2007 Maserati Quattroporte Sport Gt on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Maserati's first electric car won't be a Tesla rival

Italian supercar makers haven't exactly embraced electric vehicles with gusto (the LaFerrari hybrid is about as close as you get), but that should change in the next few years. Ferrari's sibling brand Maserati tells Car and Driver that it's working on an electric vehicle that would be shown before 2020. And unlike other luxury car brands, Maserati doesn't plan on eating Tesla's lunch. It has to produce something "very different" to stand out, the company's Roberto Fedeli says. Think of something more like the GranTurismo coupe (see above) than yet another upscale sedan. Part of the challenge, Fedeli claims, is making a green machine that's exciting to drive. Breakneck acceleration is the only really thrilling aspect of EVs right now, he says – the sheer weight of those lithium-ion batteries dampens the enjoyment on twisty roads. A Maserati would have to be lighter on its feet. Also, the automaker will have to find a way to give its car character without a roaring gas engine under the hood. In that sense, Maserati's 2020 goal is realistic. It may not have much choice but to wait for battery technology to catch up to its ambitions. Related Video: This article by Jon Fingas originally ran on Engadget, the definitive guide to this connected life. News Source: Car and Driver Green Maserati Tesla Coupe Electric Luxury Performance

2014 Quattroporte kicks off 50th anniversary for Maserati with new V6, AWD

It's not that often that we get to talk about a new Maserati model, but that's all about to change. The Italian automaker is using the 2014 Quattroporte to begin a lineup expansion that will soon grow to no fewer than five models. Entering its sixth generation, the Quattroporte has been completely redesigned, and is also adding a new V6 engine and all-wheel drive.
Pictures of the car were released last year and we've even had the chance to drive the car in France already, but we finally got to see both the 410-horsepower V6 and 530-hp V8 versions of the car at its debut at the Detroit Auto Show. The new Quattroporte is 100-percent Maserati with its svelte-ye-aggressive styling, but it adds more of a mainstream look to better compete with the growing number of high-end luxury sedans. Not all of the Autoblog staff consider it an improvement, but it doesn't stray too far from the Italian styling of the last model.
The interior has also been brought up to date with modern infotainment technology and improved luxury courtesy of a longer wheelbase bringing more space to rear-seat occupants. While the V8 we drove had a bench rear seat and oddly retro-modern wheels, the car on display had more conventional wheels and the two-passenger rear seat bucket seat layout.

Watch the Maserati MC20 unveiling

UPDATE: You can now read all the details and see photos of the MC20 here. Maserati has been teasing its upcoming MC20 mid-engined coupe since spring, and today we finally get to see it in the flesh. Maserati will begin the livestream at 2:35 PM Eastern, and you can watch along with us in the video above. If you need a reminder of what we're looking forward to, we're expecting a two-door performance car with a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 mounted amidships providing about 630 horsepower and 538 pound-feet of torque. Notably, that motor comes from Maserati itself, rather than sourcing it from Ferrari. In addition to the original teasers from March and a more recent studio teaser from September 1, we've also seen some spy photos of the MC20 out in the wild. There was also a MC20 tribute to Stirling Moss, as well as a 1940 Targa Florio tribute. Check those out to get up to speed, and watch the live event with us here shortly. Maserati MC20 Teasers View 5 Photos