Spy Shot: Maserati Quattroporte Coupe

Fiat-owned Maserati is currently developing a six-figure coupe based on its Quattroporte sedan. Carving some six inches out of the sedan's wheelbase and employing extensive weight saving measures through the use of aluminum and other composite materials should ensure the coupe is significantly quicker than its four-door stablemate. Its engine is expected to be an enlarged version of Maserati's current 4.2L V8 producing somewhere in the neighborhood of 500 horsepower mated to a six-speed auto or traditional manual. The Bentley Continental GT, Mercedes-Benz CL Class and Aston Martin DB9 are the coupes that will land in the crosshairs of this Italian 2+2.

[Source: Autobild and Car and Driver, July 2006]