Some days stand apart from the rest. Sometimes it’s the little things, a forgotten twenty-dollar bill in a pocket, hitting green lights all the way home, or finding an extra fry in the bag. Sometimes it’s something much bigger, like the keys to an entire fleet of Maseratis at one of the world’s most iconic racetracks, Circuit of the Americas.
For us at Jim Butler Maserati of St. Louis, moments like these remind us why we’re passionate about bringing the thrill of Maserati to our drivers every single day.
If the Track Shoe Fits, Send It
Maserati often evokes the idea of sophisticated style and exclusivity. But beyond the luxury, this storied brand has spent more than a hundred years carving its reputation alongside icons like Ferrari, Porsche, Aston Martin, and Mercedes-Benz. Its racing heritage ensures Maserati more than deserves its standing among the greats.
That heritage is about to hit its 100-year milestone in 2026. And what better way to honor the past than unleashing Maserati’s modern lineup, plus a rare hypercar, on a Formula 1 circuit built for speed?
The Apex Predator: Maserati MCXtrema
Among the stars was a beast few will ever experience: the Maserati MCXtrema. Built in just 62 examples, this stripped-down monster is pure race car with license plates optional. At its heart lies Maserati’s Nettuno V6, tuned to deliver 730 horsepower. The result is a purpose-built hypercar that carves corners with surgical precision and leaves even seasoned enthusiasts hanging on for dear life.
Maserati’s Nettuno Era
One thing stands out in Maserati’s 2025 lineup: efficiency in engineering. From the elegant GranTurismo and GranCabrio to the supercar-grade MC20 and GT2 Stradale, even Maserati’s performance SUVs, all share the same core, the 3.0L twin-turbo Nettuno V6.
This Modena-built engine, introduced in 2020, defines the brand’s rebirth. Output varies by application: from 490–542 hp in the GranTurismo, to 621–631 hp in the MC20 and track-focused GT2 Stradale, culminating in the MCXtrema’s outrageous 730 hp.
GranTurismo Trofeo: Beauty vs. the Brakes
First up was the GranTurismo Trofeo. A grand tourer with timeless lines, it looks every bit the Italian showpiece. Inside, premium materials wrap passengers in comfort, reminding drivers that this is a luxury cruiser first and foremost.
But on COTA’s 20 demanding turns, luxury fought against physics. With softer bolstering, a tendency to roll in corners, and brakes that warmed up faster than the tires, the Trofeo asked drivers to dance rather than wrestle. Once settled into its rhythm, the GranTurismo proved why it’s more at home devouring coastal highways than carving apexes.
Maserati’s Street Jet Fighter: GT2 Stradale
Then came the GT2 Stradale. The moment the butterfly door arcs open, it’s clear: this isn’t a sports car, it’s a supercar with fighter jet DNA. Controls are minimalistic, function-driven, and purposeful. Drive modes could easily be renamed “Fast, Faster, and Mamma Mia.”
On track, the Stradale feels like an extension of the driver. Every input is mirrored instantly with razor-sharp precision. Steering is light, suspension ironclad, and acceleration brutal. It’s not just fast; it’s confidence distilled into carbon fiber.
MC20 Cielo Spyder: Elegance with Bite
The MC20 Cielo Spyder takes the same formula and layers on a dose of sophistication. With its retractable roof, it delivers a balance few supercars achieve: raw performance paired with open-air drama. Zero to 60 arrives in three seconds flat, but the delivery is smoother than champagne on a private jet. Where the GT2 is a scalpel, the Cielo is a ballet dancer with teeth.
MCXtrema Hot Laps: Sheer Chaos
For sheer adrenaline, nothing touched riding shotgun in the MCXtrema with Maserati’s own Daniele Manca behind the wheel. At 150+ mph, g-forces pinned bodies to seats, braking felt like colliding with gravity itself, and every corner tested the limits of human reflex. It wasn’t just a ride; it was controlled violence on wheels. The aftermath? Equal parts awe and physical surrender.
Maserati’s Final Lap
Maserati’s lineup at COTA showcased a brand with renewed focus. From luxury grand tourers to track-bred supercars and a hypercar that borders on terrifying, Maserati reminded the automotive world why its trident logo still belongs at the sharp end of performance.
Now it’s your turn to feel it. The grip in the corners, the surge of g-force, the goosebumps that only a Maserati can deliver. Whether it’s the elegance of the GranTurismo, the precision of the GT2 Stradale, the open-air thrill of the MC20 Cielo, or the sheer intensity of the MCXtrema’s DNA, every Maserati is built to awaken something inside you.
Schedule your test drive today at Jim Butler Maserati and see why the trident still rules the road.
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