2005 Maserati Quattroporte 4.2l V8 Auto Blue/tan on 2040-cars

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2017 Maserati Quattroporte gets updated styling, equipment

Maserati revealed a series of updates to the Quattroporte, the most obvious of which is revised styling inspired by the Alfieri coupe concept. The overall shape remains the same, but there's a new grille and front bumper, matte black trim, and an active aero element similar to the air shutter on the Levante crossover that helps cut drag by 10 percent. The Modenese automaker also took the opportunity to update the interior, principally integrating a new 8.4-inch multi-touch dashboard display to replace the old 7-inch unit. Manipulated by a new rotary multimedia controller, the system supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. A new driver assistance package available as an option, encompassing adaptive cruise control, lane-departure and forward-collision warning systems, and automatic emergency braking. There are two new trim packages as well – dubbed GranLusso and GranSport – that can be optioned on the Quattroporte S and S Q4 or chosen between on the GTS model. Under the hood, both engines carry over unchanged. Standard power still comes courtesy of a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 good for 404 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque, channeled through an eight-speed automatic transmission to either the rear wheels or all four. The GTS packs a bigger 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8, still rated at 523 hp and 524 lb-ft. 0-60 times as a result remain unchanged at 4.9 seconds for the Quattroporte S, 4.8 for the all-wheel-drive Quattroporte S Q4, and 4.6 for the Quattroporte GTS. US pricing will be announced "in the coming weeks," we're told, however Maserati will begin delivering the revised Quattroporte already this month. The relevant question is whether these changes can help Maserati take a bigger slice of the fullsize luxury sedan market away from rivals like the Audi A8, BMW 7 Series, and Mercedes S-Class. Maserati sold fewer models across its entire range in the United States last year than Mercedes did of the S-Class family, making the Quattroporte something of a footnote in this elite segment. If what we're looking at here represents a mid-cycle refresh of the model introduced in 2013, it will likely be 2019 before FCA's most upscale brand replaces its flagship sedan altogether. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2017 Maserati Quattroporte View 9 Photos News Source: Maserati Maserati Luxury Performance Sedan

Maserati Levante crossover not Jeep based after all?

Maserati has been teasing its crossover project since 2011, which is when it first showed off the Kubang concept (pictured above). Still, the production version, rumored to be called the Levante, remains a complete mystery. The CUV was first rumored to borrow the platform from the Jeep Grand Cherokee, but new rumors indicate that the Italian, luxury crossover might actually take the underpinnings from the Quattroporte and Ghibli.
In a brief interview, Maserati CEO Harald Wester told CNN Money that the Levante wouldn't use Jeep's platform. Motor Trend spoke with an unnamed Maserati engineer who confirmed the rumor. Officially, the company says that no decision has been made.
We can add this to another long list of rumors about the Italian CUV. It was originally supposed to be built at Chrysler's Jefferson North assembly plant in Detroit. Then, plans were changed to build it in Italy.

Ferrari-Maserati dealer folds in Las Vegas casino

The ten-year-old Penske Ferrari Maserati dealership located inside the Wynn resort in Las Vegas, where non-Ferrari owners had to pay $10 to walk among the cars, is closed. Word is that the Ferrari franchise is moving to Towbin Motorcars, which you'll know for being the home of the former "King of Cars," and more recently where Floyd "Money" Mayweather has bought 100 cars, including three Bugatti Veyrons. According to Ferrari Chat almost the entire Penske-Wynn staff will make the move, including the highly regarded service department. This being Las Vegas there are, naturally, various theories about why the only Ferrari franchise in the state of Nevada is leaving one of the state's marquee locations. We got a tip a month ago from reader Johnny Autos that Ferrari pulled the franchise, and if there is any truth to that, rumors at Ferrari Chat suggest it part of the reason could have been Steve Wynn flipping his LaFerrari before the 18-month no-sale period had elapsed. Wynn supposedly sold his $1.5 million supercar to Naples Motorsports in Florida for $3.5 million, Naples is asking $5 million for it and using it for the elementary school run in the meantime. On the other hand, Vegas Tripping says Wynn is letting the dealership go in order to get ready for the Alon – another casino – to open across the street in three years. That story believes Wynn will build a pedestrian bridge and rearrange shops on the Wynn side so that customers enjoy the kind of grand entry he would want. And then there's the theory that Penske is getting out of the Ferrari dealership business to focus on commercial trucks. No matter where the truth is in all of this, what matters to you is that you won't be able to spend $10 to check out Ferraris on the strip anymore. Which means more money for the penny slots.