All posts by Francis Mitterrand

News

Maserati to Unveil New Model at Goodwood Festival of Speed

July 7, 2025 Francis Mitterrand

Maserati has set the stage for an unforgettable showcase at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, one of the most prestigious motoring events on the global calendar. Amid the rolling hills and historic backdrop of West Sussex, the Italian marque is not just participating—it’s making a powerful statement. The House of the Trident is using Goodwood to unveil a world debut, signaling a bold new chapter in its legacy of performance, luxury, and design.

A World Premiere with Italian Soul

At the heart of Maserati’s presence is a mysterious new creation, described as an “authentic expression of energy,” crafted in true Maserati fashion. This global debut marks the culmination of a journey that began in Modena—Maserati’s spiritual and technical homeland—and arrives at Goodwood with both reverence and spectacle. While details remain tightly guarded, expectations are sky-high, especially given the context of the “Year of the Trident” celebrations.

Track-Bred Thrills: GT2 Stradale

Among the stars of the Supercar Paddock is the jaw-dropping Maserati GT2 Stradale, a road-homologated evolution of the championship-winning GT2 race car. Under the hood lies the heart of a beast—the 640 hp (471 kW) Nettuno V6 engine, catapulting the Stradale from 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.7 seconds, and on to a top speed of over 320 km/h. It’s the most powerful road-legal combustion-engine Maserati ever built.

Clad in a dazzling Blu Corse finish from the Officine Fuoriserie program, the GT2 Stradale combines motorsport function with unmistakable Italian flair. With 20” alloy wheels, matte carbon-fiber accents, and black Alcantara with Alcantara Blu racing seats, it exudes both aggression and elegance—fitting for a car born on the track and built for the road.

Refined Performance: GranCabrio

Next in Maserati’s triumphant trio is the sophisticated GranCabrio, now presented in a striking Verde Giada paintwork. Powered by a 490 hp, 3.0-liter Nettuno Twin Turbo V6, the GranCabrio rockets to 100 km/h in just 4 seconds and reaches a top speed of 300 km/h—while keeping all four passengers in sublime comfort.

Its retractable soft top, diamond-cut wheels (20” front, 21” rear), and Ice-colored perforated full-grain leather cabin make it a masterclass in open-air grand touring. Blending top-tier craftsmanship with a dynamic edge, this convertible embodies the true Maserati duality: style and substance.

Extreme Exclusivity: MCXtrema

For the track purists and collectors, the MCXtrema is Maserati’s ultimate expression of unfiltered power. Built exclusively for the circuit and limited to just 62 units worldwide, this supercar is not just a machine—it’s an event.

Finished in a custom Blue Xtrema livery, the MCXtrema houses a blistering 740-hp version of the Nettuno engine. Designed for gentleman drivers and elite enthusiasts, this purpose-built racer merges advanced aerodynamics with a design language that screams velocity. It’s the kind of car that makes an impression even standing still—and will make a statement as it devours the Goodwood Hillclimb.

The Iconic Hillclimb Challenge

All three models—GT2 Stradale, GranCabrio, and MCXtrema—aren’t just for show. They’ll take on the iconic Goodwood Hillclimb, a demanding 1.86-kilometer course weaving through tight corners, stone walls, and narrow tree-lined passages. The hill’s 100-meter ascent tests even the most skilled drivers and machines, and Maserati’s lineup is more than ready for the challenge.

A Festival Steeped in Heritage

Since its inception in 1993, the Goodwood Festival of Speed has evolved into a dynamic celebration of motorsport, innovation, and design. From classic legends to cutting-edge prototypes, the event bridges generations of performance, with Maserati playing a central role in 2025’s narrative.

This year is especially poignant. As Maserati honors its 100-year-old Trident emblem and prepares for the 2026 centenary of its racing debut with the Tipo 26—which claimed class victory at the Targa Florio—it reaffirms a commitment to excellence that stretches from the past into a bold new future.

A New Chapter for the Trident

Goodwood is more than a showcase—it’s a stage. And Maserati, with its blend of heritage, innovation, and sheer performance, is delivering a show worthy of the brand’s legendary name. Whether it’s through the raw power of the MCXtrema, the elegant ferocity of the GT2 Stradale, or the graceful speed of the GranCabrio, Maserati is proving that Italian craftsmanship and passion for driving remain timeless.

As the engines roar and the Hillclimb beckons, one thing is clear: the Trident is sharper than ever.

Source: Maserati

News

Boston Drivers: America’s Most Accident-Prone, Says New Study

July 7, 2025 Francis Mitterrand

When it comes to dodging dents and fender benders, Boston drivers are running out of luck—and space. According to a new report from Allstate, the Massachusetts capital has earned the dubious honor of being America’s most accident-prone city.

Drawing from insurance claims filed between 2022 and 2023, the study looked at how often drivers in 200 U.S. cities file accident-related claims that involve property or vehicle damage. In Boston, drivers go an average of just 3.1 years between such incidents. That’s well below the national average of 10.5 years, and miles off the pace of Brownsville, Texas, where drivers boast a 14.2-year average between crashes—the best record in the country.

Joining Boston at the bottom of the rankings are Washington, D.C. (3.9 years), Baltimore, MD (4.2 years), Worcester, MA (4.3 years), and Springfield, MA (4.6 years). All five are East Coast cities, with four hailing from Massachusetts alone, painting a grim picture of Northeast traffic dynamics—something akin to Wreckfest: Real-Life Edition.

Allstate’s data doesn’t factor in the severity of the accidents or those that went unreported, so it’s not a complete view of road safety. Still, with such short gaps between claims, it’s hard to argue with the trend: Northeast drivers—especially Bay Staters—are faring far worse than their southern and western counterparts.

But it’s not just an East Coast phenomenon. California is keeping its repair shops busy as well. Cities like Glendale, Los Angeles, and Oakland all made the bottom 10. The silver lining? Allstate notes a slight improvement over the equivalent data from their 2025 study.

On the flip side, cities in Texas, Idaho, Colorado, and North Carolina top the safety charts. After Brownsville’s chart-topping performance, Boise, ID (13.9 years), Fort Collins, CO (13.4 years), Cary, NC (12.9 years), and Laredo, TX (12.8 years) round out the top five safest cities to drive in.

The takeaway? If you’re hoping to keep your insurance premiums low and your bumper intact, you might want to reconsider that road trip through Boston—or at least steer clear of cars with Massachusetts plates.

For the full rankings and methodology, check out Allstate’s comprehensive study of 200 U.S. cities.

2025 rank	City	Avg. years between collisions	Relative collision likelihood (to national average)	2015 rank	Change from 2015 to 2025
1	Brownsville, TX	14.24	-25.90%	2	+1
2	Boise, ID	13.90	-24.1%	3	+1
3	Fort Collins, CO	13.36	-21.0%	4	+1
4	Cary, NC	12.91	-18.3%	10	+6
5	Laredo, TX	12.83	-17.7%	8	-3
6	Olathe, KS	12.77	-17.3%	14	+8
7	Scottsdale, AZ	12.74	-17.1%	39	+32
8	Port St. Lucie, FL	12.46	-15.3%	18	+10
9	Madison, WI	12.35	-14.5%	6	-3
10	Eugene, OR	12.27	-14.0%	35	+25
11	McAllen, TX	12.13	-12.9%	36	+25
12	Huntsville, AL	11.97	-11.8%	9	-3
13	Fayetteville, NC	11.74	-10.1%	90	+77
14	Cape Coral, FL	11.63	-9.2%	5	-9
15	Overland Park, KS	11.59	-8.9%	32	+17
16	Gainesville, FL	11.55	-8.6%	NEW ADDITION
17	Knoxville, TN	11.53	-8.4%	29	+12
18	Roseville, CA	11.39	-7.3%	NEW ADDITION
19	Chattanooga, TN	11.39	-7.3%	51	+32
20	Corpus Christi, TX	11.23	-6.0%	58	+38
21	Gilbert, AZ	11.20	-5.8%	33	+12
22	Lakewood, CO	11.19	-5.6%	24	+2
23	Colorado Springs, CO	11.10	-4.9%	16	-7
24	Lexington, KY	11.01	-4.1%	31	+7
25	St. Petersburg, FL	10.95	-3.6%	52	+27
26	Chandler, AZ	10.94	-3.6%	28	+2
27	Orlando, FL	10.94	-3.5%	75	+48
28	Amarillo, TX	10.88	-3.0%	23	-5
29	Jackson, MS	10.84	-2.6%	114	+85
30	Thornton, CO	10.81	-2.4%	NEW ADDITION
31	Jacksonville, FL	10.81	-2.3%	43	+12
32	Anchorage, AK	10.78	-2.1%	127	+95
33	Chesapeake, VA	10.75	-1.8%	56	+23
34	Greensboro, NC	10.74	-1.7%	72	+38
35	Mesa, AZ	10.72	-1.5%	27	-8
36	Rockford, IL	10.69	-1.3%	46	+10
37	Tallahassee, FL	10.68	-1.1%	40	-3
38	El Paso, TX	10.66	-0.9%	50	+12
39	Naperville, IL	10.65	-0.8%	100	+61
40	Durham, NC	10.60	-0.5%	91	+51
41	Bellevue, WA	10.58	-0.3%	174	+133
42	Lincoln, NE	10.57	-0.1%	21	-21
43	Winston-Salem, NC	10.55	0.1%	38	-5
44	Kansas City, KS	10.55	0.1%	1	-43
45	Lubbock, TX	10.53	0.2%	53	+8
46	Virginia Beach, VA	10.46	1.0%	93	+47
47	Fort Lauderdale, FL	10.43	1.2%	73	+26
48	Springfield, MO	10.39	1.6%	15	-33
49	Shreveport, LA	10.36	1.9%	87	+38
50	Peoria, AZ	10.32	2.2%	30	-20
51	Vancouver, WA	10.32	2.3%	94	+43
52	Pembroke Pines, FL	10.30	2.5%	111	+59
53	Fort Wayne, IN	10.30	2.5%	22	-31
54	Salem, OR	10.25	2.9%	120	+66
55	Birmingham, AL	10.24	3.1%	20	-35
56	Wichita, KS	10.24	3.1%	11	-45
57	Akron, OH	10.23	3.2%	54	-3
58	Columbus, GA	10.20	3.5%	76	+18
59	Milwaukee, WI	10.17	3.8%	45	-14
60	Raleigh, NC	10.13	4.2%	77	+17
61	Montgomery, AL	10.11	4.4%	13	-48
62	Clarksville, TN	10.11	4.4%	67	+5
63	Oklahoma City, OK	10.06	5.0%	89	+26
64	Reno, NV	10.04	5.1%	12	-52
65	Mobile, AL	10.00	5.6%	25	-40
66	Aurora, IL	9.95	6.1%	65	-1
67	Surprise, AZ	9.91	6.5%	NEW ADDITION
68	Tampa, FL	9.90	6.6%	131	+63
69	Toledo, OH	9.86	7.0%	48	-21
70	Tulsa, OK	9.83	7.4%	62	-8
71	Tucson, AZ	9.83	7.4%	37	-34
72	Miami, FL	9.73	8.5%	147	+75
73	Spokane, WA	9.73	8.5%	64	-9
74	Killeen, TX	9.67	9.2%	135	+61
75	Honolulu, HI	9.66	9.3%	150	+75
76	Visalia, CA	9.66	9.3%	NEW ADDITION
77	Little Rock, AR	9.58	10.2%	130	+53
78	Joliet, IL	9.56	10.4%	55	-23
89	Pasadena, TX	9.50	11.2%	99	+20
80	Murfreesboro, TN	9.50	11.2%	NEW ADDITION
81	Elk Grove, CA	9.49	11.3%	78	-3
82	Hollywood, FL	9.48	11.4%	141	+59
83	Chula Vista, CA	9.47	11.4%	112	+29
84	Louisville, KY	9.40	12.3%	69	-15
85	Augusta, GA	9.37	12.7%	82	-3
86	Albuquerque, NM	9.36	12.8%	109	+23
87	Hialeah, FL	9.34	13.0%	125	+38
88	Memphis, TN	9.34	13.1%	96	+8
89	Macon, GA	9.33	13.1%	NEW ADDITION
90	Bakersfield, CA	9.27	13.9%	86	-4
91	Oxnard, CA	9.22	14.4%	80	-11
92	Henderson, NV	9.17	15.1%	57	-35
93	Charleston, SC	9.16	15.2%	122	+29
94	Salt Lake City, UT	9.16	15.2%	74	-20
95	Frisco, TX	9.13	15.6%	146	+51
96	Omaha, NE	9.12	15.7%	26	-70
97	Newport News, VA	9.11	15.9%	49	-48
98	Jersey City, NJ	9.05	16.7%	136	+38
99	Charlotte, NC	9.02	17.1%	142	+43
100	Seattle, WA	9.00	17.3%	184	+84
101	Kansas City, MO	8.98	17.5%	17	-84
102	Portland, OR	8.97	17.7%	183	+81
103	Huntington Beach, CA	8.91	18.5%	103	0
104	Oceanside, CA	8.88	18.9%	126	+22
105	Columbia, SC	8.88	18.9%	149	+44
106	Salinas, CA	8.84	19.3%	59	-47
107	Nashville, TN	8.84	19.4%	83	+24
108	Des Moines, IA	8.83	19.6%	19	-89
109	Rancho Cucamonga, CA	8.83	19.6%	66	-43
110	Tacoma, WA	8.81	19.9%	164	+54
111	Santa Rosa, CA	8.80	19.9%	104	-7
112	Waco, TX	8.71	21.2%	106	-6
113	Grand Prairie, TX	8.69	21.4%	171	+58
114	Sunnyvale, CA	8.68	21.6%	169	+55
115	Phoenix, AZ	8.65	22.1%	63	-52
116	Fremont, CA	8.64	22.1%	172	+56
117	San Diego, CA	8.62	22.5%	123	-6
118	McKinney, TX	8.59	22.8%	154	+36
119	Tempe, AZ	8.57	23.2%	47	-72
120	Escondido, CA	8.56	23.3%	105	-15
121	Corona, CA	8.55	23.4%	132	+11
122	Plano, TX	8.54	23.7%	163	+41
123	Denton, TX	8.51	24.0%	NEW ADDITION
124	Lancaster, CA	8.33	26.8%	44	-80
125	Sioux Falls, SD	8.32	26.9%	42	-83
126	Indianapolis, IN	8.31	27.0%	60	-66
127	Denver, CO	8.28	27.5%	84	-43
128	Fort Worth, TX	8.27	27.7%	153	+25
129	San Antonio, TX	8.21	28.5%	137	+8
130	Aurora, CO	8.17	29.3%	118	-12
131	Palmdale, CA	8.16	29.4%	68	-63
132	Riverside, CA	8.16	29.4%	124	-8
133	Fontana, CA	8.15	29.6%	97	-36
134	Irving, TX	8.14	29.6%	182	+48
135	Austin, TX	8.13	29.9%	166	+31
136	Fresno, CA	8.13	29.9%	98	-38
137	Santa Clarita, CA	8.11	30.1%	108	-29
138	Glendale, AZ	8.07	30.8%	61	-77
139	Norfolk, VA	8.00	31.9%	138	-1
140	New York, NY	7.99	32.0%	151	+11
141	Columbus, OH	7.94	33.0%	119	-22
142	Detroit, MI	7.92	33.3%	110	-32
143	Arlington, TX	7.90	33.6%	175	+32
144	San Jose, CA	7.88	34.0%	165	+21
145	Ontario, CA	7.86	34.4%	79	-66
146	Cleveland, OH	7.85	34.4%	70	-76
147	Arlington, VA	7.81	35.2%	175	+28
148	Rochester, NY	7.80	35.3%	152	+4
149	Pomona, CA	7.80	35.3%	101	-48
150	Modesto, CA	7.79	35.5%	107	-43
151	Mesquite, TX	7.79	35.6%	162	+11
152	Moreno Valley, CA	7.77	35.8%	92	-60
153	Stockton, CA	7.77	35.8%	117	-36
154	Houston, TX	7.75	36.1%	170	+16
155	Buffalo, NY	7.74	36.4%	157	+2
156	Chicago, IL	7.69	37.2%	134	-22
157	Cincinnati, OH	7.69	37.3%	160	+3
158	Savannah, GA	7.67	37.6%	143	-15
159	Baton Rouge, LA	7.66	37.8%	145	-14
160	Minneapolis, MN	7.63	38.4%	81	-79
161	Richmond, VA	7.58	39.2%	88	-73
162	Hayward, CA	7.57	39.5%	156	-6
163	Yonkers, NY	7.49	40.9%	155	-8
164	San Bernardino, CA	7.48	41.1%	102	-62
165	Dallas, TX	7.47	41.4%	177	+12
166	Enterprise, NV	7.46	41.6%	NEW ADDITION
167	Paterson, NJ	7.44	41.8%	180	+13
168	New Orleans, LA	7.44	41.9%	158	-10
169	Irvine, CA	7.43	42.0%	159	-10
170	Garland, TX	7.41	42.4%	181	+11
171	Pittsburgh, PA	7.36	43.3%	185	+14
172	St. Paul, MN	7.35	43.6%	121	-51
173	Syracuse, NY	7.30	44.5%	133	-40
174	Las Vegas, NV	7.18	47.0%	113	-61
175	St. Louis, MO	7.09	48.8%	85	-90
176	Santa Ana, CA	7.01	50.6%	139	-37
177	Sacramento, CA	7.00	50.7%	115	-62
178	San Francisco, CA	6.86	53.8%	193	+15
179	Spring Valley, NV	6.84	54.4%	156	-23
180	Newark, NJ	6.82	54.7%	168	-12
181	Anaheim, CA	6.79	55.4%	173	-8
182	Garden Grove, CA	6.79	55.6%	186	+4
183	Long Beach, CA	6.65	58.6%	148	-35
184	Paradise, NV	6.55	61.1%	NEW ADDITION
185	North Las Vegas, NV	6.53	61.7%	128	-57
186	Bridgeport, CT	6.42	64.5%	187	+1
187	Grand Rapids, MI	6.41	64.7%	140	-47
188	Alexandria, VA	6.32	67.0%	190	+2
189	Atlanta, GA	6.31	67.4%	179	-10
190	Sunrise Manor, NV	5.96	77.0%	NEW ADDITION
191	Philadelphia, PA	5.92	78.3%	192	+1
192	Providence, RI	5.87	79.7%	195	+3
193	Oakland, CA	5.75	83.7%	188	-5
194	Los Angeles, CA	5.59	88.9%	191	-3
195	Glendale, CA	5.37	96.4%	194	-1
196	Springfield, MA	4.57	130.8%	196	0
197	Worcester, MA	4.26	147.6%	199	+2
198	Baltimore, MD	4.17	153.1%	198	0
199	Washington, DC	3.87	172.4%	197	-2
200	Boston, MA	3.07	244.0%	200	0

Source: Allstate

News

Porsche Cayenne Electric: Record-Breaking SUV That Tows Like a Truck

July 7, 2025 Francis Mitterrand

As Porsche edges closer to the launch of its second all-electric SUV, the brand has begun peeling back the camouflage—literally and figuratively—on what might be its most versatile EV to date. The upcoming Porsche Cayenne Electric has entered the final stages of global testing, and it’s already making headlines. A near-production prototype recently shattered a hill climb record, hauled vintage metal across the English countryside, and offered an early glimpse at what electrified performance and practicality can really look like.

Electrified Heritage Meets British Motorsport

The stage for this electric debut? None other than the legendary Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb—a motorsport relic dating back to 1905. Nestled in Worcestershire, England, the narrow and notoriously technical track played host to a filming project featuring the new Cayenne Electric, with none other than Gabriela Jílková, simulator and development driver for the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team, behind the wheel.

Facing gradients of up to 16.7% and corners barely wider than a city alley, Jílková piloted the prototype SUV to a record-breaking 31.28-second run—over four seconds faster than the previous SUV best.

“The course is challenging and does not forgive mistakes,” she remarked. “But the active suspension gives the new Cayenne enormous stability and precision. I felt completely confident at all times.”

Precision Meets Power: Porsche Active Ride

Much of that confidence stems from Porsche Active Ride, a new active suspension system debuting in the electric Cayenne. Designed to keep the body flat and composed under hard braking, acceleration, and cornering, it ensures a refined yet dynamic driving experience—crucial for a vehicle straddling the line between sports car agility and SUV practicality.

According to Michael Schätzle, Vice President of the Cayenne product line, the technology “significantly expands the range between driving dynamics and ride comfort.” And the numbers back it up. From a standstill, the SUV blasted past the first 60-foot marker in just 1.94 seconds, a figure typically reserved for open-wheel race cars fitted with slicks.

A Utility Vehicle That Means It

But raw speed isn’t the only metric Porsche is gunning for. While performance grabs headlines, Porsche hasn’t forgotten what made the Cayenne a global success over two decades: usability and versatility. During the filming in England, automotive presenter Richard Hammond put the prototype to a different kind of test—hauling a two-tonne, 100-year-old classic car on a trailer from Hereford to his garage.

Despite a combined towing load of nearly three tonnes, the Cayenne Electric performed the task with ease. Hammond summed it up succinctly:

“We were trailing significant weight behind us, but you wouldn’t know it – the Cayenne handled it effortlessly.”

That’s no coincidence. Porsche confirms that the Cayenne Electric is being engineered to offer a towing capacity of up to 3.5 tonnes, matching its combustion counterparts—a rare feat in the battery electric vehicle (BEV) world.

A Glimpse Into Porsche’s Electrified Future

The Cayenne Electric isn’t just a performance statement—it’s a manifesto. Schätzle emphasized Porsche’s commitment to offering combustion, hybrid, and fully electric powertrains well into the next decade. Yet, he acknowledged that only electrification could unlock the unprecedented blend of power, efficiency, and refinement showcased at Shelsley Walsh.

“The Cayenne Electric will set new standards—without compromising on everyday usability and practicality,” he said.

With its global launch drawing closer, the Cayenne Electric is shaping up to be more than just an evolution—it could be a revolution for luxury electric SUVs. Blending track-taming agility, trailer-hauling muscle, and road-trip-ready comfort, it stands as a compelling argument that the age of electrification doesn’t mean leaving utility behind.

Source: Porsche

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