Maserati 5000 Reviews

Despite Europe's sagging car market and Italy's melting economy, Maserati says its mid-size prestige sedan - now named Ghibli - and the new SUV will take its annual sales to 50,000 units by 2015. Its optimism is clipped by the 6159 cars it sold globally in 2011 - 140 of those in Australia. Maserati says the Ghibli - once dubbed the baby Quattroporte and a rival for the Mercedes E-Class and BMW 5-Series - will start production next year and the Levante SUV in the company's centennial year, 2014. The Levante, once known as the Kubang concept and now named after the street in which the five Maserati brothers started business in 1914, is poised to be a Porsche Cayenne rival. The new Ghibli marks the third time that Maserati has used the name. It was first launched as a two-door luxury coupe in 1967 and then revisited in 1992 before ending in 1997. The Quattroporte will next year mark its 50th anniversary with an all-new, sixth-generation model with a more aggressive stance, a more defined boot line and a more spacious interior with an accent on better placement of controls. It was first sold in 1963 as the first generation Maserati four-door - quattroporte translates literally as four door - and remained in production until 1969. The second generation started in 1974 and replaced by the third generation in 1979, then the fourth generation arrived in 1994 and the fifth incarnation in 2004. The Quattroporte is Maserati's best-selling car of all time.  

"Enjoy the sound of a real piece of Trident history and listen to all its power," is all Maserati will say for now. But is it an existing model or -- as some people are thinking -- an aural tease for a new one. The 'Cinqueporte' for which they've registered the name? The horridly-named Kubang? Either way, it's likely to carry one of the two Maserati engines: the 298kW 4.2-litre V8 or the 324kW 4.7-litre V8. We're thinking it's the latter.  

The confirmation of the car will see it as one of three supercars on the Lamborghini stand at the Show ahead of its on-sale date later this year. This will give the Australian public their first official look at this all-new entry-level supercar. The Gallardo LP550-2 Spyder is the only convertible rear-wheel-drive variant in the Italian supercar manufacturer’s line-up and has been inspired by Valentino Balboni, who was Lamborghini’s test driver for over 40 years. Making its second official appearance in Australia will be the Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4, which was also at the 2011 Australian International Motor Show. Since its introduction last year, the Aventador, with its jet-fighter inspired styling and lightweight 60-degree V12 engine capable of reaching 0-100km/hour in just 2.9 seconds, has achieved success globally. “Lamborghini is always a crowd favourite at the Australian International Motor Show and we are excited they will be displaying their newest and most popular models in Sydney, as well as debuting an all-new stand design,” said Russ Tyrie, Show Director. “At this stage, we can confirm that a third vehicle will feature on the Lamborghini stand; whilst we cannot give exact details just yet, it will be a show-stopping concept never before seen in Australia.” The 2012 Australian International Motor Show will be held at the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour from October 19-28, 2012. For further information about the Show and to purchase tickets, visit www.motorshow.com.au, which is also compatible with all android and Apple mobile devices.  

...but Carparazzi previews the real view of a car which is both chunkier and roomier for 2014.If the Euro snoops are right, as they usually are, the car will also become the Quattroporticina.

...Maserati unveils its all-new Quattroporte.Until then, Carparazzi has caught a heavily-disguised prototype that points to a new rear-wheel drive package, a body with more aluminium and - perhaps - the all-wheel drive system from the Ferrari FF.

...as the four-seat luxury car runs up to its reveal at the Paris Motor Show in September. It's still expected to have a V8 engine from the Ferrari family and perhaps also the all-wheel drive system fitted to the Ferrari FF.

The Maserati A6G/54 was unveiled at the 1955 Paris Auto Salon as a show car.Auction house Gooding and Company, who will put the car on the block at the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, say that the Maserati has continued to be a star under Jay Kay’s ownership. The Grammy winner has added a Salon Prive Best of Show to his trophy shelf with the car, and has also driven it in Mille Miglia Storica twice.The Maserati A6G/54 is just one of the early bookings Gooding have announced for the auction. Also polished with a glow of celebrity is the factory-supercharged 1938 Bugatti Type 57C Stelvio convertible that once belonged to Prince Louis Napoleon of France, grandson of Emperor Napoleon I.Estimates of between $1.3 to $1.6 million have been given for the Bugatti. If you’re just a little short for that one, how about the 1966 Shelby 427 Cobra, which is likely to go for somewhere between $750,000 - $950,000 at hammer fall. 

...although the four-door Italian sports sedan is coming in by the middle of 2013.Among new developments are a hybrid drive system, extensive use of aluminium and a possible all-wheel drive system.

The recall notice cites a problem with the lights not being in conformance and therefore not functioning properly. The failure of the rear lights to operate may pose a crash hazard, the recall says. The notice applies to a total of 132 Maserati Granturismos and a single GranCabrio sold in Australia. "The light cluster will be completely replaced by Maserati, as our LED light clusters come as a complete unit," says Edward Rowe, spokesman for Maserati importer Ateco Automotive. "The replacement parts have been imported from Italy and are here awaiting the owners." However he emphasised that the Maseratis are not suffering having the lights completely out of action. "One side stops working, but you won't get both sides failing simultaneously, and the high level brake light will continue functioning," Rowe says, declining to comment on whether anybody unlucky enough to rear-end a Maser in the next few days would be able to blame the light defect.

The stars and cars at the biggest motor show of 2011 are providing a peek into the future, as well as proof on the potential of everything from plug-in battery cars to long-range diesels.Audi and Volkswagen are tackling the bottom end with tiny city runabouts, while Mercedes-Benz goes to the top floor with another futuristic take on its S-Class flagship. So picking the best of the best from Frankfurt is not as easy as it looks. There are more than a dozen classy concept cars, as well as a bunch of look-at-me production cars led by the Ferrari 458 Spider.But Carsguide is most impressed by the concepts with genuine production potential, from the Audi A2 right through to the baby Buggy that sits in a long line of body choices based on the upcoming Volkswagen Up. So, here we go on a Frankfurt fact finding mission, rating the good and the great:Why the fuss? Born-again E-TypeHow much? Less than $200,000Will it ever be built? DefinitelyCarsguide says: The 50th anniversary is the perfect time for Jaguar to return to a serious sports car, and it's built a future rival to the Porsche 911. The C-X16 is so close to production it could be on the road inside two years and the only question now is the biggest of all: will Jaguar call it an E-Type?Why the fuss?  A great looking South Korean concept that reflects Kia's plan to move up and away from bargain-basement cheapies.How much? In the $50,000 range.Will it ever be built? Quite likely. It shares its heart with the Hyundai Genesis and could hit the road inside two years.Carsguide says: A surefire winner that proves Peter Schreyer is doing genius work for Kia. The GT is a great looking four-door luxury that is super-close to production.The scissor doors could make it to production as they improve access for rear-seat passengers.Why the fuss? A 21st century update of the original Land RoverHow much? Around $45,000Will it ever be built? Most likelyCarsguide says: The DC100 Sport lifts the lid on the original reinvention of the 1948 Land Rover, and even sits at Frankfurt with a V8 engine under the bonnet. Land Rover has 13 different body styles ready for the DC100 program, which is being used to test buyer reaction to a radical new off-road look for the British brand.Why the fuss? Practical plug-in runaboutHow much? Probably around $50,000Will it ever be built? ProbablyCarsguide says: The push for electric power is serious at Audi, which is using the A2 concept car - just like the Nissan Leaf - to show what's really possible today. It's used the A2 name before, on an advanced aluminium hatchback that failed in showrooms, but is ready to go with a baby that weighs just 1150 kilograms and has 60 kiloWatts of electric power and a 200 kilometre range.Why the fuss? A fuel cell flagshipHow much? Around $2 million for the show carWill it ever be built? NoCarsguide says: Frankfurt is a major event for Mercedes, it usually runs up something on the S-Class theme. This time it's a fully-electric fuel cell car that runs on hydrogen and promises brilliantly green motoring. But there is no sign of serious hydrogen stations outside a couple of German cities.Why the fuss? Another top-end SUVHow much? Around $250,000Will it ever be built? ProbablyCarsguide says: The Kubang project was first floated back in 2003 and now it's back as every luxury maker - including Jaguar and Bentley - looks to add an SUV to their range. The reason the Kubang is likely to be a goer, with a Ferrai-developed engine, is the new tie-up between Fiat and Chrysler that should provide a Jeep platform for the Maserati.Why the fuss?  A fun runner in the Up familyHow much? Less than $25,000Will it ever be built? UnlikelyCarsguide says: Volkswagen is stretching is baby Up - in Australia next year for less than $15,000 - in all sorts of show car directions. The buggy body is an obvious tip to the Beetle-based fibreglass conversions of the 1960s, but it is unlikely to pass safety tests without some serious work.