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Watch Edo Competition pit a Ferrari FXX against a Maserati MC12 Corsa on the 'Ring

High-zoot supercar tour organizer Gran Turismo Events held its annual Nürburgring track day last month, and in addition to the amateur punters the gates were opened to two tuned supercars from Edo Competition: A Maserati MC12 Corsa and a Ferrari Enzo ZXX. The ZXX, in case you've forgotten, is the same love child of Edo Competition and Zahir Rana's ZR Exotics that belly flopped into the Atlantic during the 2011 Targa Newfoundland.
We get a trip around the Nordschleife with both cars during a no-doubt quick but not insane lap, on board with driver Patrick Simon in the 755-horsepower MC12 and 'Ring queen Sabine Schmitz following in the 840-hp ZXX.
That should be all the build-up you need when the action's in the video below.

Maserati's first electric car won't be a Tesla rival

Italian supercar makers haven't exactly embraced electric vehicles with gusto (the LaFerrari hybrid is about as close as you get), but that should change in the next few years. Ferrari's sibling brand Maserati tells Car and Driver that it's working on an electric vehicle that would be shown before 2020. And unlike other luxury car brands, Maserati doesn't plan on eating Tesla's lunch. It has to produce something "very different" to stand out, the company's Roberto Fedeli says. Think of something more like the GranTurismo coupe (see above) than yet another upscale sedan. Part of the challenge, Fedeli claims, is making a green machine that's exciting to drive. Breakneck acceleration is the only really thrilling aspect of EVs right now, he says – the sheer weight of those lithium-ion batteries dampens the enjoyment on twisty roads. A Maserati would have to be lighter on its feet. Also, the automaker will have to find a way to give its car character without a roaring gas engine under the hood. In that sense, Maserati's 2020 goal is realistic. It may not have much choice but to wait for battery technology to catch up to its ambitions. Related Video: This article by Jon Fingas originally ran on Engadget, the definitive guide to this connected life. News Source: Car and Driver Green Maserati Tesla Coupe Electric Luxury Performance

2019 Maserati Levante Trofeo Drivers' Notes Review | A mixed bag

The first thing you need to know about the 2019 Maserati Levante Trofeo is that it's the most powerful vehicle Maserati currently makes, outgunning models like the GranTurismo and Quattroporte GTS by a good margin. In fact, the only production Maserati more powerful than the Levante Trofeo was the V12-powered MC12 Versione Corse. The Trofeo's 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 is built by Ferrari and shares more than a little with that company's current crop of V8 engines. The biggest difference is that this engine uses a cross-plane crankshaft in place of Ferrari's flat-plane crank as well as a wet sump oiling system. The Trofeo hits 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds on its way to a top speed of 187 mph. The styling is more aggressive than the already bold Levante GTS thanks to 22-inch wheels, carbon fiber trim and a new hood with vents to help cool the engine. Inside the cabin, nearly every surface is covered with leather and carbon fiber. Now, all this comes at a cost. The Levante Trofeo starts at $169,980, $39,000 more than a Levante GTS and more than twice as much as a base model. You're mostly paying for performance and styling since most of the features on our tester like the upgraded leather upholstery and four-zone climate control can be found on lesser Levantes. Editor-in-Chief Greg Migliore: Ferrari is ending its deal to supply engines to Maserati. That's a shame — for Maserati. The 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 in the Levante Trofeo is a riot, and it gives this golden-retriever-hauling crossover the feel of a true Italian sports car. You might know this engine from the Ferrari Portofino. It's lightly modified and built on the same line in Maranello, Italy. Mash the gas and this thing emits a growl that grows more guttural as the revs build. It sounds pretty good at 3,000 to 4,000 rpm, which is about all you can sensibly summon in the suburbs. I've driven the twin-turbo V6, which is also solid and also supplied by Ferrari, but trust me, you want the V8. The rest of the Levante is attractive, though it's not the most practical thing around. I was able to get a rear-facing car seat in the back, and my toddler certainly enjoyed his first ride in a Maserati. Other thoughts: I like the elevated ride height, toothy grille and curvy fenders. The Levante is a compelling option in this expensive segment designed for Rich Uncle Pennybags. If that's you, don't scrimp with six cylinders. Go with the V8.