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.
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.
It’s been a while since we last reported on a Maserati GranTurismo S, but this latest version has certainly got our attention. This is no ordinary GranTurismo S; this model has been given some expert attention by Diamond Black Exteriors - aka DBX - to spice it up.
In actuality, all the tuner really did was come up with a phenomenal exterior package, but that was enough to transform the Maserati from sexy to sexy as hell. The exterior package’s most recognizable feature is a very cool satin orange foil wrap with carbon fiber displayed on the hood, mirrors, door handles, and grille. The roof was then wrapped in matte black with an Orange Maserati Crown decal, while the headlights were tinted in iron and the taillights in medium smoke. The GranTurismo S now sits on a new set of 22" Foose Wheels with an orange and black crown on the center cups and color-matched satin orange brake calipers.
The Maserati GranTurismo S won’t go any faster, still powered by a 440 HP 4.7 liter V8 engine, but the sound will be a little richer coming out of the new custom axle black exhaust system.
Hit the jump to watch a video of the Maserati GranTurismo S by DBX.
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Before we even get into the top list of sportscar for 2011, we think it would be best to clear something up: the new Porsche 911 would have definitely made the list if it wasn’t for the fact that it won’t be hitting Stateside until 2013.
That being said, we have a few top hitters for 2011 that we would be foolish not to take notice of. It was a battle trying to choose between the plethora of options provided in the sports car segment, but what we ended up with was a range of 450 HP to 560 HP, 0-60 mph sprint times between 4.6 seconds and 3.7 seconds, and speeds topping out between 186 mph and 198 mph.
Among the sportscar heavyweights is the intoxicating Jaguar XKR-S, the luscious BMW M5, the curvaceous Chevolet Camaro Z06, and the maddening Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale.
Hit the jump to check out each of these scintillating sports cars in detail.
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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.
Hit the jump to read more about the next generation Maserati Quattroporte.
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