Tag: News

  • MASERATI MC20 SUPER SPORTS CAR REVEALED

    The Maserati MC20 is the long awaited super sportscar that Maserati has promised and is the successor to the bonkers Maserati MC12.

    The new Maserati MC20 (MC for Maserati Corse and 20 for 2020, the year of its world première and the start of the Brand’s new Era) is the Maserati that we’ve been waiting for. It features a new Nettuno engine, which is Maserati’s very own power unit (first time in 20 years!). It produces a whopping 630hp from a twin turbocharged V6, which is capable of sending the Maserati MC20 from 0-62mph in just 2.9 seconds and onto over 200mph.

    Maserati MC20Maserati MC20

    According to Maserati, the MC20 is a class leader in terms of power-to-weight ratio with a figure of 2.33kg/hp or 429hp per tonne in normal speak. This is thanks to a generous amount of carbon fibre used throughout to help bring weight to under 1500kg.

    Crucially, Maserati says: “The MC20 is designed to enable coupé and convertible versions and for full electric power”, meaning we’re most likely going to not only get a convertible, but also a fully-electric variant at some point.

    Maserati MC20Maserati MC20

    The aerodynamics were designed through over two thousand man-hours in the Dallara Wind Tunnel and more than a thousand CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) simulations, which enabled the “creation of a genuine work of art”. The resulting car has a sleek line, with no mobile appendages but just a discreet rear spoiler that improves downforce. The CX is more under 0,38.

    Maserati says that it’s designed the cabin to be as driver-focused as possible. There are two 10inch screens inside, with one operating the digital displays like the speedo etc., and the other to display the Maserati Multimedia System.  You also get a wireless phone charger, driving mode selector (very similar to that in the Ferrari), more buttons to control various gizmos and finally a storage compartment.

    Maserati MC20Maserati MC20

    The new Maserati MC20 will be connected at all times with the Maserati Connect program. The full range of services includes connected navigation, Alexa and Wifi Hotspot and can also be managed through the Maserati Connect smartphone or smartwatch App.

    For the launch, Maserati has also developed six new colours to characterise MC20: Bianco Audace, Giallo Genio, Rosso Vincente, Blu Infinito, Nero Enigma and Grigio Mistero. Each of them has been conceived, designed and developed exclusively for this car and they all, apparently, convey important themes: a strong reference to Made in Italy, to Italian identity and to the land, as well as one linked to Maserati tradition. Very patriotic then.

    The production launch is scheduled for the end the current year with orders to be accepted from the 9th September.

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  • DASH TO THE FUTURE: DIGITAL COCKPITS TO BE MAINSTREAM BY 2030

    Dashboard displays have come a long way the last few years. Although still in the early stages, it’s being reported that all-digital display-based dashboards will soon replace analog clusters for good, making the entire cockpit digital.

    Global tech firm, ABI Research, forecasts that between 2020 and 2030, 461 million vehicles with head-unit and digital dashboard displays and 115 million vehicles with digital cockpit architecture will be delivered to new drivers.

    Next-generation infotainment will include multiple high-resolution displays with shared content, Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based virtual assistants that provide a personalised environment, digital dashboards, video, and even gaming streaming, over the air (OTA) updates, and Augmented Reality (AR)-based Heads-Up displays.

    “As a substantial amount of information must be processed and rendered to enable these functionalities, vehicles will require robust and flexible hardware solutions with high-performance graphics and communication channels between different tasks and displays. Therefore, modern cars will have digital cockpit architecture with powerful computing,” explains Maite Bezerra, Smart Mobility & Automotive Research Analyst at ABI Research.

    From a general perspective, displays are getting larger and resolution is increasing accordingly. In between 2020 and 2025, 105 million vehicles shipped will have displays ranging from 10 inches to 12 inches, and 109 million will have high definition displays.

    Currently only offered by Tesla, video and gaming streaming will gain momentum with worldwide 5G network deployments – as low latency rendering is a prerequisite for immersive gaming user experience – and the rise of connected vehicles.

    ABI Research anticipates that 20% of vehicles with head-unit displays sold in Europe will feature these capabilities in 2030. Augmented Reality heads-up displays will debut in 2021 on Mercedes S-Class 2021, and will probably remain a niche functionality in luxury vehicles.

    “The next-generation onboard automotive computing architecture will be based on an integrated and interconnected network of processors designed to provide fail-safe support for one another. Moreover, vehicles will be more connected and have more integrated ADAS content into the digital cockpit,” Bezerra concludes.

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  • HENNESSEY MAMMOTH 6X6 TO BE BUILT

    Hennessey is known for taking what most people would consider as monster performance, and then adding more. This Hennessey Mammoth 6×6 is surely the ultimate in excess?

    After Dodge unveiled the Ram TRX, we all thought wow, a truck with a 702hp 6.2-litre supercharged V8, that’s cool, and also bonkers. But Hennessey doesn’t like doing things by half measures, and well, why does a truck need just 702hp and four wheels? Enter the Hennessey Mammoth 6×6.

    As the name suggests, it has a mammoth amount of power. Instead of using the standard Ram TRX 6.2-litre engine, it uses a 7.0-litre Hellephant crate engine, that’s been breathed on ever so slightly to produce a, again, mammoth 1200bhp. Oh, and you’ll notice it’s got some extra wheels too, hence the 6×6.

    It’s not all that’s new, but it’s certainly the headliner. Those wanting the upgrade will also benefit from new front and rear bumpers, LED lights, uprated suspension and a new, bespoke interior.

    You might be thinking who in their right mind would buy one? And you won’t be alone either, we’re wondering who has enough spare cash laying around to spend $500,000 on one? Well, rest assured, if we did have a spare $500k, we’d probably be ordering one, because, why not? Only three are being built, making it not only the most monstrous truck on the market, it’s also one of the most expensive and exclusive too. That being said, Hennessey also builds the Velociraptor 6×6 and the Chebrolet Goliath 6×6, of which it has sold 15 worldwide, so there’s clearly demand for crazy.

    “We are very excited about the Ram TRX,” said company founder and CEO, John Hennessey.  “Mammoth 6X6 powered by a 1200 HP Hellephant motor is just a completely ridiculous idea, which is exactly why we are doing this.  We are only going to build three examples which will likely make this the most exclusive and most expensive truck we’ve ever built.” We love it.

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