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Maserati Ghibli dies by 2024, replaced by smaller Quattroporte EV

In March, when Maserati divulged some of its electrification plans, the automaker's head of product planning said: "We strongly believe that there is a future for the sedan, but probably not for two sedans. One will be enough to meet demand." The company made it clear which of its two sedans would get the nod by letting the world know that the next-gen Quattroporte sedan and Levante crossover would get electric powertrains only. We have a timeline for the demise of the smaller four-door, Maserati's Australian general manager Grant Barling telling Australian news outlet Drive that "The Ghibli will move into run-out phase into 2024." Assuming international markets are on the same timeline, that gives Ghibli intenders two years to stump up the cash for the mid-size Italian thoroughbred. What's good for the Ghibli, but bad for enthusiasts, is that the BMW 5 Series competitor won't cross the Styx alone — it's taking the Ferrari-sourced F154 twin-turbo 3.8-liter V8 with it. In Ghibli Trofeo trim, that engine produces 580 horsepower, 538 pound-feet of torque, and an engine note that will let every creature in the underworld know, "I'm coming."  And yet the Ghibli isn't going away completely. Barling said, "The plan is for the Ghibli and Quattroporte to become one. So the Quattroporte will become a short-wheelbase [model] – Ghibli-sized, but called a Quattroporte." Seems Maserati likes the Ghibli sales volumes but Quattroporte brand recognition. The Ghibli made up 33% of Maserati's global sales last year while the Quattroporte only accounted for 7%. The former nameplate returned in 2013 as a four-door sedan after being a 2+2 grand tourer hardtop and convertible as well as a four-seat coupe, while the Quattroporte has been on sale as a luxury sedan continuously through six generations since 1963.  If there's an ICE engine to keep the Maserati sound alive, it will be the twin-turbo 3.0-liter Nettuno V6 launched with the MC20. The Folgore electric trims will be responsible for the other side of Maserati sound, starting with the GranTurismo Folgore debuting next year with three motors and around 1,200 horespower.   Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Maserati Grecale walkaround

Macron and Le Pen decry 'shocking' Stellantis CEO pay

PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron and his far-right challenger in the French presidential vote, Marine Le Pen, on Friday both decried as “shocking” the multimillion euro payout to the CEO of carmaker Stellantis. Stellantis CEO Carlos TavaresÂ’ remuneration package of 19.15 million euros just a year after the company was formed became an issue as Macron and Le Pen campaigned ahead of the April 24 runoff vote. Polls show purchasing power and inflation are a top voter concern. Stellantis was formed last year through the merger of PSA Peugeot and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. Centrist President Emmanuel Macron, perceived by many voters as being too pro-business, called the pay package “astronomical” and pushed for a Europe-wide effort to set ceilings on “abusive” executive pay. “ItÂ’s shocking, itÂ’s excessive,” he said Friday on broadcaster France-Info. “People canÂ’t have problems with purchasing power, difficulties, the anguish theyÂ’re living with, and see these sums. Otherwise, society will explode.” Far-right leader Marine Le Pen, who enjoys support from many working-class voters, called for bringing in more workers as shareholders. “Of course itÂ’s shocking, and itÂ’s even more shocking when it is the CEOs who have pushed their society into difficulty,” she said Friday on BFM television. “One of the ways to diminish this pay, which is often out of proportion with economic life, is perhaps to allow workers in as shareholders.” Stellantis continued to back the package despite a 52.1% to 47.9% vote rejecting it at an annual shareholders' meeting chaired from the Netherlands, where the company is legally based, on Wednesday. The company, citing Dutch civil code, noted that the vote is advisory and not binding. The company later said in a statement that it took note of the vote, and will explain in an upcoming 2022 remuneration report “how this vote has been taken into account.” In the 2021 report, the company identified peer group companies that it used as a salary benchmark, including U.S. companies like Boeing, Exxon Mobile, General Electric as well as carmakers Ford and General Motors. Stellantis, whose brands include Peugeot, Fiat, Jeep, Opel and Maserati, reported net profits last year had tripled to 13.4 billion euros ($15.2 billion). The French government is the third-largest shareholder in Stellantis, with a 6.15% stake through the Bpifrance Participations S.A. French public investment bank.

Proof that the Maserati-powered Lazareth LM847 quad actually works

The craziest thing about the Lazareth LM847 isn't the 4.7-liter V8 engine sourced from Maserati. It's not the four-wheeled motorcycle design. It's not even the fact that its axles are hinged to allow the machine to lean into corners. No, the craziest thing is that the LM847 actually works. See for yourself in the video up above. Granted, the rider isn't pushing the LM847 very hard. In fact, he may as well be riding a scooter. It's got 470 horsepower and 457 pound-feet of torque, which means it really should be quite fast in a straight line. But considering the 880-pound weight, awkward-looking riding position, single-speed transmission, and the massive amount of torque wrenching the bike to its side when the engine is revved, we don't blame the rider for taking it easy. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. News Source: Lazareth Auto-Moto via YouTube, Asphalt & Rubber Maserati Automakers Motorcycle Special and Limited Editions Videos lazareth quad