Latest news with #Maserati
Sydney Morning Herald
2 days ago
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Key ICAC witness put the rubbish out on a Sunday night. He hasn't been seen since
It is alleged that the Grafton company paid a total of $227,000 in cash to Helmy between 2020 and 2024, $60,000 worth of gold bullion nuggets in 2023 and cryptocurrency payments totalling about $8.97 million from 2021 to 2024. Ranken said it was alleged that Helmy, 38, engaged in a wide range of corrupt practices in exchange for benefits, which included ensuring Protection Barriers was the preferred contractor and approving the payment of falsely inflated invoices. He said the ICAC anticipated that there would be evidence that Helmy was assisted in his arrangement with Protection Barriers by two other Transport for NSW associates – Mukeshkumar Patel and David Liu – who allegedly received financial benefits. Last September, officers from ICAC, the NSW Police and NSW Crime Commission conducted raids on properties around the state. Items seized from Helmy's home included nine 100-gram gold bullion bars, five one-ounce gold bullion bars, three red bags containing 20 one-ounce gold bullion nuggets and $12,317 in cash. Ranken said evidence would show that the gold bullion seized from Helmy's home were consistent in appearance with gold bullion nuggets Chellew allegedly provided to him in 2023. In addition, the NSW Crime Commission seized $413,000 worth of cryptocurrency held by Helmy and the equivalent of $8 million in cryptocurrency in a Binance account in the name of his sister. It also seized a Maserati he purchased. The Crime Commission also seized property and assets from Chellew and his wife Meshel and their related entities worth more than $41 million, including $735,000 in cryptocurrency, a 2023 Lexus car worth about $160,000 and two 2024 Bentleys each worth about $500,000. In addition, they also seized multiple properties owned by the Chellews in NSW and Queensland worth $15 million. Under questioning at the first day of a public inquiry on Monday, Jason Chellew said he was asked by Helmy in about April or May 2020 to come to see him about getting more work, and the Transport for NSW staffer proposed 'jobs for kickbacks'. On the first occasion they met at a McDonald's in Pennant Hills in 2020 whereby Chellew said he would have brought along cash but could not recall to the inquiry the amount. Chellew said the amounts he handed to Helmy started as $10,000 or $20,000 in cash before the amount of work from Transport for NSW 'got crazy' during the COVID pandemic. He told the inquiry that, under the proposed arrangement from Helmy, the inflated rates on top of the work would be split 50:50 between them. Early on, Chellew said his concern was that if his company said 'no' to Helmy's proposal, they would not receive contracts. Chellew said he started cryptocurrency payments to Helmy from about 2021, and there was an occasion when he provided gold in 2023, adding that he often struggled to keep up the payments to Helmy because of the amount of work. The public inquiry, which is being presided over by ICAC chief commissioner John Hatzistergos, is part of an ICAC investigation known as Operation Wyvern. The hearings are expected to run for six weeks.
The Age
2 days ago
- Business
- The Age
Key ICAC witness put the rubbish out on a Sunday night. He hasn't been seen since
It is alleged that the Grafton company paid a total of $227,000 in cash to Helmy between 2020 and 2024, $60,000 worth of gold bullion nuggets in 2023 and cryptocurrency payments totalling about $8.97 million from 2021 to 2024. Ranken said it was alleged that Helmy, 38, engaged in a wide range of corrupt practices in exchange for benefits, which included ensuring Protection Barriers was the preferred contractor and approving the payment of falsely inflated invoices. He said the ICAC anticipated that there would be evidence that Helmy was assisted in his arrangement with Protection Barriers by two other Transport for NSW associates – Mukeshkumar Patel and David Liu – who allegedly received financial benefits. Last September, officers from ICAC, the NSW Police and NSW Crime Commission conducted raids on properties around the state. Items seized from Helmy's home included nine 100-gram gold bullion bars, five one-ounce gold bullion bars, three red bags containing 20 one-ounce gold bullion nuggets and $12,317 in cash. Ranken said evidence would show that the gold bullion seized from Helmy's home were consistent in appearance with gold bullion nuggets Chellew allegedly provided to him in 2023. In addition, the NSW Crime Commission seized $413,000 worth of cryptocurrency held by Helmy and the equivalent of $8 million in cryptocurrency in a Binance account in the name of his sister. It also seized a Maserati he purchased. The Crime Commission also seized property and assets from Chellew and his wife Meshel and their related entities worth more than $41 million, including $735,000 in cryptocurrency, a 2023 Lexus car worth about $160,000 and two 2024 Bentleys each worth about $500,000. In addition, they also seized multiple properties owned by the Chellews in NSW and Queensland worth $15 million. Under questioning at the first day of a public inquiry on Monday, Jason Chellew said he was asked by Helmy in about April or May 2020 to come to see him about getting more work, and the Transport for NSW staffer proposed 'jobs for kickbacks'. On the first occasion they met at a McDonald's in Pennant Hills in 2020 whereby Chellew said he would have brought along cash but could not recall to the inquiry the amount. Chellew said the amounts he handed to Helmy started as $10,000 or $20,000 in cash before the amount of work from Transport for NSW 'got crazy' during the COVID pandemic. He told the inquiry that, under the proposed arrangement from Helmy, the inflated rates on top of the work would be split 50:50 between them. Early on, Chellew said his concern was that if his company said 'no' to Helmy's proposal, they would not receive contracts. Chellew said he started cryptocurrency payments to Helmy from about 2021, and there was an occasion when he provided gold in 2023, adding that he often struggled to keep up the payments to Helmy because of the amount of work. The public inquiry, which is being presided over by ICAC chief commissioner John Hatzistergos, is part of an ICAC investigation known as Operation Wyvern. The hearings are expected to run for six weeks.
Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Maserati's New Supercar - Do You Prefer the Coupe or Convertible?
While many brands brought familiar faces to this year's Goodwood Festival of Speed, Maserati stood out with a global debut. The Italian carmaker unveiled both the coupe and Cielo convertible versions of its MC20 successor, the MCPura. It was one of the few all-new reveals at the event, and it drew plenty of attention. Meanwhile, McLaren's hypercar was tucked away from the crowds. Maserati plays on Einstein's iconic formula, E = MCPURA, with "MC" standing for Maserati Corse and "Pura" meaning "pure" in Italian. PR theatrics aside, the updates are subtle but intentional. The MCPura sticks with the same 3.0-liter twin-turbo Nettuno V6 as the MC20, but thanks to refined materials and increased carbon fiber use, it now has a dry weight of just 3,043 lbs. That is about 300 lbs less than before. On display at Goodwood were both coupe and Cielo convertible versions, finished in a stunning Ai Aqua Rainbow color. The paint shimmered in the sun like a prism, matte on the coupe and glossy on the Cielo. The new magenta Trident badges with blue mica accents add flair, and the redesigned wheels even more. While the MC20 leaned more luxurious, the MCPura's cabin is sportier. It swaps leather for Alcantara, and the laser-etched Trident logos on the "Alcantara Ice" seats make them a clear focal point. A slightly revised steering wheel rounds out the changes inside. The highlight feature is the topless Cielo's new retractable roof. Made from polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) glass, it can switch from clear to opaque in an instant. Maserati says it's the first roof of its kind in this segment. The MCPura also benefits from a stiffer carbon-fiber monocoque and aerodynamic changes inspired by the MC20 GT2, including a revised front end for better downforce. The Nettuno V6 still delivers 621 hp, 538 lb-ft of torque, and a redline of 8,000 rpm. As before, the car is built entirely in Modena. The MCPura represents Maserati's commitment to Italian craftsmanship and exclusivity. The Maserati Fuoriserie program offers over 30 color choices, including Devil Orange, Verde Royale, and Night Interaction, letting owners build something truly personal. The MCPura may not be a new model built from the ground up, but it is a sharper and lighter recipe of what already worked. At Goodwood, it proved Maserati can evolve the sports car without falling victim to electricification. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Auto Blog
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
Maserati's New Supercar — Do You Prefer the Coupe or Convertible?
By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. While many brands brought familiar faces to this year's Goodwood Festival of Speed, Maserati stood out with a global debut. The Italian carmaker unveiled both the coupe and Cielo convertible versions of its MC20 successor, the MCPura. It was one of the few all-new reveals at the event, and it drew plenty of attention. Meanwhile, McLaren's hypercar was tucked away from the crowds. 0:06 / 0:09 Costco members can save $3,000 on a new Chevy Corvette Watch More Sharper Style, Same Core Maserati plays on Einstein's iconic formula, E = MCPURA, with 'MC' standing for Maserati Corse and 'Pura' meaning 'pure' in Italian. PR theatrics aside, the updates are subtle but intentional. The MCPura sticks with the same 3.0-liter twin-turbo Nettuno V6 as the MC20, but thanks to refined materials and increased carbon fiber use, it now has a dry weight of just 3,043 lbs. That is about 300 lbs less than before. On display at Goodwood were both coupe and Cielo convertible versions, finished in a stunning Ai Aqua Rainbow color. The paint shimmered in the sun like a prism, matte on the coupe and glossy on the Cielo. The new magenta Trident badges with blue mica accents add flair, and the redesigned wheels even more. While the MC20 leaned more luxurious, the MCPura's cabin is sportier. It swaps leather for Alcantara, and the laser-etched Trident logos on the 'Alcantara Ice' seats make them a clear focal point. A slightly revised steering wheel rounds out the changes inside. Subtle, Purposeful Upgrades The highlight feature is the topless Cielo's new retractable roof. Made from polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) glass, it can switch from clear to opaque in an instant. Maserati says it's the first roof of its kind in this segment. The MCPura also benefits from a stiffer carbon-fiber monocoque and aerodynamic changes inspired by the MC20 GT2, including a revised front end for better downforce. The Nettuno V6 still delivers 621 hp, 538 lb-ft of torque, and a redline of 8,000 rpm. As before, the car is built entirely in Modena. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. Italian At Heart The MCPura represents Maserati's commitment to Italian craftsmanship and exclusivity. The Maserati Fuoriserie program offers over 30 color choices, including Devil Orange, Verde Royale, and Night Interaction, letting owners build something truly personal. The MCPura may not be a new model built from the ground up, but it is a sharper and lighter recipe of what already worked. At Goodwood, it proved Maserati can evolve the sports car without falling victim to electricification. About the Author Marnus Moolman View Profile
News.com.au
3 days ago
- Automotive
- News.com.au
2026 Maserati MCPura revealed
There's more to the Maserati MCPura than meets the eye. It's only when parked alongside the MC20 you'll see how very different it is from the sleek five-year-old supercar it replaces. Claimed to be the result of more than 2000 hours wind tunnel testing and thousands more spent on advanced fluid dynamics simulations, speak to the wind wrangler, or aerodynamicist as they're more commonly known, and they will go to great lengths explaining how different the MCPura, compared to its predecessor. MORE: The Ferrari that ruins everything 2026 Maserati MCPura. Picture: Supplied Maybe they're right, after all the entire lower half of the body is new from the front bumper, rear diffuser, side skirts and underbody. Peek under a MCPura and there's supposed to be fancy vortex generators and less exciting-sounding air channels that carefully manage wind to that enlarged rear diffuser. MORE: New look for family favourite 2026 Maserati MCPura. Picture: Supplied At the same time other air benders were finessing how to extract hot air from an engine, while channelling cold fresh air to a hungry twin-turbo V6. â¨â¨If it all sounds complex, it is – and the result is a car that offers less lift and more downforce without any naughty speed-sapping drag. Pop open one of the still-glorious butterfly doors and you're greeted by wall-to-wall Alcantara – the suede-like material beloved by motorsport because it is light, hard-wearing and UV-proof. MORE: The new baby buy replacing the pram 2026 Maserati MCPura. Picture: Supplied Other changes include the introduction of a flat-topped steering wheel, which is unusual and apparently helps improve visibility ahead and links the new Maserati supercar with the GT2 racer that competes on the weekend. Under the rear bonnet, Maserati hasn't been foolish by adding any electrification to its already-advanced twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6. In the latest Lamborghini Temerario the extra hybrid tech saw the kerbweight climb over the model it replaces by an astonishing 300kg. 2026 Maserati MCPura. Picture: Supplied Sadly, engineers haven't managed to liberate any more power from the 'Nettuno' engine's advanced twin-combustion tech, but both 470kW of power and 730Nm of torque seems to suffice and, compared with a swift-shifting eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, a 0-100km/h dash takes just 2.9 seconds, which is actually a few tenths off the pace in the new crazy age of electrified supercars. Along with the new downforce figures, Maserati hasn't announced what exactly has occurred when it comes to suspension changes but has said that the Android-powered 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen now comes with some of the same track-focused telemetry developed for the hard-core GT2 Stradale, suggesting more of a hard edge. 2026 Maserati MCPura. Picture: Supplied Enhancing agility both on road and track is the MCPura remains based around a full carbon-fibre monocoque, instead of the less exotic aluminium spaceframe favoured by the Ferrari 296, that means it weighs just 1475kg – the same as the MC20. There was little wrong with the way the old Maserati supercar demolished a cross-country sprint and the new MCPura is expected to only elevate near-class-best dynamics, although if we're honest the droptop Cielo roadster was always our pick and the new one now throws in some fancy electrochromic roof tech into the mix which can, at the touch of a button, turn the clear glass to opaque. 2026 Maserati MCPura. Picture: Supplied The same tech also enhances thermal insulation and ensures the Maser's cabin stays cool in hot weather and warm when it gets chilly, making the droptop even more desirable. Now available in ten colours, including the wild glass-prism-mimicking matte Ai Aqua Rainbow hue it was launched with, Maserati will allow owners to customise their new supercar using its bespoke Fuoriserie division which can realise even the wildest imaginations in automotive forms. 2026 Maserati MCPura. Picture: Supplied Available to order now with first deliveries expected to take place either before the end of this year or early in 2026, prices for the new Maserati MCPURA are expected to hover around the $500k mark, with the Cielo roadster commanding a premium of around $65,000. To sum up, the MCPura is a facelift that doesn't look like a facelift – normally we'd lambast any car-maker for not being brave enough to embrace change but when you remember the MC20 remains one of the most beautiful supercars any amount of money can buy, who can blame Maserari? 2026 Maserati MCPura. Picture: Supplied The new name, meanwhile, is less easy to forgive. Why would you want to plough half a million dollars into a car that sounds like a drink you get with a Happy Meal. 2026 Maserati MCPura⨠PRICE: About $510,000+ plus on-road costs â¨â¨ ENGINE: 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6, 470kW/730Nm WARRANTY/SERVICING: Three years/unlimited km, 12 months/15,000km⨠SAFETY: Four airbags, autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian detection, Matrix LED adaptive headlights THIRST: 11.5L/100km (WLTP Combined)⨠CARGO: 150 litres⨠SPARE: Repair kit
