Maserati Karif Reviews

...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.

…Like access to all of Jeep’s off road technology and expertise. It hasn’t taken long for this to bear fruit. Witness the new Maserati Kubang luxury SUV, the first such vehicle from Maserati and a more practical and affordable alternative to the stylistically challenged Ferrari FF. Is it an upmarket Jeep Grand Cherokee with a Maser’ engine? Possibly. There’d be some Jeep in there somewhere and the really ironic thing is that the Grand Cherokee started out as a Mercedes-Benz M-Class shared design back when the Germans owned Chrysler Jeep – whacky huh. Whatever its roots, the Kubang is a piece of work commanding a strong presence on the road thanks to robust styling with links to gorgeous Masers like the GT and Quattroporte. It will take on the likes of Porsche Cayenne, Benz M-Class, BMW X5 and Audi Q7. And based on the looks of the Kubang (love that name) it will rattle a few cages especially with a 300kW plus V8 engine up front and an eight speed auto transmission. Kubang is a five seater crammed with luxury accoutrements and a clever all wheel drive system, carbon ceramic brakes and quality interior inclusions from the Maserati equipment list. It is a much better looker than the awful and ridiculously expensive Ferrari FF hunchback probably at half the money. KOO ... BANG, there I just had to say it again

HINTED and now proven to be true, Maserati has unveiled its Porsche Cayenne-chaser - an SUV now wearing the same name as its original concept, Kubang.Though Maserati initially denied the existence of the SUV, it wowed the Frankfurt motor show this week with a wagon that - despite some sharing with the Chrysler Group’s Jeep Grand Cherokee - has Maserati-made engine, suspensions, brakes, handling, performance and - claims the company - style.The engine is designed by Maserati and, like all Maserati engines, will be made by Ferrari. It will be mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission.The Kubang will also have specific performance settings such as suspensions, brakes, steering that will be developed in Modena for the Kubang by the Maserati Product Development Department.As expected, the merger of Fiat - parent of Maserati - and Chrysler will mean some vital chassis components of the Maserati SUV will be borrowed from the Chrysler Jeep Grand Cherokee 4WD.Maserati’s product development manager, engineer Benedetto Orvietani, was interviewed by Carsguide in July and was keeping very quiet about the SUV’s development.However, he then agreed that the vehicle is an important cog in Maserati’s range.The Kubang is expected to use Maserati’s 4.2-litre V8 petrol engine and probably the option of the VM Motori 3-litre V6 turbo-diesel. Both will be mated to the ZF eight-speed automatic transmission but is unlikely to have a transfer case like the Grand Cherokee.The suspension is also believed to be double wishbone front and multi-link rear with electronic adjustable air bladders.It is possible that demand for the high-end SUV would be sufficient to double Maserati’s sales. It’s hinted that annual production could be up to 6000 units a year - a massive figure given Maserati’s 2010 output of less than 6000 vehicles.That’s not possible at Modena, Maserati’s home town. But it is possible to add to the existing car production by outsourcing assembly - maybe to the US.

Maserati has perfected the art of applying subtle changes to existing models to create new  variants to appeal to new buyers. Basically, it’s like a woman having a series of hairdos designed to subtly alter her appearance and expand her list of suitors.But in the case of the GranCabrio Sport, the tweaking has made an attractive convertible into one with more appealing driving characteristics.VALUEThe GranCabrio Sport is expected in Australia in December and, based on currency predictions, will land here for less than $350,000. That’s a premium of about $20,000 on the existing - and ongoing - GranCabrio. What do you get? Well there’s a more sporty line of body gear - stuff like a front splitter, side sills, black grille and headlights surrounds and 20-inch wheels - but the better value is in the slightly more powerful engine, firmer suspension and an enhancement to the world’s best exhaust note. The modest changes to the body sharpen up its street cred and the engine note is certainly head spinning. But is this all worth the extra dosh? Maybe not.DESIGNSame as the existing GranCabrio but with the additions as mentioned above. This is Maserati honing the model and in its creation of a new, high-priced variant of the convertible, may be seen as gilding the lily. It seats four people - yes, adults in the back for short trips - and the ride comfort is very good for a car that has been worked over in the suspension department. It’s as quiet and comfortable with the electrically-operated fabric roof up or down. The boot is small and in the test car, was practically full just with the addition of the fold-out wind deflector. Cabin treatment is excellent, falling over only by the placement of some switches behind the steering wheel where they are invisible to the driver, and a sat-nav system that isn’t up to Japanese standards.TECHNOLOGYMaserati make song and dance out of the extra 10kW (that’s not a misprint - it’s a weeny 10 kilowatts) and additional 20Nm. More important is the friction-reduction campaign that has reduced fuel consumption and emissions by 6 per cent to 14.5 l/100km and 337g/km CO2. The end result is 331kW/510Nm for a 0-100km/h time of 5.2 seconds. That’s a mere 0.1 second faster than the 323kW/490Nm standard version. The ZF box gets longer steering wheel paddle shifters made of carbon fibre - which is dotted around the car as a trim material - and the box changes gears twice as fast as the existing model and blips on downshifts while manual mode will allow the engine to run to the rev limiter. Suspension springs are 15 per cent stiffer and there’s ben modifications to the dampers. The brake rotors are ventilated, drilled and slotted to minimise fade.SAFETYMaserati cars, like most exotic cars, aren’t flung into concrete barriers to come up with a crash rating. It’s understood they’re pretty safe. Standard kit includes stability and traction control, six airbags and automatic pop-up roll bars.DRIVINGAs expected, it’s a quick car with lots of exhaust hoise available at the touch of the “sport’’ button on the dash. Though suspension tweaks are designed to improve handling, comfort has not been sacrified. It is also an easy car to drive and well suits the role cruising the more expensive suburbs in your city.VERDICTIt’s clearly Italian with its showmanship styling, loud exhaust noise and ability to sprint. It turns heads all the time and despite its exotic tag, was a real pussycat to drive. Four seats also make all the difference.MASERATI GRANCABRIO SPORTPrice: est. $345,000Warranty: 3-years/100,00kmResale: 72% (est.)Service interval: 15,000km/12 monthsSafety: n/aEngine: 4.7-litre, V8 petrol, 331kW/510NmBody: 2-door coupeWeight: 1980kgTransmission: 6-speed sequential auto, rear driveThirst: 14.5L/100km, 98 RON, CO2 337g/km"The heart and soul of luxury motoring that takes its top off''