Autoblog

Long known amongst car people around southern California for its fine dining, upscale boutiques and most importantly its twice-monthly collector car breakfast cruises, the Enderle Center in Tustin, California decided to do something a little different to celebrate its 30th Anniversary: host a Classic European Concours. For this inaugural event they even flew in Pininfarina designer Maurizio Corbi who answered questions and sketched dream cars for the crowd. When someone groaned after hearing Corbi was partly responsible for the new Ferrari California's form, he quickly pointed out he did the front, which brought relieved laughter. Local collector Dick Marconi brought several cars from his nearby Marconi Automotive Museum, which supports the Marconi Foundation for Kids. Several of Dick's artworks were also displayed in the center's Chemers Gallery, but the cars were really all the art we needed to see.

Classics from the '30s, '40s, '50s, and '60s, along with sportscars from the '70s, '80s, and '90s were arranged by country of origin and parked through the central parking lot alongside a pedestrian-friendly red carpet. Ferraris were featured and there was an incredible assortment on hand, everything from Cher's Daytona Spyder to an extremely rare 195S, one of two in existence. The F50 wasn't too bad either. Maserati, Alfa Romeo, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Jaguar, Porsche, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and even Pegaso were also well-represented. It was a great first effort and a fun show, small and manageable with some breathtaking classics, all with great stories behind them.

When our camera started acting up we spotted our pals from Speed and Motion, who graciously agreed to let us use their images for our gallery. Click and enjoy, and be sure to check out the Speed and Motion site for a greater selection of photos and videos from this show, as well as dozens of HD clips from other local events.


Photos copyright ©2008 Speed and Motion

As we told you a couple of weeks ago, there's one incredibly lucky dude in Europe who happens to own at least a handful of the greatest supercars of the modern era. He also happens to house them near the Nürburgring. It was only a matter of time before all five of the cars were brought to the 'Ring to have them 'rung out. Fortunately for us that blessed event recently took place, and more importantly, it was captured on film. Even better, the lads over at Supercarmovies were the ones who filmed it.

After sharing their lush, kinetic films of the Lamborghini LP640, Weismann GT, and most recently the Chevy Corvette Z06, they have just posted videos of the five supercars getting down to business. Follow the jump to watch the trailer for this blessed vid, and click the source link below to see the Maserati MC12, Ferrari Enzo, Koenigsegg CCX, Pagani Zonda F Clubsport and Porsche Carrera GT as they make their way to the track. After that, you get to see the first contender, the Ferrari Enzo, do its thing. Videos of the remaining individual contenders will follow shortly. Same day, same driver, same conditions, no excuses.

[Source: Supercarmovies]

Despite the fact there is no real "Official 'Ring Record" for production cars, manufacturers never miss the chance to time their fastest cars as they lap the famous German race track. After all, there's a great bit of marketing to be had by claiming that your car is faster than everything else. Maserati realizes this just as much as the next company, and the Italian automaker's MC12 is still 'super' even though it's now three years old. Perhaps even more so, as it recently managed to lap the Nürburgring Nordschleife in just 7:24.29. Not only is this an extremely fast time, it betters the marks set by such enviable performers as the Ferrari Enzo, Koenigsegg CCX, Pagani Zonda F Clubsport and Porsche Carrera GT. All of these cars are owned by one (very lucky) man and were tested with the same driver (American Le Mans Series racer Marc Basseng) at the same time and under the same conditions, while lap timing duties went to Europe's evo magazine. All of this lends a dose of credibility to the Trident's accomplishment that's lacking from the incredible 'Ring times that automakers have been claiming lately. So, while not all 'Ring times are created equal, some bragging rights now belong to Maserati.*

*The only car we know of that claims a faster time is the Dodge Viper ACR, which unofficially managed the deed in just 7:22. Your lap times may vary.


[Source: Maserati]

Maserati is on a bit of a tear, and if things keep going its way, the Trident will turn that into a full-on ripper. The Gran Turismo S and Quattroporte S have secured the right kind of buzz, a Gran Turismo convertible – said to feature a cloth top, not a folding steel unit – is on the way, and there's always that Gran Turismo MC Corse Concept to hope for. If additional models get to wear the badge, they will come via Alfa. Fiat underlings Maser and Alfa have pledged to share technologies, so if Alfa picks up a RWD platform from someone else, that's an opportunity for Maserati to create a small sedan and coupe to fit underneath the GT and the Quattroporte. What Maserati will definitely not be creating, however, is a wagon: the Kuban GT has been taken off the menu. You'll hear no complaints from us about that, for while there can't be too many Maseratis, there can certainly be the wrong kind of Maserati.


[Source: Automotive News, sub. req'd]

Maserati is a company with a deep-rooted racing heritage, and it isn't about to let that fall by the wayside. With that in mind, the Trident marque has released details of its latest competition model, called the GranTurismo MC Corse Concept.

We brought you spy shots of a stripped-out, track-bound GranTurismo earlier this month, and this looks to be the ticket. Based on the 430hp GranTurismo S, the MC Corse is destined for the tarmac. The engine has been upgraded with a new intake system, competition-spec catalytic converters and a center-exit exhaust to boost output to 450 horsepower. Grip is enhanced by an increased track along with a new front splitter, a larger rear spoiler, and more aerodynamically efficient side skirts, while the suspension has been upgraded to meet the track surface with 18x12-inch front and 18x13-inch rear wheels fitted with racing slicks. Enlarged brake discs with monobloc racing calipers help keep the power in check, along with an FIA-approved rollcage.

Following on the heels of the MC12 Corse, the GranTurismo MC Corse promises to deliver one seriously demonic ride to go with the sinister looks. While this could be the new vehicle Maserati has been hinting at, we have a feeling Modena has another trick up its rolled-up sleeve. Stay tuned, and check out the images in the gallery below in the meantime.

[Source: Maserati]

Head to Maserati's website and you're greeted with a tantalizingly coy poll, asking users to guess what event will take place on October 2nd, the first day of the Paris Motor Show. The overwhelming popular opinion is that a new car will be debuted, possibly the smaller Maser that's supposed to take aim at Porsche. A test mule was spied a while back, though that car didn't have the folding hardtop the new mini-Maserati, based on a hacked-down GranTurismo, is whispered to be carrying. We'll all just have to wait, each day feeling longer than the next. What else could it be, other than a car? The idea of generating such buzz over a new website, logo, or advertising campaign (all three are choices) is ludicrous, but the rest, including a new production facility could seem plausible. Even more intriguing, it could be all of the above. We want a smaller Maserati, and we're going to hold our breath until we turn as blue as the website's banner image to get one. Thanks for the tip, Jvijil.

[Source: Maserati]

If you live in Chicago and have been waiting for the opportunity to check out the most scrumptious of Italian sheetmetal this side of the Atlantic, the Midwest chapter of the Italian-American Chamber of Commerce has got some treats in store for you.

Sponsored by Case New Holland – Fiat's American agricultural and construction equipment subsidiary – the annual "Italian Style" event is gearing up for a return from September 19-21 at Navy Pier in Chicago. In addition to all manner of heavy machinery from the CNH catalog, Ferrari will be showcasing its top-selling F430 Spider and the 599 GTB Fiorano, Maserati will be showing off its freshly updated Quattroporte S and Alfa Romeo will bring out the production version of the 8C Competizione for its first public appearance in North America. Fiat Group CEO Sergio Marchionne will be participating, Magneti Marelli and Fiat Powertrain Technologies will be displaying various components from Italian automobiles, and Ducati will be on hand with a display of its motorbikes. Head on down and check it out.

[Source: ItalianExpo.us and Italiaspeed]

Spy shots have been circulating the web of an upcoming hard-top convertible from Maserati. But while the Trident marque is known to be developing a convertible version of the big GranTurismo, reports now suggest that the vehicle spied is actually the smaller Porsche-rivaling sportscar previously rumored and spied.

Like the Ferrari California, the new model positioned below the GranTurismo is tipped to come only in hard-top convertible form. If that's the case, expect a fast-action retractable roof lighter in weight than a comparable soft-top mechanism but with the added benefits of a solid lid. Again, like the Ferrari, the new small Maserati is expected to have a 2+2 cabin layout, although the rear seats are anticipated to be removable. Power is tipped to come from a smaller version of the 4.2-liter V8 in the base GranTurismo, producing about 350hp and driving the rear wheels through a revised version of the DuoSelect clutchless manual transmission still used in the GranTurismo S instead of the newer ZF six-speed auto in the rest of the Maserati range. Competitive pricing would pit it against the Jaguar XK, BMW 6 Series and Porsche 911. Hard to say at this point if the new model will appear before or after the convertible GranTurismo, but sources suggest it could be ready for unveiling sometime next year, so stay tuned.

[Source: Auto Express]

First there was the Maserati Gran Turismo. Then came the Gran Turismo S. Then came spy shots of a Gran Turismo Spyder. And now we have spy shots of a low-down, one-seater, roll-cage and plexiglass-window equipped Gran Turismo Trophy edition sporting three huge holes in its hood. The Trophy version is said to have 413 hp, which is down from the 440 hp of the S -- but it would also be a lot lighter. Claimed to have a new ECU and exhaust, the car gets from zero to 62 mph in just four seconds. As best we can tell from the translation, this naked Gran Turismo Trophy edition is meant to compete with the Porsche GT3, or to compete in a U.S. racing series. While we find those possibilities a little odd, they must have built it to compete with something, and no matter what that something is, we say bring it... Follow the link for more spy shots of the race-ready Maser.

[Source: Autofun via Auto Blog Italy (no relation)]

Click to view more of the classic Maserati fire truck

In case there were ever any doubt that the Italians have more style than the rest of us, just look at their emergency vehicles. While over here, public services use the most basic of vehicles, the polizia have cars like the Alfa Romeo 159 and Lamborghini Gallardo. But what about their fire trucks? Their function usually dictates their form, but in this case, the Italians have got us beat.

Back in 1967, Constuzione Estintori Anticendio (CEA) of Bologna, Italy, took five Maserati Quattroportes and converted them for use as fire trucks at racing circuits. Labeled as "the fastest fire tenders in the world", they could top out at 225 kph thanks to their 4.2-liter V8s driving 260 hp through a five-speed ZF manual gearbox while riding on Borrani steel wheels with Girling disc brakes. All five examples were bought in 1987 by a collector in Austria, who eventually sold them all off except for the finest example, which he is now putting up for sale. Contact Christoph Grohe if you're interested.

[Source: Maserati Enthusiasts' Page via Jalopnik]