Tag Archives: vehicles

NEW CARS

2027 DS N°7 First Drive: French Luxury Finds Its Electric Flagship

For decades, French luxury cars have occupied a fascinating niche. They rarely chased German precision or British tradition, preferring instead to build automobiles around comfort, design, and an unmistakable sense of style. With the all-new DS N°7, DS Automobiles is doubling down on that philosophy—and, for the first time, it has the technology to back up the ambition.

Replacing the outgoing DS 7 with an entirely new generation, the N°7 isn’t merely a facelift or an evolutionary update. Built on Stellantis’ latest STLA Medium architecture, it’s a technological reset that combines premium craftsmanship, long-distance electric capability, and the distinctive French flair that has become the brand’s signature.

Presence Without Excess

Luxury SUVs have become increasingly aggressive in recent years, with oversized grilles and razor-sharp styling competing for attention. The DS N°7 takes a different route.

At 183.5 inches (4.66 meters) long and nearly 75 inches wide, it certainly has presence, but it’s delivered with restraint rather than intimidation. Long proportions, carefully balanced overhangs, and available 21-inch wheels give the SUV a planted stance without resorting to unnecessary visual drama.

The highlight is undoubtedly the front fascia. Buyers can choose between a more traditional gloss-black grille or the striking illuminated DS LUMINASCREEN, whose animated vertical lighting elements surround a glowing DS badge. It’s theatrical—but tasteful—and one of the more distinctive front-end designs currently on sale.

The elegant two-tone paint options, featuring either a black roof or an extended black hood treatment, further reinforce the impression that the N°7 is designed as much for Parisian boulevards as it is for European highways.

French Comfort Remains the Priority

If German luxury brands often prioritize sportiness, DS continues to chase serenity.

Slip inside the N°7 and that mission becomes immediately apparent.

The front seats feature high-density cushioning, integrated headrests, adjustable side bolsters, heating, ventilation, massage functions, and perhaps the most French feature imaginable—a neck-warming system that gently directs warm air around occupants during colder weather.

Materials are equally impressive. Buyers can specify Alcantara, naturally tanned Nappa leather, or DS Canvas upholstery, all stitched together with details like the brand’s signature Pearl Stitching and “Clous de Paris” decorative trim. Natural wood also makes its debut in the cabin, softening what is otherwise a thoroughly modern interior dominated by a 10-inch digital instrument display and a 16-inch central touchscreen.

The atmosphere is unmistakably upscale without feeling overly complicated.

Rear passengers haven’t been forgotten, either. Longer rear doors, improved glass areas, and a panoramic roof create an airy cabin with increased headroom, while the cargo area offers up to 560 liters of storage—competitive with SUVs from the class above.

Built for Silence

Luxury isn’t only measured in leather quality or screen size.

DS engineers have invested heavily in reducing noise and vibration. Laminated glass, extensive insulation, and careful acoustic tuning create an exceptionally quiet cabin, while the optional 14-speaker FOCAL Electra 3D audio system transforms that silence into an impressive concert hall.

Combined with the brand’s Active Scan Suspension—which continuously reads the road using a forward-facing camera and adjusts each damper in real time—the N°7 promises to isolate occupants from rough pavement with remarkable effectiveness.

Rather than emphasizing aggressive handling, the chassis focuses on confidence, stability, and effortless long-distance comfort. That philosophy feels refreshingly different in a premium SUV market increasingly obsessed with Nürburgring lap times.

Serious Electric Credentials

Where the N°7 makes its biggest leap is underneath the bodywork.

The flagship E-TENSE Long Range version delivers a claimed WLTP range of up to 740 kilometers (460 miles), placing it among Europe’s longest-range electric SUVs. While real-world driving inevitably produces lower figures, DS says highway journeys exceeding 400 kilometers can be completed while still retaining a healthy battery reserve.

Three electric versions are available:

  • Front-wheel drive with 230 horsepower
  • Front-wheel-drive Long Range with 245 horsepower
  • Dual-motor all-wheel-drive Long Range producing 350 horsepower

Each model includes a temporary boost mode that unlocks additional power when maximum acceleration is needed.

Fast charging appears equally competitive. The larger 97.2-kWh battery can recharge from 20 to 80 percent in approximately 27 minutes under ideal DC fast-charging conditions, while a 10-minute stop can recover roughly 200 kilometers of driving range.

Battery preconditioning, intelligent route planning, Plug & Charge functionality, and access to more than 800,000 charging stations throughout Europe demonstrate that DS understands electric ownership extends well beyond battery size alone.

Hybrid Buyers Aren’t Forgotten

Recognizing that not every customer is ready to embrace full electrification, DS also offers a conventional hybrid.

The 145-hp setup combines a turbocharged 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine with an electric motor integrated into a six-speed dual-clutch transmission. It’s capable of driving electrically during much of urban commuting while returning fuel consumption figures that rank among the best in the segment.

It may not be the headline-grabbing model, but it could prove the volume seller.

Technology That Works Quietly

Rather than overwhelming drivers with gimmicks, DS has concentrated on technologies that reduce workload.

Level 2 semi-autonomous driving assistance, an expanded head-up display, adaptive PixelVision lighting capable of illuminating up to 520 meters ahead, infrared Night Vision, digital rear-view mirror functionality, and AI-enhanced voice controls all work toward making long-distance travel less fatiguing.

It’s technology designed to disappear into the background rather than constantly demand attention—a philosophy that fits perfectly with the car’s overall character.

A Different Kind of Luxury SUV

The premium SUV segment has become remarkably homogeneous. German competitors continue chasing sportier dynamics, while many newcomers prioritize maximum screen count over craftsmanship.

The DS N°7 offers an alternative.

Instead of trying to out-BMW BMW or out-Audi Audi, it leans into what French luxury has always done best: sophisticated design, exceptional ride comfort, distinctive styling, and effortless long-distance refinement.

The impressive electric range, competitive charging speeds, and thoroughly modern technology finally give DS the engineering credibility to match its ambitious design language.

Starting at €43,900 for the hybrid and climbing to €77,520 for the fully equipped dual-motor electric flagship in France, the N°7 enters one of Europe’s most competitive premium segments. Whether buyers are willing to look beyond the established German badges remains to be seen.

But after a first encounter, one thing is clear: the DS N°7 isn’t trying to imitate the competition. It’s attempting to redefine French luxury for the electric age—and it may be the brand’s most convincing effort yet.

Source: DS Automobiles

News

Maserati Brings More Than New Metal to Goodwood—It Brings a Statement of Intent

There are few places where heritage and horsepower collide quite like the Goodwood Festival of Speed. On the narrow ribbon of tarmac carved into the West Sussex hillside, every manufacturer arrives hoping to steal a few headlines. Maserati, however, showed up in 2026 with something bigger than another product refresh. The Italian marque arrived determined to remind enthusiasts—and perhaps itself—that the Trident still belongs among performance motoring’s elite.

Marking 100 years of the iconic Trident emblem and a century of Maserati’s racing history, the company transformed Goodwood into a showcase of its past, present, and future. The updated GranTurismo, GranCabrio, and Grecale made their public debuts, while an all-new Project GT4 race car hinted that Maserati’s motorsport ambitions are only just getting started.

Familiar Faces, Sharper Attitude

Sometimes a facelift is just a facelift. This isn’t one of those cases.

The redesigned GranTurismo and GranCabrio adopt a noticeably more aggressive front fascia inspired by Maserati’s recent halo machines. The styling evolution traces directly back to the wild MCXtrema track car before filtering through the GT2 Stradale and MCPURA, creating a more horizontal, purposeful nose that gives the grand tourers considerably more presence.

The Trofeo versions displayed at Goodwood certainly weren’t shy about grabbing attention. Finished through Maserati’s bespoke Fuoriserie program, the GranTurismo wore a striking matte Green Jupiter finish, while the GranCabrio appeared in elegant Blu Emozione. The Grecale Trofeo completed the trio in vibrant Orange Devil—a color as dramatic as its name suggests.

The interiors receive equally thoughtful refinements, but the real story remains under the hood.

Nettuno Still Leads the Charge

Power continues to come from Maserati’s charismatic 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged Nettuno V6, an engine that remains one of the more technically fascinating powerplants in the performance luxury segment.

Producing up to 590 horsepower in GranTurismo Trofeo specification, the V6 propels the coupe beyond 320 km/h while delivering 650 Nm of torque. More importantly, it does so with a soundtrack that’s now amplified thanks to a standard sports exhaust system fitted to every Trofeo model.

Like its exotic sibling, the MC20, the Nettuno benefits from Formula 1-inspired pre-chamber combustion technology—a rare example of genuine racing engineering making its way into a production grand tourer.

Standard all-wheel drive and adaptive air suspension remain key ingredients, allowing the GranTurismo and GranCabrio to perform the balancing act that defines great GT cars: capable of crossing continents in comfort while still attacking mountain roads with confidence. Four genuine seats only strengthen that everyday usability, making these among the few high-performance machines that don’t require compromise.

Grecale Grows Into Its Role

Luxury performance SUVs have become unavoidable, but Maserati continues refining the Grecale into something more distinctive than another fast crossover.

The updated Grecale Trofeo aims squarely at buyers wanting the space of a larger SUV without sacrificing the sharp responses expected from the Trident badge. Authentic materials, improved cabin refinement, multiple drive modes, and the familiar twin-turbo V6 combine to create what Maserati believes is its most complete luxury SUV yet.

It’s a formula that blends practicality with genuine driver engagement rather than relying solely on outright performance figures.

Racing Returns to Center Stage

While the production cars attracted plenty of attention, the real headline from Goodwood sat under camouflage no longer.

Project GT4 represents Maserati’s next major motorsport chapter.

Built directly from the new GranTurismo platform, the purpose-built racer is designed for one of the fastest-growing categories in global GT competition. Unlike many race cars that share little more than a silhouette with their road-going counterparts, GT4 regulations require significant production-car DNA—a philosophy Maserati has fully embraced.

The same Nettuno V6 sits behind the front axle, though its development potential is enormous. Maserati says the engine has already exceeded 700 horsepower in specific racing configurations during development, demonstrating considerable headroom beyond its road-car output.

Weight has been reduced by roughly 400 kilograms compared with the production GranTurismo through extensive use of lightweight components and a stripped competition interior. Adjustable suspension, bespoke brakes with dedicated cooling, rear-wheel drive, FIA-homologated safety equipment, and GT4-specification 18-inch wheels complete the package.

Equally significant is Maserati’s objective.

The company plans to return to GT4 competition in 2028 with a factory-developed contender capable of fighting for victories, building directly on the experience gained from the successful GT2 program. Development has also benefited from input by Maserati Corse and legendary chief test driver Andrea Bertolini, whose decades of racing expertise continue to shape the brand’s competition cars.

A Rolling Tribute to 100 Years

Goodwood also introduced one of Maserati’s most striking commemorative liveries in recent memory.

Dubbed “100 Trident,” the special design celebrates the centenary of the brand’s famous emblem with a dramatic oversized Trident graphic stretching from roof to tail, accompanied by one hundred subtle blue Trident motifs integrated throughout the bodywork.

A white stripe across the nose recalls Maserati’s historic racing machines, while blue and yellow accents pay tribute to Modena—the city where every Maserati continues to be designed, engineered, and assembled.

It’s a fitting reminder that even as the industry changes, the company’s identity remains firmly rooted in Italy’s Motor Valley.

Supercars Take the Hill

No Goodwood appearance would be complete without a few outrageous machines tackling the famous Hillclimb.

Maserati brought three.

The road-legal GT2 Stradale serves as the bridge between championship-winning GT2 race cars and everyday driving, translating competition engineering into something owners can actually register.

Alongside it sat the breathtaking MCPURA Cielo, showcasing Maserati’s latest thinking in open-top supercar design.

Then came the showstopper.

Limited to just 62 examples worldwide and legal only for circuit use, the MCXtrema remains the most extreme Maserati ever built. Its Nettuno-derived twin-turbocharged V6 produces a staggering 740 horsepower, while its exclusive blue-and-yellow Modena-inspired livery made it one of the Festival’s undeniable visual highlights. Beyond participating in the Hillclimb, the MCXtrema also entered Goodwood’s prestigious Timed Shootout, placing Maserati’s ultimate track weapon directly against some of the fastest machinery in attendance.

More Than a Celebration

Manufacturers often use anniversaries as opportunities to reminisce.

Maserati used Goodwood to look forward.

The refreshed GranTurismo family demonstrates that grand touring remains central to the brand’s identity. The Grecale continues expanding Maserati’s relevance in the luxury SUV market. Project GT4 signals a renewed commitment to customer racing, while machines like the MCXtrema and GT2 Stradale ensure the Trident’s motorsport DNA remains unmistakable.

At a time when much of the automotive world is focused on electrification and digital transformation, Maserati’s message from Goodwood was refreshingly clear: emotion, performance, and Italian character still matter.

If this festival was meant to celebrate a century of the Trident, it also served as a convincing preview of what the next hundred years could look like.

Source: Stellantis

NEW CARS

Maserati’s Project GT4 Signals the Trident’s Return to the Front Lines of GT Racing

If you thought Maserati’s motorsport ambitions ended with the spectacular MCXtrema and the increasingly successful GT2 program, think again. At the 2026 Goodwood Festival of Speed, the Italian marque pulled the wraps off Project GT4, a purpose-built race car that serves as both a preview of Maserati’s future and a declaration that the Trident intends to become a serious player in one of motorsport’s fastest-growing categories.

The timing couldn’t be more symbolic. As Maserati celebrates a century of the iconic Trident emblem and 100 years in motorsport, Project GT4 isn’t just another race car—it’s a statement that the company is ready to reconnect its road cars with the racetrack in a way enthusiasts have been hoping for.

Built From the GranTurismo, Designed to Win

Unlike manufacturers that build race cars sharing little more than a silhouette with their production counterparts, Maserati has taken a refreshingly authentic approach. Project GT4 is based directly on the new GranTurismo, using its aluminum architecture, body structure, and the now-famous Nettuno V6 as the foundation.

That matters because GT4 racing has always been about production relevance. Cars compete with relatively limited modifications, rewarding manufacturers that begin with an inherently capable road car. Maserati believes the GranTurismo is exactly that.

The powertrain remains front-mounted, driving the rear wheels through an architecture familiar to anyone who’s spent time behind the wheel of the production car. Under the hood sits the twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter Nettuno V6, complete with Formula 1-inspired pre-chamber combustion technology. While GT4 regulations will ultimately dictate final output, Maserati reminds us that the engine has already demonstrated more than 700 horsepower in other racing applications, leaving plenty of headroom for future development.

Learning From GT2 Instead of Starting From Scratch

Project GT4 isn’t arriving in isolation.

The biggest advantage Maserati brings into the category is experience. Since its debut, the Maserati GT2 has established itself as a competitive force in European GT competition, giving the factory invaluable knowledge about chassis setup, durability, aerodynamics, electronics, and race operations.

Instead of treating GT4 as a clean-sheet project, Maserati is effectively downsizing its GT2 expertise into a package that’s more affordable, easier to operate, and designed for privateer teams.

That’s exactly what successful GT4 programs are built upon.

Andrea Bertolini—one of the most respected GT drivers of the modern era and Maserati’s longtime chief test driver—is also deeply involved in development. Few people understand how to make a GT race car both fast and forgiving better than Bertolini, and his influence should help Project GT4 become as approachable as it is competitive.

Less Weight, More Grip

While the production GranTurismo is a refined grand tourer, Project GT4 has undergone a dramatic transformation.

Maserati says approximately 400 kilograms have been stripped from the road-going car, producing a machine that’s considerably lighter and far more focused. Suspension hardware is derived from the GranTurismo Trofeo but gains fully adjustable dampers, adjustable anti-roll bars, and race-specific calibration.

Aerodynamics have also evolved substantially. A deep front splitter, dive planes, revised hood vents, additional cooling solutions, and an optimized underbody work together to generate significantly more downforce while remaining compliant with GT4 regulations.

The braking package receives dedicated cooling, while inside you’ll find the expected FIA-approved roll cage, racing seat, safety fuel cell, and an ergonomically redesigned cockpit that still retains visual ties to the production dashboard.

It’s a reminder that although Project GT4 is unmistakably a race car, Maserati hasn’t abandoned the sense of style that distinguishes its road cars from virtually everything else on the grid.

Racing as Research and Development

Modern manufacturers increasingly use motorsport as a rolling laboratory rather than merely a marketing exercise, and Maserati openly acknowledges that philosophy.

Project GT4 is designed to strengthen the continuous exchange between racing and production engineering. Lessons learned from chassis tuning, cooling efficiency, aerodynamics, reliability, and powertrain calibration won’t remain confined to the paddock—they’re expected to influence future Maserati road cars as well.

It’s an approach Porsche, BMW, and Mercedes-AMG have refined for years, and Maserati appears determined to join that conversation.

Eyes on 2028

Although the prototype made its public debut at Goodwood, fans shouldn’t expect to see it lining up on GT4 grids immediately.

Development is only beginning, with Maserati targeting the 2028 racing season for its competitive debut. That extended timeline gives engineers ample opportunity to refine durability, performance, and drivability before customer teams take delivery.

The goal, according to Maserati Corse, is straightforward: build a race car that’s competitive enough to fight for victories while remaining accessible and economical for independent teams.

In GT4 racing, outright speed alone rarely guarantees success. Reliability, operating costs, and ease of maintenance are often just as important, and Maserati appears well aware of that balance.

A Livery Worth Celebrating

Project GT4’s debut livery is more than an attractive paint scheme.

The blue bodywork carries a giant Trident stretching from roof to tail, surrounded by one hundred subtle Trident emblems commemorating the company’s centenary. The contrasting white nose pays homage to legendary Maserati racers such as the 420M/58 Eldorado, while the blue-and-yellow accents celebrate Modena—the heart of Italy’s Motor Valley where the car was conceived and engineered.

It’s heritage without becoming nostalgic, honoring Maserati’s history while clearly pointing toward its future.

Project GT4 is perhaps the clearest indication yet that Maserati is rebuilding its motorsport identity step by step.

First came the spectacular but exclusive MCXtrema. Then the successful GT2 program. Now comes GT4, arguably the most commercially important customer-racing category in the world.

The strategy makes sense. GT4 grids continue to expand globally, attracting manufacturers because they place race cars directly into the hands of private teams and gentleman drivers—the very customers most likely to become lifelong brand ambassadors.

For Maserati, the opportunity extends beyond collecting trophies. It’s about re-establishing the Trident as a regular presence on racing circuits after years of relative absence.

If the legendary MC12 defined Maserati’s GT dominance in the 2000s, Project GT4 could become the foundation of its next competitive era.

There’s still plenty of development ahead before the green flag waves in 2028. But if Goodwood was any indication, Maserati isn’t simply returning to GT racing.

It’s planning to stay.

Source: Stellantis