MASERATI at the FRANKFURT MOTOR SHOW: UPDATES to the PRODUCT RANGE and NEW Equipment

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MASERATI AT THE FRANKFURT MOTOR SHOW: UPDATES TO THE PRODUCT RANGE AND NEW equipment

In a year of consolidation and in the run-up to the launch of the Levante SUV scheduled for 2016, Maserati lines up its complete Model Year 16 (MY16) product range for the first time in Europe. With the MY16 range, Maserati upgrades all current engines to the Euro 6 standard and adds exclusive new equipment for the Ghibli and Quattroporte saloons.

Apart from the engines, the area of the saloons to benefit from the most innovation is that of the traditional customisations, thanks to the exclusive Ghibli and Quattroporte interior packages bearing the Ermenegildo Zegna signature, not to mention new mouldings and ornamental stitching on the headrests.

Other areas to benefit from new contents are driver aids and safety, with the BlindSpotAlert and Rear Cross Path system, user-friendliness with the Power Boot (motorised boot opening and closure, also featuring hands-free activation), the sound system with the debut of a Harman Kardon system and an update to the existing BowersWilkins system, and the user-car interface, which now includes voice commands by means of the Siri smart personal assistant in combination with iOS devices. Further improvements in terms of acoustic insulation allow the Maserati saloons, Quattroporte and Ghibli, to meet the needs of their demanding customers more effectively.

The stand displays 3 versions of the Ghibli, the sporty executive saloon, and 2 versions of the Quattroporte, the Maserati luxury limousine now in its sixth generation; the GT range is represented by the GranTurismo MC Stradale CentennialEdition and a GranCabrio Sport.

THE NEW FEATURES OF THE MODEL YEAR 16

EURO 6 ENGINES

For both Quattroporte and Ghibli gasoline engines (V6 Twin Turbo from 330 up to 410hp and V8 Twin Turbo with 530 hp), the introduction of EURO 6 homologation brings up to 12% reduction in emissions, consumption and unchanged performance compared to previous EURO 5 engines, while the MY16 gasoline engines also benefit from the introduction of the Start & Stop system.

On the V6 Diesel engines, emissions and consumption figures, as well as performance, remain unchanged, while the Euro 6 homologation introduced AdBlue technology, with a dedicated on-board tank placed below the rear tank.

On the GranTurismo and GranCabrio ranges, where the naturally aspirated V8 engines already had emission levels in line with the prescribed standards, the upgrading to Euro 6 did not generate any changes in fuel consumption or emission figures.

“ZEGNA EDITION” INTERIOR PACKAGE

The Ermenegildo Zegna interior exclusively for Maserati combines fine leather with 100% natural fibre Zegna Mulberry silk inserts on the seats, door panels, roof lining, sunshades and ceiling light fixture. The seat covers and door panels receive an added touch of luxury with stitching in a contrasting colour. The headrest is embroidered with an eye-catching Trident, the Maserati brand emblem.

Available in three colour variants for the interiors of the Quattroporte and Ghibli, this exclusive “Zegna Edition” outfit will be the most exquisite of all Maserati customisations.

The interior offering includes a choice of colour combinations: the Ermenegildo Zegna silk, available in Anthracite colour only, can be combined with three different shades of luxurious fine leather, for three individual looks:

• Black colour fine grain leather / Anthracite Ermenegildo Zegna Silk / contrasting grey stitching on seats, dashboard, door panel and headrest
• Natural colour fine grain leather / Anthracite Ermenegildo Zegna Silk / contrasting grey stitching on seats, dashboard, door panel and headrest
• Red colour fine grain leather / Anthracite Ermenegildo Zegna Silk / contrasting grey stitching on seats, dashboard, door panel and headrest

To focus on details, in the “Zegna Edition” version the outsides of the seats are in extra fine grain leather with contrasting, light grey stitching, matched to an Anthracite central silk insert with a micro-chevron weave of vertical rolls on the central seat and backrest area. Within this area, the central roll, with leather tapes on the sides, features a special macro-chevron weave adding to its three-dimensional feel and technical look.

On the door panels, the central parts are covered with Zegna silk Jersey and embellished by a diagonal roll pattern, with ton-sur-ton ornamental stitching and alternating rib embroideries. The same fabric is used to cover the car's roof lining and sunshades, the latter carrying grosgrain “Ermenegildo Zegna Exclusively for Maserati” brand labels on the inside. The sophisticated, luxury finish of the car interior is also expressed by the headrests, featuring an embroidered Trident emblem and contrasting stitching.

This extended, exclusive product offering for the Maserati saloons is available for all markets, on all Quattroporte and Ghibli versions.

NEW QUATTOPORTE AND GHIBLI EQUIPMENT

Blind Spot Alert & Rear Cross Path

Available upon request for both Quattroporte and Ghibli, the Blind Spot Alert uses visual and audible signals to alert the driver when a vehicle enters the blind spot zones; this important safety feature has been introduced to avoid collisions during lane changes. The system monitors blind spot areas using two radar-based sensors, located inside the rear bumper fascia; when a vehicle approaches from behind, the LED warning signal embedded into the side mirrors lights up while an acoustic alert can also be heard.

The Rear Cross Path function is designed to assist the driver when reversing, and is particularly useful when backing out of a parking space, when oncoming vehicles cannot be seen. By means of sensors fitted on each side of the rear bumper, a system detects any vehicles heading towards the car and alerts the driver visually and acoustically. The system is active at speeds from a minimum of 3 km/h to a maximum of about 16 km/h, typical of parking areas, and provides a useful checking function.

Power Boot Lid with Hands-Free Mode

With the introduction of the Power Boot lid, included in the Quattroporte GTS and available upon request for the other versions of both Quattroporte and Ghibli, the light aluminium boot lid can now open or close on its own. Thanks to electric actuators and a motor-operated locking device, the system allows automatic control of the boot lid, with a selection of activation options to suit different situations: from inside the car, using the car remote, using the buttons on the boot lid or in Hands-Free mode.

With Hands-Free mode, the boot can be opened or closed by simply moving a foot underneath the rear bumper; a special sensor picks up the movement and opens or closes the boot. In this case and for safety reasons, the lid will only open or close if the “Passive Entry” system acknowledges the presence of the key.

Siri Personal Assistant

Thanks to the Apple chip integrated in the MTC, in MY16 vehicles a useful on-board feature that exploits iOS functionality has been introduced: the Siri "smart" personal assistant, already incorporated in Apple devices. Based on Bluetooth technology, Siri allows users of Quattroporte and Ghibli (both standard) to perform tasks on iOS connected devices (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch) and make requests using voice commands. The advantage is that Siri uses natural language to understand commands. For safety reasons, when the car is on the move Siri deactivates all applications which use visual content or require user interaction, replying to commands given or questions asked with voice feedback only.

Audio

The audio system has been completely renewed with MY16 and brings on board the new Harman Kardonsystem as a standard feature on all Quattroporte versions and upon request on Ghibli; it gives outstanding power and sound quality, based around 10 speakers and a 900W 12-channel amplifier. The door woofers and the subwoofer installed underneath the rear shelf are also of new design for a more powerful sound.

The optional Bowers & Wilkins Premium Surround audio system is as good as it gets in production car hi-fi systems, with the new Clari-Fi function from MY16.

The Clari-Fi function is an advanced solution designed for digital music and capable of restoring the artistic details lost in digitally-compressed songs. Clari–Fi scans all types of compressed audio files for lost music details, supporting MP3, AAC, Satellite Radio, Playback and Streaming Music Services and intelligently corrects waveform deficiencies based on existing music information and audio source quality. By recapturing the missing highs and lows, restoring the vocals to their natural tone, returningto a true stereo sound and removing unwanted distortions and artifacts, these features exclusive for the Bowers & Wilkins Premium Surround audio system set a new benchmark in automotive audio.

Other features

Interior: while the standard equipment is sumptuous, Maserati also provides an exceptional degree of personalisation with a vast range of materials for the client to choose from, including wood, carbon fibre, leather, Alcantara, as well as coloured stitching in contrast with the leather colour, for areas such as the upper dashboard, doors and seats and, with the introduction of MY16, also headrest contrast stitching with embroidered Trident upon request. A lacquered Black Piano trim - already available for the MY16 Quattroporte - is also available for MY16 Ghibli for areas such as the central tunnel cover or the door inserts.

(ends)

Picture Gallery available for download here:

About Maserati SpA

Maserati is an Italian luxury car manufacturer which was established on December 1, 1914, in Bologna (Italy) by its founder Alfieri Maserati and his brothers. Their passion and talent contributed to the company DNA: innovation, excellence, and challenge, which are reflected in the brand’s claim “The absolute opposite of ordinary”. Today, the company's headquarters and main production location are in Modena (Italy). A second state-of-the-art production location, based on the highest quality standards of the World Class Manufacturing (WCM) concept, was inaugurated in Grugliasco, near Turin (Italy), in 2013. Maserati has been owned by the Italian car giant Fiat S.p.A. since 1993.

Its emblem, the trident, was inspired by the fountain on the Piazza del Nettuno in the center of Bologna (Italy). It is a symbol that ties together the brothers, their hometown, and the artistry and craftsmanship for which Bologna and Emilia-Romagna are known.

Through major investments into product development, production facilities as well as its worldwide dealer network, Maserati has hit a turning point. In addition to the successful GranTurismo and GranCabrio ranges, the latest generation of Maserati’s flagship sedan, the Quattroporte, and the new sports executive sedan, the Ghibli, provide the cornerstones to the brand’s strategy of producing some 75,000 units annually and gaining a significantly strengthened presence in the global luxury car market.

Sales figures for 2014 show that worldwide Maserati sold approximately 36,500 cars worldwide, an increase of 136% compared to 2013 and almost 6 times the sales figure for 2012.23,500 Ghiblis were delivered to the network, while the figure for the Quattroporte was 9,500 units. The total was completed by 3,500 units of the GranTurismo and GranCabrio models.

The American market, with 14,690 units and growth of 110% compared to 2013, confirmed its status as Maserati’s biggest market in 2014, with sales boosted by the Ghibli and Quattroporte versions equipped with the 410 BHP Twin Turbo engine and Q4 all-wheel drive.The second largest market in terms of volume was China, with 9,400 units and growth of 148% compared to 2013; the best-selling Quattroporte and Ghibli versions were those with 330 BHP Twin Turbo engine and rear-wheel drive.

In spite of the widespread economic instability, Europe also recorded a large rise of 153% compared to 2013, with no fewer than 6,360 units sold. The market leading Quattroporte and Ghibli versions were the rear wheel drive versions with the 275 BHP V6 Turbo Diesel engine. Performance in the Asia-Pacific area (excluding China) was excellent, with 4,000 units, representing a 206% increase over 2013, including a 199.3% increase in the Australian market.The results achieved in the Middle East were also very impressive, with 2,050 units sold and a growth of 144% compared to 2013.

About European Automotive Imports

European Automotive Imports (EAI), trading as Maserati Australia and New Zealand, was appointed as the distributor of Maserati, its products and services in Australia and New Zealand in 2005, starting operations on 1 October that year, initially from offices in the Sydney suburb of Homebush before moving, in 2010 to its present offices in Waterloo. The company also took over the New South Wales retail Maserati representation from 1 October 2005, initially as Italia Motori until the completion of the new facility in Waterloo as both home to EAI and the new dealership, Ferrari Maserati Sydney, which opened its doors in 2010. From 2013 EAI has also controlled the Maserati retail outlet ‘Maserati Auckland’ in New Zealand. In addition to offices for EAI Maserati dedicated showroom and workshop facilities, the Waterloo facility also provides a state of the art training facility for both technical and sales training. EAI has a fully computerised parts facility in Sydney to ensure fast and efficient distribution of parts and accessories.

In 2015 EAI was appointed as distributor for Maserati in South Africa along with running the retail business for Maserati in Johannesburg.

EAI is a private company wholly owned by its Executive Chairman, Neville Crichton, and it is not a subsidiary of any of Mr Crichton’s other companies. Maserati Australia and New Zealand is headed by Glen Sealey, who took over as General Manager in 2010, and who has overseen a doubling of team responsible for Maserati in Australia and New Zealand. In 2015 Mr Sealey was promoted to the role of Chief Operating Officer for Maserati in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The Maserati team in Australia and New Zealand includes Bilgen Tug, National Marketing and Public Relations Manager; David Weihen, National Aftersales Manager; Alex Ball, National Sales Manager and Angelo Ruberto, General Manager of Ferrari Maserati Sydney.

Following its appointment, EAI set about a major renewal of its dealer group, with all-new dealerships opening in Brisbane (2006), Melbourne (2008), Perth (2008), Sydney (2010), Adelaide (2013) and Auckland (2013) with major refurbishments in Sydney, Adelaide and Auckland prior to new facilities opening. In addition, Christchurch opened initially as a Maserati service centre bringing the marque officially to the South Island of New Zealand in 2008 and this was expanded to a full dealership in 2013. In 2014 new additional dealerships opened in Sydney and Melbourne with another dealership set to open 2015 to serve the Queensland market

EAI has consistently grown Maserati sales in Australia and New Zealand with its annual best in 2014 when total sales for the year were greater than the three previous years combined. In Australia sales rose 199.3 per cent to 401 vehicles for the year. In New Zealand sales climbed 400 per cent over the previous year with 70 new Maseratis delivered.

For further information, please contact

Glen Sealey

Release Number: Maserati_554

Date of release: 12/31/2018 12:20:54 PM