• Fiat 695 Abarth Maserati Edition – limited run of 499 units

    We already have the Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari, now comes the Abarth 695 Maserati Edition, the latest limited edition Fiat 500. Limited to 499 units, the Maserati Edition made its debut on the 30th anniversary of the Mille Miglia, which Enzo Ferrari called “the most beautiful race in the world”.

    If the Tributo Ferrari shows off Abarth’s sporty character and racing spirit, this Maserati Edition epitomises elegance and comfort of a GranTurismo, but with the dinky handling of a mini car.

    Based on the open-top 500C, the Maserati Edition is powered by a 1.4 T-Jet turbo engine (Garrett 1446 turbo) boosted to 180 hp and 250 Nm at 3,000 rpm. Paired to the electrically operated manual Abarth Competizione gearbox, this small car is capable of 0-100 km/h in less than seven seconds, while top speed is 225 km/h.

    Brembo 305 mm brake discs with grey fixed four-piston calipers can be seen behind the 17-inch wheels, in Maserati’s trademark “Neptune” design. Koni shock absorbers with FSD valves are also included. Abarth promises “inspiring sound” above 3,000 rpm with the variable back-pressure “dual mode” exhaust, which hexagonal shape tailpipes follow after Maseratis.

    The car here is in Pontevecchio Bordeaux. This Maserati colour is achieved with special three-layer paintwork which reflects light and accentuates the shine of the colour. The soft top is made of grey fabric.

    Inside, the sand beige leather seats have containment strips featuring single-layer padding, while the dash and gearbox trim are finished in a special matte carbon lining. The door panels have a special UV-LUX treatment, which gives them a grey “flocking” effect. The steering wheel has beige leather inserts and a tricolour hub, while the instrument panel has been specifically designed by Jaeger.

    Other details include aluminium pedals sill plates, carbon fibre kick plate with graphics and a plaque. Lastly, the Maserati Edition comes with a JBL ICE system with nine speakers and an eight-channel amplifier. Great ingredients for a desirable little package.

     
  • Maserati GranTurismo Sport facelift to premiere in Geneva


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    Maserati has given its GranTurismo Sport a nip and tuck job, and the ‘new’ car is set to debut in Geneva next month. There’s a small performance increase, with the 4.7 litre V8 mill now giving the vehicle 460 hp.

    Most of the rework, however, is on the restyling front – there’s a redesigned new front bumper which optimises the front air flow for both engine and brake cooling as well as new headlights with LED daytime running lights. At the back, the car gets new tail lamps in a more aggressive, darker tone.


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    The interior also gets redone, with completely redesigned front and rear seats and a new steering wheel – offering a more sporty and muscular look, the company says – leading the way. No other details, but Geneva should take care of that.

     
  • Frankfurt: Maserati joins super SUV race with a Kubang!


    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


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    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.


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    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.


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    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?

     
  • Maserati GranCabrio to be unveiled at KLIMS

    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.

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

    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.

     
  • VIDEO: Promo of the Maserati Granturismo MC Stradale

    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.

     
  • 450hp Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale revealed

    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

    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

    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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