Details and images surface of new Maserati Quattroporte and Quattroporte S
UPDATE: Maserati just launched a Quattroporte microsite.
Click above for high-res gallery of the new Maserati Quattroporte
It's hard not to love the Maserati Quattroporte. Between its Pininfarina lines and the Ferrari-developed chassis and engine, it's a veritable four-door exotic that makes the top-of-the-line competition from England and Germany look downright ordinary. But both countries are preparing tantalizing new offerings (Aston Martin Rapide and Porsche Panamera), and the Quattroporte has been on the market for five years now. With the complete replacement not due until 2012, Maserati has wisely developed a mid-lifecycle update for its sumptuous sedan. Now after squinting at spy shots for months, details and photos have begun to emerge in cyberspace.
The big question everyone was asking was whether this second-generation Quattroporte would continue with its current 400-hp 4.2-liter V8, or get treated to the more powerful 430-hp 4.7-liter unit that Maserati developed for the Alfa 8C and more recently shoehorned into the GranTurismo S. The answer is, yes. Like its two-door counterpart, the new Quattroporte will now be offered in two versions: the standard Quattroporte and the Quattroporte S. Both will come exclusively with the ZF-sourced six-speed automatic (jettisoning the clumsy sequential transmission that plagued the previous incarnation). Along with the new engine option, the Quattroporte has been treated to some new bodywork: the front grille and bumper have been reshaped and fitted with vertical slats to more closely resemble the GranTurismo's, the front and rear light clusters have been restyled with LEDs, the fenders sharpened up, the mirrors slimmed down and the tail styled more aggressively. Two new colors – a sandy beige and a maroon – are on offer, and the interior has also been ergonomically and stylistically refreshed, integrating the new Maserati Mutlimedia System.
Click on the thumbnails below to view the first crop of high-resolution images of the new Quattroporte.
Gallery: 2009 Maserati Quattroporte
[Source: OmniAuto.it]
Get a WordPress.com Blog
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
AC 11:07AM (6/23/2008)
The old one is my favourite car on the road, but those slats....hmm.... would at least have to get them de-chromed.
Reply
chris 11:18AM (6/23/2008)
This is one beautiful Buick..er, Maserati. Seriously though, with the toothy oval grill and three "ventiports" on the front fender, that's Buick DNA that dates back to the 1940's. Too bad Buick doesn't make this, because with it's "American" size and proportions, it would make a great product for them.
Reply
Shiftright 12:25PM (6/23/2008)
I'm a fan of the previous Maser, but yes, this new iteration is the sexiest Italian Buick ever...losing interest...
ASEVENSEE4 11:28AM (6/23/2008)
As what many said about the MKS
Kia taillights!!
Reply
Alex 11:28AM (6/23/2008)
This car is gorgeous. I love Aston Martin and I really hope their Rapide will keep pace with the Quattroporte, the Panamera i'm not so keen on. However, if i'm in the market for a six-digit super sedan, i'm going to want comfort in the back seats and I'm not so sure the 4 door coupe styling of the Rapide and Panamera can offer that.
Reply
Soccer Mom 11:50AM (6/23/2008)
Looks really sharp. Lexus, Jag and BMW pale in comparison, while Audi and MB have a real competitor perhaps not in sales, but definitely in styling.
Reply
Vik 6:44PM (6/23/2008)
Lexus and BMW cannot be compared to Jaguar, Mercedes and Audi, because the former are stupidly stubborn in offering cars without the option to have steering wheel/dashboard of the same colour of the rest of interiors. Lexus and BMW are simply vulgar...
mk 12:37PM (6/23/2008)
I like the changes over what was before. The tail lights look better, the front end looks better. The wheels are a bit busy looking, but Ferrari Challenge style wheels will solve that nicely.
Mesh the grille for the sport package, and paint it BLACK...
Very slick and sinister.
Reply
Eddie 12:51PM (6/23/2008)
I like the Maserati, but I would much rather have the S63 AMG.
Reply
MemphisNET 12:52PM (6/23/2008)
Gorgeous... simply stunning.
Reply
ken 1:46PM (6/23/2008)
The old Maser is still on my fav car list, because of the old grill! The old grill was the part of the Maser's design characteristic. This new grill with all the chrome is not bad looking for not for this car.........maybe for the new Buick.
Reply
Steve Henderson 1:00PM (6/23/2008)
This thing looks way too much like a 6-series Bimmer (headlights).
Reply
Milos 1:12PM (6/23/2008)
i like it...Maybe it is not as low and sporty looking as cls or upcoming AM Rapide, but it's million times better looking than fat-ass Panamera.
btw when i first saw headlights first thing that popped up in my mind was BMW Z4
Reply
Stanton 1:09PM (6/23/2008)
This misshapen lump does a good job of upholding the previous Quattroporte's title of the Ugliest Sedan Big Money Can Buy. Maserati can be justifiably proud not to have relinquished their belt, not that any other sedan really ever came close.
For the next "freshening", Maserati designers should look to adding even more awkward out-of-place blingy fender vents. Only three abominations per side aren't enough.
Reply
Nick 1:12PM (6/23/2008)
Why did they change the back lights? The back now resembles Daewoo Nubira...
arghhhh!
Reply
meshies 1:57PM (6/23/2008)
Ahh. I am in Love all over again.
Reply
ugg.tryptophan 2:54PM (6/23/2008)
i saw one of these on the motorway yesterday, and despite the chrome vents, it's really cool in person
Reply
tom 5:57AM (6/27/2008)
Arguably the most desirable saloon in the world today, the Maserati Quattroporte, has gone under the knife for it's mid-life nip and tuck... http://www.eurocarblog.net
Reply