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 is recalling 2009 model year Quattroporte and GranTurismo vehicles, over inadequate rear tie-rods that could fail. The recall is affecting 763 vehicles that were built between July and September 2008. A failed tie-rod could lead to a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash. Maserati dealers will replace the poorly installed tie-rods, install a tie-rod kit and perform a wheel-alignment, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during September 2011. Owners may contact Maserati at 1-201-816-2600.

Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne has ambitious plans for the Maserati, specifically to drastically improve sales almost tenfold from last years 5,675 units sold to 50,000. Marchionne believes this is attainable through three new Maserati models, all based on systems and components from Chrysler Group.

Maserati will introduce two sedans and an SUV with technology from the American automaker. The Quattroporte flagship model will be replaced by two sedans using technology from the Chrysler 300 and the Dodge Avenger(!). The Maserati SUV will be built alongisde the Jeep Grand Cherokee in the Jefferson North plant in Detroit. Maserati has stated that the new models will not be rebadged Chryslers. The Maseratis will have different bodies and interiors, however shared parts will be in very discreet areas, similar to the Bentley Continental, and its Volkswagen Phaeton stablemate.

Maserati hopes to solve the Quattroporte’s size problem. The car is too large to be a driver’s car. This issue will be solved by offering both a “baby” Quattroporte and a larger Quattroporte. Maserati hopes to combat the Audi A6, BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class with the “baby” model. The smaller Maserati sedan,will have a traditional layout, complete with a front longitudinal engine and rear-wheel drive. The engine will be a reworked, high performance version of the Chrysler V6 Pentastar, likely a 3.0-liter motor with Fiat’s fuel saving MultiAir air management system, twin turbochargers and direct injection. The car will crank out 400-hp and deliver good fuel economy. The price will range between $78,000 to $99,000.

The larger Quattroporte will be considerably larger than the current model, rivalling the Audi A8, BMW 7 Series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class. The larger Maserati will have an overall length of 5170mm, 70mm longer than the current model and 220 longer than the “baby” vehicle. The larger Maserati will feature a revised version of the Ferrari-built 4.7-liter 475-hp V8, mated to the ZF Group’s eight-speed automatic transmission.

[Source: Automotive News]

Maserati‘s newest sedan, rumored to be a smaller model comparable to a BMW 5-Series in size, will be built in Italy, after a deal was struck between an Italian labor union and Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne.

Workers at the factory, formerly managed by Bertone, agreed to longer shifts and shorter breaks in exchange for the new Maserati. The deal follows similar agreements negotiated by Marchionne at three Fiat plants that saw workers give concessions in exchange for the chance to build new products. The former Bertone plant currently employs 1,100 people. The new Maserati sedan is expected to be part of a product onslaught that will also see Maserati offer a crossover for the first time in the brand’s history.

[Source: Left Lane News]

If you are the kind of person who is bored with standard production vehicles and wants something very unique, have we got the car for you.

It is a 2008 Maserati Quattroporte, which might be a nice car on its own. But what sets this example apart from the rest is the fact that it is a station wagon. It was customized by coachbuilder Carrozeria Touring Superleggera, a company that has in recent years built quite a name for itself and is also responsible for the new Gumpert Tornante.

This unique Quattroporte, dubbed the Bellagio, was first shown at the 2008 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este  classic car show in Italy, and while it is not known how many Bellagio estates have been produced, one has popped up for sale in the Netherlands.

This example has covered just 961-miles and it looks very regal in its royal-blue paint. It’s not cheap to stand out from the crowd though. While a standard 2008 Quattroporte can be had for about $65,000 the ultra rare Bellagio is going for a heart-stopping $233,000. Exclusivity certainly demands a price.

[Source: Carscoop]

Wald International has continued their rapid development and release of Black Bison tuning packages with the Maserati Quattroporte being their latest subject. And while there aren’t any real significant surprises in terms of the body kit and wheels Wald International outfitted on the Maserati Quattroporte, we’re a little more excited at the fact that the Japanese tuner is focusing more on Italian offerings as well.

Like all the other Black Bison packages we’ve already visited before, the Quattroporte sports an all new front bumper, side skirts and rear bumper. In addition, the front bumper sports a carbon fiber front lip while the rear is also equipped with a carbon fiber diffuser. The trunk spoiler is a subtle lip that fits its new home quite nicely.

And no modified luxury sedan would be complete without a new exhaust system, suspension upgrades to lower the vehicle and a set of fitting wheels.

[Source: Wald International]

GALLERY: Wald International Black Bison Maserati Quattroporte

Maserati won’t say much about the new QP that it plans to unveil at the North American
International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, but it does claim the Sport GT S will be the
“sportiest” version of its famous sedan.

Using a modified version of the 4.7-liter V-8 found in the “S” model, power is rated at
433hp, a modest increase of 8hp. As the output and engine are the same as the one
found in the GranTurismo S, we can assume torque is equal as well at 363 ft-lbs.

Other “sporty” upgrades include updated transmission software for faster shifts, a
lowered ride height with stiffer springs and an exhaust system that features pneumatic
valves that open to really let the Italian V-8 scream.

Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S

Official release after the break:

Continue Reading…