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Frankfurt: Maserati joins super SUV race with a Kubang!

September 13, 2011 at 11:37 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, Cars, International News, Maserati


UPDATE: Live gallery from Frankfurt added

Remember the Maserati Kubang concept of 2003? It has surfaced again at the Frankfurt show that starts today, and marks the Trident’s entry into the sport luxury SUV segment.

Maserati argues that today’s SUVs don’t offer the kind of “uplifting driving pleasure and luxury atmosphere” found in high-end sports and luxury cars, and they want to address this with the Kubang.

Although it’s new territory for the brand, the Fiat owned brand promises that the Kubang preserves the “integrity of Maserati’s DNA”. Why only now? Maserati says that potential synergies with sister brand Jeep (part of the Chrysler Group that’s under Fiat control) is in the plan.

However, the Kubang’s style, engine, suspensions, brakes, handling and performance will all be 100% Maserati. It will come with new Maserati proprietary engines designed in Modena by Paolo Martinelli, but built by Ferrari in Maranello. Martinelli is the Head of Maserati Powertrain Department, and spend nearly 30 years at Ferrari, where he also served as engine chief of the Formula 1 team.

We’re guessing that it’s a V8 with great sound, since that’s very much part of Maserati’s DNA. The transmission will be an eight-speed automatic. Gallery after the jump.
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Frankfurt preview: Maserati GranCabrio Fendi

August 23, 2011 at 7:25 pm By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, International News, Maserati


Click to enlarge.

Well, this would be the ideal present for the other half. What’s better than a Fendi baguette handbag for the missus (or ahem, girlfriend)? Why, a Maserati GranCabrio Fendi, that’s what.

Designed by Silvia Venturini Fendi, the GranCabrio Fendi features exclusive materials bespokely created in various colours for it. The car is set to be introduced in Frankfurt next month.


Click to enlarge.

The Fendi edition features a three-layered body colour named Grigio Fiamma Fendi, which is a special dark grey with an iridescent golden finish on the surface. Also on is a wood trim called Pergamena Fendi, which runs across the width of the dashboard, on the doors and on the top of the gear lever, all in the iconic Fendi yellow. The colour also features on the brake calipers and the embroidered trident on the headrests.

To make sure you’ll never ever forget the branding, Fendi’s unmistakable double F-logo is stitched on the seat, also appearing in the centre of the 20-inch Trident design alloy wheels, as well as along the rocker panel.


Click to enlarge.

Cuoio Romano, Fendi’s most precious leather from its Selleria line, is used for such details as the instrument cluster cover, the gear lever and the profiles of the floor mats. It also features in the Limited Edition Travel Set of luggage and accessories for the car. A special black car cover with a ton-sur-ton double F logo comes standard with this special GranCabrio.

Silvia Venturini Fendi’s specially-crafted logo seals this collaboration – a silver oval plaque with the engraving of the Maserati trident, Fendi logo and a five-digit series number (five being an iconic number for Fendi) is located on the dashboard, in front of the passenger seat, and on both sides of the black cloth folding roof. Now, do we hear any takers then, or is it too high a price to pay for love?

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Maserati GranCabrio to be unveiled at KLIMS

November 26, 2010 at 1:24 pm By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, Local News, Maserati

maserati grancabrio

Naza Italia will be unveiling the Maserati GranCabrio in Malaysia at the upcoming KLIMS next month. The four-seater drop top features a 4.7 litre V8 – which is also to be found on the GranTurismo S coupe, the basis for this car – offering 440 hp and 490 Nm, mated to a ZF 6-speed automatic gearbox.

The canvas top comprises a structure with a backbone consisting of five steel and aluminium spokes, covered with a triple-layer canvas available in six colours – there’s solid black and titanium grey as well as warm chocolate in that mix. The system, whch takes 28 seconds to fold up/down, weighs in at just 65 kg.

maserati grancabrio 2

Plenty of accessories and kit in this Trident, of course, from a 12 speaker Bose audio system, 7-inch high-resolution colour display with 30GB hard disk, Poltrona Frau Leather upholstery in 10 colour choices (these can be blended together for seats, dashboard, tonneau cover, steering wheel and gear knob) to Carbalho wood from Brazil, among the many fineries.

There’s also matching luggage you can specify – two different sets are available, one in complete leather, the other in leather and fabric, with an extensive palette of colours to choose from. A set consists of two wheeled and two vanity cases, with a single bag designed to be placed on the rear seats also available. Don’t think the luggage will be there at the show, but that’s not the reason you’d be heading to the Maserati display, methinks.

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Alfa Romeo and Maserati to get SUV based on Jeep Grand Cherokee platform

November 9, 2010 at 11:59 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Alfa Romeo, Cars, International News, Jeep, Maserati

The bond between Fiat and Chrysler continues to grow with this latest piece of news that Maserati and Alfa Romeo may get SUVs based on the Jeep Grand Cherokee platform, which according to Sergio Marchionne can easily take on the larger and more powerful powertrains that a luxury SUV has to offer.

This very same platform is actually shared with Mercedes-Benz and the German company uses it for their ML-Class, which has AMG models on offer. Jeep’s own offering includes a 5.7 litre Hemi and a 6.4 litre SRT-8 Hemi. A large Maserati/Alfa Romeo SUV based on this platform could house Ferrari’s front mounted rear wheel drive engines, already used in Maserati passenger cars.

The new Italian SUV duo could hit the market in 12 to 18 months and a production site is already planned – Chrysler’s Jefferson North assembly plant in Detroit, right smack in the land of SUVs and trucks. We’ve seen a design study of a Maserati SUV in the past – back in 2003 at the Detroit show, the Maserati Kubang concept shown above was exhibited.

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VIDEO: Promo of the Maserati Granturismo MC Stradale

October 9, 2010 at 10:15 pm By Jacob Alexander Filed Under 2010 Paris Motor Show, Cars, International News, Maserati, Videos

Maserati has released a promo video of the fastest, lightest and most powerful car in the company’s range. The MC Stradale, which was recently revealed at the Paris Motorshow, houses a 4.7 litre V8 engine producing 450hp and 510Nm of torque. This is connected to a modified MC Race Shift transmission pushing the car from 0 to 100km/h in just 4.6 seconds, going on to reach a top speed of 300km/h. The promo shows the car’s capabilities on track, as Andrea Bertolini drives the MC Stradale against the Gran Turismo MC Trofeo around the Ricardo Tormo Circuit in Valencia.

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450hp Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale revealed

September 22, 2010 at 12:29 pm By Jacob Alexander Filed Under Cars, International News, Maserati

Another lovely beauty expected to make an appearance at the Paris Motor Show will be the Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale, which Maserati says is the “fastest, lightest and most powerful car” in the company’s stable.

Inspiration for this car comes from their very own Trofeo GranTurismo MC and GT4 competition model. Hence the MC Stradale incorporates handling and aero tuning from their racing programs, which should give the car an enviable ride and handling.

This has resulted in the MC Stradale producing more aerodynamic downforce without producing more drag. An increase in power also complements the package nicely, as it now puts out 450 horses without affecting fuel economy. The 4.7 litre V8 also allows the MC Stradale to reach speeds of over 300km/h.

The new addition to the Maserati range will go on sale in the first quarter of 2011 and you can expect to see it being sold at the Naza Italia showroom in the near future. More details will be made available closer to it’s Paris debut. Look after the jump for a set of high resolution pictures.
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Novitec Trident fits a supercharger into the Maserati Quattroporte

July 22, 2010 at 4:19 pm By Jacob Alexander Filed Under Cars, International News, Maserati

German tuners of Italian makes Novitec Trident, have recently revised the Maserati Quattroporte with a bump of power and a few changes inside and on the exterior. This comes in the form of slotting a supercharger into the engine bay which pushes power delivery to an amazing 590hp at 7300rpm, while getting a torque figure of 572Nm.

Apart from a supercharger a new water to air intercooler is added to the Quattroporte’s 4.7 litre V8 engine along with a new intake manifold, bigger fuel injectors and a recalibrated ECU. You now get a 0 to 100 figure in just 4.6 seconds, going on to reach a top speed of 295km/h.

Keeping all that power on the road, the tuners fitted new electronically controlled sports suspension that can be continuously adjustable with multiple settings for compression and rebound, while a hidden boot lid spoiler made from clear coated carbon fibre gives it a look lacking in many saloons.

Inside customer have a range of interior picks such as leather, Alcantara, Blu Ray players along with other multimedia systems totally customizable. This whole package sits on 21-inch alloy wheels with five double spoke covered in Pirelli P Zero high-performance tires in sizes 255/30 ZR 21 up front and 295/30 ZR 21 at the back. No pricing details are available but anything that gives this high performance Italian saloon more power is money well spent. Meanwhile enjoy the picture gallery after the jump.
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Next-gen Maserati Quattroporte to get big efficiency boost

June 29, 2010 at 11:05 am By Jacob Alexander Filed Under Cars, International News, Maserati

The Maserati Quattroporte limo has always traded on looks and “soul” compared to its more sterile German rivals. But even Maserati cannot ignore the fact that emissions and efficiency are highly regarded matters today, and will equip the next generation Quattroporte with a host of measures that will reduce fuel consumption by 25%.

They include start-stop technology, weight reduction of 15% and downsized V6 and V8 engines. The Quattroporte will also adopt ZF’s eight-speed automatic transmission currently available in the BMW 7-Series and Audi A8. Besides all that, Maserati will also introduce four-wheel drive to their flagship, allowing it to better compete with Audi’s Quattro equipped A8. No mention when it will debut though.

At the Automotive News Europe Congress, CEO Harald J. Wester said that Maserati’s global sales are on track to be 15% higher than last year, which recorded 4,489 units, 49% lower than in 2008. In Malaysia, Maserati is distributed by Naza Italia, which also handles Ferrari. Both exotic Italian brands share a same building in Petaling Jaya, which is home to one of only 55 units of the Maserati MC12 in the world.

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Maserati GranCabrio company car for Alonso

March 22, 2010 at 2:18 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, Formula 1, Maserati

Ferrari’s highest profile employee, two-time Formula 1 champion Fernando Alonso, has chosen a Maserati GranCabrio as his company car. The Scuderia’s race winner at the season opening Bahrain GP “collected” his new car at the Fiorano track. The fact that he picked Maserati’s big drop top over something from Ferrari’s road car range shows that the ex-Renault man prefers a relaxed driving experience off the track.

Alonso’s stealthy GranCabrio is in “Grigio Granito” body colour, while the Maser’s two-tone cabin upholstery is a combination of Pearl Beige and Bordeaux leather. The car’s canvas top is in the same dark red hue. Alonso, whose wife is a Spanish pop star, was said to be particularly impressed by the space offered by the GranCabrio, which has plush seating for four adults.

Based on the Trident brand’s GranTurismo coupe, the Pininfarina penned cabriolet is powered by a 4.7-litre V8 with 440 bhp/490 Nm mated to a ZF 6-speed automatic gearbox. Its canvas top folds up in only 20 seconds, and is available in six colours. Naza Italia, official importer of Ferrari and Maserati in Malaysia, should be importing this model in the near future. Both the GranTurismo and Quattroporte limo are currently available at the company’s Petaling Jaya showroom.

More images after the jump.
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Special Alfa MiTo courtesy cars for Maserati owners

January 29, 2010 at 12:08 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Alfa Romeo, Cars, International News, Maserati

Courtesy cars are nice to have when you send in your car for dealer attention, but when you own an Italian exotic, not any courtesy car will do, as you still need to look stylish without your mega bucks ride. It’ll be perfect if your temporary car is also Italian, and also exotic.

Well, here is it. The Alfa Romeo MiTo is also Italian and also exotic, albeit on a different level. European Maserati owners will now get MiTo courtesy cars produced exclusively by Alfa Romeo for sister company Maserati. 100 units of these special purpose cars will be made, painted in Maserati Blu Oceano and with a limited edition plaque on the dashboard. The little car’s kick plates will also bear the words “Alfa Romeo for Maserati”.

Based on the range topping MiTo, it will be powered by a 1.4-litre MultiAir turbo engine with 170 bhp. Creature comforts include Pelle Frau leather and a radio navigator covering the whole of Europe. Maser’s MiTo will also get 18-inch alloys and Dynamic Suspension electronic shock absorber control system.

Designer casual wear when you’re not in the usual designer suit. Same concept as Aston Martin’s Cygnet, but this one is not for sale! More pictures after the jump!
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