Cambiocorsa*spyder*nav*bluetooth*passport*skyhook*carfax Cert*we Finance*fla on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Ten of the greatest Super Bowl car commercials of all time

With an average of over 100 million viewers each year, the Super Bowl always has advertisers bringing out the big guns. And for those among us who don't know the difference between a safety and a touchback, those commercials can be one of the most compelling aspects of the annual ritual. Car companies, in particular, have a long history of making the most of the huge Super Bowl audience by debuting some of the most memorable advertisements that have ever aired on television. So, in preparation for the new batch we'll be seeing this coming Sunday, here's a collection of our favorites from the past. 10. Audi – The Godfather When Audi created this homage to the quintessential gangster movie to promote its newest sports car, the company managed to make a commercial that was simultaneously funny, a little bit disturbing, and most importantly memorable. 9. Maserati – Strike This one might start out slow, but it delivers not only with the wicked sound of the third-generation Ghibli's engine, but with an interesting message about hubris in the auto industry as well. 8. Nissan 300ZX Twin-Turbo – Dream Directed by none other than Ridley Scott (Blade Runner, Alien), this dystopian spot has centers around a narrator who explains that in his dream the bad guys are unable to catch him despite their best efforts by way of street bikes, race cars, and supersonic jets. While the twin-turbocharged 300ZX car was certainly a performance powerhouse to be reckoned with in its day, the concept and execution of this one does come off a little bit campy now – but in a good way. Then again, it is a dream, after all. 7. General Motors – Robot This one is unique in that it's genuinely depressing on a profound level. Who would've thought that the simulated suicide of a lovable, anthropomorphic car-building robot who has fallen on hard times could be such a downer? 6. Nissan – With Dad Although the debut season of its new LMP1 racer didn't exactly turn out how the team hoped it would, there's no denying that Nissan's depiction of a strained father-and-son relationship that eventually leads to redemption (and the introduction of the 2016 Maxima) tugs at the heartstrings. 5. Volkswagen – Big Day A surprisingly poignant advert, this one might be low on dialogue but it certainly gets its message across. And just as the dramatic soundtrack begins to lull the viewer into a sense of security, our expectations are upended. 4.

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

2019 Maserati Levante Trofeo / GTS First Drive Review | Yes, you want the Ferrari V8

CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA, Calif. — The wine glasses are rapidly draining. It's getting late, and Maserati design chief Klaus Busse appears to be fighting a cold. Yet he can't resist sketching something on a menu to illustrate his point. The A6GCS quickly takes shape. One of the most celebrated Maseratis ever, Busse uses this beacon to reconcile the Italian marque's transition to crossovers. It's how he explains and rationalizes the Levante, a stylish SUV aimed directly at the Porsche Cayenne, BMW X6 and Mercedes GLE Coupe. The A6GCS, a rare, Pininfarina-built sports car, lives on in today's Maseratis, he argues. This includes the Levante, a handsome crossover aimed at suburban cruisers bored with the notion of German luxury. Can a brand with rich sporting heritage reconcile with evolving market trends? It must, even if the connection to a mythical 1950s racer is a bit tenuous. But a pair of Ferrari-powered V8 twins, the Levante GTS and Levante Trofeo, make that progression easier. Prodigious outputs of 550 and 590 horsepower help. They are the top-shelf Levantes. You buy them when the powerful twin-turbo V6 Levante and Levante S simply won't do. You're talking six-figure prices, decadent interiors and more than a bit of bling. Well-heeled professionals drive the Levante, which starts at $75,980 and packs 345 hp, or pony up $11,000 for the Levante S and its 424 horses. The V8 starts at $119,980 for the GTS, and the Trofeo comes in at a lofty $169,980. These buyers haven't just made it, they're likely set for life. "We're not in the boy racer clientele," Busse says. "There's a certain level of accomplishment that you feel in driving a Maserati." That's probably true. But should the Trofeo be associated with generational wealth? I'm pondering this as I pull a hard right, kick up some dirt and pull onto the Pacific Coast Highway. The ocean laps to my left as the eight cylinders unlimber and I find myself reaching 60 miles per hour with little effort. The quoted time is 3.7 seconds, which feels dead on. I cue up Corsa, the sportiest of the Levante's drive modes, one that's only available on the Trofeo. The road is winding. I fall into a rhythm as I make my way up the coast toward Big Sur. The car's selling point is the engine, but the Skyhook suspension with electronically controlled damping keeps this 4,784-pound SUV reasonably tied down and poised. The cabin is quiet, as expected for the segment, allowing for easy conversation.