Few marques manage to tread the line between sportiness and elegance quite so exquisitely as Maserati. But some are looking for something that errs a little more towards the former, and for them the Trident marque has launched the MC Sport Line.

One step off the track and onto the road this side of a race-spec MC GT4, the MC Sport line gives Gran Turismo S buyers a catalog of optional extras, from carbon fiber bits all the way up to the exclusive limited edition model made for the Middle East. The range was initially unveiled at the local Bologna Motor Show, but this was our first chance to get next to it and bring you the results. Have a look in the galleries below.

[Source:Autoblog]

Things may be relatively quiet around Maserati headquarters these days, but that doesn’t mean nothing new is on the horizon. In fact, the automaker will be debuting a special version of the fabulous Quattroporte sedan at next month’s Geneva Motor Show.

Based on the top-of-the-line Sport GT S model, the “Awards Edition” treatment adds an extra touch of exclusivity to the Quattroporte. The exterior, painted in an all-new Quarzo Fuso color, features a burnished treatment on the exterior chrome bits, matching the stylish 20-inch Multi Trident wheels. Behind those dark rims are a revised set of Brembo brakes, showing off polished calipers that have a mirror-like finish. Inside, Alcantara is found not only on the headliner, but has been worked into the supple Poltrona Frau leather seats, and new brushed aluminum door sills and piano black satin-finish wood moldings finish off the added touches of the Awards Edition package.

Customers in the UK can order their Quattroporte Sport GT S “Awards Edition” cars starting in the second half of 2010, with pricing information being given out upon application. Click past the break to read the full details in Maserati’s press release.

Based on the Quattroporte Sport GT S, the “Awards Edition” celebrates the countless awards that the Maserati flagship saloon has received since its debut.

The Quattroporte Sport GT S “Awards Edition”, the latest jewel in the Maserati range, will make its official debut at the prestigious Geneva Auto Show next week. The car will be unveiled during the press conference, on Tuesday, March 2nd 2010 on the Maserati stand (n.1051) at 13:45.

Six years after its birth, the car that created the luxury sport saloon segment continues to receive accolades from the general public, automobile aficionados and the media. Maserati has decided to celebrate its success with a superlative version, which blends the elegance and sporty stylishness of the brand’s flagship, thanks to the combination of highly refined details, handcrafted finishes and features with a decidedly sporty flair.

During its six years of life, the Maserati Quattroporte has received no less than 56 awards from the most prestigious automotive and lifestyle publications in 14 countries over four continents. A global recognition for a car that has known how to renew itself over the years, still never failing to maintain the appeal of the lines and purity of the forms created by Pininfarina, which immediately made it an instant classic.

The Quattroporte Sport GT S “Awards Edition”, based on the Quattroporte Sport GT S, aims to combine in one car all the features that have made the Trident flagship a benchmark in its segment:

* the unique and elegant styling, mixed with a hint of sporting flair thanks to the eye-catching features adopted on both the exterior and interior fittings;
* driving enjoyment, because the “Awards Edition” is based on the Quattroporte Sport GT S, which boasts top-class performance and excellent handling;
* the craftsmanship of the hand-finished details which make each car unique.

The new Quarzo fuso exterior colour – a pearlescent metallic grey with a golden hue – exclusive to this model, makes the exterior instantly recognisable, and highlights the body’s elegant lines. The burnished treatment used on the exterior chrome parts, as well as on the side air vents and radiator surround, also matches the 20” Multi Trident dark grey rims with satin finish.

The braking system which uses dual-cast technology, is further enhanced by the hand-polished callipers both at the front and rear. With the Quattroporte Sport GT S “Awards Edition”, Maserati and Brembo are introducing on the market for the first time polished callipers, treated with high precision mechanical processes and featuring a hand finish which gives them their special mirror-like appearance and enhances their sporty credentials at the same time.

The interior also bears witness to the combination of sporting flair and craftsmanship that have always characterised the Maserati flagship saloon. The Poltrona Frau leather of the seats is combined with perforated Alcantara with a new undulated pattern, and the headlining is also in Alcantara. Completing the cabin finishes are the special brushed aluminium door sills and Piano Black satin-finish wood mouldings.

The boot is finished in black trim and features chrome details and a leather side pocket. The attention to detail has even been extended to the mats, which are made of an even richer and softer material.

A special exterior “Awards Edition” series plate completes the car’s look and makes an already unique car even more unmistakable.

The Quattroporte Sport GT S “Awards Edition” will be available in the UK as a special order in the second half of 2010, as model year 2011. Prices will be available upon application: for further information clients can contact the Maserati Info Centre on 0800 0646468 or visit the Maserati website www.maserati.com to locate the nearest Maserati dealership.

[Source:Autoblog]

If you’re dropping off a six-figure Italian exotic at the dealership for service, you expect to be loaned something special in return, right? That’s why Fiat supplied Ferrari with a run of special-edition 500s for use in their European service network. (Heck, they even produced some for public consumption.) Now its classy kid sister is following suite with a special loaner car of its own.

Produced in a limited run of 100 units, these specially-prepared Alfa Romeo MiTos will be dispatched to Maserati dealers across Europe. Each is distinguished from the average MiTo by its Maserati Blu Oceano paint, special plaque on the center console and “Alfa Romeo for Maserati” sill plate. The special edition Alfa also comes equipped with top-of-the-range 170-horsepower, 1.4-liter MultiAir turbo engine, 18-inch wheels and rear spoiler, along with an interior decked out in sumptuous Pelle Frau leather and all the electronic bells and whistles on offer.

After Maserati gave Alfa the 8C Competizione, it’s nice that Alfa – now under the same leadership as Maserati – can give a little something back. Details in the press release after the jump.
PRESS RELEASE

Maserati Teams Up With Alfa Romeo MiTo for its European Service Network
26/01/2010 - Modena

Maserati and Alfa Romeo: two icons of Italy’s world-famous automotive industry representing sportiness, technology and elegance.

One hundred Alfa Romeo MiTos produced exclusively for the Maserati service network will soon be seen on roads all over Europe. Maserati has chosen the Alfa Romeo MiTo as the new courtesy car for its customers, connoisseurs of Italian style with a keen eye for originality.

The special-purpose cars will be styled in the exclusive Maserati Blu Oceano (deep Blue), and fitted with a sparky 1.4 MultiAir Turbobenzina engine (170 hp) - the most powerful engine in the MiTo range.

The cars will not only be distinguished by their unique color, but also by two other exclusive features: the “Limited Edition” plaque on the air conditioning unit, and the kick plate made from specially treated aluminum, bearing the words Alfa Romeo for Maserati.

The 100 cars will also have a series of high-end details, supplied as standard: Pelle Frau upholstery, automatic dual-zone climate control, leather steering wheel complete with radio and telephone controls, a radio navigator covering the whole of Europe, and a hands-free Blue&Me system including USB port and bi-xenon headlights.

The MiTo for Maserati also has a racing temperament. The 18′ alloy wheels, rear spoiler, rear bumper and aluminum pedals are all fitted as standard. All the cars will come with Dynamic Suspension, the advanced electronic shock absorber control system that actively varies the set-up to reflect the road conditions and driving style, to guarantee rapid cornering and excellent handling.

Through this partnership with Alfa Romeo, Maserati’s European network will be able to offer customers a special car that reflects its own philosophy, where each choice is the product of the utmost attention and care paid to every detail.

[Source:Autoblog]

The weather outside may be frightful, but fret not, because summer is coming soon…ish. And when it does, you’re going to want the right set of wheels. With that in mind, the good folks over at Maserati North America have revealed the pricing for their new GranTurismo Convertible (also known as the GranCabrio overseas) so you can start saving now. And save you will if you want to get your hands on one, because it sells for a princely $135,800 (MSRP, before taxes and additional fees).

If you’re wondering how much it costs to lob the roof off a GranTurismo and replace it with a triple-insulated retractable soft top, consider that the standard coupe starts at $117,500, for a difference of – carry the one, divide by the square root of pi – $18,300. When you consider, however, that the convertible comes standard with the larger 4.7-liter engine from the $121,500 GranTurismo S, the additional cost of open-air motoring comes out to a somewhat more manageable $14,300, which may or may not make it easier to justify to your spouse. Details in the press release after the jump.

PRESS RELEASE

MASERATI NORTH AMERICA ANNOUNCES US PRICING FOR GRANTURISMO CONVERTIBLE

Englewood Cliffs, NJ. January 19, 2010… Maserati North America is pleased to announce a base MSRP of $135,800* in the United States for the highly anticipated 2010 Maserati GranTurismo Convertible.

This four-seat convertible demonstrates Maserati’s expertise in the production of exclusive hand-built automobiles by providing an unprecedented level of personalization choices as standard equipment including:

* 9 Exterior colors standard with 5 optional hues
* 10 shades of Poltrona Frau leather for the interior
* 6 different soft top colors (Black, Burgundy, Blue, Dark Gray, Beige and Dark Brown)
* 3 wood trim options, Rosewood (standard), Walnut and Wenge (no cost options)
* 20″ Birdcage design wheels
* Skyhook active suspension system
* Rear Park Sensors
* Chromeline exterior trim
* Dual-Twin Sport Exhaust system with chrome outlets
* Bose Surround Sound System
* Red Brake Calipers (5 other colors available as options)

A modern heir to generations of legendary open-air Maseratis, the GranTurismo Convertible breaks ground as the first four-seat convertible from the house of the Trident. The 433 hp, 4.7 liter V8 engine and six-speed adaptive automatic transmission with standard paddle shifters deliver thoroughbred performance, with the unmistakable Maserati exhaust note now unfiltered to the pilot and passengers.

Inside, the Maserati GranTurismo Convertible offers best in class rear seat room, allowing comfort and space for two real adults unmatched by other grand touring convertibles. The triple insulated soft top exactly maintains the coupe’s iconic roofline, and retracts fully in 24 seconds leaving the rear seat and trunk space unchanged with the roof open or closed; its light weight helping to maintain the vehicle’s low center of gravity, optimal weight distribution and precise handling.

Befitting the uniquely Italian coach built tradition defined by its Pininfarina styling, the GranTurismo Convertible further enables the owner to select from a vast array of colors, materials and trim to create a spectacular and unique expression of style including a tailored set of luggage.

The 56 North American Maserati dealers are accepting preliminary orders now with deliveries anticipated for late spring. Full details are available at www.maserati.us.

*MSRP does not include taxes, title and other fees. Dealer prices may vary.

[Source:Autoblog]

If you thought Rolls-Royce had cornered the market on special editions for the Middle East, Maserati would like you to think again. But only if you’ve got a big wad of cash and actually, you know… live in the Middle East.

The Italian automaker just took the wraps off a limited edition of its GranTurismo S, specially outfitted with items from the company’s MC Sport Line. The car, decked out in a matte white “ice” paint scheme, was unveiled at the Yas Marina Circuit that just recently played host to the inaugural Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Not much in the way of details were given, but only 12 examples will be produced: one for each of the twelve Maserati dealerships in the region, also honoring the twelve trophies (including constructors’, drivers’ and teams’ titles) that the GranTurismo’s big brother, the MC12, has racked up in the FIA GT Championship since 2005. The Trident marque has also announced a second run of 11 examples decked out in matte white pearl for its domestic Italian market.

PRESS RELEASE:

Limited-edition GranTurismo S MC Sport Line
30/11/2009 - Modena

The limited-edition Maserati GranTurismo S MC Sport Line with Matt White “ice” finishing is here portrayed in front of the futuristic structure of the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, where it was unveiled in a dedicated event for a selected number of Maserati customers of the Middle East.

Designed to enhance the sporty DNA of the Trident, the “MC Sport Line” sums up the experience acquired on the track by the Maserati Corse racing department, whose contribution to the design of the functional components has been invaluable. The world of motor racing also inspired Maserati’s designers when it came to styling, hence the extensive use of carbon fiber.

Only twelve GranTurismos in this configuration will be produced in Modena, all for the Middle East markets. Twelve is also the number of world titles which make up the prestigious palmares of the MC12 in the FIA GT International Championship since 2005: 2 Constructors’ Cups (2005 and 2007), 4 Drivers’ Titles 4 (Bartels-Bertolini in 2006, Thomas Biagi in 2007, Bartels-Bertolini in 2008 and 2009); 5 Teams’ Titles (from 2005 onwards uninterruptedly with the Vitaphone Racing Team); 1 Citation Cup in 2007 with the gentleman driver Ben Aucott.

Furthermore, twelve are the Middle East cities where Maserati is present with a dedicated showroom: each car will feature an internal plaque with the name of the city to which it is committed.

A limited and numbered edition of the GranTurismo S MC Sport Line, finished in a Matt Bianco Fuji with eye-catching pearlescent nuances, will be dedicated to the Italian market. Only eleven customers in Italy will be able to sit behind the wheel of this exclusive car.

After what seems like years of eager anticipation, and with the weeks ticking down until the Frankfurt Motor Show, Maserati has finally unveiled its long-awaited convertible model. With the Maserati GranCabrio, it looks like the Italian automaker has done a beautiful job of translating the Pininfarina-designed GranTurismo into an open-top machine.

The questions on all our minds as we saw an endless stream of heavily-disguised test mules were whether the new convertible would have a fabric or metal roof, retain its four seats or sacrifice the back row (like its predecessor, the Spyder), and which engine would be found under that long hood.

Now we’ve got our answers. Unlike the Ferrari California, the GranCabrio features a cloth roof that deploys over the four-place passenger compartment, saving both weight and space. In fact, it’s the first four-seat convertible in the company’s history, and boasts what Maserati says is the longest wheelbase on the market. The Trident marque has also chosen to fit the convertible with the 4.7-liter 433-hp V8 from the GranTurismo S, bypassing the base 4.2-liter unit and mating it to the highly-rated ZF six-speed automatic. The new Maser’s public debut is scheduled for the Frankfurt show next month, but in the meantime, follow the jump to read the press release and check out the quartet of images in the gallery below.
PRESS RELEASE

THE NEW MASERATI GRANCABRIO TO PREMIERE IN FRANKFURT

The Maserati GranCabrio, the first four-seater convertible in the Trident carmaker’s history, will make its world wide debut on September 15 at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show. The introduction of the GranCabrio – the Trident’s third prong – completes Maserati’s product line-up that now consists of three different families of models: Quattroporte, GranTurismo, GranCabrio.

The GranCabrio represents the very essence of Maserati in terms of open-top cars. It’s a Maserati in the purest sense of the word: from the unmistakable style by Pininfarina to the spacious interior, from the craftsmanship of each detail to the driving pleasure and performance. The Maserati GranCabrio enriches all five senses in a shared open-air experience, without sacrificing comfort and performance. A dream car designed and built for men and women who love to live life in an understated – though sophisticated – manner. Like all the made in Maserati open-top convertibles: special cars aimed at refined connoisseurs.

In fact the GranCabrio is continuing the Maserati tradition in open-top cars, joining models that have played such an important part in the Modena carmaker’s history such as the 1950 A6G Frua Spyder, 1960 3500GT Vignale Spyder, 1964 Mistral Spyder, 1968 Ghibli Spyder and 2001 Spyder designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, the car that marked Maserati’s return to the United States. In the footsteps of tradition, the GranCabrio opens a new chapter, because never before have four-seater top-down models ever been produced at the Viale Ciro Menotti Maserati factory. Four proper seats, so that the rear passengers are not merely supporting actors, but co-stars of the journey.

The GranCabrio is powered by a 4.7 litre V8, 323 kW engine and is the convertible with the longest wheelbase on the market. The GranCabrio’s roof is strictly canvas-made, emphasizing the link with the Maserati tradition.

The Maserati GranCabrio will be marketed starting next winter, and experienced by customers the world over from the following spring.

[Source:Autoblog]

While running around from merger to acquisition, Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne has been riding in style in a Maserati Quattroporte. And why shouldn’t he? The luxurious sport-sedan is miles ahead of the Alfa Romeo 167 which Fiat executives were chauffeured around in beforehand, and better than anything Opel or Chrysler has got to show off, too. But one limousine company in Florida has what it figures is the next step up: a stretched Quattroporte with seating for ten.

Based on the previous incarnation of the Trident-emblazoned four-door – the horizontal slats in the grille are a dead giveaway over the vertical bars on the newer model – the Padilla Car Collection claims it’s the only stretched Quattroporte in the world. And we certainly hope so. The company’s also got stretches Hummers, Bentleys, Escalades, Mercedes S550s and a custom Chrysler 300 should you, your pals and your prom dates be looking for something a little more, um… reserved. For our part, we don’t even want to know what the extra yardage has done for the QPorte’s handling, with which we fell in love on the back streets of Salzburg, Austria, and we’re quite sure Signore Marchionne doesn’t, either.

[Source: Padilla Car Collection via CarScoop]

[Source:Autoblog]

As the prospective launch date approaches, everyone’s wondering what will become of the upcoming Maserati Spyder. Some big questions remain about what shape the new GranTurismo cabrio will take: will it have four seats, or will the folding top take up the cramped rear quarters? Will it have a soft top like its predecessor, or a hard top like its Ferrari counterpart? Will it offer the 400hp 4.2-liter V8 from the base GranTurismo, or the 435hp 4.7-liter unit from the GranTurismo S? One way or another, sources suggest we’ll find out soon enough, placing it on the road by early next year, with a springtime market launch likely. That means its debut could come as early as the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, or else wait for the Geneva Motor Show in March. Expect the sticker price to come in below the Ferrari California, targeting the likes of the Aston Martin DB9 Volante, Bentley Continental GTC, BMW M6 convertible, Jaguar XKR convertible and Mercedes-Benz SL-Class and at around $130,000.

[Source Autoblog]

For an automaker with only two model lines, Maserati is certainly keeping busy. One of a handful of luxury carmakers to improve its sales figures in 2008, the Trident marque is undoubtedly looking to build upon its growth with an eye towards setting yet another sales record. Fortunately that push is product-driven, prompting Modena to improve upon its already-mouthwatering offerings and give us something new to drool over, too.

First up is the Quattroporte GTS, the sportiest version yet of Maserati’s performance luxury sedan, which debuted at the Detroit show and goes on sale next month. That will reportedly be followed by a similarly-equipped version of its two-door counterpart. Called the GranTurismo GTS, we can’t help but wonder if it was named by someone with a stutter… or maybe by former UN sec-gen Boutros Boutros-Ghali. Naming aside, the high-spec GranTurismo is expected to ditch the robotized manual in favor of the performance-tuned automatic coupled to the 433-hp, 4.8-liter V8 from the Quattroporte GTS. Other changes will include a tighter suspension and sporty touches all around.

The bigger news, however, will be the debut of the new Spyder. While a smaller sports car has been speculated, sources expect this Spyder to be GranTurismo-based, retaining its four proper seats under the open sky. The new Maserati Spyder could make its public debut as soon as Frankfurt later this year, so stay tuned.

[Source:Autoblog]

Unspeakably gorgeous. And the girl’s not bad looking, either.

Between their spokesmodel/racing driver Jodie Kidd (our idea of a dream woman if we’ve ever had one) and those models standing in elegant evening gowns at its auto show stands, Maserati seems to attract the most beautiful women to its cars like a sale at the Prada boutique. Add to that list one Tatana Kucharova, the Czech model who, by our reckoning, was a very deserving recipient of the Miss World crown in 2006 and now graces our eyes with her amorous poses by the new Maserati Quattroporte S. We liked the car when we drove it this past summer too, but for some reason we like it even more now.

[Source:Autoblog]