Revealed: new Maserati Quattroporte

After 8 years, the long-awaited sixth generation Maserati Quattroporte is finally here! Maserati will present the sports sedan at the beginning of 2013 at the Detroit auto show in January, but is already releasing the first images.

The long wait has been rewarded by Maserati today: the Italians have pulled the curtain on a brand new Quattroporte. The 4-door sedan is a direct attack on German luxury sedans such as the Porsche Panamera, BMW 7 Series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

It is a pity that the Italian car manufacturer did not opt ​​for a ‘couture body’. Because earlier Quattroportes came from the drawing boards of designers such as Pietro Frua, Bertone (Gandini), Italdesign (Giugiaro), Marcello Gandini and Pininfarina, the new Quattroporte must go through life ‘nameless’, as Fiat’s Centro Stile has done the job itself.

It’s not nice to say, as we can only judge the car from the released photos now, but it’s clear to see they did. There are quite a few very strange ‘bends’ in the body, especially the high waistline. And do we see it right: door mirrors of the Chrysler 300?

The new Quattroporte has inherited some key design features from previous models: the signature grille, the three cooling slots in the front wing and the ‘triangular’ C-pillar. The car is more exuberant in design than before, but immediately recognizable as a Quattroporte.

According to Maserati, the interior is characterized by ‘simple lines and efficiency’. This, of course, in combination with beautiful leather and wood types that give the interior a warm appearance. It is noticeable that the dashboard – unlike that of its predecessor – looks quite tidy, many functions will be operated via the huge touch screen in the center console.

Maserati does not want to say much about the engines. It should come as no surprise that a V8 is available. The brand speaks of a ‘new generation Maserati engines’, which are built at Ferrari in Maranello. Of course, the new blocks are ‘more powerful and more economical’. Assume a further development of the traditional V8, but also count on a new V6, in several variants. Is the license plate (QP 530 HP) a subtle hint at horsepower numbers? Maserati says the top-of-the-line sedan sets new standards in performance, handling and driving pleasure.

The new Maserati Quattroporte will make its debut at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit in January. Come in the beautiful world of Maserati.

Maserati GranCabrio MC

Maserati unveiled the GranTurismo MC Stradale at the 2010 Paris Auto Show and two years later, the company is bringing the MC Stradale package back, but it’s the GranCabrio that will benefit from its features.

Cut off the roof and put a soft top om a Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale and you get the new GranCabrio MC, which Maserati say completes their open-top range.

The GranCabrio MC measures 48 millimeters longer than the standard GranCabrio and will adopt a highly sporty and aggressive look. Its front end was inspired by the coupe version of the MC Stradale, while the rear gets a large spoiler, with the third brake light built into the luggage compartment inside the spoiler.

Maserati haven’t officially released engine and performance specs yet, but if it has the same engine as the MC Stradale, it will have a 4.7-litre V8 with 460hp and 520Nm (383 lb ft) of torque – sending its power through a quick-shifting six-speed automated manual transmission to the rear wheels.

Come into the beautiful world of Maserati.

 

 

 

 

Abarth 695 Maserati Edition

The Abarth 695 Maserati Edition, the new Limited Edition (499 vehicles) will make its society debut on the occasion of the thirtieth anniversary of the Mille Miglia, which Enzo Ferrari called “the most beautiful race in the world”. Displayed at Piazza della Loggia in Brescia in the midst of the collectors’ automotive jewels and ‘luxury cars’ of today, this glamorous car represents the bond between Abarth and Maserati, based on a host of shared values, including attention to detail, elegance and a passion for performance and sport.

Following the collaborative project three years ago with Ferrari and the creation of the Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari, this is one more project that confirms the authoritative presence of Abarth in the luxury sports segment, this time flanked by a brand whose history of sporting achievements and elegant road cars is recognised worldwide. Karl Abarth and Alfieri Maserati: two legends, united by passion for mechanics and engines, who lent their names to two of the most prestigious companies to manufacture cars marked out by style and unmistakable performance.

Just as the Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari is the utmost expression of Abarth’s sporty character and ‘racing spirit’, this new Limited Edition epitomises sheer elegance united to the comfort of a ‘GranTurismo’, but with the handling of a car fit to take to the road every day.

The new Abarth 695 Maserati Edition is an exclusive convertible which blends the aggression and sportiness of a high-performance car with the refined, elegant aesthetics of a convertible. In keeping with Maserati’s standards, this new Limited Edition is distinguished by excellent handling and outstanding sportiness, together with a great level of comfort and attention to materials and detail.

It features exclusive style details and special technical features developed by Abarth engineers for Maserati. To start with, the 1.4 Turbo T-Jet 16v engine boosted to 180 HP and teamed with the electrically operated manual Abarth Competizione gearbox with steering wheel controls, which enhances the performance of the engine with reduced gearshift times as well as guaranteeing an experience of superior comfort at the wheel.

Again to improve performance, especially acceleration, the car is fitted with performance tyres on 17″ alloy wheels featuring a special Maserati-inspired ‘Neptune’ design. The ride and braking system have also been strengthened to cope with the extra power: Brembo 305 mm brake discs that can be dismantled with grey fixed four-piston caliper, and special Koni shock absorbers that guarantee performance in complete safety.

Nor would it be complete without the variable back-pressure ‘dual mode’ exhaust, designed to improve engine performance and deliver an inspiring sound above 3,000 rpm, with tailpipes which have been modified to assume the hexagonal shape which has always marked out Maserati cars.

The car’s exterior features a body in Pontevecchio Bordeaux. This colour from Maserati is achieved with special three-layer paintwork which reflects light and accentuates the shine of the colour. The same paintwork is also to be found on the door mirrors. The electrically controlled soft top is made of grey fabric.

The new Abarth adopts Xenon headlights with dipped and driving light functions for improved light emission and excellent performance in all weather conditions. These devices deliver three times the light intensity and duration of standard halogen-lamp headlights.

The customisation is just as complete on the inside. The interiors demonstrate both the attention to detail and the sportiness that characterise the two brands, starting with seats upholstered entirely in sand beige leather, with containment strips featuring single-layer padding, sporty but elegant and comfortable at the same time, and stylish details such as the number “695” heat-printed on the headrest.

The dashboard and gearbox trim are distinguished by a special matt-finish carbon lining, further enhanced with the 695 logo, while the door panels and rear panels undergo a special UV-LUX treatment, which lends the trims an elegant grey ‘flocking’ effect. The black leather steering wheel is characterised by beige leather inserts and tricolour hub and houses the ‘steering wheel gearbox’ controls, while the instrument panel has been specifically produced by the Jaeger brand.

Other details enrich the interior, such as the aluminium pedal unit and sill plate, the carbon fibre kick plate with customised ‘Abarth 695 Maserati Edition’ graphics and the plate with the car’s series number from 1 to 499. Lastly, as proof of its touring vocation and to enhance the on-board experience, the Abarth 695 Maserati Edition comes as standard with a boosted JBL hi-fi audio system with 9 speakers and an 8-channel amplifier supplying 400 W of total power.

In accordance with the tradition of Abarth Limited Editions, the already extensive equipment of the Abarth 695 Maserati Edition is expanded through accessories and merchandising designed to enhance the experience of the brand both on board and outside the car, as dictated by the DNA of Abarth and Maserati – more than just a car, a genuine philosophy of life. To take just one example, the Tramontano Tribute to Abarth Travel Pack, comprising two stylish anthracite leather travel bags.

As of its presentation at the Mille Miglia, all the information on this new Limited Edition can be found at Abarth Specialties.com, the new site which Abarth has dedicated to all Limited Editions produced in recent years, from 2007 until now. This showcase introduces the general public to the world of Limited Editions, from the Opening Edition made one year after the rebirth of the brand in July 2008, stopping off at the Zerocento, the exclusive Abarth 500 with customised styling and top-flight performance, launched in November 2008 for the centenary of the birth of Karl Abarth, before finishing with the Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari and the Abarth Cabrio Italia.

But it’s not only for the general public; the site is intended to facilitate direct communication with Abarth Limited Edition owners. As the presentation unfolds at the Mille Miglia, they can have exclusive access to an area with video images of the car and will be able to pre-order online, so as to ensure that they can stake their claim immediately.

 

 

 

 

Maserati GranCabrio Sport to debut in Geneva.

Maserati is set to give its GranCabrio a touch of extra performance with this, the GranCabrio Sport.

The GranCabrio Sport will be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show on 1 March in just over a week’s time, and will get the same engine found in the GranTurismo MC Stradale, a 4.7 litre naturally aspirated V8 producing 450 hp and 510 nm of torque (about 376 lb ft).  Top speed is quoted at 285 km/h (178 mph) while fuel consumption is said to have gone down by 6 per cent.

The engine is connected to a six-speed ZF automatic transmission though rather than the sequential manual found in the MC Stradale. However, the Italian carmaker claims the automatic transmission still gives quick gearchanges thanks to using the same superfast software found in the Quattroporte Sport GTS’ gearbox.

Maserati has done work to improve handling as well, the Skyhook adaptive suspension has been revised, while the brake system consists of dual-cast discs that are grooved and drilled.

The Maserati GranCabrio Sport will go on sale in the summer. Come into the beautiful world of Maserati.

 

 

 

 

Carrozzeria Touring Bellagio Fastback to Debut at Villa d’Este

The latest Pininfarina designed Maserati Quattroporte is already a stunning car with a powerful and elegent presence. Iconic Milan based coachbuilder Carrozzeria Touring has taken the design a step further with a wagon version called, the Bellagio Fastback. To some, the fastback design adds a sleek new persona along the lines of a bespoke luxury estate such as a shootingbrake type vehicle but with four doors.

Carrozzeria Touring Bellagio Fastback is set to Debut at Villa d’Este 2008 in addition to a new sportscar under the Superleggera name.

Recently Italian StudioM also presented a Quatroporte Shootingbrake project named Cinqueporte but as far as we know, nothing in full scale has surfaced yet.

Come into the wonderful world of Touring Superleggera.

 

 

 

Maserati MC12 Corsa for track use only

Maserati is a name loved by the masses for sure. Their cars are equally wanted by car fanatics. The Maserati MC12 (Tipo M144S) was a limited production two-seater sports-car to allow a racing variant to compete in the FIA GT Championship. The car entered production in 2004, with 25 cars produced. A further 25 were produced in 2005, making a total of 50 cars available for customers. With the addition of 12 cars produced for racing, only a total of 62 of these cars were ever produced.

Now Maserati announced the production of the MC12 Corsa, a supercar build-to-order for a select number of Maserati clients. But when you will know the cost of the Maserati MC12 Corsa I wonder whether you will be able to ‘afford’ loving it. It costs a staggering $1.2 million. The 2535-pound Maserati MC12 Corsa sports a carbon fibre monocoque chassis and a V12 engine – producing 755hp @ 8000rpm – mated to a Cambiocora gearbox. Power comes from a 6.0-liter V12 with 755 hp.

The Maserati MC12 Corsa comes in a ‘Blue Victory’ colour and will go on sale next year, with production not exceeding 12 units worldwide. The cars not gonna be seen in your neighbourhood as it is not legal for street- driving but then what good is a sports car if its seen everywhere. The MC12 Corsa is meant for track use only, so the Bugatti Veyron doesn’t have too much to worry about.

With the addition of 12 cars produced for racing, only a total of 62 of theseMC12 cars will be produced at the end. Come into the beautiful world of Maserati.