[WorldCarFans]

Maserati Quattroporte: A "Second" Masterpiece

The Maserati Quattroporte, a name that defined the category for the "Luxury Sports Sedan", in its current version can be considered something of a Maserati masterpiece. Five years of sales growth, 46 international awards and more than 15 000 cars delivered speak to its success as the flagship of Modena. A balanced blend of sporting capability and acclaimed design has defined the timeless attributes of cars bearing the Trident. For 2009 the Maserati Quattroporte is now being presented with a new look and new technical solutions.

The history of art is characterized by audacious artists who challenged pre-existing conventions and contributed seminal works. Some artists even challenged themselves by remodeling their own works and taking them to the next level. Leonardo Da Vinci produced a second version of his masterpiece known as "The Virgin of the Rocks". 400 years later, Matisse reinterpreted his original version of "Le Luxe". The results of both are essentially new works; although they are identical in size and very similar in composition to the originals; it is the new style that makes the second versions the most influential.

With some degree of similarity, Maserati is now realizing it's second "painting": the new Maserati Quattroporte.

Thanks to Pininfarina's unrivalled and skilful hand, the Maserati Quattroporte is being refined in a modern way, yet always mindful of the standards of purposeful line, elegance and exclusivity which characterize the style of the Maserati Quattroporte.

The personality and glamour of the Maserati flagship are now represented by two products: the Quattroporte and the Quattroporte S.

The former is fitted with the familiar 4.2 liter V8 engine, while the latter adopts the new 4.7 liter 425 Hp V8 recently introduced on the GranTurismo S, with a different tuning specification.

Both cars have the 6-speed automatic transmission developed in association with ZF.

Exterior styling changes include:

A newly design front fascia which adopts the traditional Maserati vertical slats, a design cue seen most recently on the Maserati GranTurismo.

The front and rear light units are also updated, featuring LEDs.

The under-door molding is defined with a line that runs into that of the new bumpers, which have a wider protective band and more pronounced rear styling.

Side-view mirrors are also new, with a dynamic shape and a more streamlined mounting.

The Interior of the Quattroporte, renown for a design clarity and sense of occasion has also seen many updates including an all new, state of the art Entertainment and Navigation system. Primary and secondary controls for both the passenger and driver have been refined in order to enhance ease of operation.

Two new shades of leather, Marrone Corniola and Sabbia, will replace the beige which was previously in the range, and debut on the Quattroporte S and Quattroporte respectively.

The new Quattroporte and Quattroporte S will be presented to potential prospects, customers and Maserati loyalists at events the world over beginning July, 2008. Deliveries are anticipated beginning in the fourth quarter of this year.

[Source: Maserati]