Auto Blitz: Maserati

Showing posts with label Maserati. Show all posts

Maserati Quattroporte 2030: A 1970s Concept...from the Future

The Maserati Quattroporte 2030 Concept is Yaroslav Chumachenko's vision of where Maserati's large sedan could be design-wise should we end up in the world of Minority Report and Tom Cruise is knocking at your door for that crime you're about to commit.

As we told you in our previous post, the GranTurismo MC Stradale is a racier, sportier version of Maser's big coupe (think the GT3, but from Maserati). According to the Italian sports / luxury carmaker, the MC Stradale didn't budge an inch when it came to comprises in return for performance; it handles better without losing ride quality (that has yet to be tested), it's more powerful without sacrificing fuel economy, and it plants itself harder without adding any drag.

Someone has turned Maserati's lovely Quattroporte sedan into a tall, bulky hearse, and there's video of it on a trailer below. Regardless of how it looks, it sure puts the Cadillacs used in America to shame. Unlike Ferrari, who has issues with anyone doing anything heinous to their cars (like making a 360 limousine), Maserati apparently doesn't mind too much.

After the standard 404HP GranTurismo, the sportier 'S' with 440HP in both manual and automatic flavors and more recently the limited edition 'S MC Sport Line', Maserati is once again expanding its coupe's lineup with the introduction of a new model.

Set to make its world premiere at this month's Paris motorshow, the more hardcore GranTurismo MC Stradale is claimed to be "the fastest, lightest and most powerful car in the Maserati range" when it goes on sale in the first quarter of 2011.

For the man who has everything except taste, there is Mansory. The Bavarian automobile tuner has now turned their attention to the Maserati GranTurismo coupe and its more powerful 'S' brethren.

The Mansory GT and GTS features a new front spoiler, radiator grille, bonnet, deeper door sills, rear spoiler, exhaust inlay, rear apron and rear diffuser. All of these add-ons are carbon fibre and made in-house by Mansory.

When Porsche's designers were trying to make a five-door liftback out of the Beetle, Maserati already had one of best looking proposals in the sports saloon segment; the Quattroporte. And while neither the 430HP Quattroporte S or its 440HP Sport GT S brethren are underpowered, the German tuner of all things Italian, Novitec, has come up with a package of upgrades for both versions of the saloon, including a significant power bump and some styling enhancements.

Starting with the engine bay, Novitec strapped on a supercharger along with a new water-to-air intercooler to the Quattroporte's 4.7-liter V8.

Other modifications include a new intake manifold and larger fuel injectors, while a recalibrated ECU takes care of the electronics. In both the Quattroporte S and Sport GT S, these changes help lift output to 590HP at 7,300 rpm, while torque grows from 490Nm to 572Nm / 421.9 lb-ft.

If these spy photos and video are anything to go by, then Maserati could very well be working either on a facelifted version or -most likely-, a new variant of the GranTurismo sports coupe. Spied in Germany, the undisguised test car features a new lower apron up front along with a discreet but clearly visible boot lid spoiler and a redesigned rear bumper with two tail pipes mounted high on the center fascia at the back.

The modifications at the rear end of Maserati's sports coupe bring to mind the GranTurismo MC racing concept that was introduced in late 2008.

The answer to the question we posed in the title comes to us in the form of five different conceptual studies, all made by Russian designer Vladimir G. The drawings show proposals for various kind of boats inspired in design by Ferrari, Porsche, Maserati and Bugatti models as well from Mercedes-Benz's SLS AMG Gullwing supercar. Hit the jump to see the complete gallery.

At this year's edition of the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este, BMW showed off a 328 Kamm Coupé replica that was built in-house by BMW Classic. The original model, named after the German aerodynamics pioneer Wunibald Kamm, disappeared without trace back in 1953.

If you follow the jump, you can check out two videos of the BMW racing car replica as well as general views from the event and shots from the Maserati A6GCS Spider Fura that won the "Best of Show" award.

The prestigious annual show was organized under the patronage of the BMW Group and was held on April 23-25.

The Fiat Group has revealed its future plans for the Maserati brand that include the presentation of a new entry-level model and a replacement for its flagship limo, the Quattroporte.

The announcement was made today during the presentation of the Fiat Group's 2010-2014 Business Plan to financial analysts and institutional investors in Turin.

According to the Italian automaker, the new model will carry a price tag under €55,000 (about US$74,000 at today's exchange rates) and will be positioned in the upper-end of the E-Segment that includes vehicles such as the Jaguar XF, BMW 5-Series, and Audi A6.

Wearing his full suite of commercial armor, two-times Formula 1 World Champion and current driver of Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro, Fernando Alonso, proudly presented his newest ride in Fiorano, the Maserati GranCabrio.

"Fernando Alonso was particularly impressed with the roominess offered by the GranCabrio, perfect for four adult passengers," says Maserati, which just like Ferrari, belongs to the Fiat Group.

That said, we might have been impressed by the Spanish pilot's choice if he wasn't driving for Ferrari...

We've seen automakers creating special edition models for numerous reasons or occasions, but Maserati's decision to premiere a limited production version of the Quattroporte sedan to celebrate the 56 awards from automotive and lifestyle publications that the car has received during its six years of life, sounds like the Italians are either running low on cash or ideas - maybe even both...

The distinctiveness of the "Awards Edition" that is based on the range-topping Quattroporte Sport GT S with the upgraded 433HP V8 engine extends to both the exterior and interior appointments.

The special edition model is offered in a uniqueQuarzo fuso exterior colour which is a pearlescent metallic Grey with a golden hue.

Among the exclusive to this model exterior enhancements are the 20-inch Multi Trident dark grey rims in a satin finish, polished Brembo brake calipers and the burnished treatment used on the chrome parts, as well as on the side air vents and radiator surround.

Inside, the Poltrona Frau leather of the seats is combined with perforated Alcantara with a new pattern, and the headlining is also in Alcantara.

Completing the interior upgrades are the special brushed aluminium door sills and Piano Black satin-finish wood mouldings while the boot is finished in black trim and features chrome details and a leather side pocket.

The Quattroporte Sport GT S "Awards Edition" will be go on sale in the latter half of 2010.

Maserati Joins Forces with Alfa Romeo to Create Special Edition MiTo for Service Network

A Maserati MiTo? Well, not quite. The recent tie-up between Alfa Romeo, Maserati and Fiat's Abarth division has given birth to a special edition version of the MiTo hatch that will be used exclusively as a courtesy car for Maserati's customers in Europe in the same way that Ferrari's service network makes use of the Fiat 500 (click here for details).

All in all, the Italians are planning to produced one-hundred units of the special edition Alfa Romeo MiTo for Maserati's service network.

The cars are fitted with the most powerful engine in the MiTo range, the 1.4-liter turbo petrol that churns out 170 horsepower, and all are finished in a deep blue Maserati Blu Oceano color.

Special treats include the "Limited Edition" plaque on the air conditioning unit, and the kick plate made from specially treated aluminum, bearing the words "Alfa Romeo for Maserati".

Other features include the 18-inch wheels, a sport exterior package and Alfa's Dynamic Suspension that actively varies the set-up to reflect the road conditions and driving style.

And since Maserati's customers are accustomed to luxurious options, the 100 cars also get a series of high-end details such as Pelle Frau upholstery, automatic dual-zone climate control, leather steering wheel complete with radio and telephone controls, a radio navigator covering the whole of Europe, and a hands-free Blue&Me system including USB port and bi-xenon headlights.

Fiat Groups Together Alfa Romeo, Maserati and Abarth by Appointing Common CEO

Italy's Fiat Group, which recently bought a 20 per cent stake in Chrysler, is continuing to shake up its executive and business structure. Today, the company's boss, Sergio Marchionne revealed plans to create a new group for the sporty Alfa Romeo, Maserati and Abarth brands that will be headed by Harald J. Wester, born in Linz am Rhein, Germany, on 26 February 1958.

As part of these plans, the 52-year-old former VW and Audi executive was appointed today CEO of Alfa Romeo automobiles replacing Sergio Cravero, who will assume responsibility for Product Portfolio Planning & Product Concept of Fiat Group Automobiles.

Fiat said that Wester will maintain his current positions as Chief Technical Officer for Fiat Group and Fiat Group Automobiles and Chief Executive Officer of Maserati and Abarth.

"The purpose of bringing the Alfa Romeo, Maserati and Abarth brands under the same leadership is to emphasize and leverage the value of the shared qualities of the three brands in terms of their sporting characteristics and performance," said Marchionne.

Recent reports state that Marchionne is reviewing several options for the Fiat Group's money losing Alfa Romeo marque.

According to Autonews, among the options under consideration is to stop all investments for the brand leaving Alfa with two new models, the Giulietta and MiTo hatchbacks and three older cars, the 3-Series-fighting 159 Sedan / SportWagon, the Brera Coupe and the Spider.

If the new Giulietta five-door hatch proves successful, then Marchionne would revaluate the brand's future, otherwise Alfa could find itself in a very difficult position.

However, it's 100 per cent certain that if for any reason Fiat decides to shut down the brand in the near future, the company will face a public backlash in Italy and elsewhere as Alfa Romeo is a historic marque with many hardcore fans around the world - if you thought Saab has many loyalists, wait till you see the "Alfisti"...

Fortunately though, there's also another option on the table for Alfa and that's to invest in the historic brand by using common platforms with Chrysler's mid-size models for the 159's replacement and a new range-topping sedan that would rival the BMW 5-Series, with both cars being built and offered in the States as well.

Maserati GranTurismo S MC Sport Line: New Limited Production Version for Middle East and Italy

So how do you further improve the Maserati GranTurismo coupe? Well, for one you start off with the sportiest model of the range, the 440HP GranTurismo S. Then you begin upgrading it with a bunch of mechanical and styling parts from the company's newly launched "MC Sport Line" customization catalogue.

Maserati did not say which items from the lineup made their way onto the limited edition GranTurismo S MC Sport Line, but we do know that only 12 examples finished in a Matt White "ice" color will be built and sold exclusively to customers in the Middle East.

And if you're wondering why twelve cars, Maserati said it's because that's the number of world titles won by the firm's MC12 racer in the FIA GT International Championship since 2005, but also because twelve are the Middle East cities where Maserati is present with a dedicated showroom.

Each example of the GraTurismo S MC Sport Line will feature an internal plaque with the name of the city to which it is committed.

Later on, Maserati will produced a second run of 11 units of the car, this time finished in a Matt Bianco Fuji with pearlescent nuances, all of which will be destined for its home market in Italy.

Maserati GranCabrio Priced from £95,630 in the UK

The convertible version of the Maserati GrandTurismo coupe, the GranCabrio, is available for order now in the UK with OTR prices starting from £95,630. The first right-hand drive examples will reach Maserati's showrooms in April 2010. It comes equipped with a folding fabric roof and according to Maserati, it features the longest wheelbase (2,492mm) of any convertible available on the market, meaning that it should offer adequate room for all four passengers.

The GranCabrio is powered by a 4.7-liter V8 delivering 440 HP and 490Nm (362 lb-ft) of torque. All that action is sent to the rear wheels through a ZF automatic six-speed gearbox with Maserati announcing a 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint time of 5.4 seconds and a top speed of 281 km/h or 175 mph.

Buyers can choose from 14 different colors for the body and six different shades for the soft top. In addition to the wide range of options, Maserati also offers a bespoke four-piece leather luggage set which fits perfectly into the boot.

Maserati Kuba SUV Design Study with a bit of Dodge Razor Flair

So what is this: a new Maserati SUV model; a concept teaser? Fortunately for those that think highly of the Italian automaker's latest designs such as the GrandTurismo, the answer to both questions is no. This is an extremely well executed but, sorry to say, far from sleek or stylish, independent design study for a crossover Maserati model created by Russian designer Andrey Trofimchuk. Furthermore, we couldn't help but notice some design similarities, especially up front, to the 2002 Dodge Razor Concept.

To be honest, if it weren't for the inverted A-pillar up front that was a dead giveaway, we wouldn't have thought of the American automaker's concept coupe. Well, at least that's what we think. As always, you can agree or disagree with us in the comment section below.

We thank Grigory from Cardesign for the photos

2002 DODGE RAZOR CONCEPT