Novitec Powers up Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale with a Supercharger

The Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale was introduced at last year's Paris Motor Show as a lighter and more hardcore alternative to the standard model. However, the Italian firm left the Ferrari-sourced 4.7-liter V8 largely intact as it gained a mere 10HP over the S model producing 450-horses and 510 Nm (376 lb ft) of torque.

Famed German tuning house Novitec and its Tridente division, which specializes on Maserati models, decided to step in and offer owners of the GT MC Stradale an upgrade package that focuses on the performance aspect.

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Posted on 08.40 / 0 comments / Read More

Maserati Releases Confusing Video on New Kubang SUV [Plus New Photos]

There's no doubt the Fiat Group has done a pretty good job revitalizing Maserati since it acquired the famed brand from De Tomso in 1993.

And even though a much needed replacement for the Quattroporte sports saloon that has been on the market since 2004 has yet to be introduced, the Italians are already moving into new territory with the Kubang, the firm's first attempt in the SUV category.

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Posted on 12.58 / 0 comments / Read More

IAA 2011: Maserati's Jeep-Based but Ferrari-Powered Kubang SUV

For better or for worse, the 64th International Auto Show in Frankfurt hosted the world premiere of Maserati's second effort in the luxury SUV segment, the almost production ready Kubang.

For those of you wondering about the Italian firm's first stab at the popular category, that was the Kubang concept designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro and introduced at the 2003 Detroit Auto Show, never to be heard or seen after up until now.

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Posted on 11.34 / 0 comments / Read More

First Official Photos of Maserati Kubang SUV

Here's our first look at the Maserati Kubang SUV that will be making its world debut today at the Frankfurt Motor Show. We'll soon bring you more details and live pictures from the reveal, but read on to see what we know so far.

The Kubang is believed to use the same platform architecture as the latest Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango, and which itself is based on the underpinnings of the new Mercedes-Benz ML.

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Posted on 05.50 / 0 comments / Read More

IAA 2011: Maserati SUV Photo Leaked or Photoshopped?

Here at autoscardesign we are no strangers to purportedly leaked images that turn out to be photoshops so unless we have solid evidence to back up its authenticity, we treat these photos with skepticism.

The above picture of a Maserati SUV appeared in a pocket book catalogue for the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show made by/for Automotive News Europe, and it was quickly picked up by many news sites.

However, aside from the fact that the crossover model depicted here has one too many common design features with the BMW X6, we're under the impression that the same photo (the one on your right hand) appeared in an Italian magazine – the August issue of Quattroruote if we're not mistaken (maybe our Italian readers can help us out here).

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Posted on 06.27 / 0 comments / Read More

Très Chic: Maserati Joins Forces with Fendi to Create GranCabrio Special

At the upcoming Frankfurt auto show, Maserati will display a new special edition version of its sleek GranCabrio designed by Italian fashion house Fendi, which is best known for its expensive "baguette" handbags.

The Fendi treatment starts with a unique three-layered body color named Grigio Fiamma Fendi and which is described by the automaker as a special dark grey with an iridescent golden finish on the surface. The yellow brake callipers and the Fendi logo on the 20-inch Trident design alloy wheels complete the exterior touches.

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Posted on 06.00 / 0 comments / Read More

Will the Jeep-based SUV Turn Maserati into the New Porsche?

[The above photo is an independent rendering, not the actual Maserati SUV Concept]

Most Italian sports car lovers believe a Jeep-based Maserati SUV will be a disgrace to the company's history, while pragmatists and analysts alike that it is a possible way to revitalize the brand. And those who remember our recent story concerning the soon to be launched Maserati SUV can strike the word “rumor” from the title.

Sources from within the company confirmed today that the Italian company will indeed launch a Jeep Grand Cherokee-based SUV concept at the Frankfurt Motor Show next month. What’s more, the same insiders said that the luxury SUV will be manufactured not at Modena, like all other sports cars bearing the trident badge, but at Chrysler’s Jefferson North plant in Detroit.

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Posted on 10.55 / 0 comments / Read More

10 Luxury Cars of the Past You Can Afford to Buy Today

No matter what car you buy, its price will start depreciating from the moment you turn the ignition key and roll out of the showroom. Of course, not all models lose value at the same rate. But there are some cars that stand out more than others and Popular Mechanics has compiled a list with some of the most heavily depreciated vehicles in the luxury car segment.

And while this may not be the kind of news a seller wants to hear, it's music to the ears of buyers in the market for snazzy set of wheels. Just remember that regardless if the car is new or used, running costs remain the same, and when it comes to luxury models, be prepared to dig deep into your pockets.

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Posted on 17.51 / 0 comments / Read More

Maserati UK Introduces New Sport Pack for GranTurismo S Automatic

A new sport package has been added to the available options for buyers of Maserati's GranTurismo S Automatic in Britain.

This Sport pack is said to enhance the GranTurismo S Automatic's performance by adding the MC Auto Shift software that allows for faster gear changes and a revised exhaust system, which keeps its bypass valves fully open in Sport mode to provide what the company describes as "an even richer sound".

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Posted on 06.20 / 0 comments / Read More

Anderson Germany Brings Maserati GranTurismo S over to the Dark Side

Tuning outfit Anderson Germany has a new proposal for current owners of the Maserati GranTurismo S. The German workshop has developed a line of performance and styling upgrades under the name Superior Black Edition.

Under the bonnet, the 4.7-liter V8 engine is boosted from 440-horses to 492HP via a software optimization program and a new custom exhaust system.

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Posted on 14.29 / 0 comments / Read More

It Came From eBay Hell: Maserati Quattroporte Limo

The current generation Maserati Quattroporte measures 200 inches (5,080 mm) bumper to bumper. Why anyone would think such a car needed any more length, let alone 140 inches (3,556 mm) of it, is beyond me but here we are.

This Maserati Quattroporte Limo was found for sale on eBay and comes complete with Silver Pearl paint, seating for 10, three TV’s and...wait for it...illuminated champagne holders!

I haven’t been this excited about a limousine since that airport limo funeral car a few weeks back.

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Posted on 12.45 / 0 comments / Read More

Rumors: Maserati to Show Jeep-Based SUV Concept in Frankfurt, Preparing Chrysler-Based Sports Sedans

The Fiat Group is getting ready to take its alliance with Chrysler to the next level with the presentation of three new models including an SUV and two luxury sports sedans, all using key technology and components from the Chrysler Group's lineup, according to a report from Autonews.

First up is the long-rumored Maserati SUV model, which is said to be previewed by a concept study (not to be confused with the independent design rendering by Andrey Trofimchuk that is pictured in this article) at the upcoming 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show in September, before landing in showrooms in 2013.

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Posted on 08.25 / 0 comments / Read More

Maserati Launches 450HP GranCabrio Sport, New Gallery with 55 Photos

Revealed to the public at this year's Geneva Motor Show, the Maserati GranCabrio Sport is the flagship version of the Italian firm's four-seat convertible model. Following the international press drive in Trieste, Italy last week, Maserati has now announced the launch of its new soft-top sports car.

In the UK, the harder-edged GranCabrio is priced at £102,615 on the road, with the first right-hand examples to reach the market in early October.

The GranCabrio Sport combines an upgraded 4.7-litre V8 engine with a 10 horsepower increase to 450-horses with the faster MC Auto Shift 6-speed transmission for 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint time of 5.2 seconds and a 285km/h (177mph) top speed.

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Posted on 05.55 / 0 comments / Read More

Black Card Holders Just as Likely to own a Hyundai as a Bentley or an Audi

If you are one of American Express’ very special customers, and have US$16.3 million in assets and an annual household income of around US$1.3 million, you may be granted the privilege of one of their black Centurion Cards.

Simon Cowell has one, as does Kanye West, Denzel Washington and Lindsay Lohan. Interestingly, and of more concern to readers of this blog, you might also be the proud owner of a Hyundai.

During the course of a presentation at the South Korean automaker’s Ann Arbor engineering and research centre, Hyundai’s U.S. Chief John Krafcik revealed that some 6% of “Black Card” holders own a Hyundai – a percentage shared with those who own Bentleys and Audis.

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Posted on 13.41 / 0 comments / Read More

Maserati SUV may get Hemi V8, not Ferrari V8 after all

Environmentalists may hate them, but SUVs have proved quite popular –that’s why even carmakers with no former experience are jumping in on the bandwagon, especially in the executive (and most profitable) market. The latest automaker to do so is Maserati which will launch its first ever crossover next year.

At first, Fiat-Chrysler’s CEO, Sergio Marchionne, had revealed that that the Maserati SUV will be based on the new Grand Cherokee’s platform, which in turn is based on the quite capable Mercedes M-Class. However, Marchionne had also hinted that, like other Maserati models, it may get a Ferrari V8 –a very mouth-watering, and logical, proposal since the two companies belong to the same group.

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Posted on 10.08 / 0 comments / Read More

Aussie Supercar Buyers Paying More than Anyone Else

In today’s economy, AU$1.0 will get you US$1.06, but it seems Australia’s overseas automakers have yet to acknowledge this. A Lamborghini Aventador, for example, costs a hefty AU$754,600 – or more than twice the price you would pay for one in the U.S. of A. And its 51% pricier than a V12 powered Lamborghini Diablo was ten years ago. This was tolerable when the Aussie dollar was worth 64 U.S. cents a few years ago, but those days are over.

While TV’s, computers and mobile phones have all become more affordable, supercars have not. It’s so bad that one prospective Lamborghini buyer, businessman Ra Hazouri, has flat out refused to pay.

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Posted on 16.04 / 0 comments / Read More

Investigators Uncover Multi-Million Pound Tax Scam in India; European Exotics, Foreign Diplomats and Bollywood Actors Involved

In what sounds more like the plot of a The Fast and the Furious movie than real life, investigators at India’s Directorate of Revenue Intelligence office (a.k.a. India’s IRS) have uncovered a massive exotic car smuggling operation in the nation’s capital of New Dehli. It all has to do with India’s notorious 100% import tax on new luxury vehicles.

It began with one New Dehli luxury car dealer, Sumit Walia, importing brand new luxury cars on forged invoices. These invoices listed the cars as second-hand, which saved Walia – and his customers – some 40% on import tax. Some of the cars – which included Porsches, Bentleys and Aston Martins – were found to have been stolen from the streets of Britain, France, Singapore and Japan.

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Posted on 12.11 / 0 comments / Read More

MR Car Design Fine Tunes the Maserati Quattroporte Sports Saloon

For those Maserati Quattroporte owners seeking a bit more flair from the Italian sports sedan, German tuning house MR Car Design has prepared a mild performance package. Starting with a pre-facelift model, MR Car Design’s engineers tweak the 4.2-litre V8 engine’s software and add a custom exhaust system lifting output by 30HP and 29Nm for a total of 430-horses and 480Nm (352 lb-ft) of peak torque. Read more »

Posted on 15.21 / 0 comments / Read More

The Maserati GT Garbin is the GranTurismo of the Year 2020

The GT Garbin is a design study for a future Maserati sports coupe. Called Garbin, the Maserati GT is the project thesis of three students (Jaime Cervantes, Andrea Coccia, and Chetan Rajput) and was developed during their Master's degree in Transportation and Automobile Design, with a sponsorship from the Fiat Group. Read more »

Posted on 12.15 / 0 comments / Read More

Novitec Rosso Supercharges Alfa Romeo 8C Spider to 600-horsepower

It may not be the best sports car Italy has to offer us right now, but Alfa Romeo’s 8C Spider is certainly a prime candidate for being one of the most beautiful out there. That said, even Novitec Rosso is smart enough to know that you don’t mess with a good thing with the German tuner focusing its attention on improving the Alfa’s mechanical hardware.

The highlight of Novitec Rosso’s performance package is hidden under the 8C Spider’s hood with the adoption of a modified version of the supercharger system used on the firm’s Maserati GT tune. A new water-to-air intercooler with a dedicated radiator, custom injectors, a stainless-steel high-performance exhaust system and an ECU optimization round off the changes to the 4.7-liter V8 engine.

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Posted on 11.48 / 0 comments / Read More