Leather Q-citura Diamond Electric Heated Navigation Branding Lifting Rear Camera on 2040-cars

Auto blog

2021 Maserati Quattroporte spied getting ready for another light refresh

Maserati just announced that both the Quattroporte and Ghibli sedans would get Trofeo versions next month, but it looks like the standard Quattroporte is going to get a facelift soon, too. The Quattroporte is on the old side of the spectrum at this point (last refreshed for 2017), and we expect this to be the last refresh before a totally new model is released. From the looks of these spy shots, Maserati is painting the Quattroporte with a very light brush. Camouflage simply covers the front bumper of the white sedan and the rear lights of the black one. Everything else looks identical to the current car, so look for an updated front bumper, grille and lights with this refresh on the exterior. The vast majority of changes coming to the Quattroporte are likely going to be those we can’t see.  Look for updated tech in the infotainment system and instrument cluster. ItÂ’s generally made up of tech borrowed from FCA now, so an update from the parent company could help the Quattroporte keep pace with its luxury competition. Expect minor updates with additional features and possibly a number of additional driver assistance technologies.  WeÂ’re still unsure if Maserati will update the engine lineup. Right now you can choose between a couple of boosted engines, one a V6 and the other a V8. When the Trofeo comes, we expect the new flagship will offer the same power as the Levante Trofeo with its Ferrari engine. The Quattroporte maxes out at 523 horsepower now, and if nothing else changes, the Trofeo would bring it up to 590 horsepower. Assuming the Trofeo debuts sporting the facelifted styling, we donÂ’t have long to wait for the full details on what weÂ’d assume is the 2021 model year car. Maserati says itÂ’s revealing the Trofeo on August 10, so check back in for the full details on that car and the Ghibli Trofeo. Related video:

Maserati Levante SUV may be built in Italy after all

In July Fiat halted its investments in Italy, putting on hold plans for the Maserati Levante SUV to be built at the automaker's flagship factory in Turin. But Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne, whose company owns Maserati, met with unions on Wednesday, and he may announce plans to move forward with production of the SUV at the Mirafiori factory if the CEO and the unions reach an agreement, Bloomberg reports.
Marchionne is reportedly about ready to build new cars at Fiat's largest and oldest factory, on the grounds that 5,300 workers accept extended temporary layoffs through most of next year in a slowing European auto market. If unions don't accept the deal, it's not clear whether Fiat would still consider building the Levante at Mirafiori or not.
The Levante, Maserati's first SUV, is based on the Jeep Grand Cherokee platform, and we reported two years ago that it would be built in Detroit next to its Jeep cousin. Obviously those plans have been altered considerably in the intervening period of time.

Marchionne says no offers are on the table for Fiat Chrysler

MONZA, Italy (Reuters) - Fiat Chrysler (FCA) has not received any offer for the company nor is the world's seventh-largest carmaker working on any "big deal", Chief Executive Sergio Marchionne said on Saturday. Speaking on the sidelines of the Italian Formula One Grand Prix, Marchionne said the focus remained on executing the company's business plan to 2018. Asked whether FCA had been approached by someone or whether there was an offer on the table, he simply said: "No." The company's share price jumped to record highs last month after reports of interest for the group or some of its brands from China. China's Great Wall Motor Co Ltd openly said it was interested in FCA, but had not held talks or signed a deal with executives at the Italian-American automaker. The stock move was also helped by expectations that the company might separate from some of its units. Marchionne reiterated on Saturday that FCA was working on a plan to "purify" its portfolio and that units, such as the components businesses, would be separated from the group. He hopes to complete that process by the end of 2018. "There are activities within the group that do not belong to a car manufacturer, for example the components businesses. The group needs to be cleared of those things," he told journalists. Asked whether an announcement could come this year, Marchionne said it was up to the board to decide and that it would next meet at the end of September. He said the time was not right for a spin-off of luxury brand Maserati and premium Alfa Romeo and the two brands needed to become self-sustainable entities first and "have the muscle to stand on their feet, make sufficient cash". "The way we see it now, it's almost impossible, if not impossible, to see a spin-off of Alfa Romeo/Maserati, these are two entities that are immature and in a development phase," he said. "It's the wrong moment, we are not in a condition to do it." He said the concept of separating the two brands from FCA's mass market business made sense and did not rule out this happening in future, but not under his tenure, which lasts until April 2019. "If there is an opportunity in future, it would certainly happen after I'm gone. It won't happen while Marchionne is around," he said.