Maserati Has Launched New Driving Experiences And We Want A Go

Maserati has launched a new suite of driving experiences to help you become better behind the wheel. Basically it involves thrashing Italian sports cars around an Italian race track, and we definitely want in.

The Maserati ‘Master on track’ programme is maybe the most obvious of the three new experience divisions. With four levels named after segments of a race series and designed for all abilities, it puts you behind the wheel of a Maserati at the Varano de’ Melegari circuit in the province of Parma.

Practice is the €780 route in. No, it ain’t cheap. This half-day course on either 13 September or 20 October puts you and a maximum of 19 other people into all of Maserati’s five road cars; the GranTurismo, GranCabrio, Quattroporte, Ghibli and Levante. It’s a basic into to ‘sporty driving on a racing circuit.’

The next level, Qualifying, is all about improving your circuit-driving techniques: getting your lines right, looking towards the right places and analysing telemetry after your runs. These full-day courses take place on 28 May and 21 October, use the same cars for up to 24 people and cost €2340, and with a night in a hotel it’s an extra €180. A guest costs €240 to watch for the day.

Then it’s Race, a two-day course with elite instructors at the helm of not only the five road cars, but also a GranTurismo Sport GT4. Time to go properly fast. The 26-27 June and 1-2 October courses are limited to a maximum of 14 people and will set you back €6600, plus €420 for two nights’ lodgings. To bring a guest is an extra €360.

Finally, the top option is Championship. You and 11 others get to practise over two days in the GranTurismo Sport GT4, and you also get hot passenger laps in an MC 12 Versione Corse courtesy of four-time GT1 world champion Andrea Bertolini. Clear your calendar on 3-4 September and find €7560 for yourself, another €420 for the hotel and €360 for a guest.

If getting muddy is more your thing, you can take the Levante SUV into the ‘Master off-road’ category. The €780 half-day Rally Shakedown pits you against an off-road course in a nature reserve, with an opportunity to drive the Ghibli and Quattroporte on local roads accompanied by an instructor.

For a longer stint choose the Rally Power Stage. A full day ‘masterclass’ teaches you how to drive fast on loose surfaces as well as a bit of track work in the GranTurismo and GranCabrio. It’s €2340 with a hotel night at €180 and the option for a guest to come along for €240.

Finally, the ‘Master Incentive’ package can be tailored for corporate groups, VIP customer days out or wealthy people’s weekenders. Maserati will add in the options you like, including factory tours, track time and a visit to the Panini Motor Museum in Modena. A group limit of 60 people applies, and the price varies according to what you want to do.

How generous is your boss? Put a word in now, and this year you might end up with your best Christmas bonus yet…