Automakers

Preview: Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S Coming to Detroit

Steven J. Ewing — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 08:43:53 -0600

The Detroit Auto Show is just a few weeks away, so many manufacturers are starting to send out preview information so we know what to expect at the show. Maserati is no different, and they've just released some details about the Quattroporte Sport GT S which will be debuting in Detroit. Based on the restyled 2009 Quattroporte, the Sport GT S ups the 4.7-liter V-8's power to 433 horsepower, mostly thanks to a tuned exhaust system. A reworked transmission also allows for sportier driving, as do a modified suspension system with stiffer springs and a lower ride height.

Visually, there's not a whole lot that separates this car from a standard Quattroporte Sport GT, save titanium-colored headlight surrounds and a black grille. Inside, there's a pair of Maserati's M-design sport seats with perforated Alcantara and leather, as well as a titanium-colored dash material in place of the standard wood trim.

Click through the post to read Maserati's press release and stay tuned for the official launch at the Detroit show.

THE NEW QUATTROPORTE SPORT GT S
DEBUTING AT 2009 NAIAS
On the 70th anniversary of Maserati’s
First Indianapolis 500 win

Modena – December 22nd, 2008 -    The new Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S sets yet another milestone in terms of sportiness in the high performance luxury sedan segment of the automotive market . Conceived and developed as “a real driving machine in the guise of a luxury sedan ”, the Quattroporte Sport GT S is the ultimate expression of Maserati’s sportiness in the Quattroporte range.

The technical changes to the new Quattroporte Sport GT S in respect to the Quattroporte S concern four areas:
•    the mapping of the V8 4.7 liter engine, with power increased to 323kW (433 HP);
•    the gearshift management software, with new features designed to increase driving enjoyment;
•    the front and rear suspension system featuring single-rate dampers, stiffer springs and lower ride height;
•    the sports exhaust controlled by pneumatic valves for a deep, throaty and captivating sound.

The sportier and more aggressive look is evident also by virtue of the interior and exterior stylistic choices:
•    the new black grill with concave vertical fins featuring the Trident logo with red accents, typical of the sportier versions of Maserati models;
•    the new headlights, in metallic titanium finish;
•    the side and rear “shadow line”, which includes black finishing around the doors, body-colored door handles and black twin oval exhaust pipes,
•    the new M-design seats with perforated Alcantara® and leather upholstery;
•    the standard trim in Titantex, a “titanium colored” composite material.

Preview: Maserati GranTurismo MC Corsa Concept to Paris Motor Show

Seyth Miersma — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 09:40:02 -0500

Maserati is planning to bring a hardcore, racing tuned version of its effortlessly beautiful GranTurismo coupe to the Paris Motor Show next week, called the MC Corse Concept.

Suitable for those Maser buyers who’re more interested in racing than posing in their Italian supercars, the Corse offers quite a few meaningful upgrades over the standard car. The most obvious difference from the outside is the new aero package that the car wears, including a prominent front splitter that is said to purposefully funnel air to the revised and enlarged rear spoiler, keeping the Corse firmly planted on the track. The racing concept has also been lightened – Maserati specifies that the MC Corse weights less than 1400 Kilograms or 3086 pounds – and draws more power from its 4.7-liter V-8, now rated at 450 horsepower and 376 pound-feet of torque.

Various additional scoops, creases, and a racy white livery complete the Corse package, and ensure that the Maserati stand will be buzzing at the Paris show. Check out the car in the gallery above.

Editors' Roundtable: 2008 Maserati Quattroporte

NextAutos Staff — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 08:19:14 -0500

We at Winding Road and NextAutos frequently get the chance to sample luxury offerings from Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, et cetera. And while all of those German manufacturers make wonderful vehicles, it’s a rare occasion that some Italian blood works its way into our test fleet. Our Maserati Quattroporte test car proved to be a sporty, elegant cruiser, and can turn heads in a way that none of the German automakers can.

Click through to read what all of our staffers had to say about the Quattroporte.

Chris Paukert
Editor-In-Chief

Admittedly, I wasn’t in the Quattroporte for any great stretch of time (I instead chose to abscond with the GranTurismo on an out-of-state run), but I absolutely enjoyed my limited time behind the wheel. My fellow WR staffers are going to gripe about some dated switchgear and a recalcitrant nav system, telling you how they limited their enjoyment of this car, and they’re not wrong—these fitments aren’t cutting edge. But most great Italians—Maseratis included—aren’t about button feel and direction finding. They’re about voluptuous curves, amazing noises, rapid progress, and the glory of getting lost… or at least making the scene. This, the QP delivers in spades.

Contort your way into a Lamborghini or bed down with a Ferrari, and almost invariably, you find much the same thing—partsbin buttonry and questionable tech sharing is the cost one pays for focusing one’s resources on other more important things: the drivetrain, the leather, and so on. I’m not suggesting that the QP should get a total pass on these things (and indeed, Maserati has already shown that an update is in the works for 2009), but to expect an exclusive, small-volume manufacturer to nail cost-intensive items like these and still come in around the same price point as manufacturers who deal in exponentially higher volumes strikes me as hoping for too much. Example: By far the worst nav systems I’ve encountered in the past couple of years have also been in some of the most expensive and entertaining vehicles I’ve had the pleasure of driving—the Bentley Brooklands and the Lamborghini Murciélago LP640 Roadster. Chalk these things up as charming foibles and get over it, because both drives are singularly wonderful.

And so it is with the QP. This is an elegant and special automobile, with a well-judged suspension, gorgeous leather, and a six-speed ZF gearbox that allows for agreeable progress whether on the interstate or hammering down a twisty two-lane. While there weren’t paddle-shifters on our tester, those seeking a more enthusiast-oriented drive are advised to splurge on the 2008 Sport GT S model, or hold out for the upcoming 2009 S. Models like the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and upper-end BMW 7-Series models may ultimately be more polished, but they’re also less characterful. I know which one I’d take.

Nate Luzod
Art Director

This was my first time behind the wheel of any Maserati, and I must say—it's absolutely not bad. Not quite transcendent as I had expected, but far surpassing better than average. The issue: I was anticipating a luxury hotel room packed neatly into a rocket ship, but only the former was delivered. The Quattroporte's interior is unbelievably comfortable and impeccably styled; and aside from the so-bad-its-good/Atari-graphics navigation screen, I'm hard pressed to think of a more refined interior at the same price point. Insides aside, the only real evidence of the 400-horsepower V-8 is the menacing exhaust note billowing from behind. While handling and suspension were all tight enough for my particular taste, acceleration left something to be desired. I guess that’s why there’s the new “S” version.

The Quattroporte would be an absolute treat on any kind of road trip, but if we're talking performance—I think there are better ways to spend $120,000.

Seyth Miersma
News Writer

I’ve always admired Maserati’s Quattroporte from afar, finding it to be one of the most compellingly designed luxury sedans I’ve ever seen. Getting my first shot at seat time in the car didn’t change my admiration for its svelte form at all, but it did shine the harsh light of reality on my overall impression of the car.

The Quattroporte has a fairly luxurious interior—quite attractively designed—but it doesn’t feel nearly special enough for this price point. The HVAC controls, navigation interface, and switchgear in general all feel as though they’re a few generations past their prime. The interior in general lacks the sort of wow factor one might expect from an Italian exotic car builder, and frankly isn’t as nice as some Mercedes-Benz products that cost $30 or $40K less. That being said, no Mercedes, BMW, or Audi sedan can turn heads like the QP. This is a car that passersby flock to.

There is a life to the big Maser, an energy to its driving experience that is both thrilling and difficult to explain. The more I drove the car, the more I felt compelled to rev the sweet-sounding V-8, and really felt in sync with what the car was doing beneath me. The Quattroporte is a really big sedan, but the lively chassis and quick steering response give it an overall sensation of athleticism, if not outright nimbleness.

Steven J. Ewing
Production Assistant

I didn’t think much of the Maserati Quattroporte during the first few minutes of my initial drive, but a half-hour later while cruising down the highway, it hit me—the feeling that the QP gives the driver is unlike any Audi, BMW, or Benz that I’ve driven as of late. There’s this general sense of fine Italian workmanship that makes you feel like you’re driving something much more exotic.

The V-8 isn’t extremely powerful, but it still has plenty of oomph to make the QP feel like more of a sports sedan than a luxury cruiser. I wish our test car would have had paddle shifters, but alas, no such luck. Still, the low seating position and elegant steering wheel made for a wonderful experience while sitting in the driver’s seat. As a whole, the interior is quite comfortable, but nothing over-the-top. The HVAC controls and radio/navigation screen seem a little outdated, and hopefully the 2009 model uses a more tech-friendly setup. It’s amazing to me that a $120,000 vehicle wouldn’t have a state of the art graphics package loaded into the display screen. That aside, the seating arrangements for all passengers proved to be very spacious and relaxing. I had a lot of praise from rear-seat passengers, too, saying that the ingress and egress was easier and more pleasant than in other luxury sedans. Two full-size adults had no problem piling into the rear seats.

The fact that this car is so beautiful and wears a Maserati badge made it a real head-turner during the time I drove it. If I were spending the money, I might save a little money and get myself a BMW or an Audi, but nonetheless, this Maserati is an Italian work of art and there’s nothing else quite like it on the road.

Chris Champion
Pit Crew

The Maserati Quattroporte was my very first encounter with an Italian car, which made me eagerly anticipate how it would compare to the German “super-saloons” I have driven in the past. Compared to the sterile, precision utensil-like aura of our German test cars, the Quattroporte presents a far more emotional voice. With smooth curving sheet metal—taut in all the right places, supple interior furnishings drenched in leather, fine wood, and alcantara. The Ferrari-sourced V-8 is a distinct pleasure to behold. The QP appeals to four-out-of-five senses unlike most mass produced vehicle could hope to.

Unfortunately, not everything about our sexy Italian on-loan was champagne and caviar. Some of the switchgear is no more opulent than what you might find in a modern Hyundai. The HVAC and nav systems, more than adequate in function, look a generation or two behind in presentation.

Regarding performance, you'll reach sixty miles per hour from a standstill in just 5.5 seconds and enjoy an intoxicating exhaust note while doing so, but a Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG will do it a full second quicker for similar money. Thankfully, the upcoming 2009 Quattroporte will receive some tweaks to the exterior styling and a bump in displacement, up from 4.2 liters to 4.7 for Quattroporte S models, adding 25 horsepower. Maserati will also be replacing the archaic nav unit with a modernized application from Bose. I’m sure that the 2009 QP will likely abolish the few nitpicks I had with this $100,000-plus "Ferrari four-door.”

2008 MASERATI QUATTROPORTE

Engine: V-8, 4.2 liters, 32v
Output: 400 hp/339 lb-ft
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
0-60 MPH: 5.5 seconds
Top Speed: 165 mph
Weight: 4387 lb

Price as Tested: $120,000 (est.)

First Production Maserati MC12 Versione Corse to be Auctioned Off

Hardy Shen — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 10:06:50 -0500

The first set of Maserati MC12 Versione Corses is being sold at an auction in Germany, with bids already reaching approximately $2.25 million.

The Versione Corse is the mandatory production version of the Maserati's MC12 GT1 race car from the FIA GT-championship which in 2005, won the Manufacturers' Championship. As stipulated, twelve road- legal versions of the car must be manufactured and sold to the public.

The car is powered by a tweaked version of the Ferrari FXX's 6.0-liter V-12 engine that manages to crank out 755 horsepower at 8000 rpm, 125 horsepower more than the original, and 524 pound-feet of torque at 6000 rpm. When mated to the heavily revised version of the six-speed Cambiocorsa gearbox that's been designed for faster gear changes, the engine is able to give the Versione Corse a 0-60 time of just under 3.8 seconds, and a top speed of 202 miles per hour (based on European figures).

Additionally, the car will be equipped with an electronically controlled exhaust system, a data logging system, 19-inch alloy wheels, modified fenders, an automatic air-jack, Alcantara trim, Brembo brakes and a central locking system. Whew.

As an added bonus, the first Versione Corse built will have a build-plate signifying its production number and will also treat the buyer to the special track days run by Maserati.

+ Motor Authority: First road-legal Maserati MC12 Versione Corse on sale

A Fleet Manager’s Opus: One Rough Week of Driving at NextAutos

Seyth Miersma — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 09:16:42 -0500

Some weeks are just better than others.

The NextAutos staff is lucky enough to have access to a rotating weekly fleet of press vehicles that run the gamut from entry-level budget wheels, to hyper-expensive exotic sports cars. And while on most weeks there are a few cars whose keys could cause a scuffle, every now and again the fates align to make us truly spoiled for choice.

We were stupendously excited with our options over the last few days, finding ourselves the short-term guardians of some truly spectacular machinery. Porsche’s latest Cayenne, the GTS, rubbed shoulders with the luxurious Mercedes-Benz CLS550, as well as the hard(er)core SL63 AMG. There was also a pair of handsome Italians from Maserati beautifying our parking spaces, a Quattroporte sedan and an undeniably sexy GranTurismo. Audi’s European spec A4 with the brilliant 3.0-liter TDI (loaned to us by Bosch), may not have the massive price tag to keep up in this company, but that hasn’t stopped us from falling quite utterly in love with it (it’s a looker too).

We’ve got plans to bring you in-depth fleet reviews and impressions about each of these phenomenal machines, but we couldn’t let the moment pass without having a little fun with our super-lux horde. Below you’ll find a few back of the napkin calculations about the total prowess and expense of our big six, as well as the fleet specs averaged out below it. Then make sure to browse our impromptu photo shoot of the group in the gallery above.

2008 (Last week of July) NextAutos Fleet
Totals Spec Sheet

Engine: Turbocharged 46-cylinder, 28.0-liters 184v
Output: 2346 hp/2272 lb-ft
Transmission: 38-speed manual-automatic
0-60 MPH: NA
Top Speed: 934 mph (electronically limited)
Fuel Economy, city/hwy: NA
Base price: $535,500
Total Options: $44,490
Destination: $5070
Price as tested: $585,060

2008 (Last week of July) NextAutos Fleet
Averages Spec Sheet

Engine: Turbocharged 7.6-cylinder, 4.7-liters 30.6v
Output: 391 hp/377 lb-ft
Transmission: 6.3-speed manual-automatic
0-60 MPH: 5.38 seconds
Top Speed: 156 mph (electronically limited)
Fuel Economy, city/hwy: 15/23
Base price: $89,250
Total Options: $7415
Destination: $845
Price as tested: $97,510

Italian Masters: The 2009 Maserati Quattroporte

Seyth Miersma — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 19:34:19 -0500

Maserati has revealed images and specifications for the new 2009 Quattroporte and seems to be pretty excited about the results of the restyle. The Italian company compares the update of its admittedly attractive sedan, to reinterpretations of classic works of art by masters Matisse and Da Vinci. This is a good-looking car but perhaps the marketing department could have used a tiny bit more humility.

Readers can decide for themselves if the big Maser qualifies as a work of art, and future owners can now decide between two engine choices for the Quattroporte. The standard car comes fitted with the same 4.2-liter V-8 as the previous iteration and the new Quattroporte S will offer a 425 horsepower version of the 4.7-liter V-8 found in the GranTurismo S. Both models will be hooked up to a new six-speed automatic transmission developed jointly with ZF.

Read on below for Maserati’s official press release.

The Maserati Quattroporte, a name that defined the category for the “Luxury Sports Sedan”, in its current version can be considered something of a Maserati masterpiece. Five years of sales growth, 46 international awards and more than 15 000 cars delivered speak to its success as the flagship of Modena. A balanced blend of sporting capability and acclaimed design has defined the timeless attributes of cars bearing the Trident. For 2009 the Maserati Quattroporte is now being presented with a new look and new technical solutions.

The history of art is characterized by audacious artists who challenged pre-existing conventions and contributed seminal works. Some artists even challenged themselves by remodeling their own works and taking them to the next level. Leonardo Da Vinci produced a second version of his masterpiece known as “The Virgin of the Rocks”. 400 years later, Matisse reinterpreted his original version of “Le Luxe”. The results of both are essentially new works; although they are identical in size and very similar in composition to the originals; it is the new style that makes the second versions the most influential.

With some degree of similarity, Maserati is now realizing it’s second “painting”: the new Maserati Quattroporte.

Thanks to Pininfarina’s unrivalled and skilful hand, the Maserati Quattroporte is being refined in a modern way, yet always mindful of the standards of purposeful line, elegance and exclusivity which characterize the style of the Maserati Quattroporte.

The personality and glamour of the Maserati flagship are now represented by two products: the Quattroporte and the Quattroporte S.

The former is fitted with the familiar 4.2 liter V8 engine, while the latter adopts the new 4.7 liter 425 Hp V8 recently introduced on the GranTurismo S, with a different tuning specification.

Both cars have the 6-speed automatic transmission developed in association with ZF.

Exterior styling changes include:

A newly design front fascia which adopts the traditional Maserati vertical slats, a design cue seen most recently on the Maserati GranTurismo.

The front and rear light units are also updated, featuring LEDs.

The under-door molding is defined with a line that runs into that of the new bumpers, which have a wider protective band and more pronounced rear styling.

Side-view mirrors are also new, with a dynamic shape and a more streamlined mounting.

The Interior of the Quattroporte, renown for a design clarity and sense of occasion has also seen many updates including an all new, state of the art Entertainment and Navigation system. Primary and secondary controls for both the passenger and driver have been refined in order to enhance ease of operation.

Two new shades of leather, Marrone Corniola and Sabbia, will replace the beige which was previously in the range, and debut on the Quattroporte S and Quattroporte respectively.

The new Quattroporte and Quattroporte S will be presented to potential prospects, customers and Maserati loyalists at events the world over beginning July, 2008. Deliveries are anticipated beginning in the fourth quarter of this year.

eBay Auction of the Day: 2005 Maserati MC12

Seyth Miersma — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 16:30:40 -0600

This 2005 Maserati MC12 race car found for sale on eBay Motors is about as fast, rare, and conspicuous as cars come.

The full-on track special features a ton of Ferrari Enzo running gear, put together in a package that is said to be even more capable as a race weapon. The MC12 sports Ferrari’s beautiful 6.0-liter V-12 engine, which puts out 630 horsepower and 481 pound-feet of torque in this trim. The Maser also offers a six-speed F1 transmission, which has been remapped for smoother operation.

While the car may be one of the better exotic options available for those ultra-wealthy buyers who are looking to go racing, it will also require an owner that isn’t afraid of standing out on the street. In the two-tone blue and white finish, with a matching blue interior, and the biggest wing this side of an F50, the MC12 is certain to draw a crowd wherever it goes. Luckily, it shouldn’t have any problem getting away from one either.

+ eBay Motors: 2005 Maserati

If you’ve got an idea for Question of the Day, a funny photo for Caption It, or just want to share a news tip, let us know at windingroadtips@gmail.com

Video: Driving the Maserati GranTurismo S

Seyth Miersma — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 10:00:22 -0600

Maserati just launched one of its all-time sexiest coupes at the Geneva Motor Show, the scintillating GranTurismo S. While it still may be a while before we get our hands on this version of the Maserati, why let little issues like time, space, and availability get in the way of a great car?

It may not be the same as sliding behind the wheel, but Maserati has provided a video that shows off all of the sights and sounds of the GranTurismo S on the move. Click on the image above (or the link below) to have a peek, and then tell us how you found the car in comments.

+ Maserati GranTurismo S

If you’ve got an idea for Question of the Day, a funny photo for Caption It, or just want to share a news tip, let us know at windingroadtips@gmail.com

‘08 Geneva: Maserati GranTurismo S

Evan McCausland — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 14:30:54 -0600

Unlike Jaguar's XKR-S, we're happy to report that Maserati's "S-model" - the GranTurismo S, revealed this week at the Geneva Motor Show - actually sports a boost in power. Quanto meraviglioso...

Although the curvaceous GranTurismo has a few trim tweaks here and there (notably a new leather interior and smoked alloys), Maserati did tweak the car by adding the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione's 440-horsepower 4.7-liter V-8, in lieu of the standard engine. Also thrown in is a high-performance Brembo brake system, sporting aluminum front discs and six-piston calipers up front.

Although Jaguar's new cat certainly looks the part, it doesn't blend power and panache like the GranTurismo does. We can't wait to get our hands on one of these for a quick (or long) spin...

Maserati Offers Up the GranTurismo S Ahead of Geneva Motor Show

Seyth Miersma — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 09:30:10 -0600

Maserati is planning to follow up its spectacular showing of the GranTurismo at last year's Geneva Motor Show, by unveiling an even more accomplished performance tool at the 2008 show, the GranTurismo S.

The Italian carmaker calls the new S the "ultimate expression" of the Maserati coupe, and we're far from ready to argue the point. The new GranTurismo features a more powerful 4.7-liter 440 horsepower V-8 engine, connected to the company's race-inspired, electro-actuated MC-Shift gearbox. Maserati also offers up the same Brembo brakes that were first offered on its Quattroporte Sport GT S, made from a dual casting of iron and aluminum, and utilizing 6-piston calipers.

The GranTurismo S shares the stunning styling of the previous Maser coupe, with some nice added touches like the new Poltrona Frau leather and Alcantara upholstered interior. Check out the new Maserati for yourself in our gallery, and tell us what you think of the car in comments.

Maserati presents the GranTurismo S

Modena - February 26th, 2008. A year after the unveiling of the GranTurismo, Maserati will be back at the Geneva International Motorshow with yet another world premiere, the GranTurismo S. The ultimate expression of the Trident coupé's sportiness shifts the emphasis onto performance and driving enjoyment.
Two main novelties are at the heart of the new Maserati: the 440 HP V8 4.7 engine and the electro-actuated gearbox with fast MC-Shift arranged in the Transaxle layout typical of high-performance sports cars that represents the technological DNA of all Maseratis.
The GranTurismo S makes use of the high-performance brake system developed in collaboration with Brembo and introduced for the first time in the automotive field on the Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S. The system features front brake discs made with dual-cast technology - a dual casting of cast iron and aluminum, paired with aluminum mono-bloc 6-piston brake calipers, ensuring optimized braking performance.
On the exterior the Maserati GranTurismo S is characterised by a number of aesthetic modifications that, although discrete, are highly effective and make the car body appear sportier without abandoning the sleekness of the lines masterfully designed by Pininfarina.
The interior upholstered in Poltrona Frau leather and Alcantara reflects the sporty flair of the Maserati GranTurismo S; the figure-hugging front and rear seats are distinguished by their new dynamic design with horizontal piping on the seats and seatbacks.

If you’ve got an idea for Question of the Day, a funny photo for Caption It, or just want to share a news tip, let us know at windingroadtips@gmail.com