NOVITEC TRIDENTE Tunes the Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale Photo Gallery and Video

The MC Stradale is the sportiest model in the Maserati GranTurismo model series. NOVITEC TRIDENTE, the global leader in tuning for the automobiles from the Italian manufacturer, now offers a SUPERSPORT supercharged engine with 646 hp / 475 kW, three-piece wheels with diameters of 21 and 22 inches, a ride-height lowering by some 25 millimeters and numerous other exclusive options for the two-seater car. The combination of the ultra-powerful NOVITEC TRIDENTE engine and the lightweight-design concept of the MC Stradale results in sensational performance: 3.9 seconds from 0 – 100 km/h, 11.4 seconds to 200 km/h and a top speed of 306 km/h add even more excitement to the coupe.

Following tried and proven NOVITEC TRIDENTE tradition, a supercharger is also employed to enhance the performance of the sport model of the Maserati model range. The 4.7-liter eight-cylinder four-valve V engine drives the supercharger via a cogged belt. Maximum boost pressure is limited to 0.43 bar. To keep the charge-air temperature as low as possible, the supercharger system also includes a water-to-air intercooler connected to a dedicated water circuit with two heat exchangers that provides ideal temperatures.

The conversion, available for EUR 23,900, also includes a bigger intake manifold, larger injectors and newly calibrated mapping for the engine electronics. The new mapping coordinates the NOVITEC TRIDENTE high-performance components, and ensures a powerful and extremely linear power curve as well as exemplary engine longevity.

The central air scoop in the NOVITEC TRIDENTE hood provides the supercharged engine with an optimal amount of combustion air. The hood is optionally available made from especially lightweight clear-coated carbon fiber. For optimal venting of the engine bay the hood, which also available individually without engine conversion, features two large air vents.

To match the rear diffuser of the MC Stradale the tuner upgrades the butterfly-valve production exhaust system with two black-coated or polished tailpipes with a diameter of 105 millimeters.

The complex supercharger conversion elevates the Maserati sport model to a new performance level: with 646 hp / 475 kW at 7,500 rpm the NOVITEC TRIDENTE engine surpasses its root by 196 hp / 144.1 kW. Simultaneously peak torque grows to 624 Nm at 5,600 rpm. As is characteristic for a supercharged engine, the high-performance engine offers an extremely wide usable rev range from idle speed to the rev limiter.

Source: Novitec Tridente Press Release

Maserati GranCabrio from NOVITEC TRIDENTE

Open-air driving fun thanks to a supercharged engine with 590 hp / 434 kW, a peak torque of 572 Nm and a top speed of 301 km/h: NOVITEC TRIDENTE now refines the Maserati GranCabrio as well. The refinement also includes a sporty designer suit with subtle aerodynamic-enhancement components made from clear-coated carbon fiber, three-piece wheels with diameters of 21 and 22 inches, a hydraulically height-adjustable coilover suspension and exclusive interior options.

More power through supercharging is the recipe of the NOVITEC TRIDENTE engine specialists. This technology, proven in the GranTurismo and Quattroporte, is now also available for the Maserati GranCabrio.

The 4.7-liter V8 engine is upgraded with a perfectly dimensioned supercharger driven by a cogged-tooth belt. Maximum boost pressure is limited to 0.35 bar. A water-to-air intercooler with dedicated water circuit ensures optimal power yield and healthy engine temperatures.

The NOVITEC TRIDENTE SPORT compressor conversion also includes a custom intake manifold and larger injectors. Newly programmed engine electronics coordinate the perfect interaction of the new high-performance components. The new mapping also ensures optimal power yield, durability and compliance with current exhaust emission standards.

The engine conversion costs 19,900 Euros and ideally is complemented with the NOVITEC TRIDENTE sport exhaust system. The fully stainless-steel system features four slanted tailpipes with diameters of 90 millimeters and is available with or without control flap. The former allows the driver to engage in sound tuning from the cockpit. Depending on the control flaps’ position, the eight-cylinder engine sounds either sporty subdued or aggressive like a race car.

The performance figures of the NOVITEC TRIDENTE supercharged engine speak for themselves: rated power of the four-valve engine jumps by 150 hp / 110 kW to 590 hp / 434 kW at 7,300 rpm. Simultaneously peak torque grows from 490 Nm to 572 Nm at 5,400 rpm.

The power plant interacts perfectly with the standard six-speed automatic transmission, both in manual and automatic mode: The sports car sprints from 0 – 100 km/h in just 4.5 seconds. Top speed increases from standard 283 km/h to 301 km/h.

These high speeds place enormous demands on the aerodynamic properties of the vehicle. The NOVITEC TRIDENTE designers have developed components that also fit the GranTurismo Coupé. They further emphasize the cabriolet’s sporty character and optimize its aerodynamic properties. All body components are made from carbon fiber with a clear-coated finish or painted in body or contrasting color.

The NOVITEC TRIDENTE front spoiler lips are attached to both sides of the production front apron. Their sophisticated shape reduces lift on the front axle, thus further improving directional stability at high speeds. In combination with the carbon-fiber radiator grille surround the two spoilers give the vehicle an even sportier face.

The NOVITEC TRIDENTE rocker panel trim calms the airstream along the vehicle’s sides and gives the two-seater a longer, sleeker appearance.

To create an optimal aerodynamic balance, the GranCabrio can be upgraded with the NOVITEC TRIDENTE rear spoiler lip and a diffuser for the standard bumper. In addition to even more stable handling at high speeds, these two components also add even more sporty character to the rear appearance.

Striking looks thanks to making optimal use of the available space in the wheel wells and further improved driving dynamics are provided by the NOVITEC TRIDENTE tire/wheel combination for the drop-top Maserati. The staggered combination of 21- and 22-inch alloy wheels for front and rear axle further emphasizes the wedge-shaped design of the sports car. The three-piece wheels with five double spokes are available in any desired color and upon request even coated with carbon fiber. The size 9Jx21 wheels on the front axle are fitted with Pirelli P Zero high-performance tires in size 255/30 ZR 21. In the rear, size 315/25 ZR 22 tires on size 11.5Jx22 rims provide optimal traction.

The NOVITEC TRIDENTE sport suspension is specifically calibrated to these high-performance tires. This suspension lets each customer select his or her individual ride- height lowering and damper settings. But that’s not all: To further improve the vehicle’s everyday utility the body can be raised hydraulically at the push of a button by 40 millimeters on the front and rear axle. It makes navigating speed bumps or parking garage ramps easier. Afterwards the suspension can be lowered again to its original position at the push of a button. Alternatively, upon reaching a speed of 80 km/h the suspension reverts to its original position automatically.

NOVITEC TRIDENTE can also customize the interior of the Maserati GranCabrio to suit the owner’s personal taste. In doing so, NOVITEC TRIDENTE applies the finest leather or Alcantara in any desired color with utmost precision.

Source: Novitec Tridente Press Release

2011 Mansory Maserati GranTurismo

MANSORY has long been known has the specialist for refining luxury automobiles. Now, the company from Brand in Bavaria has added an additional traditional brand to their tuning portfolio. The stylish and sporty conversion of the Maserati GranTurismo is once again proof of the fact that MANSORY has excellent know-how when it comes to customising Italian premium sports cars. Besides, the star, Emily, Flying B, leaping race horse, Bugatti oval and Aston wings, MANSORY products now also adorn sports cars with Neptune’s trident.

In the first instance, the eye is drawn to the striking MANSORY bodywork modifications: a newly designed front spoiler with discreet spoiler lip gives the front a significantly more sporty appearance, and the carbon fibre radiator grille highlights the famous Maserati trident in the centre of the grille. Additional air inlets and outlets enable the new light-construction bonnet to optimally regulate the temperature in the V8 engine compartment. The GranTurismo seems much closer to the tarmac thanks to the drawn-down deep door-sills. The carbon fibre spoiler lip at the back, the carbon inlay for the integrated exhaust pipes in the rear apron and a diffuser complete the sporty look. All add-on parts are made from carbon fibre and are manufactured by MANSORY using autoclave prepreg processing.

To ensure extra focus to the sporty add-on parts, MANSORY uses progressive sport suspension in the front and rear axles, which lower the vehicle’s centre of gravity by around 30 millimetres. Contact to the tarmac is maintained by 255/30 R 20 front tyres and 305/30 R 21 tyres at the back. MANSORY is the first manufacturer worldwide to market forged wheels exclusively for Maserati GranTurismo models. On request of the customer, these wheels are sprayed in the colour of the vehicle and decorated with black accents.

The Maserati GranTurismo and GranTurismo S also gain power under the bonnet, thanks to MANSORY. A performance-optimised ECU, an air filter with increased air throughput and a sports exhaust system with two double-suction tail pipes enhance the performance of the V8 aggregates by 30 HP each (series: GT 405 HP / GTS 440 HP). At the same time, the torque is increased by around 40 Nm compared to the series models (GT 460 Nm at 4750 / GTS 490 Nm at 4750).

The interior features MANSORY’s own brand of upholstery. The finest materials have been processed in traditional top-quality craftsmanship to add that individual touch to the inside of the MANSORY GranTurismo. The leather used by MANSORY for the interior is hard-wearing yet exceptionally soft. The chequered stitch in the ornamental seams on the inside makes for elegance as well as sportiness. Wherever you look: expert handcraft, individual design and top quality. The aluminium pedals and new ergonomically designed sporty steering wheel are additional visual highlights.

(Source: Maserati Press Release)

2011 Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale

The new Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale will be the fastest, lightest and most powerful car in the Maserati range when it goes on sale in the first quarter of 2011.

Inspired by the Trofeo GranTurismo MC and the race-winning GT4 motorsport models, the two-seater Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale that will debut at the Paris Auto Show will feature razor-sharp handling and will break the 300km/h barrier.

The GranTurismo MC Stradale responds to demands for a GranTurismo which can balance on-road driving needs with race-driving desires, incorporating the handling and aerodynamic lessons from Maserati’s three racing programs.

The GranTurismo MC Stradale produces more aerodynamic down force without producing more aerodynamic drag, it produces more power – 336kw, 450 hp – without using more fuel and it is more agile without sacrificing the GranTurismo S’s highly praised ride quality.

(Source: Maserati Press Release)

Maserati GranTurismo and Quattroporte by Wheels and More

Individual high-performance tuning upgrades with the latest technology for exclusive luxury cars are the specialty from German tuning company wheelsandmore.

 For those who think a Maserati isn´t exclusive enough wheelsandmore developed high-end products for the models Quattroporte and Gran Turismo

The Quattroporte gets an ecu upgrade combined with a handmade, stainless steel exhaust system with valve flaps, obtaining enormous 440hp and 490 lb-ft .

The Maserati GranTurismo gets a power increasement in the same way, resulting 447hp and 500 lb-ft of torque.

The performance is further upgraded with the special forged, lightweight wheel model 6Sporz from wheelsandmore.

At the Gran Turismo front axle a 9,0×20“ wheel with Dunlop Sportmaxx GT tyre 265/30/20 and an extreme 12,0×20“ wheel at the rear wearing a 325/30/20 barrel, presenting the coupe much sportier and more exciting.

Because of the more slender body the Quattroporte is coming with „just“255/35 and 305/30/20” Pirelli tires.  

 The exclusive tuning program is completed by a coil over kit with adjustable compression and rebound, called Street Comfort and is made by KW suspensions in Germany.

The kit can also be used at cars with serial skyhook suspension.

 All information about the Maserati and all other tuning programs at www.wheelsandmore.de

(Source: Wheels and More Press Release)

2011 Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S Awards Edition

On the basis of the Quattroporte Sport GT S comes the car which celebrates the countless awards that the Maserati flagship sedan has received from the day of its debut to today.

The Quattroporte Sport GT S “Awards Edition”, the latest jewel in the Maserati range, makes its official debut at the prestigious Geneva Auto Show.

Six years after its birth, the car that created the luxury sport sedan segment continues to receive accolades from the general public, automobile enthusiasts and the press. Maserati has decided to celebrate its success with a superlative version, blending the elegance and sporty stylishness of the brand’s flagship, thanks to the combination of highly refined details, handcrafted finishes and features with a decidedly sporty flair.

During its six years of life, the Maserati Quattroporte has received no less than fifty six awards from the most prestigious automotive and lifestyle publications in fourteen countries over in four continents: a global approval for a car that has known how to recreate itself over the years, never failing to maintain the appeal of the lines and purity of the forms created by the hand of Pininfarina, which defined it an instant classic.

The Quattroporte Sport GT S “Awards Edition”, based on the Quattroporte Sport GT S, aims to combine in one car all the features that have made the Trident flagship a benchmark for its segment:

•  the unique and elegant styling, mixed with a hint of sporting flair due to the eye-catching features adopted on both the exterior and interior fittings;
•  driving enjoyment, because the “Awards Edition” is based on the Quattroporte Sport GT S, which boasts dynamic and top-class performance;
•  the craftsmanship of the hand-finished details which make each car a unique product.

The new Quarzo fuso finishing – a pearlescent metallic grey with golden nuanced colour – exclusive to this model, makes the exterior immediately recognizable, and highlights the body’s elegant lines. The burnished treatment used on the exterior chrome parts, as well as on the side air vents and radiator surround, also blends with the 20’’ Multi Trident dark grey rims with satin finish.

The brake system, which replicates the system fitted to the Quattroporte Sport GT S and uses dual-cast technology, is further enhanced by the hand-polished calipers both at the front and rear. With the Quattroporte Sport GT S “Awards Edition”, Maserati and Brembo are introducing on the market for the first time polished calipers, treated with precision mechanical processes and featuring a hand finish which gives them their special mirror-like appearance and enhances their sporty credentials at the same time.

The interior also bears witness to the combination of sporting flair and craftsmanship that has always characterized the Maserati flagship sedan. The Poltrona Frau leather of the seats is combined with perforated Alcantara with a new undulated pattern, and the headlining still in Alcantara. Completing the interior space are the special brushed aluminum door sills and Piano Black satin-finish wood moldings.

The boot with a full black trim has been embellished further with chrome details and a leather side pocket. The attention to details has even been extended to the mats, which are made of even richer and softer material.

A special exterior “Awards Edition” series plate completes the car’s look and makes an already unique car even more unmistakable.

The Quattroporte Sport GT S “Awards Edition” will be available in the latter half of 2010 as model year 2011

(Source: Maserati Press Release)

200 mph Supercars: Caruso Concours d’Elegance at Americana on Brand

“If you’ve never been at 200 mph, it’s a sensation beyond belief.”  The words of Dick Messer, the longtime Director of the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, could hardly have better summarized the reasoning behind the museum’s sponsorship of an October 11 car show that focused on automobiles capable of 200 mph.  Reaching out to local collectors and loyal members, the museum was able to assemble 23 such supercars for a fun and free event set against the backdrop of one of the area’s most popular open air luxury retail centers, the Americana on Brand Boulevard. 

 Located in the Los Angeles-adjacent city of Glendale, nicknamed the Jewel City, Americana on Brand is the latest project of Caruso Affiliated, a regional real estate development company that has garnered a reputation for the outdoor retail malls that are becoming increasingly commonplace in Southern California.  There is a small degree of irony in the fact that a Caruso property would host an exhibition of expensive supercars, given that company founder Henry Caruso made the majority of his fortune as the founder of Dollar Rent-A-Car.  

 “To my knowledge, and I read practically every [automotive] publication, at least here in the United States, and some in Europe, this has never been done before – that this many supercars ended up in one place at one time,” explained Messer.  The Petersen, of course contributed some of the most stellar offerings on display, including a Ferrari F40, F50 and 575 Superamerica, a Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, a Bugatti EB110 and Veyron, a Ford GT and a Jaguar XJ220.  Another area institution, the Riverside International Automotive Museum, supplied a freshly acquired Maserati MC12, which in concert with a handful of locally owned Lamborghinis and Ferraris, rounded out the representation of the major Italian supercar rivals. 

 Rarer contributions came in the form of a 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLK DTM AMG, one of about 100 carbon fiber-bodied CLK models homologated for racing and one of only 40 that the manufacturer allowed to circulate into public ownership.  A Cizeta V16T, one of roughly 10 of the Marcelo Gandini-penned supercars that employ a transversely mounted V-16 engine, provided a rare glimpse of another little-known exotic.  The most unusual car on hand though was an AREX, whose acronym stands for American Roadster Experimental.  Fully looking like an experiment, the scissor-doored twin-turbo V-8 oddity was produced in the early 90s by former GM and Toyota designer David Stollery and Gale Banks Engineering.

 Though the show wore the banner of a Concours d’Elegance, there was no judging other than one People’s Choice award, which went to a Ferrari Enzo owned by Armen Aslanian of Glendale.   The show was the third such event that Americana on Brand has hosted in the last year, the previous two focusing on classic cars and the cars of celebrities.  Caruso Public Relations Coordinator Jenny Bronstein clarified that the event would probably be held on an annual basis from this point forward. 

 “This is all excess beyond excess,” concluded Messer.  “Nobody needs to have one of these cars.  You don’t need to have a car that goes 200 mph plus to drive around Los Angeles,” he said, referring to the city’s notoriously congested traffic.  “But on an open road, there’s nothing like it!”

Story and pictures by Mike Daly

 

2009 Palos Verdes Concours d’Elegance – 1930 Rolls Royce PII Brewster “Best in Show”

2009 Palos Verdes Concours d’Elegance – A Real Italian Job

 Article and photos by Mike Daly

 It was an altogether pleasant surprise to find that the Palos Verdes Concours d’Elegance had eschewed small-time expectations and staged a world class exhibit of rare and desirable automobiles when it held its 17^th annual event on Sunday, September 13.  Located just south of Los Angeles on the Palos Verdes peninsula, with its ocean vistas and misty glimpses of Catalina Island, this year’s Concours offered an overall theme of Italian automobiles with a stress on Maserati as the featured marque. 

 In the hands of another organizer, this event might have resembled a diminished version of Consorso Italiano, featuring row upon row of late-model Ferraris, Lambos and Panteras.  Fortunately, however, the PV Concours’ organizing committee strived to match the elegant setting of the Trump National Golf Club with a discerning selection of rare and seldom seen Italian classics that transformed the show into one of the better such events of the season.

 In addition to a smattering of requisite Dinos and Miuras, the grassy slopes offered Siatas, Cisitalias, Lancias and Bizzarrini motored sports cars.  A stupendous 1955 Maserati A6G/54 2000 GT Zagato Coupe owned by John Bookout of Houston, TX took first place in the Maserati In-Line 6 (1946 – 1969) class while a beautifully detailed 1958 Ferrari 250 PF Cabriolet Series 1 owned by Peter McCoy of Beverly Hills garnered a win in the Ferrari (1946 – 1974) class.  The outstanding presentation and extreme rarity of both cars was generally indicative of the exquisite and unusual offerings on display throughout the Concours.  Though not nearly as refined, a 1963 ATS 2500 GTS Allemano Coupe owned by Richard and Ginger Powers of Santa Ana, CA attracted just as much attention with its cutting edge mid-engine design.  One of a mere eight built, the Bizzarri engineered racecar won first place in the Iso & Bizzarrini class.

 The Petersen Automotive Museum made a typically strong contribution, presenting its 1954 Plymouth Explorer Ghia in an American Luxury class that featured three such Ghia-bodied Chryslers, and its 1947 Cisitalia 202 Coupe in the Fiat, Siata & Cisitalia (1946 – 1974) class.  To this day the Cisitalia is considered a seminal Pininfarina design that is widely regarded as a landmark of modern sports car design.  Though the Petersen’s cars were not submitted for judging, a gesture of public outreach over competition, museum director Dick Messer’s personal car, a 1953 Siata 208S, won a special award as the Best Sports Car. 

 A showstopper in this writer’s mind, the 1932 Auburn V-12 Boattail Speedster owned by Anthony Vincent Zehenni of West Hollywood, CA won the distinction of Most Exciting Open, though even with the top up this car was an arresting beauty, unusual in design and pristine in presentation.  Ironically, the Best in Show was given to a 1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom II owned by Helen and Jack Nethercutt of Sylmar, the renowned benefactors of the Nethercutt Museum.  While there is little doubt that the Brewster-bodied towncar had all the makings of a show winner and Mr. Nethercutt is virtual automotive royalty in Southern California, one might have presumed that an Italian car would win an event whose focus was automobili.  Notwithstanding this seeming incongruity, the Palos Verdes Concours could not be regarded as anything but a smashing success, with a mid-sized crowd that never impeded the car gazing, mild seacoast weather marked by gentle sun and ocean breezes, and a dizzying array of some of the finest and most unusual collectible cars seen in one place in recent years.

Viva Las Vegas: Historic Ol’ Yaller VIII Race Car to Cross the Block at Barrett Jackson Las Vegas

Movie star car and celebrated racer, the 1961 Ol’ Yaller VIII, will be sold at No Reserve during the 2^nd Annual Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction in Las Vegas Oct. 7-10, 2009. It is one of only nine Ol’ Yallers built by road racing icon, Max Balchowsky, from 1956-1963 and appeared in the 1964 movie, “Viva Las Vegas,” with Elvis Presley. The 2009 Las Vegas event will take place at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino and feature approximately 500 collector vehicles on sale, posh lifestyle events and live, high-definition TV coverage from SPEED.

Fabspeed Motorsports :: Bentley Continental GT

Fabspeed Motorsports manufactures high performance exhaust systems for exotic automobiles such as Porsche, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Bentley, Maserati, Mercedes Benz and BMW.  Founded in 1992 by Joseph Fabiani out of Ambler, Pennyslvania, their mission is to provide customers with quality performance products, competitive pricing and unparalleled service.  Fabspeed is compromised of automotive artists; people that eat, sleep, and dream engineering, g-force, horsepower and style.
  
Fabspeed, being no stranger to tuning high performance exotics, was pleased to get the call from Jason Kable from “The Fleet Wholesale” in Baltimore, MD, on partnering together on this build.  The owner purchased the car from Mr. Kable “sight unseen” with intentions of completely transforming this car into what it is today without even seeing the car until it was delivered to him.  The Bentley has a 6.0 Liter, double-vee 12 cylinder engine with twin turbos crammed under the bonnet.  It produces 551 bhp at 6100 rpm and 480 ft/lb of torque at 1600 rpm at the crank.
 
While the car was at The Fleet in Baltimore, it was completely stripped of its original paint and received a new paintjob with the addition of the flat black hood, roof, trunklid and also blacked out trim accents and lights to give it that “murdered out” look. A set of Savini SV 08 22 inch wheels with a carbon fiber lip were custom built specifically for this Continental.  An aftermarket RENNTECH digital lowering module was installed which allows owners to set the car 50 mm below the stock setting, with 8 levels of adjustability. The Bentley resembles liquid midnight when you see it roll by, like its own black hole absorbing light and sound as it travels past you. 
 
From Baltimore, the car was shipped to Fabspeed Headquarters in Ambler, to undergo the performance upgrades.  Priority order of business was for Jeremy D’Avella, General Manager/Performance Specialist to map out Fabspeeds plan of attack for the Bentley CGT.  First the car was strapped down to Fabspeeds AWD DynoJet 434XLC2 to test baseline horsepower and torque.  Fabspeed has the ability to monitor and log many different parameters of the cars computer system with Dynojet’s sophisticated data-logging software.
 
We asked D’Avella to describe Fabspeed’s tuning Methodology.
“Vehicle manufacturers typically tune conservatively.  Fabspeed/PES precisely adjusts the ECU maps that affect parameters such as fuel, timing, boost pressure and throttle response. Part-throttle fueling and timing are optimized to deliver better highway fuel economy, as well as smoothness.  The result is a car with better drivability and more performance.  Important engine data such as air-fuel ratios, cylinder knock activity, EGT’S are carefully monitored during testing. We always encourage the customer to consider our complete performance package for balanced, reliable performance.”
 
In stock form this Bentley put down 412hp and 445 ft/lb torque measured to all four wheels.  Now it was time to install the Fabspeed 80mm downtube/secondary catbypass package which replaces the OEM secondary catalytic converters and resonators. Along with the removal of the catalytic converters, Fabspeed utilizes an H-Pipe to improve mid-range torque and exhaust balancing.  These performance products will bolt directly up to the stock muffler system which in fact is a straight through design when the Pierburg valves are open. With the performance products and custom ECU upgrade installed, overall power was tested at 512WHP/738 ft-lbs of wheel torque, or 691BHP/996 ft-lbs of torque to the crank.  That’s pretty impressive for just bolt on exhaust products and a custom ECU upgrade, but then again that’s just tuning and that’s just what Fabspeed does.

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