Autoblog

More Maseratis can hardly be a bad thing – unless you're one of the unfortunates trying to maintain a BiTurbo without losing your shirt. Modern Masers are sumptuous and beautiful, quintessential expressions of the Gran Turismo idiom. The gloriousness of recent trident-wearing Italians has led to a boom in sales. Maserati is looking at increasing its profitability by expanding the model range downward. A smaller Maserati sports coupe priced in Porsche 911 territory could give sales a further boost, though the swooning economy may not help the exotic brand move units. The car would be based on a hacksawed version of the Gran Turismo's platform, leaving room for only two occupants. A spiffy Maserati in the $80-100,000 range is expected to be capable of moving more than 6,000 per year, powered by the expected V8s, and possibly a V6 for increased efficiency. Mortgaging the house for this vehicle is likely a bad idea, but another choice in the segment and price range that it's expected to occupy has us nodding in approval.

[Source: Autocar]

The Masarati GranTurismo was one of the most significant designs that debuted at this month's Geneva Motor Show. While many attractive autos were in attendance, the GranTurismo represented a giant leap forward for Maserati compared to the uninspiring lines of the current Coupé. It's bold and slightly overexaggerated, just like a six-figure car should be. While seeing the GranTurismo on display was a thrill, these spy photos that are hot off the memory card have us more excited. They were supposedly taken today in Germany where this uncamoflouged prototype was heading to the famed Nurburgring for some shakedown laps. With a Ferrari-designed 4.2L V8 pumping out 405 horsepower underhood, "testing" Maserati's new two-door has got to be the best way to start your work week.

[Source: Winding Road]