2020 Maserati Levante 3.0l on 2040-cars

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Audi gets Q2 and Q4 badges in trademark swap with FCA

Audi has swapped trademarks with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles to snare the rights to the Q2 and Q4 badges for upcoming crossover SUVs. Audi CEO Rupert Stadler confirmed at the Detroit Motor Show that the automaker had finally persuaded FCA to release the two names that would let Audi lock up the Q1 to Q9 badges for its growing SUV family. Audi already plans to drop the Q2 name onto its MQB-based city crossover five-door this year, while the Q4 badge will slot onto the rump of a coupe-like version of the next Q3. It will also reserve the Q1 badge for a 2018 baby crossover, based around the architecture of the next A1 hatch. The A1 will share a lot of its engineering with Volkswagen's Polo-based soft-roader, dubbed T-Cross in concept form. The German company has also pounced on the naming rights for SQ versions of all of its Q-cars, along with F-Tron to cover the day when it pushes hydrogen fuel cell cars into production. Stadler insisted that no money had changed hands in order to pry the two badges off FCA, admitting that they had "each found something we needed." "We promised each other we wouldn't disclose what it cost, but it was not something they were willing to sell," Stadler said. "We tried to get it years ago and they said 'No, never,' but there is never 'never' in business. ... This year I went back to them with a proposal and we talked and there were some negotiations and then we agreed to it." Those negotiations are believed to have centered on a trademark swap with a Volkswagen Group name that FCA desperately (evidently) wants to use on a Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Dodge or Maserati. Asked if Audi had given FCA a trademark in return for Q2 and Q4, Stadler replied, "Something very much like that, yes." Audi has used Italian names on past concept cars that FCA could be interested in, such as the 2001 Avantissimo concept and the 2003 Nuvolari coupe. The latter was named after legendary pre-war racer Tazio, who won grands prix for both Alfa Romeo and Audi's forerunner, Auto Union. Both are unlikely trade chips, with laws in Europe preventing the trademarking of the names of actual people. There is always "quattro" (Italian for "four"), but after investing nearly four decades locking it in as an Audi all-wheel-drive name, it's just not anything like trade bait.

Maserati recalls 26k sedans for rear suspension failure

The Basics: Maserati is recalling all 26,464 examples of the 2014-16 Quattroporte and Ghibli sedans it manufactured between February 1, 2013, and September 18, 2015 and sold or leased to customers in the United States. The Problem: The bolt securing the tie-rod to the hub carrier assembly in the rear suspension may not have been properly tightened during manufacturing, which could cause the suspension to fail and the driver to lose control of the vehicle. Injuries/Deaths: The manufacturer reports that it is unaware of any accidents or injuries to have resulted from this issue. The investigation was prompted by reports of excessive noise. The fix: Dealers will check the bolts in question and replace the hub carrier assembly if necessary. If you own one: Look out for a letter from the manufacturer to arrange service at your local dealer. Related Video: RECALL Subject : Improperly Torqued Rear Tie Rod Bolt Report Receipt Date: MAY 02, 2016 NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V264000 Component(s): SUSPENSION Potential Number of Units Affected: 26,464 Manufacturer: Maserati North America, Inc. SUMMARY: Maserati North America, Inc. (Maserati) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Quattroporte and Ghibli vehicles manufactured February 1, 2013, to September 18, 2015. During the assembly process, the rear tie-rod to hub assembly attaching bolt may not have been properly tightened. CONSEQUENCE: An improperly tightened rear tie-rod to hub carrier assembly attaching bolt may allow the tie-rod to separate from the hub carrier, resulting in a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash. REMEDY: Maserati will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the left and right rear tie-rod to hub carrier assembly attaching bolts to verify that they are properly tightened, replacing the rear tie-rod to hub carrier assembly as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on July 1, 2016. Owners may contact Maserati customer service at 1-201-510-2369. Maserati's number for this recall is 303. NOTES: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov. Featured Gallery 2014 Maserati Quattroporte S Q4: First Drive View 31 Photos News Source: National Highway Traffic Safety AdministrationImage Credit: Copyright 2016 AOL Recalls Maserati Luxury Performance Sedan maserati ghibli

Maserati MC20 supercar will debut in May then hit the race track

In the mid-2000s, Maserati was at the top of its game and at the top of performance car mountain with the Ferrari Enzo-based MC12. Today, Maserati isn't even in the foothills, let alone at the summit. The company is hoping to regain its credibility and status this year when it releases a new "super sports car" that we now know will be named MC20. We first caught a glimpse of the MC20, which is the spiritual successor to the MC12, in late 2019 via four murky photos of a camouflaged test mule. Judging by those photos, it seems the car will not look like any previous concept or model we've seen, which should help establish Maserati's insistence that 2020 marks the start of a new era for the company. However, test mules often have bodies and shapes that do not represent what the eventual production car will look like (the mid-engine Corvette started as this crazy Holden ute). Although it's alphanumeric, the name MC20 has some depth to it. MC stands for Maserati Corse, and 20 indicates the year 2020. But the MC12 wasn't released in 2012, so what's up? Maserati did this as a nod to its first race car, the Tipo 26, which was produced in 1926. Again, new era, back to its roots, etc.  The MC20 will have an all-new powertrain that has been developed and built by and for Maserati. It is unclear what type of powertrain the vehicle will launch with, but Maserati has confirmed the car will eventually be available as an "electrified version," just like every other Trident from here on out. A Ghibli PHEV is expected to kick things off when it arrives this spring, and we've already heard the sound Maserati's electric vehicles will make. As the MC indicates, Maserati plans to return to racing with the MC20, just as it did with the MC12. Following development in the Innovation Lab we recently featured, the MC20 will be built at the Viale Ciro Menotti plant in Modena, Italy.  The MC20 will debut at the end of May in Modena. More details to come. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.