was unveiled at the 2007 Geneva Auto Salon it was an instant success. The gorgeous bodywork, styled by Pininfarina, was the obvious reason crowds flocked to the Maserati stand to admire the new Italian beauty – and once they were there, they found much more. The signature Maserati V8 engine, a fine leather-clad interior which is both sumptuously elegant and sporting, and – what sets it apart from the cars which aspire to be its rivals – two full-size rear seats.

Remarkably, Maserati found a way to repeat the success for the 2008 Geneva Show, which saw the debut of the GranTurismo S. A version of the car aimed squarely at driving enthusiasts, it was the undoubted star of the show; for the second year, the Maserati stand was on the ‘must see’ list for visitors.

With the engine uprated to 4.7 liters, producing 433 hp, the GranTurismo S can sprint to 62mph in 4.9 sec and accelerate on to 183mph, given an autobahn or a racetrack. Bringing proceedings to a halt are the Maserati-exclusive dual-cast brakes, first seen on the Quattroporte Sport GT S. These brakes, developed in conjunction with Brembo, feature cast iron rotors for strength and heat dissipation cast as one piece with aluminum hubs to reduce unsprung weight.

The GranTurismo S also sees the return of the paddle-shift manual transmission, improved and refined for smoother and faster shifts. Integrated into the rear axle and differential assembly in a transaxle layout, this setup gives the GranTurismo S an even more aggressive rear weight bias for even better balance, handling and grip under both acceleration and braking. The new MC-Shift software in the automated manual transmission can change gears in just 100 milliseconds at wide open throttle, while also retaining a fully automatic mode for cruising town. To make the most of the rear weight bias and extra horsepower, lowered and specially tuned suspension increases handling precision and reduces body roll by 10%.

The GranTurismo S has some exterior and interior enhancements, too. New side-skirts and an integral rear spoiler improve aerodynamic efficiency in addition to giving the car a more sporty, aggressive look – and the look is further enhanced by the new seven-spoke 20” wheel rims incorporating a subtle Trident pattern. Inside the surprisingly spacious cabin the seats feature horizontal piping, while the dashboard can be finished in AluTex, a new woven aluminum trim.

The GranTurismo S is a high-performance coupe aimed squarely at the driving enthusiast. Designed for a very particular clientele, it will be produced in very limited numbers and will be sold for one model year only. Deliveries of the 2009 GranTurismo S are expected to begin in late fall or early winter, but Maserati expects the car to sell out long before then. Each car will be built to order, and the order book for the GranTurismo S is now open at authorized Maserati dealerships; if the GranTurismo S appeals to your inner enthusiast then the word from inside the factory is this: don’t delay!

A ground-breaking coupe, enhanced with new engine, transmission and suspension, and with more sporty styling – no wonder the driving cognoscenti mobbed the Maserati stand at the Geneva show. Visit or call us today to find out how to turn their dreams into your reality, and put a limited edition Maserati GranTurismo S in your garage.

Cars & Coffee 2008: May 3rd Recap

2008-05-06T18:22:00.002-05:00

This past weekend's cars & coffee had (barely) better weather, but a bigger turnout and a small group of us drove down to the autocross at Valleyfair afterwards. Cool cars included a Ferrari 360 and Testarossa, a Caterham Super 7, Noble M400, a bunch of Mitsu Evos, Porsche 911s, a couple of Maseratis, and about 40 others.

Here is another video that Matt Desmond put together:

The next cars & coffee is scheduled for June 7th.

Carrozzeria Touring unveils two new Maserati based cars

2008-04-28T19:06:00.002-05:00

This week, Carrozzeria Touring has unveiled two new Maserati-based cars, including the Quattroporte based Bellagio Fastback and the GranTurismo inspired A8 GCS.

In March 1957 the 3500GT was unveiled to the world at the 'Salon International de l'Auto' in Geneva, featuring a body by Allemano, and a second by Carrozzeria Touring of Milan. While Allemano was the traditional designer for vehicles coming from 'The house of the Trident,' the elegant Superllegera design from Carrozzeria won out. This was to be Maserati's first mass-production Gran Turismo, and would lay the foundation upon which Maserati would build, eventually leading to today's Gran Turismo.

Carrozzeria Touring holds a special place in Maserati's history, which gives these new models more significance than they might otherwise enjoy.

This is the Carrozzeria Touring Maserati Quattroporte Bellagio Fastback, a 5-door version of the Quattroporte. This car was first shown to the public this week at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este, on the shores of Lake Como in Italy. Truly a beautiful alternative to the SUV.

And this is the Carrozzeria Touring Maserati A8 GCS. While you might think this is essentially a re-skinned Gran Turismo, it is actually a traditional body-on-frame sports car which shares only engine and transmission with the GT. The car shows a tasteful mix of retro and modern, with a stunning fastback body.

It is worth noting that neither of these cars will be mass-produced, and you're not likely to see a Carrozzeria Touring badge on a Maserati any time soon, but clearly they are still a world-class design house, and they are still going strong after 80+ years.

Cars & Coffee 2008: April 5th recap

2008-04-07T14:38:00.002-05:00

The first Cars & Coffee event was awesome. About 40 cars showed up, lots of spectators, and afterwards a bunch of us went on a drive out to the Autobahn Motorplex in Chanhassen.

One of the guys uploaded this video:

I have all of the future event details (times, location, map) loaded into my calendar, which you can see here

This promises to be a great regular event throughout the year, so wash your car and come spend some time with us on the first Saturday of each month through October. More events with this group of people are sure to come, so stay tuned!

Quattroporte Collezione Cento - On display in New York

2008-04-02T14:27:00.003-05:00

The Quattroporte Collezione Cento is the ultra-exclusive, high-tech limited edition of the world's finest sports sedan, and this is your invitation to view it in person.

"Collezione Cento", Italian for "Collection of One Hundred", signals the rarity of this technological, performance and luxury tour de force. The famed Maserati factory will create only 100 of these automotive jewels for clients worldwide, and only a few will be made available to discerning North American enthusiasts. With paint available in an exclusive striking ivory white unique to the Cento, a chromed honeycomb finish for the grille and side air vents, and special 20" ball-polished alloy wheels, the exterior literally reflects the car's special status.

Maserati designers and engineers reserved the strongest magic for the Cento's exciting cabin. Interior badging and the famed Trident logo on the shift lever are in authentic mother of pearl complemented by the texture of Wengé wood trim. The buttery soft leather is, of course, Poltrona Frau, and the seats feature distinctive diamond-stitching that evokes the opulence and craftsmanship of motoring's first golden era.

While every Quattroporte entertains the occupants of its front seats with breathtaking performance and handling, the Cento reserves some special treats for those riding in the highly adjustable, climate-controlled rear seats. They will enjoy the tremendous personalized multimedia experience offered by Maserati's leading edge technological innovation and accessibility. As the car traverses cities and continents, the Cento's rear seat passengers can use the built-in Windows-based PC and large integrated LCD screens and a fold-away wireless keyboard to surf the World Wide Web, manage and enjoy their music through iTunes, and check their e-mail. The multimedia system even includes a matched set of wireless headsets for listening to music and enjoying movies on the built-in DVD player. This is the ultimate in Twenty First Century motoring.

Come and enjoy the craftsmanship and technology of the exclusive Quattroporte Collezione Cento on display only at the Maserati Corporate Showroom, 410 Park Avenue & 55th Street, New York, NY 10022 Stop in any time during business hours or phone ahead to set up a special appointment.

Where:
The Maserati Corporate Showroom
410 Park Avenue at 55th Street
New York, NY

When:
10AM to 7PM Monday through Friday
11AM to 5PM Saturday

Phone Number: 212-593-2080

New Maserati GranTurismo S Video

2008-03-11T19:03:00.002-05:00

This is going to be one cool car

Formula 1: 2008 Season

2008-03-03T16:34:00.004-06:00

After a first-year run of hosting all of the Formula 1 races live at the dealership, we're pleased to announce that we will be hosting all of the races during the 2008 season as well. On March 17, the season gets underway and like last year, we're planning a big event to celebrate. (Conveniently it's also St. Patrick's Day.)

The 2008 season should be exciting - last year's championship wasn't decided until the final race, we've got two new tracks including a night race in Singapore, traction control has been banned, and as always, we expect plenty of drama.

Come enjoy the camaraderie of a group of race fanatics as we celebrate the wins, debate the losses, and participate in the car hobby throughout the year. Throughout the 2008 season we will be adding additional after-race drives, car shows, and other enthusiast events.

I've loaded the entire 2008 schedule into this calendar: (times posted = door opening times - subject to change as events are updated)

To view or subscribe to this Google Calendar click here.

I maintain an e-mail announcement list for the Formula 1 events here at the dealership, for all of the Cars & Coffee events, and other events of interest to high-end automotive enthusiasts. To sign up for this list, send me an e-mail mark.potter@morries.com. I send out an e-mail once every two weeks on average - so don't worry about your inbox being filled with junk.

Maserati \ Ferrari \ Alfa Romeo V8 Lineage

2008-02-13T16:29:00.007-06:00

Did you know that the V8 under the GranTurismo's hood has some sisters?

This engine was originally developed in an engineering partnership between Maserati and Ferrari, while Maserati was under Ferrari's full control. This engine would be the heart and soul of Maserati's reintroduction to the United States market, and would become Ferrari's first all-new V8 engine since the 1950's. (The Ferrari 360 was the last car to use an engine based on the Dino V6 and V8 engine lineage that began in 1955: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferrari_Dino_engine)

This V8 comes in 3 main flavors - Maserati's 4.2L, Ferrari's 4.3L, and Alfa's 4.7L:

Maserati GranTurismo
92.0 x 79.8mm
4244cc
11.1:1
400hp@7100rpm
339lb-ft@4750rpm
7500rpm redline
Variable intake valve timing

Ferrari 430 Scuderia
92.0 x 81.0mm
4308cc
11.9:1
503hp@8500 rpm
347lb-ft@5250 rpm
8500rpm redline
Variable intake and exhaust valve timing
Variable intake manifold
Flat-plane crankshaft
Dry-sump lubrication

Alfa 8C-Competizione
94.0 x 84.5mm
4691cc
11.3:1
444hp@7000rpm
347lb-ft@4750rpm
7500rpm redline
Variable intake valve timing
Dry-sump lubrication

Fangio Footage

2008-01-21T11:12:00.000-06:00

I ran across some great vintage racing footage of Fangio behind the wheel of the Maserati 250F:

"In his memoirs, Giulio Borsari, one of the most famous mechanics to have worked for both Maserati and then Ferrari, says “the Nürburgring is recognised as Fangio’s greatest victory in his entire career: on that occasion he drove impeccably, sealing his fifth world title.”"

"On lap 12, Fangio came into the pits for his planned tyre change, but unfortunately, the mechanics lost a rear knock-off spinner under the car. Fangio, frustrated to say the least, not only sat and watched as his advantage was lost but also saw the distance between him and the leading car increase dramatically. When he got back into the race, the “Maestro” was 45 seconds behind the first Ferrari. Fangio recalled: “I was really disappointed. I was on the way to win the race and take my fifth world championship, but there were only 10 laps to go and I realised that there was little hope of winning unless I managed to do something very special.” "

"Although after the race Fangio declared “I had never driven like that before, and I knew I never would again”, his courage, strength and sensitivity led him to win a magnificent victory on the Eifel mountains. With this success, he earned a permanent place in Formula 1 history and legend. And with him, so did the 250F."

Maserati has setup a great minisite to celebrate Fangio's success behind the wheel: maseraticelebratesfangio.com

Quattroporte Collezione Cento

2008-01-18T17:43:00.000-06:00

Unveiled at the Detroit Autoshow, the new Maserati Quattroporte Collezione Cento is a limited edition masterpiece.

Created from brand new materials and constructed using traditional methods, the Collezione Cento is dedicated to those looking for the last word in luxury, but who do not want to compromise on comfort and advanced technology.

The car's elegant Avorio livery, with its contrasting air vents, catches the eye. The chrome honeycombed front and side grilles give the berlina an executive air while the 20" ball-polished rims provide a refined look.

The interior oozes taste with its tan Poltrona Frau seats. These feature diamond shaped stitching and colour coordinated button covers. The new polished Wenge wood can be found on the steering wheel and central console, a characteristic enhanced by the mother-of-pearl insert that spells out the name of the car and traces the Trident set in the gearknob.

Conceived for technology buffs, the 'Maserati Multimedia Entertainment' integrated system has audiovisual functions that can be accessed via two 10.4" touchscreens set in the back of the front headrests. The system also boasts a hi-fi set up equipped with Bluetooth headphones. Using the internet and sending emails is easy thanks to the keyboard that folds away inside the armrest.

This new take on luxury and innovation is achieved by employing original styling cues. These create an immediately warm and welcoming interior, but one that is, at the same time, both smart and modern. The numbered plate set in the dashboard, running from 1 to 100, is another sign of the car’s exclusivity.

Master Maserati Driving School

2008-01-18T16:56:00.000-06:00

After a hugely successful 2007 season, Maserati is once again offering a full season of performance driving instruction with their world-class 'Master Maserati' program. This represents your chance to learn from some of the best drivers in the world - 10 instructors under the direction of Ivan Capelli (Veteran of 98 Gran Prix races in F1). Vehicles include the brand new GranTurismo (5), the brand new Quattroporte Sport GTS (2), as well as the GranSport (6), and Trofeo Race Cars (2).

The 2008 Maserati Master GT 2-Day driving course is organized by Maserati Spa, open to existing and potential owners, with an emphasis on the GranTurismo and safe driving techniques. The course takes place at the Varano de Melegari autodrome, a technically demanding track perfectly suited to driver training. The track boasts centrally controlled artificial rain, low grip resin, a skid machine, on-board telemetry, and lecture room with video-replay feedback.

Groups of 24 people per course are split into 3-4 smaller groups of 6-8 participants each, with track time broken up among the different vehicles, and progressing from classroom theory through demonstration laps in the Maserati Trofeo. Topics covered include emergency braking, power oversteer with and without ASR, high-speed pendulum turns, a high-speed contest, and laps on track following a "pace" car - under a green not yellow flag... Educational sessions are broken up with on-track time with telemetry analysis.

Each exercise is tailored to improving your skills as a driver, and to get the most enjoyment out of your current or future Maseratis. After all - these cars are meant to be driven, and with Maserati's 90 years of racing history - its in their blood.

Dates: 23/24 April, 28/29 May, 10/11 June, 27/28 August, 18/19 September, 8/9 October, 27/28 October
Accommodations at Hotel Palace Maria Luigia, a 4-star superior hotel in Parma, Italy. Dinners at exclusive local restaurants, lunches at the track.
Price: € 3700 (incl. VAT) per participant, all-inclusive; €784 per companion

Speaking of racing, new for 2008 is the Master Maserati Master Racing program.

The Master Maserati Racing course is designed for a limited number of participants, who can now spend a whole day at the wheel of the Maserati Trofeo and the Maserati GranSport. This is a unique opportunity to experience the thrill of Maserati competitions with the support of a highly professional staff and the latest equipment.

The Racing course is limited to 12 participants, and utilizes the Maserati Trofeo, GranSport, and GranTurismo vehicles.
Cost: €3999 per participant, all-inclusive

For more information, or to sign-up, please e-mail me: mark.potter (at) morries (dot) com