| | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Maserati will be bringing a small diesel Quattroporte in 2013
  It’s already known that Maserati plans on bringing a new baby Quattroporte in 2013, but German magazine, Autobild, has uncovered some more news on the future model. According to them, Maserati is also preparing a diesel version for the new model, internally known as the Maseratina. The diesel version will be powered by a new V6 diesel engine with more than 300 HP and 516 lb-ft torque. It is still unknown whether or not the new engine will also be used in the next generation Quattroporte. The new Quattroporte will be about 4.90 meters long, matching the lengths of the BMW 5-Series and the Mercedes S-class. Recent spy shots have confirmed that it will feature a shorter wheelbase, smaller front brakes, an ill-fitting windscreen, and one exhaust pipe on each side of the rear. These elements will be combined with the latest advanced driver assistance systems. The baby Quattroporte isn’t the only new model on Maserati’s to do list this year, either. The list of debuts also includes the Kubang in Autumn at the 2012 Franfurt Motor Show and the new generation Quattroporte at the 2013 Detroit Motor Show. All of the GranTurismo versions are also about to enter their new generations. Leaked images of the brand new Maserati Quattroporte surface on the Net (UPDATED and FAKE)
Maserati has been busy testing their smaller than usual Quattroporte, preparing it for its new generation. A few renderings have crept through the internet, including ours, but actual images of the future sedan have now been revealed by GT Spirit and a few more images scanned from a magazine have been provided thanks to Autoblog.nl. As previously rumored, the new Quattroporte will be an evolution of the current generation and will feature a brand new design inspired by the smaller GranTurismo models, as well as the Kubang Concept unveiled last year. The model has been built on a new rear-wheel drive platform that can implement a hybrid drive system so expect to see something down these lines fairly soon. No details have been released for the engine that will be fitted in the Quattroporte, but it is believed that the new Quattroporte will get downsized V6 and V8 engines, mated to an eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox. Now that these images have been released, we’re pretty sure Maserati will unveil the official details on the future Maserati Quattroporte soon, so stay tuned! UPDATE 01/25/2012: Apparently, one WCF reader has an eye for nonsense and these leaked images of the future Maserati Quattroporte fit the bill. Reader, aleiiakensington, had this to say about the leaked images: "it’s a fake. the first picture shows a chopped interior of the avalon’s interior. check out the c-pillar through the windshield. not only does it not match the design of the exterior’s c-pillar, it is also a mirror image of the c-pillar from this picture the second picture also shows how fake this is. the interior seen on the second pic is again a mirror image from the avalon press photo why do people that make these photochops check the quality of their work?" Hey, at least we have the magazine images to work with until the official images are finally released. 2014 Maserati Quattroporte
We already know that the Maserati Quattroporte will be getting a smaller engine in order to reduce fuel consumption, which is something that is quite a trend nowadays. But while the Quattroporte’s competitors, such as the Audi A8 and the Porsche Panamera 4, are making their vehicles longer, Maserati says that their sedan "will not get any bigger." "Even though our rivals – such as the new Audi A8 – are getting longer, we have to keep it as a sporty alternative," said Fiat design boss Lorenzo Ramaciotti. The new model will be unveiled in 2012 and will be offered with a four-wheel drive system and stop-start technology, that will also help to reduce fuel consumption. Maserati’s goal is to reduce fuel consumption by about 15 percent. Under the hood Maserati will place downsized V6 and V8 engines, as well as an eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox (also offered in the BMW 7-Series). UPDATE 12/22/2011: Good old faithful, Marchettino, has managed to catch a prototype for the next generation Quattroporte out and about on the road. So far, it doesn’t look like much will be changed for the exterior of the luxury vehicle, except for maybe a few tweaks on the vehicle’s front end. The Quattroporte is expected to be unveiled in March 2012 at the Geneva Motor Show. Hit the jump for the video. UPDATE 03/27/2012: The future Maserati Quattroporte has been caught testing one more time, this time while doing some quick laps on the Nürburgring in Germany. Hit the jump to read more about the next generation Maserati Quattroporte. Full story Maserati’s three new models will come in quick succession
Fiat chief exec, Sergio Marchionne, has confirmed that Maserati is indeed preparing three new models: a successor to the Quattroporte, a smaller Maserati, and the production Kubang, rumored to be called the Cinqueporte. Moreover, these three models will debut in rapid succession, which is a good thing considering Maserati is keeping mum on which model will be launched first. "We are being a bit secretive over what you get first because it has implications for the industrial footprint of the group," said Marchionne. "You see, there is a site in Modena that makes the Quattroporte, there’s some debate what happens to that plant after Quattroporte. There is sufficient commonality in what we’re doing between the smaller car and the bigger one that we can do what we want." Of course, that doesn’t mean that people aren’t going to throw their two cents in. It is believed that the first vehicle to arrive will be the Quattroporte, followed by the Kubang, and then the baby Maserati. It is already known that the Kubang will be heavily based on Jeep Grand Cherokee and that the four-door baby Maserati will be built on a Chrysler 300 platform, but Marchionne says that the four-door will have a completely different suspension and that the engine are "totally Ferrari/Maserati."
Rendering: 2013 Maserati Baby Quattroporte
After seven years of high end luxury and sales, the Quattroporte is changing it up just a bit to please a greater chunk of the luxury sedan market. One of the major changes befalling Maserati’s flagship model is the addition of a younger brother. The baby Quattroporte will be arriving in the middle of 2012 and is rumored to be priced at $68,000. The whole idea behind the baby version is to please Maserati customers complaining that the standard Quattroporte was too big. The Italian luxury car manufacturer responded by providing a shorter wheelbase, thereby shrinking the vehicle in general. Recent spy shots have also shown smaller front brakes, an ill-fitting windscreen, and one exhaust on each of the vehicle’s rear end. Say what you want, but we need to see this to believe it which is why we created this rendering as a portal to the future. As far as power goes, rumors have been circulating that Maserati will be dropping their Ferrari-sourced V8 engines and picking up a twin-turbocharged, 3.0-liter version of the Chrysler’s Pentastar. This has yet to be confirmed, but seems to be a viable option considering the extreme pressure on automakers to improve fuel consumption. The problem with this engine, though, is that the standard Pentastar V6 only delivers a total of 280 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, a far cry from the Quattroporte’s 400 HP. However, the turbocharging should help out in that department. Whatever the output is, this engine will be mated to an eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox. Maserati’s future Quattroportes will borrow from Chrysler and Ferrari
As part of their aim for 50,000 units sold per year, Maserati is keeping busy by trying to put together the perfect Quattroporte. Long since considered too big for a daily driver, but too small for a chauffeur’s car, the Quattroporte will need to be just right for customers’ consumption. Maserati’s answer to that dilemma is to create two new sedans - the Quattroporte and ’baby’ Quattroporte - at just the right size and to borrow systems and components from Chrysler sedans such as the Chrysler 300 and the Dodge Avenger. So, will the consumers be force-fed re-badged Chryslers? Not according to Maserati. The company has maintained a clear picture of what they want the Maserati to look like and have therefore stuck to borrowing elements from Chrysler that will not be readily seen. Elements such as wiring, air conditioning, passive safety systems, and seat structures will find their way into to the Quattroporte, leaving the overall look purely Maserati. Details for the future Maserati Quattroporte and ’baby’ Quattroporte after the jump. Maserati’s future plans get laid out
Yesterday’s news on Maserati’s plans to unveil the concept version of their future SUV in Frankfurt have apparently sparked a bit of interest for the rest of the brand’s lineup. Automotive News has revealed more details on the full Maserati future product line which includes plans for a boost in sales of 50,000 units per year. This alone will be quite an achievement considering only 5,675 Maserati models were sold last year. With that goal in mind, Maserati went to work to develop new models. As of right now, three new models will be launched as part of the brand’s extensive sales boost: two new sedans and the aforementioned SUV. Fiat CEO, Sergio Marchionne, has said that the two sedans won’t just be rebadged Chrysler models, but have different bodies, new interiors, new front and rear suspensions, and dedicated powertrains. The first of the new sedans will be the long rumored baby Quattroporte, followed by the larger Quattroporte, code-named M156. The baby Quattroporte will be launched next year as a competitor for models like the BMW 5-Series and the Audi A6. It will feature a high performance version of the Chrysler V-6 Pentastar engine with a total output of about 400 HP. Prices will lay between $78,000 to $99,000. Hit the jump for more details from Maserati’s future lineup. Full story Maserati will replace V8 engines with a Twin-Turbo Pentastar V6
Efficiency is turning into a four letter word for speed freaks considering the fact that recent automaker decisions have been in favor of saving at the pump and losing at the 0-60 mph mark. It’s unfortunate, but the walls are coming in and it’s getting a little too difficult to breathe for some automakers. Upping the ante on efficiency is what it will take for continued success and that is what Maserati plans to have as soon as it ditches the Ferrari-borrowed V8s found in the Quattroporte and GranTurismo line-up. Rumors are now circulating that the Italian luxury car manufacturer is steering clear of their usual V8 powertrains in favor of a twin-turbocharged, 3.0-liter version of the Chrysler’s Pentastar. Apparently the V8s were light on low-end torque and didn’t provide adequate fuel economy. We can’t say we are in favor of Maserati’s decision, but hard times call for hard measures. In its standard version, the Pentastar V6 delivers a total of 280 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, however this engine has been tested in many flavors on both European and American markets and will hopefully produce just as much horsepower in a twin turbo variant. At least, that’s what we’re hoping for Maserati’s sake. 2011 Maserati Quattroporte by MR Car Design
We all know that the most important element of a tuning project hinges on whether the tuning company played around with the car’s engine. Sure, aesthetic and aerodynamic modifications make for great eye candy, but for the most part, the joy still lies on what kind of powertrain upgrades are done on the car. MR Car Design opted to go to this route with their latest upgrade for the suave and sexy Maserati Quattroporte. With a powertrain that features a 4.6-liter Ferrari V8 engine, MR Car Design gave the engine a software upgrade while also adding a new custom exhaust system, bumping up the luxury saloon’s output from 400 horsepower and 339 lb/ft of torque all the way up to 430 ponies and 361 lb/ft of torque. While the program doesn’t have a whole lot of aesthetic and aerodynamic changes, the German tuner nevertheless gave it a few tweaks here and there, including tinted windows, new tail pipe designs, a set of adjustable H&R sport springs that lowered the ride height by 20 to 30mm, and a set of 22” Vossen alloy wheels wrapped in 245/30 R22 tires at the front and 295/25 R22 tires at the back. For a car like the Maserati Quattroporte, sometimes subtle is the way to go. Of course, it’s always a plus if the car’s already powerful engine gets a bump up too. Maserati will expand line-up to five models
The current Maserati line-up includes the Quattroporte, the GranTurismo, and the GranCabrio, but things are about to get a little more populated with addition of a new sedan and a new SUV. The company has already begun developing these models and we should start see the fruits of their labor sometime in 2012, with the last model - the SUV - arriving in 2014. Before that, a new generation Quattroporte will be coming off of the production block, followed by a smaller model that will take on the likes of the BMW 5-Series. Both sedans are being designed by Pininfarina and the Fiat Auto Centro Stile as we speak and they will be offered with either a 400-hp MultiAir-equipped, turbocharged version of the Pentastar V-6 or a 300 HP V6 turbo-diesel. The engines will be mated to a ZF eight-speed automatic gearbox that will help improve fuel consumption. The new SUV arriving in 2014 - earlier said to be 2012 - will be the first one landing on the Maserati lineup and will be based on the Grand Cherokee platform. Sergio Marchionne, CEO of Chrysler Group and Fiat, has already confirmed that the new model will be fitted with a "rock and roll engine" from Ferrari, possibly in both V8 and V12 variants. The company has already invested $750 million for its production. | featured reviews:Maserati Quattroporte latest reviews: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|