Posts tagged Quattroporte
An SUV with the Heart of an Italian Sport Car
Feb 20th
Italian automakers have historically produced some of the most beautiful and best sounding vehicles, but they don’t often make Sport Utility Vehicles. Maserati has been delivering fun to drive, gorgeous cars to showrooms for years and they are now taking that recipe to the SUV market with the Maserati Levante. They have carried over the company’s design language with an aggressive front end highlighting the tapered headlights. The signature styling continues past the grill feature with three iconic air vents and trapezoidal C-pillar. The underpinnings of the Levante feature sophisticated air suspension with air springs and controlled damping. The Q4 all wheel drive system similar to the Quattroporte and Ghibli is adapted for unparalleled on road performance and low grip off road situations. An 8 speed transmission has been specially calibrated for the new SUV attaching to the gasoline powerplant.
Morrie’s at the 2013 L.A. Auto Show!
Nov 22nd
We were thrilled to be able to bring you live coverage from the LA Auto Show where we saw hundreds of new vehicles from a number of different brands. We thought you would want to check out some of the luxury vehicles that made an appearance at the show, as well as the latest from Maserati and Bentley.
This year, Bentley presented the all-new Flying Spur at the L.A. Auto Show and displayed the Continental GTC V8 convertible and the flagship Mulsanne.
It was a big week for Maserati at the L.A. Auto Show with the live debut of their 2014 Maserati Ghibli. Although the Ghibli has already landed here at Morrie’s Luxury Auto, we thought you would love to see a few pictures from the unveiling and official debut. Stay tuned to our YouTube page for live video coverage on this beautiful new affordable Maserati.
We also made a stop at Porsche for all you luxury car fans to check out the beautiful 918 Spyder. This hot new vehicle gets its power from a 4.6 liter naturally aspirated V8gasoline engine backed by two electric motors and can achieve 62 mph in just 2.6 seconds! The 918 equipped with the Weissach package recently set a Nurburgring record for fastest street-legal car with a time of 6:57! Porsche will only be producing 918 of these model and each will be numbered on the back of the vehicle. Check out our picture below where you can tell that the one at the Auto Show was number: 000!
We hope that you enjoy our photos and other coverage from the Auto Show this week. Please be sure to like us on Facebook and Twitter to stay up to date on everything going on at Morrie’s Luxury Auto!
2014 Maserati Quattroporte S Q4
Nov 13th
When someone offers you a chance to drive a brand new Maserati over a weekend, you’d be a fool to say no. From the moment you slide into the supple Italian leather driver’s seat and press the starter button on the left side of the steering wheel, you know you’re in something special. The twin-turbocharged 3-liter V6 whirrs to life with a guttural roar and quickly settles into a frenzied idle. It’s immediately clear that this engine can trace its heritage back to the Ferrari factory where the heart of this car is built alongside the fiercest engines in Maranello.
Speaking of which, the 3-liter V6 comes with a pair of turbochargers which boost power to 404 bhp and 405 lb-ft of peak torque available all the way from 1750 RPM to 5000 RPM. Although this is a 4,200 lb vehicle, it’s actually 150 lbs lighter than the outgoing model while offering similar power. What that means is that with all this power and style, the 2014 Quattroporte is significantly more fuel efficient than the previous generation, offering 15 city and 24 highway MPG. With the 8-speed ZF transmission, this car is definitely a great highway crusier. The huge range of gears allows for effortless high-speed cruising while sipping fuel. Of course, with the available paddle shifters, you’re never more than a few clicks away from flying at warp speed. On top of all that, the Quattroporte S Q4 features a clever all-wheel drive system that seamlessly transfers torque between the front and rear wheels, ranging from a 50/50 split between the front and rear wheels all the way to 100% of the power being sent to the rear of the car. All of this torque shuffling can be watched in real-time on the full-color instrument cluster display. With winter weather quickly approaching, there’s no doubt that this all-wheel drive system will help power the Quattroporte through all sorts of adverse conditions. In warmer, drier conditions, the Quattroporte S Q4 uses its all-wheel drive and wide, sticky summer tires to blast to 60 MPH in just 4.9 seconds.
While opinions vary on the new Quattroporte’s styling, in my eyes, it’s a much more refined and cohesive design compared to the outgoing model. The signature Maserati grille presents a menacing, snarling face which is framed by LED-lined headlights that give the Quattroporte an angry, aggressive look. It’s certainly more fearsome looking from the front than it is on the swoopy sides and contemporary rear end with quad tailpipes accentuating the wide hips. All in all, it’s an elegant design that exudes class and sets itself apart from the sea of BMW’s, Mercedes, and Audi’s out there. My only gripe is that the long, 125-inch wheelbase and curvaceous fenders are begging for some bigger wheels. Although I love the design of the standard 19-inch wheels, something in the 21 or 22-inch range would suit the car better, in my humble opinion. Luckily, there is an optional 21-inch wheel package available from Maserati that looks fantastic as well.
Turning our attention back to the inside of the Quattroporte, nearly everything you touch is beautifully trimmed in either buttery soft Poltrona Frau leather – which is the same supplier for Ferrari and Bugatti, among others – or suede-like alcantara for the headliner, sun visors, and pillars. Along with the Q4 all-wheel drive system there are four heated seats as well as a heated steering wheel, something I definitely appreciated during the chilly weekend I spent with the Quattroporte. Further down on the dash, we see shiny Erable wood trim – which is also integrated as a ring around the outside of the steering wheel – and a real aluminum bezel around the 8.4-inch touchscreen navigation screen. For those wanting a sportier look, real carbon fiber trim is available as well as three other types of wood including a really unique unfinished, open-pore Radica wood trim. It all adds up to a really nice place for passengers to sit back and relax, or hang on for dear life should you choose to set the engine mapping and suspension into Sport mode and let it rip!
Looking at the Maserati’s family tree, there is now a branch connecting parent company Fiat to Chrysler. The Italian giant took control of Chrysler a couple of years ago as they struggled in bankruptcy. As a result of the acquisition, we now see some parts sharing between Maserati and Chrysler, however the Quattroporte is nothing like Chrysler’s TC by Maserati from the early 1990s that was basically just a tarted-up LeBaron. Instead, Maserati has borrowed Chrysler’s Uconnect infotainment platform, now called Maserati Touch Control and featuring navigation by Garmin. Now before you cry out against this parts sharing between the famed Maserati and lowly Chrysler, keep in mind that the Uconnect system is one of the most acclaimed infotainment systems on the market today. What this means is that not only is the infotainment system highly capable but it’s also incredibly user friendly. The 600-watt standard stereo sounded really nice but for those looking for a true world-class audio system, consider the 15-speaker, 1280-watt Bowers & Wilkins speaker package. For those who anticipate frequently driving rear seat passengers around, you may also want to consider the sleek rear seat entertainment system, with or without the folding tables built into the front seat backs. On top of that, there’s also an available WiFi hotspot which is a must for heavy tablet or laptop users.
So what is it actually like to drive a Maserati Quattroporte? Well, despite its size, this thing is built to hustle. Although the sport mode for the exhaust and suspension help contribute to the dynamic feel, I typically found myself driving in the default mode, enjoying the supple suspension and quiet, luxurious cabin. Regardless of the settings, dipping your right foot into the throttle will exude a sonorous crescendo of sound as the punchy V6 winds out to its redline. Although the power delivery is smooth and seamless, this is one car that will definitely push you back into the seat. After posting a few quick cellphone pictures of the Quattroporte on Facebook I suddenly found myself with a lot of friends that inexplicably needed rides and everywhere I went – from the gas stations, to restaurants, and even a simple beer run to the Four Firkins – the 2014 Maserati Quattroporte granted me VIP treatment at every stop. Now try to imagine that happening in your run of the mill BMW 7-Series, Audi A8 or Mercedes S-Class. From the moment you arrive, the Maserati exudes class and exclusivity that is unrivaled in its price range. Speaking of which, the 2014 Quattroporte S features a base price of $102,500. Add in the all-wheel drive and heating package for $4,710 and $1,500 for delivery from Italy and you’ve got a beautifully crafted, exotic sedan for $109,010.
Guest blog post written by: Alex Bellus – a well-known automotive photographer in the Twin Cities area and a frequent attendee of MN C&C at the Automotorplex. He is an Automotive Analyst for IHS Automotive and has a wide range of automotive knowledge. Keep your eye out for his next Blog Post where he will highlight another popular new vehicle!
MN Cars & Coffee July 2013
Jul 9th
July has historically been the busiest month during the Cars and Coffee season at the Automotorplex and this year was no different. We were excited to bring out a number of cars from Morrie’s Luxury Auto, but we knew the show-stopper would be the all-new 2014 Maserati Quattroporte. As expected, the redesigned Quattroporte drew quite the crowd and gained a lot of attention.
But spectators made sure to also get a peek at the other vehicles that we brought including the Mazda2 B-spec racecar build, the 2012 Maserati Granturismo MC and the 2011 Porsche 911 Turbo in Meteor Gray.
It was a beautiful day for the event and we were so pleased with the turnout. Make sure to stop by and see us during next months event!
Maserati Factory Tour in Turin, Italy
Nov 6th
All-Wheel Drive Maserati’s in Minneapolis used to be a dream. In 2013, the dream becomes a reality. The new generation Quattroporte will have an all-wheel drive option.
The New Quattroporte was secretly displayed for Maserati dealers to see in Turin, Italy on October 16, 2012. So, of course, I had to make the trip!
The town of Turin is absolutely beautiful and full of history. The food isn’t bad either! When I wasn’t sampling the fine Italian food and wine, I was sight-seeing.
Maserati’s Ambitious Plans for the Future
Oct 2nd
The GranCabrio MC debuted at the Paris Auto Show this year and with that came insight to Maserati’s ambitious future plans. The first upcoming model we will see from Maserati is the next generation Quattroporte. It is reported that the vehicle will debut within the next year, possibly at the Detroit Auto Show.
Maserati will also introduce a new high-end four-door sedan the Ghibli, a name which was previously used for a 2-seater GT and convertible from 1967 to 1973 and again from 1992 to 1997.
The next new model will be Maserati’s first SUV, the Levante. It is set to debut in 2014. The concept was initially previewed at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show as the Kubang concept but it was recently announced that the name was changed to Levante. The name represents Via Emilia Levante in Bologna, Italy, where the Maserati brothers built the company that will be celebrating it’s centennial in 2014. This makes the name and release date very fitting.
Maserati hopes that with these additions to the lineup they will produce 50,000 vehicles by 2015.
Maserati Trademarks “Levante” for Mid-Size Sedan; 2014 Maserati Quattroporte Spy Photos
Mar 9th
The mid-size luxury sedan market is a big one, and it’s a segment that Maserati is chomping at the bit to enter. BMW, Mercedes and Audi sell hundreds of thousands of E-segment cars every year, and there is huge opportunity for Maserati to compete in this market segment. The folks in Modena confirmed some time ago that there would soon be a Maserati to compete with the likes of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and the BMW 5-Series, but they didn’t tell us what it would be called. Quattroporte Bambino, perhaps? Maybe Maseratina as it’s called inside Maserati?
Well, you can wonder no more, as Maserati has trademarked the name “Levante” for the upcoming E-segment car. “Levante” means “rising,” just as you do every morning (especially if you’re excited to drive your new Maserati). Details about the car are still scarce, but you can bet on the availability of all-wheel drive, a powerful V6 engine, and possibly a high-output V8 or a diesel option. Stay tuned to the Twin Cities Luxury Auto Blog for more details as we get them.
Motor Authority also released some spy photos of the next generation 2014 Maserati Quattroporte taken during prototype road testing. There are several photos of the test mule available, but it’s heavily camouflaged. Head on over to Motor Authority to view the photos.
News Source: Motor Authority
Via: Autoblog
Maserati takes Superstars Series title
Oct 25th
Truth be told, I hadn’t heard of the Superstars Series, which is similar to the German DTM, Japanese Super GT, and Australian V8 Supercars series. The competitive field is made up of naturally aspirated V8 two and four door cars like the Mercedes C63 AMG, BMW M3, Audi RS4, Cadillac CTS-V, Jaguar S-Type R, Porsche Panamera S, and Maserati Quattroporte EVO. The EVO is a specialty race version of the Quattroporte featuring the bad ass widebody setup you see above, in full race trim.
Driver Andrea Bertolini drove his Swiss team Maserati Quattroporte to the championship, after trailing by 20 points leading into the final races at Vallelunga. Bertolini is a driver and test driver for Maserati and Ferrari, and previously won the FIA GT series in the Maserati MC12 in 2006, 2008, 2009, and 2010 – the only Italian driver to have won four international FIA titles.
Here’s a rather raw video of some highlights from the race at Monza, earlier this year:
The Swiss team was founded in 2008, to kick off the Maserati Quattroporte Superstars project. Based in Switzerland, the team now consists of 13 people, with Engineer Giuseppe Angiulli acting as Technical Director. Giuseppe’s experience covers 5 years in F1, 2 years in Alfa’s DTM project, 2 years working for BMW Motorsport, and work on ALMS prototypes. He collaborated with Michelotto Corse in developing the Ferrari F360 and F430, and worked with team Villorba Corse’ F430 in the Italian GT series. He worked for Vitaphone racing for two years as Track Engineer while they competed in the FIA GT championship, running Maserati MC12s.
Here are some more photos of the fantastic Maserati Quattroporte EVO:
Via Autoblog: Maserati Quattroporte Replacement Coming to Frankfurt
Mar 24th
It’s been around for some time now, but the Maserati Quattroporte is still one of the best looking, sounding, and driving sedans on the planet. The competition is only getting more and more fierce, though, with the likes of the Porsche Panamera and the Aston Martin Rapide fighting for the same buyers as the Quattroporte.
Autoblog is reporting that we should see the replacement for the long-in-the-tooth Quattroporte later this year at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Expect to see styling that echoes the design language used on the current GranTurismo and GranTurismo Convertible, as well as a more powerful and more fuel efficient version of the 4.7L V8 currently used in the Quattroporte S (the 4.2L is being phased out later this year), as well as an all-wheel drive option. There is also a possibility that the base powerplant could be an all-new turbocharged V6, though nothing has yet been confirmed.
Head on over to Autoblog to read what they had to say.
Stay tuned to our blog for more information as we get it.
source [Inside Line]
via [Autoblog]
Maserati’s E-Class/5-Series Fighter
Jan 14th
We’ve all been hearing for some time now that Maserati will soon have a smaller sedan in its ranks. For far too long, the Germans have dominated the mid-size luxury segment, but Maserati wants a piece of the action. Though the car is still in it’s final development stages, Maserati looks to be in the thick of the E-segment battle sooner rather than later.
From Autoblog:
“If you’ve been listening to the whispers about a new smaller version of the Maserati Quattroporte and wondering exactly what the machine will look like when it debuts, you can quit your pondering. Sort of. Our task force of stealthy spy photographers have managed to lay their lenses on a mule version of the new baby Quattroporte. This particular evaluation car sports a shorter wheelbase and smaller brakes than its bigger brother, and a single exhaust outlet hints to a slightly lower level of performance. Though this tester seems to have raided the parts bin of the larger Quattroporte for some ill-fitting glass, we’re told that the production version of the car will look significantly different.
“Maserati has been itching to tango with the likes of the Mercedes-Benz AMG E-Class, Jaguar XFR and BMW M5, and this machine could be the beast that allows the company to do just that. As of right now, there’s no indication as to exactly what will lurk underhood when it debuts in 2012, though with a mule running around, we’re guessing it won’t be too long before we hear more about the smaller Quattroporte’s drivetrain.”
Head on over to Autoblog to see the spy photos and read what their readers have to say. What do you think? Will this baby QP be a threat to the E63, M5, and XFR?
via [Autoblog]
source [CarPix]