Photography by Cordero Studios.
Maserati Trofeo
February 1, 2006
Bring your own helmet. Only 26 Trofeo cars will compete in any given race,
and Maserati has final say in selecting the drivers. Each travels to a total of
seven European circuits, including Spa and Nürburgring, and a few of the races
are run in conjunction with the FIA GT Championship, as well as two Formula One
grand prix races. Very good drivers may even have the opportunity to participate
in the Ferrari Maserati Finals.
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(Click image to enlarge.)
Practice sessions, except those that coincide with the F/1 races, last 60 minutes, qualifying sessions are 40 minutes long, and the actual races take 50 minutes, with one mandatory pit stop. By our calculations, that is approximately 20 hours of total track time, or approximately $7,500 an hour to imitate Fangio—or Walter Mitty, at least. If you can find a more entertaining way to spend seven weekends a year, by all means, seize it.
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The stripped interior is strictly business, with a full roll cage, five-point
harness, and on-board fire system. Only two pedals greet the driver. (Click image to enlarge.)
Derived from the road-going GranSport, this sophisticated version is equipped with a 4.2-liter V-8 and all the goodies of serious racing. The engine management software was remapped, a new intake filter was installed for better breathing, and the rpm redline was raised to 8,000—all contributing to produce 25 extra horsepower.
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The Trofeo cuts a striking profile. (Click image to enlarge.)
Other modifications include a quicker paddle-shifted Cambiocorsa transmission
for simulated Formula One–style shifting, a rear wing said to increase surface
area some 40 percent compared to the last Trofeo, big racing slicks from
Pirelli, better aerodynamic efficiency, and a redesigned flat undertray. Brakes
were improved with air cooling, thanks to the GranSport’s redesigned front
bumper. The suspension is stiffer, and there is a full roll cage for safety.
Finally, the Trofeo GranSport sheds an additional 110 pounds compared to the
last model, which is the total body mass of some of the series’ female
drivers.
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