There will be a bit more car to look at when the new Maserati Quattroporte takes its bow, possibly at the North American International Auto Show, though that’s little more than a guess.

Maserati’s revamped four door hasn’t been far from the media’s attention recently, though specificity remained sparse. It looks like that’s starting to change, though. The new sedan is reportedly going to be six inches wider and two inches longer than the current model (pictured above), meaning more rear-seat legroom and a larger trunk. Despite the increased size, the new car will actually be about 30 percent more efficient thanks to a little weight loss over its predecessor.

It still seems that there will also be a smaller “baby” Quattroporte available, though that will be released after the model discussed above. It sounds like both cars will be available next year. The smaller variant is supposedly just a hair over 16 feet long, which stacks up neatly next to a BMW 5-Series.

We’ll be bringing you the latest details on Maserati’s new line as they emerge, including information on the Kubang concept.

[Source: AutoBild]

If your significant other is a Maserati fan, we’re making it easy to pick out a Valentine’s Day gift for them.

Maserati has teamed up with Italian jeweler Damiani to offer three collections that combine style and technology. Each collection includes a key ring, a pair of cufflinks and a necklace that are adorned with the Maserati Trident.

The first collection is called ICON, and its oval pieces are made with silver and blue enamel that boast chic, minimalistic design. The second collection, ELEGANCE, features oval pieces made of silver that combine a neat design with attention to detail. Finally, the third collection, PURE, is also made of silver and features sleek design that’s combined with a round shape.

Prices range from £170.15 to £294.65 (US$270 to $468). If you’re interested in buying something for your Valentine, visit the Maserati Store.

Maseratis exude power, style and sex appeal. They do not, on the other hand, evoke anything close to the unrefined image of a diesel engine. Or at least they haven’t in the past.

According to a report by AutoBild, Maserati is making a smaller version of its yet-to-be-release Quattroporte luxury sedan and it seems the Italian automaker plans to package it with a V6 diesel, a first for the company.

Wait! Don’t reach for the barf bag just yet. The oil burner is actually supposed to make 300 horsepower and 516 ft-lbs of torque, not too bad for a car that’s supposed to be somewhat smaller than the automakers usual preference.

There’s no official name tag on this one yet, but it’s being called the ““Maseratina” for now and will probably try to stack up next to the likes of the BMW M5, or Audi S6. Those might seem like a couple of tall glasses to fill for engines that notoriously top out ahead of the game, but we’re excited nonetheless.

[Source: AutoBild via GT Spirit]

In the automotive industry, recalls are a bit like taxes, you just can’t get away from them. One of the most recent revolves around Maserati Gran Turismo coupes and convertibles manufactured between June 2008 and March 2010.

The problem, concerns the vehicles’ lighting system, specifically the tail lamps, which can unexpectedly fail, compromising visibility in dark or misty conditions, potentially leading to accidents.

Maserati says that approximately 1,768 cars in the US are affected by the issue and ask the owners of these vehicles to contact their nearest Maserati dealer, so the problem can be fixed; they can also contact Maserati at 201-816-2200

Additionally, affected owners can also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) toll free at 1-888-327-4236, referencing recall campaign number 12V024000.

Remember the Chrysler TC by Maserati? It was an American car with some Italian influence and the end result was simply awful.

Let’s hope this alliance will bear better fruit this time around, as Maserati is set to unveil their Kubang SUV concept at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit next month.

The Kubang, which will be the first SUV to wear a Maserati badge, will be based on the chassis of the Jeep Grand Cherokee. While power will be provided by an Italian engine (Maserati uses Ferrari engines in their cars), the vehicle is expected to be produced in America at Chrysler’s Jefferson North facility.

The Kubang concept was last seen at the Frankfurt Motor Show back in September, and while we cannot confirm if the Detroit unveil will be of the same vehicle or something different, we do know that Maserati will unveil an SUV at the N.A.I.A.S.

Put the two together and its easy to figure out that possibly a more production ready version of the Kubang will bow in Detroit.

We will be covering the Detroit auto show and will bring you all the latest news from the show, as it happens.

[Source: Detroit Free Press]

To celebrate 150 years of Italian unification, Maserati presented a limited edition GranTurismo S at the 2011 Bologna Motor Show. The hot, luxurious coupe will be limited to just 12 cars for the Italian market and sports a pretty nice Sebring Blue matte shade.

On the exterior, the matte blue is further contrasted by carbon fiber elements found on the front spoiler, side mirrors, door handles and rear spoiler. Peeking behind each 20-inch wheel is a hand-polished, aluminum brake caliper. Accents on the vehicle include matte black headlights and side skirts – though we’re not sure why they didn’t just manufacture the side skirts in carbon fiber.

The interior gets plenty of treatment as well with a carbon fiber frame surrounding the instruments, controls on the dashboard and the center console. A commemorative Italian Unification plate designating Italy’s 150th Anniversary is located at the base of the center console. And just to make sure it’s authentic, each limited edition will feature a numbered plaque inside the vehicle.

It’s safe to assume that the powerplant was left untouched, so the limited edition GranTurismo S will still feature a 4.7L V8 with 444-hp and 376 lb-ft of torque.

GALLERY: Maserati GranTurismo S Limited Edition

There’s no arguing with it— the Dodge Viper is a badass beast that churns out tire smoke faster than a hillbilly bonfire.

That’s why it was such a disappointment when it briefly disappeared from the Dodge lineup, but fear not for the snake will be back soon. Chrysler has been pretty careful about keeping their mouths shut, but Chrysler’s SRT Brand President and CEO Ralph Gilles spilled the beans to Viper magazine. The next generation will be unveiled at the New York Auto Show in April.

Rumors grow like a virus in a petri dish when such an iconic car gets shrouded from the public, and grow they have. We don’t know much about the car, but rumblings of an 8.7-liter heart under the hood are certainly at the top of the list. Along with that, some are speculating that the new Viper will be based off something from the Fiat line like the Maserati GranTurismo.

Some of that might prove to be true, given Chrysler’s partnership with the Italian automaker, but don’t expect to see anything less than brute force from the new generation.

Gallery: 2011 Viper ACR-X

[Source: AutoBlog]

Sergio Marchionne revealed Maserati‘s big plan to introduce three new products in quick succession during a recent interview at the CBI business conference held in London.

The three new vehicles are a replacement luxury sedan for the Quattroporte, a smaller Maserati four-door based on the Chrysler 300, and the Maserati Kubang SUV based on the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Marchionne explained the ambition behind the launch, saying, “Maserati will increase its volumes by having three cars… We are a bit secretive over what you get first because it has implications for the industrial footprint of the group.”

According to CAR magazine, it is likely that the first car launched will be the new Quattroporte. Marchionne also hinted that the smaller four-door will likely be built alongside the flagship luxury sedan, “You see, there is a site in Modena that makes the Quattroporte, there’s some debate what happens to that plant after Quattroporte. There is sufficient commonality in what we’re doing between the smaller car and the bigger one that we can do what we want.”

While some traditionalists may question the merits of a Maserati SUV, the Kubang is real. The new Kubang will be based on Grand Cherokee underpinnings and will likely be built in Jeep’s U.S. plant.

While a Chrysler-based Maserati sedan and SUV may not sound very appealing, Marchionne assures that the important bits will be thoroughly Italian with Ferrari/Maserati-based engines, suspensions, styling, and cabin furniture.

GALLERY: Maserati Kubang

[Source: CAR magazine]

Chrysler is getting some Italian style thanks to former Ferrari designer Lorenzo Ramaciotti, 63, who will now be lending a hand at Chrysler and Lancia.

Ramciotti was lured out of retirement to head up the project, which aims for a common design language for the two brands. “We are trying to find an international language, which could have a place both here in Italy and in the U.S.,” said Ramaciotti in an interview with Bloomberg. “If you put all the models into the showroom, they must fit together. It’s a delicate problem.”

Sergio Machionne, Chief Executive Officer of Fiat and Chrysler, hopes sharing designs will boost both Chrysler and floundering Italian sister company Lancia, a weak link for Fiat. The carmaker loses an estimated $1.08 billion annually in Europe. If all goes as planned, the new Chrysler-Lancia line will boost group sales 64 percent by 2014.

Sharing vehicles between manufacturers is a quick way to cut costs, but it can have a high price.

“It’s extremely difficult to succeed in a strategy of globalizing design,” said Roberto Verganti, a management professor at Milan Polytechnic. “The risk is making international cars with no personality. When you buy a Lancia, you are looking for a piece of Italy, and when you choose a Chrysler, you are getting a slice of America.”

Despite the plan to marry models between Chrysler and Lancia, Fiat doesn’t plan to do the same for other brands including Dodge, Jeep, Maserati and Alfa Romeo, all of which will retain their respective identities.

Currently, Chrysler provides re-badged Grand Voyagers and 300s to Lancia, with Lancia calling them the Voyager and Thema respectively. For now, the cars are attracting attention in showrooms, but they haven’t been hot sellers in the depressed Italian economy. “Reactions are good. The Thema is pretty, design is attractive for Italians, too, but no one is buying these kinds of cars now,” said Roberto Ferrari, who owns a Lancia dealer outside Milan.

Overall, Chrysler only sold 37,000 cars in Europe last year, including Jeep and Dodge. That number is down by almost 38 percent since 2007 when they peaked at 120,000 units.

The news isn’t all bad for Fiat’s rebranded American cars though. Since June, the company enjoyed 18,000 orders for their rebranded version of the Dodge Journey minivan, more than double their total sales for 2009.

[Source: Bloomberg]

With Andrea Bertolini behind the wheel of Maserati‘s Quattroporte EVO, the famed Quattroporte model now has its first racing title. Bertolini captured the Superstars Series championship at the very last race of the season after coming back against Luigi Ferrara’s Mercedes AMG C63 and Alberto Cerqui’s BMW M3. On the way to the championship, Bertolini had the perfect race weekend, capturing a double win, recording the fastest lap and even taking pole position in qualifying. To top it all off, Bertolini’s teammate, Alessandro Pier Guidi, finished second place at the race.

There is controversy surrounding the championship however, as Luigi Ferrara’s team is making an appeal against the race officials confirming the Maserati’s win as legal. The National Court of Appeal will be deciding on the matter, which will be investigated in the near future, but as of now Bertolini is the champion pending appeal – but it seems that Maserati has no doubts in its validity.

This championship just adds to Bertolini’s already impressive collection of trophies, including the FIA GT1 championship in the MC12 he helped develop. Maserati’s Quattroporte EVO beat out ten other manufacturers for the top crown and is the first time Maserati has won the Superstars Series title.

GALLERY: Maserati Quattroporte EVO

Maserati has long been Ferrari‘s little brother. However, Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne believes Maserati is well placed to play a far more important role.

Insisting that Ferrari is not sold to the same market of buyers as Porsche or Bentley, and can only belong to an elite realm shared with Lamborghini and Bugatti, Marchionne has designated Maserati as acting Italian counterpart to Porsche and Bentley instead.

This suddenly gives Maserati a clear brand identity and a focused product plan. As Ferrari chairman Luca Cordero di Montezemolo would never allow an SUV in Ferrari’s portfolio anyway, it gives Maserati a clear opportunity to fill the niche of a Porsche Cayenne competitor.

Products in the pipeline include two sedans of different sizes replacing the Quattroporte as well as the Kubang SUV. With the GranTurismo completing the family picture, Sergio Marchionne is optimistic that sales numbers may even increase tenfold, from 5,675 units sold last year up to even 60,000 in the near future.

[Source: AutoNews]

Maserati‘s Porsche Cayenne fighter will reportedly get a more appropriate name when it heads to production, with the Italian automaker reportedly filing papers with the Italian patent office to use the badge, “Cinqueporte” on its new SUV. With the concept called the Kubang, Cinqueporte, meaning “five doors”, is a rather obvious choice and works with the brand’s volume model, the Quattroporte.

Unveiled at the Frankfurt Auto Show, Maserati execs have been clear that the sport utility’s final name may not be Kubang.

Based on the same running gear as the Jeep Grand Cherokee and the Mercedes ML it’s unclear exactly what engine will power the super-ute, with rumors ranging from a version of the 4.7-liter Italian V8 to a Chrysler-sourced HEMI.

GALLERY” Maserati Kubang Concept

[Source: alVolante.it]