new models: Maserati Trofeo GT
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| Thursday 20th June saw Maserati
return to the race track as the prototype Trofeo car was shaken down by
Ferrari F1 test driver, Brazilian Luciano Burti. Under Ferrari's ownership,
the Trofeo, a single-model race series for Maserati Coupe-based race cars,
heralds the marque's return to motorsport in what is regarded as a toe
dipping exercise.
The Trofeo incorporates a series of modifications for the track, including specific spring and damper ratings, racing seat and harness, full safety roll cage, larger wheels and wider tyres and a specially modified engine management system. A developement programme will be carried out by Maserati throughout 2002 before the series is ready to be announced. To date the prototype has run on Ferrari's private test track at Fiorano and at Imola, home of the San Marion Grand Prix. Development work has been undertaken by regular Ferrari F1 team test drivers, Luca Badoer and Luciano Burti. Regining European Touring Car Champion and this years series leader, Alfa Romeo driver Fabrizio Giovanardi has also tested the car, while Ferrari-Maserati President, Luca di Montezemolo undertook some laps recently to aquaint himself with the car and project. |
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| technical details
engine:
performance
gearbox & drivetrain:
dimensions
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| Maserati Trofeo development official
press release:
Maserati is set to make a very welcome return to the world circuits after a long absence, courtesy of the specially developed Coupé Cambiocorsa Trofeo. In making the crossover from road to track car, the engineers concentrated on several different factors, the most important of which was adapting the car to be built directly on the production line. They then moved on to drastically cutting its weight, always an important factor for competition cars. This done, the Trofeo’s tyres (developments here were made in conjunction with Pirelli early on in the project), brakes, suspension and gearbox were all optimised for the kind of hard use they would be subjected to out on the circuits. The Trofeo was also readied in compliance with FIA specifications for GT Championship cars, even though it was decided not to go to extremes in this regard. Two Ferrari test drivers, Luciano Burti and Luca Badoer, put the new Maserati through its paces, as did Fabrizio “Piedone” Giovanardi, a former Italian Superturismo and EuroSTC champion, testing it on such tough circuits as Fiorano, Mugello and Imola. After a hesitant start, its speeds increased consistently over time – sure proof of its overall soundness. The Trofeo’s very light minimum (dry) weight of 1,370 kg, compared with the 1,580 kg of the production model, was only obtained after some fairly major changes were made to both the interior and the exterior components. The air-conditioning system and all other non-essential accessories, such as the soundproofing and trim, were removed, making a huge difference to the weight of the car. The side windows were also replaced with Plexiglas and the engine compartment was lightened, by relieving it of its sound-damping material. Like the road-going version, the Maserati Trofeo is fitted with the F1-type Cambiocorsa gearbox, which has steering wheel-mounted controls. In the case of the Trofeo, the Sport setting is used because this allows drivers to shift gears in under 150 milliseconds. Some of the software parameters, such as the exhaust brake, were also modified to improve response times. Last but not least, the oil pump is now larger and the diff settings were also tweaked to make the car easier and more fun to drive. One of the main objectives outlined during the Trofeo’s design definition stage was that it should be safe. As a result only very high quality, high yield components were used, two good examples being the braking system and the roll-bar. The former is the same Brembo system used by the FIA GT Championship cars, meaning that it guarantees incredibly safe braking combined with unparalleled fatigue resistance. For maximum safety cell security in the event of an accident, the Maserati Trofeo also boasts a roll-cage which conforms to OMP’s FIA standards, an automatic fire extinguishing system, an anatomical seat with a six-point safety harness, and aeronautical-style safety tanks which also meet FIA standards. To improve on the production model’s already impressive downforce, the Trofeo was fitted with a rear wing, and the front spoiler was redesigned to channel the air flow to cool the powerful braking system. Much of the work done on the track was aimed at developing a set-up that would ensure the car delivered a similarly excellent performance on all kinds of circuits. This demanded that the technicians concentrate on the suspension in particular. The flexible joints were removed and several elements were redesigned. The dampers were also given an overhaul courtesy of Sachs and the springs were specially calibrated. The car’s kerb height was lowered by about 50 mm. A more rigid anti-roll bar was also added and the camber angle was modified. In fact, both the camber and toe-in can now be controlled by the driver to adapt the car to his own driving style. All of Trofeos are fitted with production-derived engines with certified torque curves and horse power. The V8 was modified only with track use in mind, resulting in an overhaul of the exhaust system to comply with the maximum 98 dB specified by the FIA, a new oil tank, and specialised ignition and injection mapping. |
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| related articles:
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BADOER OUT AGAIN IN MASERATI CAMBIOCORSA TROFEO AT FIORANO
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