It would be hard to argue that Maserati has been getting lazy with the Quattroporte. Following its unveiling at the 2003 Frankfurt show, the Quattroporte went into production in 2004. Since then, Maserati has kept it fresh by introducing the Sport GT at Frankfurt 2005, the Executive GT at Detroit '06, the Automatica at Detroit '07 and the sharpest-yet Sport GT-S at Frankfurt '07.
In today's market, however, not even the exquisite lines of the Trident marque's four-door sedan can go without a visual update for more than four years. To that end, Maserati is expected to debut a mid-cycle facelift for the Quattroporte sometime in early 2008 – and that's coming just around the corner.
This second set of spy shots, following the earlier ones we reported a few months ago, show that the focus of the exterior modifications will be at the front end, which is expected to follow the example of the Quattroporte's two-door stable-mate, the GranTurismo. The rear end is also anticipated to benefit from a little nip-and-tuck, and although the interior is one of the finest in the business, one might expect Maserati to rework some magic inside, too. The sonorous Ferrari-sourced V8 engine and smooth ZF-sourced six-speed automatic will likely carry on unchanged. (That's a good thing.)
[Source: Autowereld.com]
Saleen makes new value-oriented Racecraft brand official
Officially Official: 2009 BMW 7 Series
Officially Official: 2009 Ford Focus RS
I want my FPV: Super sedans hit the desert in new TV spot
Happy Independence Day from Autoblog
Track Test: 2008 Roush 427R Trak Pak Mustang
In the Autoblog Garage: 2008 Porsche Cayman S
First Drive: 2009 Chevrolet Traverse
In the Autoblog Garage: 2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata Retractable Hard Top
In The Autoblog Garage: BMW 128i Convertible
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jon @ Dec 26th 2007 7:13PM
The only part about the Quattroporte I ever found questionable was the front end, especially around the headlights. Hopefully they can address this without disrupting anything else, because otherwise this car is absolutely gorgeous.
dave0mary @ Dec 26th 2007 7:18PM
My (doctor) son-in-law wanted a Quattroporte, but got the Audi AWD S6. His partner in practice got the Quattroporte. My son-in-law has to give him a ride to work and then to the dealership in Hinsdale, IL about once a month. Nuff said.
Zane @ Dec 26th 2007 8:01PM
S6? Ehh ..not trying to belittle you or your S.I.L. but the S6 is a nobody compared to the Maserati. Oh, and the same thing could be said if we were to compare the S6 with a more reliable car, say the TL.
dave0mary @ Dec 26th 2007 10:48PM
Uhmmm ... since we're both men and we (genetically) have to do the one-upmanship game ... the Audi is a V-10 with 430 something HP. He can't race his partner though because it's never out of the shop. And, uhm, that was my point.
AC @ Dec 27th 2007 6:08AM
Sorry dave, the S6 really is nothing compared to the Quattroporte. The RS6 on the other hand has a V10, but that only comes in an estate version (and looks pretty vulgar next to the Maserati, in my opinion).
Zane @ Dec 27th 2007 9:16AM
It wouldn't matter even if the S6 had a fire breathing W16. An Audi is a small church mouse compared to the Maserati. Even the S-class does not command the same level of respect as a Quattroporte.
Race? What are they, wannabe NASCAR drivers? Well, unless you meant blitzing on public roads like a maniac.
Brendan @ Dec 26th 2007 8:16PM
Never liked the look of this Maserati...either those mid-90's Buicks were way ahead of their time, or Maserati snatched GM's geriatric division design team when they decided on making a saloon.
Taylor @ Dec 27th 2007 12:25AM
Put a Gran Turismo front end, and it'd look hot.
dave0mary @ Dec 27th 2007 9:27AM
My bad - I thought he had an 'S' ... but he does have the V-10 w/ AWD - and goes like scat. He, like me, is a bimmer officianado - but being a doctor (and liking high HP cars) he needed AWD for Chicago winters, and the M5 doesn't come in AWD of course. He does, however, comment how often his partners Quattroporte is in the shop. I would have known that he had a RS I were an Audi lover - but I'm the kind of bimmer lover that wonders why they even make any other brand of car. e39's forever!!