Maserati News

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.

Bouncing back from the GFC and poised to turn downward again as a surging Australian dollar threatens to push up interest rates, Australia has become a nation of widening gaps between the haves and have nots. Witness the strength of the luxury car market. In Maserati's case, Australia has recorded sales increases of almost double previous years. Spokesman for Australian importers, Ateco Automotive, Edward Rowe, says the GranTurismo coupe models doubled sales in 2011 year-to-date compared with the same period in 2010. "The Quattroporte is up 90 per cent in the same period and order books are getting longer,'' he says. "The currency rate, which favours importers, means we have added a lot more equipment to the models to make them more attractive. The GranCabrio, for example, has more luxury features and equipment than before.'' Australians who can afford to consider a Maserati are also more likely to buy a sports derivative rather than the more luxurious models. The launch of the GranCabrio Sport - the more sporty version of the existing convertible - is set down for December in Australia with a sub-$350,000 price tag. "We expect to sell in 2011 calendar year 40 Quattroportes, 90 GranTurismos and 35 GranCabrios - not including the Sport model which, as is expected, will be registered in the 2012 year,'' he says. "But we are aware of the potential for the global economy - and that of Australia - to tighten in 2012 so our estimates for these models will be similar next year.'' Buyers for the GranCabrio Sport are expected to come from BMW 6-Series and Mercedes-Benz coupe models. "It's an exclusive market and Maserati is doing well because of its exclusivity and especially the breadth of the customisation available on the cars.''

Bouncing back from the GFC and poised to turn downward again as a surging Australian dollar threatens to push up interest rates, Australia has become a nation of widening gaps between the haves and have nots. Witness the strength of the luxury car market. In Maserati's case, Australia has recorded sales increases of almost double previous years. Spokesman for Australian importers, Ateco Automotive, Edward Rowe, says the GranTurismo coupe models doubled sales in 2011 year-to-date compared with the same period in 2010. "The Quattroporte is up 90 per cent in the same period and order books are getting onger,'' he says. "The currency rate, which favours importers, means we have added a lot more equipment to the models to make them more attractive. The GranCabrio, for example, has more luxury features and equipment than before.'' Australians who can afford to consider a Maserati are also more likely to buy a sports derivative rather than the more luxurious models. The launch of the GranCabrio Sport - the more sporty version of the existing convertible - is set down for December in Australia with a sub-$350,000 price tag. Rowe expects this to greatly enhance GranCabrio sales and suggests that many have already been allocated. "We expect to sell in 2011 calendar year 40 Quattroportes, 90 GranTurismos and 35 GranCabrios - not including the Sport model which, as is expected, will be registered in the 2012 year,'' he says. "But we are aware of the potential for the global economy - and that of Australia - to tighten in 2012 so our estimates for these models will be similar next year.'' Buyers for the GranCabrio Sport are expected to come from BMW 6-Series and Mercedes-Benz coupe models. "It's an exclusive market and Maserati is doing well because of its exclusivity and especially the breadth of the customisation available on the cars.''

The airfield, a former military base hidden in lush green countryside about an hour south-east of central London, is best described as shabby.Yet there is no denying the magic in the place, thanks to Top Gear. Dunsfold is the place where the world's favourite motoring show is filmed and also houses the test track where The Stig - whoever or whatever he is this week - does his stuff.Hitting the Top Gear track in the McLaren MP4-12C, with a British touring car race winner along to point the corners, is a win-win-win in anyone's book. Best of all, there are no limits. So long as the car comes back undamaged, the McLaren men are happy to have their car pushed right to the edge. After watching the Stig-ring for years on the television I think I knew it well.But the first surprise is discovering that it's actually a figure-of-eight layout, with a crossover where Chicago corner goes right and the 'tyres' take you left.The second surprise is the runway surface, which is bumpy, broken in places, skittery across some painted markings, and gives you almost zero marker points for braking and turning.So it's not an easy place to drive. It's a giant challenge in a car that cranks the speedo round past 230km/h in places and corners at well over 160.But the McLaren at Dunsfold is F-U-N. We're not playing with Top Gear slides and burnouts, just trying to learn the car and get the maximum speed and grip over every lap, and my adrenalin is pumping.Anything that gets into the 1 minute 20-second bracket on the Power Wall is quick at Dunsfold, and the McLaren settles there easily thanks to its twin-turbo V8, track-tuned adjustable suspension, giant carbon brakes and lightweight race-style construction.It whacks out of corners with a big surge of turbo thrust, brakes incredibly late, and gives you metre-by-metre feedback and grip in every corner. The back slides wide on me a couple of times, once under power and once when I misjudge my braking, and there is some turbo lag, but the 12C is basically a thoroughbred racing car with the comforts of a luxury limo.I get my last big surprise during a full-on race launch when the car rockets to 100km/h in less than four seconds before pushing me over the blind brow that hides the left-handed first corner at more than 200km/h. It is spooky fast.Just when I think it cannot get any better, Jackson chimes in from the passenger seat. "One-nineteen point four. Not bad," he says. At that point we park. Job done.

Due to a new rotation system between Sydney and Melbourne, the Australian International Motor Show returns to the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre for the first time in more than two years – and it is back with a serious bang. The huge positive of that is one motor show per year has seen renewed commitment from manufacturers.Plus, the single yearly event sees the show take a more prominent place in the international motor show landscape – especially in the Asia-Pacific region. The July date means it avoids clashes with other international shows, and allows manufacturers to bring their best show cars.The result is that the 2011 Australian International Motor Show will be the biggest for a long time, with concept cars, future technology and new models aplenty. With 29 manufacturers attending, the show will reflect a broad range of the Australian marketplace; from Land Rovers to Lamborghinis, Peugeots to Porsches, supercars to super-minis.As the premier event of the Australian automotive industry each year, it is the responsibility of the Australian International Motor Show to inform, educate and excite the public about everything motoring.You want a star of the show? Take your pick out of: the BMW Concept Vision EfficientDynamics, the Mazda Shinari concept, the Hyundai Blue2 concept, the Lexus LF-Gh concept, the Toyota FT-86 II concept, the Toyota Prius C concept, the Subaru XV Concept, the Mazda Miyagi concept, the new Lamborghini Aventador, the new Bentley Continental GT, the Lexus LF-A, the new Maserati MC Stradale...Family day returns too, and this time there will be two of them. On both Saturdays there will be activities for the kids – including the opportunity to see Po, from the new movie Kung Fu Panda 2. The 2011 show gives me cause for great excitement – I hope it does for you too.Enjoy!Russ Tyrie Event Director, Australian International Motor Show

The specialist Italian car maker recently reported its 2010 profit, together with the year's 5777 unit sales, which was up about 18 per cent on 2009. Maserati spokesman Luca Dal Monte admits 2009 was a depressed year - because of the global financial crisis - but on that still reported a $15 million profit for the company on sales of under 5000. It is a far cry from the record sales year of 2008 when Maserati made 8586 cars and one that may not be repeated soon. Dal Monte predicts 2011 will have "about the same'' sales as 2010. Asked if product development will be stifled by modest sales increases, he says it was incidental. "Profit doesn't affect future development,'' he says. "We are part of the Fiat Group.'' With Fiat behind it, Dal Monte indicates that new projects - the mid-size prestige saloon, a new Quattroporte and an SUV - are assured. Fiat bought Maserati in 1993 but it wasn't until 2007 that it made its first profit for some decades. In 2008, thanks to a resurgence of the marque, profit tripled over 2007 to about $110 million. The 2010 year saw 47 per cent increase in sales in the US; 54 per cent in China (off a low base as 402 cars sold that year); and 46 per cent in the UK. One week ago, Maserati opened a dealership in India. Maserati, like Ferrari, build to customer orders under the philosophy of making "one car less than is ordered''. That ensures it carries no stock and has minimal downside when global car sales slump.

Fresh from hinting at a new SUV to take on Porsche's Cayenne, Maserati quietly let it slip this week that it is finalising details of its 5-Series/A6/E-Class rival.  The saloon, effectively a downsized Quattroporte, may be ready for sale in Europe by late 2013. It will be joined on the showroom by the new Quattroporte which, it has been suggested to Carsguide in Modena this week, will be slightly bigger to emphasis more cabin room. The mid-size car will use a tweaked version of the 4.2-litre V8 and the option of the 4.7-litre V8. It will have conventional drivetrain with a six-speed ZF automatic and double wishbone suspension at all corners. The new Quattroporte will have only the 4.7-litre engine but in two power derivatives.  No further information is coming on the two cars. But it is understood the new SUV - a tall coupe-styled car with all-wheel drive - will use drivetrain components and probably the platform of the Jeep Grand Cherokee. The SUV will use Maserati engines and will not be available with a V12 from Ferrari as has been suggested. Even a diesel engine hasn't been discussed. The SUV is regarded as - finally - the production version of the Kubang concept car of 2003, designed by Giugiaro.  A Maserati spokesman says the new mid-size and the bigger saloon were still being formulated for final design and engine choices.

Then we head north in a Holden Cruze and Mitsubishi ASX, looking to see how far this pair can go on a single take of fuel.  Ed Ordynski is in the ASX and I have the Cruze, holding  the trip computer just over 6 litres/100km as Ordynski - expert driver - is below 5 litres/100km.The first stop is just outside Port Pirie after 250 kilometres and the figures are 5.3 and 4.2, as we battle wind and rain.  A lunch stop in Waikerie - about 530km into the journey - and then a turn south to follow the Murray both cars maintain sub-6 readings - the ASX in the region of 4.5 and the Cruze 5.5 litres per 100km as we pass the 700km mark near Murray Bridge.The weather worsens as we follow the river south through 730km at Wellington."The ASX was more adversely affected by that, it was 0.3 litres/100km worse off - we did what you need to do into a headwind and that was reduce the speed a little," Ordynski says.Running down through the southern foothills to complete our 1000km journey we return the tanks to full. There are still 15 litres in the Mitsubishi's 60-litre tank, but my Cruze is almost on fumes.  But after thirteen hours of "real-world" driving we have hit our 1000-kilometre target."I would drive like that with people on board and not be embarrassed," Ordynski says.  "You win on fuel use and emissions as well, with 2kg of CO2 for every litre of fuel, you win on maintenance and longevity of the vehicle by driving it kindly as well, it's hard to see a downside."Ed Ordynski’s Fuel TipsLevel 1. Overall factors1. Plan when you need to use your car to avoid unnecessary journeys.2. Plan your journey to avoid peak hour and congested roads.3. Measure your fuel consumption and take pride in reducing it.4. Choose an energy efficient vehicle.Level 2. Anyone can try1. Concentrate on driving smoothly and anticipate traffic flow to conserve momentum.2. Keep tyre pressures at maximum recommended.3. Avoid any excess weight in the vehicle and remove accessories which affect the aerodynamics (e.g. roof racks).4. Choose a manual transmission and learn to drive it properly for optimum fuel efficiency.Level 3. Hard-core methods1. Avoid use of airconditioning and keep windows closed.2. Do not use cruise control but do focus on keeping a constant speed and conserving momentum.3. Drive at low speed - most cars are at their most efficient at around 75km/h in top gear.4. Drive off as soon as the engine is started, especially from a cold start.GREEN STARSMake-model weight price combined fuel con1. Mitsubishi -MiEV 980kg $leased 02. Toyota Prius 1370kg $39,990 3.93. Smart Fortwo 750kg $19,9904.44. Honda Insight 1205kg $29,9904.65. Suzuki Alto 880kg $11,790 4.8GREEN DUDS1. Ferrari 599 1690kg $677,250 21.32. Ferrari 612 1849kg $698,000 20.73. Nissan Patrol 4.8 2440kg $75,690 17.24. Maserati GT S Coupe 1880kg $345,900 16.65. Mercedes ML 500 2148kg $132,400 16.5