Maserati cars

2013 Maserati GranTurismo Trofeo World Series Race Car

A lot of high-performance automakers have taken to spec-racing to show off their pride and joy exotics without having to worry about any sort of regulations. Racing series like these allows these exotics to be on their unchained best.

One automaker that has taken this route is Maserati, which is in the process of beginning the third season of the Trofeo World Series. Similar to what sister company Ferrari does on the Challenge Series, the Trofeo World Series features a field of specially prepared versions of the GranTurismo coupe, which has been upgraded with a new aerodynamic bodykit that not only reduces its overall weight, but does so to make it more competitive and race-ready.

According to Maserati, the GranTurismo racers are far better than their 2011 counterparts, having showed its improved performance in test sessions: 2.5 seconds a lap faster than the 2011 models.

All the cars that will compete in the Trofeo World Series have been made track-ready by a dedicated team of technicians, ensuring that all the drivers competing will be racing one a one-spec racing field.

Another new wrinkle for the 2012 Trofeo World Series is the inclusion of new legs in the calendar, including the Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, California and the Shanghai International Circuit in Shanghai, China, among others.

Anybody looking to bring the heat in the Trofeo series will need to pay €110,000 (about $140,117 at the current rates), excluding the race entry and test fees. For the four European stages, the price of admission is €70,000 (About $89,166 at the current rates), excluding fees, while private teams who want to bring their own cars will need to pay €35,000, excluding fees, for the entire championship and €25,000 (about $44,583 at the current rates), excluding fees, for the European legs only.

Top Speed Rendering: 2014 Maserati mid-engined sportscar

Just two days ago we were reporting that Maserati is preparing a new mid-engined sports car to rival Porsche 911 and today we have a pretty cool rendering of the future car for you. The company is being pretty secretive about this new model, but we still have enough time to learn about it as an official debut is not expected until late in 2014.

It has been rumored that Maserati might revive the GranSport name, so this new model could carry this name. But no matter how it will be called, one thing is for sure: it will share various performance aspects with the Ferrari 458 Italia.

The new Maserati could feature a mid-engined V-8 powerplant like those found in the Audi R8 and Ferrari 458 Italia, but of course do not expect to see it deliver an output of 570 HP. Still the fact that Maserati is trying to come with a Porsche 911 competitor is pretty admirable considering that many other companies have tried and failed. But we have big faith in Maserati, so fingers crossed!

Let us know in the comment section below if you like our rendering.

Maserati developing mid-engined sports car to rival Porsche 911

Porsche has been dominating the sports car market for such a long time that Maserati is finally ready to take the outright crown from them with rumors emerging that Maserati is developing a brand new mid-engined sports car to compete with the 911 likely to share various performance aspects with the Ferrari 458 Italia.

Maserati is clearly on the rise and even though the Italian economy may be struggling, the brand hopes to bring a new SUV into the market in the next few years, while a facelifted version of the Quattroporte is also in the works. Additionally, Maserati may offer its own version of the Alfa Romeo 4C sports car which it’s helping to produce, so things are definitely looking positive at Maserati.

Many companies have tried and failed to compete with the Porsche 911 in terms of driver involvement, and with the next Porsche 911 GT3 said to retain a six-speed manual transmission, Maserati certainly has its work cut out for it. Rumors were initially fueled by comments made by Maserati’s CEO Harald J. Wester about the possibility of reviving the GranSport name.

As we’re sure you know, the GranSport was the predecessor to the GranTurismo but if the car were to use the GranSport name, it’d differ in almost every other aspect. First and foremost, it’s likely to feature a mid-engined V-8 powerplant like those found in the Audi R8 and Ferrari 458 Italia, but so as to not enrage Ferrari, it’s said to be priced below the 458 Italia hinting that it won’t be a true competitor to it.

If this car does come to fruition, it could share components with the 458 Italia but is unlikely to debut anytime before 2014.

Construction of Alfa Romeo’s 4C to take place at Maserati’s Modena plant

The Alfa Romeo 4C Concept revealed at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show is arguably the best looking car to come out of Alfa’s headquarters for years. It combines these good looks – which were only enhanced by the stunning matte red the first concept was revealed in – with the promise of high performance, yet affordable and very efficient driving. There is even the possibility of an Abarth model spicing things up even more.

Very little has been confirmed about the car until now, as Maserati recently confirmed that it will produce the 4C at its main production facility in Modena, Italy where it also builds the GranTurismo. It hasn’t yet been confirmed how this agreement between the two Italian firms was reached, but as Maserati is lending its services and facilities for the car, some financial benefit has to come out of the deal, and we suspect a Maserati variant of the 4C may be possible in the future.

Production is expected to start sometime next year, where Maserati aims to construct 2,500 units annually, and if all goes well, this figure is likely to rise. Pricing has yet to be released for the car, but early reports suggested the 4C could start at the fairly hefty price of $45,000, but with the Subaru BRZ and Scion FR-S being released in the months after the 4C was, we suspect Alfa may drop this price to compete with these two cars in the U.S. market.

That being said, the Alfa promises to be even more exotic than the comparable Subaru BRZ and Scion FR-S as the concept car was constructed out of carbon fiber and weighed less than 1,900 pounds, although the use of carbon fiber in the production car is expected to be reduced significantly.

Either way, the 4C is shaping up to be a truly unique sports car, and it may even pave the way for a new segment in the sports car market.

Maserati targets three new models in the next two years

Maserati will be introducing three new vehicles over the next 24 months, further hinting to the future production of their Kubang SUV, as well as the impending releases of an all-new Quattroporte and a smaller version of it.

In a recent press release, the Italian automaker didn’t specifically mention the names of the three models that they are planning on releasing, but it’s all pretty academic at this point unless they have something up their sleeves that we’ve never seen before.

The Kubang, or "Cinqueporte", for one, has already been slated for production, so it looks like that’s going to be one of the models. Likewise, we’ve already seen spy photos and videos of the new 2014 Quattroporte frolicking around a number of race tracks around the world.

The third model of this triumvirate is also the one that we know the littlest about. Maserati has given indication that they’re building a smaller version of the Quattroporte, but we’ve yet to see the car make its world debut or see it in any spy photos. The only piece of info attached to the model is that it could carry the name "Levante," which Maserati trademarked just a month ago.

Another bit of info in the Maserati press release that bears following is the announcement that an Alfa Romeo model will be built together with the GranTurismo beginning in 2013. What that model is is still anyone’s guess.

One thing we do know is that things are fixing to get interesting from them boys with tridents.

2014 Maserati Quattroporte Spied Near The Nurburgring

Maserati has been furiously working on a facelifted version of the Quattroporte for many months now, and finally the first genuine driving footage has been released when the car was recently snapped cruising the streets near and around the Nurburgring.

As the 2014 Quattroporte isn’t set for a release until 2013, very little details have been released about the car. However, enough have been rumored to the point where they’re beginning to sound very convincing.

First off, reports suggest that the Quattroporte will ride on a brand new platform predominantly implemented to save a few pounds, while also enhancing comfort, control, and rigidity. Furthermore, the new Quattroporte is rumored to be offered with both all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive layouts, and the latter has left us scratching our heads a bit.

Sure, Quattroporte may mean ‘four doors’ rather than ‘four-wheel drive’, but we’re very surprised a front-wheel drive version will be offered rather than a rear-wheel drive layout. After all, the Quattroporte’s biggest competitor the BMW M5 is RWD, and there’s no questioning the success of that car. Furthermore, the Porsche Panamera is also offered in RWD and AWD.

Nevertheless, the 2014 Quattroporte is shaping up to be a suitable facelift for the dated car, and with the car set to retain a big 4.7-liter V8 engine, 470HP is on the cards and this could easily be increased for sport variants further down the track.

The aforementioned video does depict a very nice engine and exhaust note, but don’t expect any rapid changes in the styling department, as Maserati will likely only add or remove a handful of exterior and interior components.

Maserati collaborates with Bulgari to create the Octo Maserati timepiece

Two heavyweights from their respective industries are collaborating on a special edition time piece that should have auto enthusiasts and watch collectors stand up and take notice.

Italian automaker Maserati and Italian luxury goods retailer Bulgari have joined forces to build the rather flashy and extravagant Octo Maserati timepiece.

The Octo name of the timepiece lends itself to its octagonal shape, which has been enclosed in a steel case that measures 45mm in diameter. Among the striking features of the watch include a scratchproof sapphire crystal, a transparent caseback with the famous Maserati Trident logo, a brushed steel feel with a tachometric scale, a hand-applied octagonal inner bezel ring, a blue-lacquered dial, and a mechanical Calibre GG780 Haute Horlogerie movement.

There’s no word yet on how much the Octo Maserati timepiece will cost, but you only need to look at the two companies - Maserati and Bulgari - that are responsible for this watch to determine that it’s going to cost you a lot more than just a pretty penny.

Spy Shots: Maserati Quattroporte tests at the Nurburgring

A couple of weeks ago, the next generation Maserati Quattroporte was making its rounds testing in the cold weather when it took a few turns on an icetrack in Northern Sweden. Now, it has graduated to taking some quick laps at the Nurburgring in Germany and our spy photographers were there to capture it in action. Maserati’s testing for the new Quattroporte is hard and intensive, so it should definitely be ready when it launches at the 2012 Paris Auto Show in September.

As previously reported, the new generation Quattroporte will grow to make room for the "baby Quattroporte," will still be lighter than the current model due to the use of more lightweight materials. The Maserati will receive a completely new design, but the current grille treatment will remain the same. The interior will get improved technology and a more luxurious treatment.

Under the hood, Maserati will place the same 4.7 liter V8 engine with some updates to improve the output to 475 HP. The power will go via an eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox to the rear wheels or optional to all four wheels.

Spy Shots: Maserati Quattroporte goes testing on an icetrack

Maserati is getting prepared for its major debut later this year: the new generation Quattroporte has been caught testing on an icetrack used by the Fiat Group up in the cold parts of Sweden. As you can see, the car is completely hidden under camouflage, but as previously reported the car’s new design "will be more of an evolution than a revolution."

The new Maserati Quattroporte will grow in dimensions to make room for the new baby Quattroporte, but it will still be lighter than the current model due to the use of more lightweight materials. Under the hood, Maserati will place a 4.7 liter V8 engine with some improvements made to increase the final output to 475 HP and to reduce fuel economy by about 15%.

The power will go to the rear wheels via an eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox or, as an option, to all four wheels. Only time will tell if these changes are enough to give the German power sedans a run for their money.

The official debut of the new Maserati Quattroporte will be made later this year at the 2012 Paris Auto Show.

2013 Maserati Granturismo Sport

Maserati chose the 2012 Geneva Motor Show to drop its new GranTurismo Sport, the model that is set to replace the current GranTurismo S. The Gran Turismo Sport adds increased performance and an elegant overall restyling that stresses its sporty nature. It will go on sale in Fall 2012.

The current GranTurismo S was unveiled back at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show and uses a 4.7 liter V8 engine that delivers 440 hp. The location of Maserati’s debut, as well as the engine powering have not changed, but the V8 has been tweaked to deliver a total of 460 HP. As a result, the new Sport version will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in under 4.7 seconds.

As for the exterior changes, the highlight of the new Granturismo Sport is a redesigned front bumper that optimizes the front air flow for both the engine and brakes. The headlights have received new DRL Led technology and the taillights were improved by an elegant, more aggressive, darker tone for the light clusters. The interior received completely redesigned front and rear seats, as well as a new steering wheel with a sportier and more muscular look.

UPDATE 03/06/2012: This review has been updated with new details and images for the Maserati GranTurismo Sport.

Hit the jump to read more about the Maserati Gran Turismo Sport.