Maserati has yanked the covers off the all-new, sixth generation Quattroporte luxury sports sedan prior to its first public appearance at the upcoming 2013 North American Auto Show (NAIA) in Detroit in mid-January and before sales begin later in the same year.
The Italian carmaker released an initial batch of photos of both the exterior and interior of its flagship sedan model, but for the time being, it is not divulging any specific details about the car with which it will be represented in the luxury segment with rivals such as the BMW 7-Series, Mercedes-Benz S-Class and Jaguar XJ.
On the outside and even though we don’t have any numbers in our hands yet, it becomes quickly clear that the Quattroporte is longer than its predecessor, while the styling is purely evolutionary.
Lorenzo Ramaciotti, Head of Maserati Design Centre, explains: “Its style was born out of the guiding design principles of Maserati: harmony of shapes, dynamism of lines and Italian elegance. More generous in size when compared to the previous model, the new Quattroporte has a design that is at once graceful and sinuous, fashioned to bring out the sporty nature of the car.”
He continued: “Some of the elements characterising the previous model have been purposely maintained: the front grille, the three side vents and the triangular C pillar. At the same time new style and functional features have been introduced: the strong belt line that runs through the entire side of the car giving the new Quattroporte a look and feel that is at once muscular and elegant, with frameless doors and three side windows.”
It is believed that while bigger, the new Quattroporte will be lighter than the outgoing model, thanks to the extended use of aluminum and other weigh-saving materials.
The interior design of the Italian sports saloon is minimalistic and elegant, with Maserati saying that it also offers more space.
“Inside, the design of the Quattroporte aims at essentiality, stressing the simplicity of lines and the full functionality of the on-board instrumentation,” said Ramaciotti. “Functional elements are blended with soft quality surfaces made of prestigious woods and refined leathers”.
According to Maserati, the 2013 Quattroporte will be powered by an “all new, next generation powertrain” designed and developed by Maserati and Ferrari engineers and built at Ferrari’s Maranello plant.
Once again, we get nothing in the form of hard details, but in one of the pictures we see that there’s a V8 unit.
“Passion is indeed the middle name of a whole new generation of Maserati engines that will equip the all-new Maserati Quattroporte and the models that will soon follow it on the market,” explained Paolo Martinelli, Maserati Powertrain Director.
“Passion and state-of-the-art technology, both at the heart of all the new Maserati engines that will be mounted on the next generation of Maserati vehicles, have produced engines that are not only more powerful than ever, or more exciting to drive than ever – but also more fuel efficient than ever before.”
It has been said, but not officially confirmed, that the new Quattroporte may also offer a new force-fed V6 along with the option of four-wheel drive in addition to the standard rear-wheel drive configuration.
Commenting on the introduction, Maserati CEO Harald Wester said that the new Quattroporte is one of three new models being prepared by the company, the other two being the Ghibli mid-size sedan and the Levante crossover (based on the Kubang study).
“Maserati stands today at the edge of an unparalleled strategic and industrial growth that will see our presence in the world rise to 50,000 units a year by 2015,” said Wester. “This growth is a challenge for which Maserati has carefully prepared itself and that we all welcome with anticipation.”
He continued: “It is a growth based on those values of style, elegance, quality and performance for which Maserati has always been recognised and praised in almost 100 years of history. This exciting progression will make the new Maserati a true global player with two new production sites in two different continents and a heart solidly planted in Modena, Italy, where our roots are.
“It is a growth that will be based on three new models entering two new segments of the automobile market – and it starts with the all-new 2013 Maserati Quattroporte.”
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