Maserati Blog
Maserati considering adding a smaller coupe to lineupFiled under: Coupes, Etc., Euro, Maserati, Rumormill  More Maseratis can hardly be a bad thing - unless you're one of the unfortunates trying to maintain a BiTurbo without losing your shirt. Modern Masers are sumptuous and beautiful, quintessential expressions of the Gran Turismo idiom. The gloriousness of recent trident-wearing Italians has led to a boom in sales. Maserati is looking at increasing its profitability by expanding the model range downward. A smaller Maserati sports coupe priced in Porsche 911 territory could give sales a further boost, though the swooning economy may not help the exotic brand move units. The car would be based on a hacksawed version of the Gran Turismo's platform, leaving room for only two occupants. A spiffy Maserati in the $80-100,000 range is expected to be capable of moving more than 6,000 per year, powered by the expected V8s, and possibly a V6 for increased efficiency. Mortgaging the house for this vehicle is likely a bad idea, but another choice in the segment and price range that it's expected to occupy has us nodding in approval.
[Source: Autocar]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
VIDEO: 2009 Maserati Quattroporte inside, out and upside downFiled under: Sedans/Saloons, Videos, Maserati 
Click above to view the videoLast week we brought you the first batch of images and details on the new Quattroporte and Quattroporte S from Maserati. Since we've received requests from several Autoblog readers that we give them a heads-up on events we're attending, and as eager as we always are to please, we're headed off next week to Europe to sample the latest from the master motor craftsmen at Maserati. Until we get a chance to drive and report on the newest offering from the stoic Trident marque, we offer up this video that conveys the new Quattroporte from every angle and in all its beauty. Follow the jump to watch.
[Source: theCarfanatic.com]Continue reading VIDEO: 2009 Maserati Quattroporte inside, out and upside down Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Maserati hosts Salon Privé just for the ladiesFiled under: Maserati, Misc. Auto Shows, UK 
Click for hi-res gallery of Maserati's Salon Privé Ladies' Day
English grammar doesn't assign gender to inanimate objects, but if there was ever any doubt that Italian sportscars were feminine, Maserati's latest event should put the issue to rest. The Trident marque's British subsidiary recently hosted a special event just for female clients. Held at the exclusive Hurlingham Club in London, the Salon Privé Ladies' Day was headlined by our favorite supermodel Joie Kidd and Fifth Gear presenter Vicki Butler-Henderson (reportedly the first woman to win a race behind the wheel of a Maserati).
The event included an exclusive fashion preview at Maria Grachvogels Sloane Street store followed by a private viewing of the high-performance S versions of both the GranTurismo and new Quattroporte. Funds raised went towards the Prince's Trust. Check out the images in the gallery and the press release after the jump.
[Source: Maserati] Continue reading Maserati hosts Salon Privé just for the ladies Permalink | Email this | Comments
Spy Shots: Maserati GranTurismo convertibleFiled under: Spy Photos, Convertibles, Maserati  Maseratis are capable of tremendous momentum, and that's exactly what the company has been carrying forward. With only a two-model line-up, Maserati has been hard at work coming out with new variants and updates at every turn. Following on the heels of the GranTurismo and GranTurismo S, the Trident marque is in the process of unveiling the new Quattroporte, but the next batter is already on deck and ready to swing.
Although these spy shots are heavily disguised, the wheels and front end betray a GranTurismo, but the hunched back - like that seen on test mules of the new Ferrari California before its launch - suggest a convertible roof mechanism. While previous reports couldn't ascertain whether the anticipated cabrio version of the elegant GT would incorporate a folding hard-top or more traditional cloth enclosure, the size of the test mule's appendage suggests the former. Reports indicate a launch in March of next year, which could coincide with a public unveiling at the next Geneva show.
[Source: Auto Express]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Objection! Burberry edition Maserati Quattroporte spotted in Saudi ArabiaFiled under: Sedans/Saloons, Maserati, Special/Limited Editions 
Click above to view more of the Burberry Quattroporte
Think "Maserati" and "Burberry" and there are so many ways this could have gone classy. But this isn't one of them. Seems some fool with too much oil money and not enough taste has plastered his Quattroporte in what appears to be perforated Burberry-plaid gift-wrap paper. If this were some sort of new camouflage on a test mule for the newly revised Quattroporte, we'd say it was effective (who could focus on the details in between the bouts of vomiting?), but somehow we don't picture the Italians doing anything this horrendously tasteless. In fact, we'd encourage Maserati to track down the owner and repossess the vehicle immediately. Click on the thumbnails below to see more of the Burberry-spangled Maser... if you must.
[Source: CarDomain] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Details and images surface of new Maserati Quattroporte and Quattroporte SFiled under: Sedans/Saloons, Maserati UPDATE: Maserati just launched a Quattroporte microsite.
Click above for high-res gallery of the new Maserati Quattroporte
It's hard not to love the Maserati Quattroporte. Between its Pininfarina lines and the Ferrari-developed chassis and engine, it's a veritable four-door exotic that makes the top-of-the-line competition from England and Germany look downright ordinary. But both countries are preparing tantalizing new offerings (Aston Martin Rapide and Porsche Panamera), and the Quattroporte has been on the market for five years now. With the complete replacement not due until 2012, Maserati has wisely developed a mid-lifecycle update for its sumptuous sedan. Now after squinting at spy shots for months, details and photos have begun to emerge in cyberspace.
The big question everyone was asking was whether this second-generation Quattroporte would continue with its current 400-hp 4.2-liter V8, or get treated to the more powerful 430-hp 4.7-liter unit that Maserati developed for the Alfa 8C and more recently shoehorned into the GranTurismo S. The answer is, yes. Like its two-door counterpart, the new Quattroporte will now be offered in two versions: the standard Quattroporte and the Quattroporte S. Both will come exclusively with the ZF-sourced six-speed automatic (jettisoning the clumsy sequential transmission that plagued the previous incarnation). Along with the new engine option, the Quattroporte has been treated to some new bodywork: the front grille and bumper have been reshaped and fitted with vertical slats to more closely resemble the GranTurismo's, the front and rear light clusters have been restyled with LEDs, the fenders sharpened up, the mirrors slimmed down and the tail styled more aggressively. Two new colors - a sandy beige and a maroon - are on offer, and the interior has also been ergonomically and stylistically refreshed, integrating the new Maserati Mutlimedia System.
Click on the thumbnails below to view the first crop of high-resolution images of the new Quattroporte.
[Source: OmniAuto.it] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Pics Aplenty: Maserati GranTurismo S, in all its gloryFiled under: Sports/GTs, Maserati 
Click above to view the Maserati GranTurismo S in hi res
The world was stunned when Maserati unveiled the GranTurismo at the 2007 Geneva show, but as beautiful as it is, critics said it wasn't tough enough to take down the competition. The folks from Modena were evidently listening, and one year later laid the beefed-up GranTurismo S on us, complete with 440-hp engine straight out of the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione.
We brought you a slew of images before and during the show, but now Maserati has been kind enough to grace us with a whole mess of new shots. You know, just in case you didn't want one enough already. Check out the images in our high-resolution gallery by clicking the thumbnails below. Your desktop will thank you.
[Source: Maserati] Permalink | Email this | Comments
Edo Competition revisits the Maserati MC12Filed under: Aftermarket, Tuners, Supercars, Maserati 
Click to view the Edo Maserati MC12 in our hi-res gallery
There is no shortage in the automotive world of tuners endeavoring to squeeze extra performance out of already devastatingly fast cars. But Edo Competition is a breed apart. For those still unfamiliar, check out our previous posts on Edo's customized Lamborghini LP640, Ferrari 599 and Porsche Carrera GT, which demonstrate that, in Edo's blue eyes, perfection is relative and can always be improved upon. Their latest venture was to crank up the Ferrari Enzo, and have once again turned their attention to its sister supercar, the Maserati MC12.
This, of course, isn't the first time the German tuning house has taken their hammers to the uber-Trident, having cranked out the MC12 XX and cranked up the MC12 Corsa. A bit more subdued than its predecessors, the latest MC12 package aims to improve the super-exotic's power-to-weight ratio, which came as stock a bit lower than that of the Enzo due to more bodywork. Edo has managed to trim 220 lbs of extra weight from the Maserati, while increasing power by 70 cavalli to 700hp. Edo has also fitted a host of modified components from the variable exhaust and adjustable rear wing to the retuned suspension and new wheel package. Visual changes were kept to a minimum, but customers can always specify their own exterior and interior mods. Check out the stats after the jump and the images in the gallery below.
[Source: Edo Competition via WCF]Continue reading Edo Competition revisits the Maserati MC12 Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Maserati Quattroporte facelift spied sans camoFiled under: Spy Photos, Sedans/Saloons, Maserati  You've got about $130,000 to buy a luxury sedan. We know, it's a terrible situation to put yourself in, but bear with us. You could get the same Audi A8, BMW 760i or Mercedes S-Class as everyone else at the country club. The Jaguar XJ doesn't do it for you and the Bentley Continental Flying Spur is outside your range, so where do you look? The Maserati Quattroporte would be our choice over any of the above, holding down territory as the only four-door exotic on the market. But with newcomers like the Aston Martin Rapide and Porsche Panamera - both from sportscar-makers as reputed as Maserati - the Italians will be keen to hold down their territory. So with an all-new Quattroporte expected around 2012, Ferrari's kid brother is preparing a mid-cycle facelift for its four-door masterpiece.
We've brought you spy shots of camouflaged test mules accumulating development miles, but photos of the revised Maser have now surfaced in cyberspace. From the images - reportedly obtained right from the factory headquarters in Modena - we can see that the physical changes will be kept minimal, but side by side with the outgoing version we're expecting to see new headlights, bumper and grille up front, all subtly reshaped, along with similar revisions to the caboose. What we don't know at this point is whether this facelifted Quattroporte will stick with the same rev-happy engine or swap it out for either the GranTurismo S/Alfa 8C version or the direct-injected variant developed for the upcoming Ferrari California, or if the Trident marque will keep that card up its sleeve for the all-new version to follow. One way or another, the Italians aren't likely to give up to the Germans or the English without putting up a good fight.
[Source: Autospots.nl via World Car Fans] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Gentlemen GT: Soul-searching through Nevada in Maserati's Gran TurismoFiled under: Sports/GTs, Etc., Maserati 
Click above for a high-res gallery of the Maserati Gran Turismo.
I've been reading an unhealthy amount of car reviews for more years than I dare to count and I'm guessing you're the same. But over the last decade, I've become increasingly selective about which sources and writers are worthy of fulfilling my fix. Money that should otherwise be stuffed away for a rainy day or put towards replacing the waterpump in my E36 inevitably finds its way into the till of my local bookseller when a new issue of Evo or Car hits the stands. While it still seems that a handful of buff books and a select few newspaper writers have the market cornered on the art of road-going storytelling, one light shines in our little corner of the webiverse.
Motive was smart enough to hire Davey G. Johnson, former Jalop contributor and friend of everyone here at Autoblog, to review the Maserati Gran Turismo, and where Davey goes we follow. He recounts his time in the driver's seat of Maser's grand-tourer, providing further evidence that true automotive verse isn't always found on dead trees. These kind of stories continue to solidify the 'Net's grasp on the future of automotive journalism, proving that the medium doesn't matter - the man behind the keyboard wields the power to inspire. Enjoy.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Spy Shots: Facelifted Maserati Quattroporte, with California GT engine?Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedans/Saloons, Maserati  Autocar's spies have caught the next Maserati Quattroporte undergoing testing, and judging by the copious quantity of camo covering the front end, a serious facelift is underway. The new fascia is expected to take cues from the Gran Turismo, complete with an elongated schnoz, gaping maw and deeply drawn headlamps that will lend some cohesion to the Maserati brand while eschewing any comparisons to the Buick LaCrosse. Out back, the changes are expected to be subtler, with a center brake light added to the lip of the trunk and LED lights rounding out the rear.
Autocar contends that the large intakes up front are there to feed a direct-injected V8, rumored to be pulled from the Ferrari California. Even if the 460 hp, 4.3-liter V8 sheds a few horses in the transition from Fezza to Maser, the 2010 Quattroporte will be another serious player in the $100,000+ sedan set.
[Source: Autocar] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
More images of Carrozzeria Touring's coachbuilt MaseratisFiled under: Concept Cars, Sports/GTs, Wagons/Estates, Euro, Supercars, Maserati 
Click on the images to view the Carrozzeria Touring Maserati A8 GCS and Bellagio Fastback in high resolution
The reborn Carrozzeria Touring made a big splash at Villa d'Este. As the featured marque of the Concorso d'Eleganza this year, the fathers of the classic Superleggera construction method took the wraps off two stunning coachbuilt Maseratis. While we wait for Touring to release more information on the swoopy A8 GCS sportscar and Bellagio Fastback, the Carrozzeria has graced us with a few new images of the two cars.
 The photos of the A8 GCS show the custom coupe in a much better light than the initial batch, and there's another shot of the Quattroporte-based Bellagio, as well. As you can see in the latter, the side windows on the wagon are blanked out, but while the extension might not do any favors for blind-spot visibility, we hardly think that's the point as the design and craftsmanship appear second to none. Check out the images in the two galleries below to see for yourself.
[Source: Carrozzeria Touring] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Another Bright Idea: Maserati Lamp by LuminaFiled under: Etc., Maserati 
We know what you're thinking: What I need is a Maserati lamp. To go in the automotive Mecca you call a living room, of course, already complete with items like Porsche and Aston Martin sofas, an engine-block coffee table and a Ferrari sound system. Fret not, our car-obsessed friend, for the Italian fixture craftsmen at Lumina have answered your prayers.
Inspired by the grille of the Quattroporte, the Maserati Lamp by Lumina is crafted from sheetmetal backed with opaline glass etched with the grille design through which the light shines. Officially licensed by the Modenese automaker, the lamp is even emblazoned with the Trident badge so your guests will know just where your loyalties lie. Follow the link to find out more.
[Source: Lumina] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Carrozzeria Touring unveils Maserati A8 GCS at Villa d'EsteFiled under: Concept Cars, Sports/GTs, Euro, Maserati, Misc. Auto Shows 
Click above to view the Touring Maserati A8 GCS in hi-res
Since the news broke that Maserati was planning a new sportscar to rival the benchmark Porsche 911, Italian styling houses have been lining up to pitch their designs for how they think the new Trident sportscar should look. Following the Chicane concept unveiled in Geneva by the students of the Instituto Europeo di Design, the resuscitated Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera threw its hat into the ring this weekend with the A8 GCS concept you see above.
Together with Touring's other Maserati concept, the Quattroporte-based Bellagio Fastback, the A8 GCS design study was unveiled at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este, the annual Mecca of class and performance on the shores of trendy Lake Como in Italy. Inspired by Pininfarina's iconic Maserati A6 GCS Berlinetta of 1954, the Touring concept presents a compelling mix of modern design and retro touches. While it's hard to make the case that, with even the most well-established outfits struggling to get by, the industry really needs another Italian design house or coachbuilder, if these are the results then we can hardly complain. Check out the images in the gallery below to see what we mean.
[Source: OmniAuto.it] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Ferrari and Maserati report record quarterFiled under: Supercars, Maserati, Earnings/Financials, Ferrari 
The auto industry may be mired in tough times at the moment, but the sales downturn here in the States doesn't seem to be bothering Ferrari and Maserati. Ferrari sales were up 4% year over year to 1,654 units, due in part to outstanding sales of its 612 Scaglietti and 599 GTB Fiorano. Brisk sales of the hot Italian supercars led to a 20% increase in revenue over last year's record numbers, to 456 million euro. It never hurts when you have an 18-month backlog of buyers that are waiting patiently for their Italian Stallion, and new models are on the way to potentially boost sales further.
Maserati has also seen a resurgence in sales, with a 21% improvement in year over year sales to 2,234 units for the quarter. While Maserati made a profit of 10 million euro for the quarter, which sounds lousy until you consider the famed Italian automaker was in the red for 17 straight years until 2007. While the Italian automaker has a checkered past with regards to sales and earnings performance, the gorgeous GranTurismo and a steady backlog of customers translates into good times for quite a while at Maserati.
[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Villa d'Este 08 Preview: Carrozzeria Touring Maserati Quattroporte Bellagio FastbackFiled under: Aftermarket, Concept Cars, Wagons/Estates, Maserati, Misc. Auto Shows 
Click above to enlarge
There are wagons, and then there are wagons. Most five-door family-haulers fall under the former, but once in a while something more shapely comes along and redefines the latter. If this image is something to go on, the Bellagio Fastback is definitely one of those rarities.
Created by the revived Carrozzeria Touring, the Bellagio Fastback is a wagon variant of the Maserati Quattroporte - itself already one of our favorite sedans and a beautiful point of departure. And from the looks of things, Touring has done a far more elegant job than the StudioM Cinqueporte we reported on previously. Carrozzeria Touring will be showcasing the Bellagio alongside its new Superleggera sportscar in a few days at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este on the shores of Italy's glamorous Lake Como along with such elegant motors as the Bugatti Veyron Fbg by Hermes, BMW Concept CS, Zagato Bentley Continental GTZ and Cadillac CTS Coupe. Follow the jump for more information on the cars participating in this year's Concorso.
[Source: Carrozzeria Touring and Villa d'Este] Continue reading Villa d'Este 08 Preview: Carrozzeria Touring Maserati Quattroporte Bellagio Fastback Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Carrozzeria Touring coming back with new Superleggera and Bellagio FastbackFiled under: Concept Cars, Spy Photos, Time Warp, Sports/GTs, Wagons/Estates, Euro, Maserati 
With Italian coachbuilders like Bertone and Pininfarina struggling to retain profitability, now may not be the best time to establish (or re-establish) another. But that isn't about to stop Holland-based Zeta Europe BV, which owns Borrani wheels and has acquired the rights to the defunct Carrozzeria Touring. The coachbuilder was originally established in 1926 and popularized the advanced Superleggera construction method, consisting of small-diameter tubular frames draped with thin-gauge aluminum sheetmetal and employed on numerous Alfa Romeos, Maseratis, Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Aston Martins, among others. The name Superleggera was revived for the recently-terminated lightweight Lamborghini Gallardo, though strictly speaking the supercar did not use the classic construction method.
 Carrozzeria Touring is now gearing up for a revival with a new Superleggera, to debut in a week at the famous Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este, the classic motor show where a trophy honoring Touring's founder is awarded each year. Aside from the teaser silhouette image shown above, little is known about the new Superleggera, but we're looking forward to finding out. The coachbuilder is also anticipated to show the Ballagio Fastback, an estate wagon based on the Maserati Quattroporte (like the one on which we previously reported), previewed by a teaser mixed in with the classic images on the company's new website.
[Source: VirtualCar and AutoWeek] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
eBay Find of the Day: 2005 Maserati MC12Filed under: Auction Action, Supercars, Maserati 
The Maserati MC12 is a rare beast. Only 25 were made in 2005 and just seven of those were federalized for use in the United States, one of which is this blue-and-white gem you see above. Similar to its brother, the Ferrari Enzo, the MC12 shares not only the Ferrari 6.0-liter V12, but the same hefty price tag, as well. The current bid for this particular example is over $1,200,000 and still under the reserve. Originally owned by a collector in Florida, it is up for sale by Lamborghini of Las Vegas and only has 521 miles clocked on the odometer. Check out the gallery below for additional photos while you figure out how to cash in that 401k that's not doing anything for you right now.
[Source: eBay Motors] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Mouthwatering list shapes up for mega Ferrari auction at FioranoFiled under: Auction Action, Euro, Maserati, Ferrari 
Back in January we brought you news of the first Ferraris being lined up for auction by RM's second annual event at the Fiorano test track in Maranello. With the event now quickly approaching on May 18, a mouthwatering roster of rare thoroughbreds is materializing.
In addition to the one-off four-door Pinin prototype and pair of 250 GT California Spyders, a rare 1951 212 Inter PF prototype (pictured above) once owned by Roberto Rossellini and Ingrid Bergman (after whom Ferrari named the color Grigio Ingrid) will be up on the auction block. Other notable lots include a rare original 1971 365 GTS/4 Daytona Spyder, a 2001 550 Barchetta, and one of the special 612 Scagliettis from the Magic India Discovery tour, along with several Daytonas, Dinos, 250 GTs, 275s and F40s, a pair of Enzos, and numerous modern F1 cars and GT racers. Follow the jump for the entry list at time of publication, but with the list constantly growing, be sure to check out the RM Auctions website for updates.
[Source: RM Auctions via Inside Line] Continue reading Mouthwatering list shapes up for mega Ferrari auction at Fiorano Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Rendered Speculation: Maserati GranTurismo convertibleFiled under: Spy Photos, Convertibles, Maserati  Onwards and upwards seems to be the new battle cry at Maserati. Finally returning to profitability for the first time in 17 years, the company launched the 438-hp GranTurismo S at this year's Geneva Motor Show. So what's next for the Trident marque? Maserati confirmed back in January that the the convertible version of its sumptuous grand tourer will be hitting showrooms by this time next year, translating to a possible motor show debut at Geneva 2009.
The jury is still out on whether the drop-top GT will feature a collapsible hard-top or a more conventional canvas roof. Meanwhile, the roof mechanism could take the place of the rear seats like on the previous-generation Spyder, however the larger size of the GranTurismo could provide for a four-seat open-air experience. Expect a performance penalty due to the extra weight of the roof mechanism, although the S version, with its 8C-derived 438-hp V8, would help mitigate the loss. Whatever form it takes, the new Maserati convertible promises to be a show-stopping stunner to rival Britain's best.
[Source: Motor Authority] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
|
_thumbnail.jpg)
_thumbnail.jpg)
