Maserati’s most exciting car at present – the GranTurismo – will soon be given a beautiful sister, and she’ll be walking around topless at times: Spotted at the German Nürburgring earlier on Monday was this prototype of a Maserati GranTurismo Spider. Judging from the heavy camouflaged packed onto the car and in par with the brand-new Ferrari California, we reckon the Spider will be given a retractable metal roof rather than a conventional canvas top. Competitors like the Aston Martin DBS, on the other hand, will not follow this trend and will soon come with a traditional soft top. A Porsche 911 Cabrio, too, will never be built with anything but a canvas roof. Earlier reports suggested the GT Spider would be available with both soft and hard convertible tops. Different from the new GT Spider’s predecessor, the new model will apparently come as a 2+2- rather than a pure two-seater. Engine and mechanics of the Maserati Spider won’t change compared to the coupe, so expect a base model with a 405 horsepower 4.2L V8 and an up-level S model using a 433 horsepower 4.7L V8. We expect the convertible to debut at the 2010 Geneva Show.

readmore...

Novitec Tridente Maserati GranTurismo S

Novitec Tridente, a German car tuning company has taken the impressive Maserati GranTurismo S, and added a touch of their own while celebrating Novitec’s 20th anniversary. The Maserati GranTurismo S is already a unique sports car from the factory, with nice performance numbers, but Novitec was able to produce 600hp from this model by supercharging it. Adding to the supercharger is an upgraded exhaust system, ECU tuning, and exterior modifications.

Novitec added a KW suspension to complement the NM3 21 inch wheels to set you apart from all the stock Maseratis. A completely new aero kit was added as well which consists of a new front lip, side skirts, rear skirt lip, and an aftermarket rear wing. If your looking to save some extra weight, the body kit is available made completely of carbon fiber.

[Source: GTspirit]

readmore...

Aston Martin Dealer Charged With Spying on Rival Ferrari Dealer

From the ‘We’re not kidding file’ comes news from that hotbed of espionage and Bondian villainy, New York, comes news that car sales in the world of exotics have gotten so cut-throat that dealers have actually started spying on one another. And this, it would seem, is a tale of not only greed, but disgruntled former employees with more than an axe to grind.

Well, OK, two out of three ain’t bad, we got spying AND Aston Martins, but near as I can tell, there’s a complete lack of Sean Connery involved here.

The owners of Universal Autosports in Glen Cove, Long Island, Giacomo Ciaccia and Leka Vuksanaj, were arrested at their homes, along with Creative Director Michael Lussos, according to acting U.S. Attorney Lev Dassin in Manhattan said in a statement. They are accused of illegally tapping into the e-mail of Ferrari Maserati of Fort Lauderdale-Long Island in Plainview, New York.

Ciaccia, Vuksanaj and Lussos gained access to the Ferrari dealer’s e-mail server about 2,500 times over the course of seven months, from February to September, last year from their homes as well as their offices at Universal Autosports, according to the criminal complaint dated April 16.

According to the statement “In one instance a dealer associated with Universal Autosports e-mailed a customer who had been negotiating with Ferrari Maserati [Fort Lauderdale-Long Island] to buy a rare Ferrari Enzo worth more than $1.3 million.” The spies from UA wrote, “Is there any way I can help or get in the middle. Have they found you a car yet?” according to the complaint. Pretty damn skeevy, huh?

At their first court appearance, Ciaccia and Vuksanaj were released on bonds of $100,000 each. Lussos was released on a $50,000 bond. Not chump change, but hey, they’re Bentley & Aston dealers, they should probably have the scratch. They also appear to have real good lawyers, or at least lawyers that know just how deep the manure is.

Take Stanley Cohen, Vuksanaj’s lawyer, who said, “I’m used to real espionage cases. I’ve seen the complaint. I’m rolling my eyes.” I wonder what Mrs. Vuksanaj (if there is one) is doing right about now. Ciaccia’s lawyer, Ronald Fischetti said “They have been charged with reading somebody’s e-mail and using that for their business. It doesn’t seem like it warrants” the attention it’s getting. Sure, and I have expect Fischetti to start declaring how his client is a church-going guy that’s a pillar of the business community.

Lussos’s lawyer, Peggy Cross, had no comment.

Ciaccia, Vuksanaj and Lussos outfit, Universal Autosports, “deals in rare and expensive exotic automobiles” and opened in February 2008 in the old location formerly held by Ferrari & Maserati dealership they are accused of spying on, according to the complaint. Ciaccia was the Ferrari & Maserati dealer’s general manager and Lussos was their webmaster until they were terminated in March 2007 after new management took over, according to the complaint. Lussos, as one would expect from a web guy, set up Ferrari Maserati’s e-mail accounts, according to the complaint.

As of last September, Ferrari Maserati of Fort Lauderdale-Long Island learned that employees’ e-mails were being intercepted and forwarded to an unauthorized e- mail address on its server. The F/M of FL-LI e-mails contained information about its customers, inventory and employee compensation, according to the complaint signed by Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent John Leo Jr. Which not only adds to the skeeviness, but also means the Feds are involved (and let’s not go into just how much fun a federal penitentiary can be, shall we).

Ciaccia, Vuksanaj and Lussos, who are all in their 40s and should know better, are charged with one count each of “conspiracy to access a computer without authorization and obtain information for commercial gain and to further an intended fraud,” according to the statement. The maximum penalty if they’re found guilty is five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

The 250 large they can probably get, no prob. But if they do the full five year stretch in a federal prison, they’re only hope is that they get an OK celly and they don’t end up getting turned out into someone’s bitch too soon. If I were them, the checks to the lawyers would be flying like snowflakes while I was continually working out, taking lots of heavy classes in self defense and close quarters fighting and watching all the episodes of Oz.

Either that or very quietly looking into tramp steamer sailing times from the Port of New York.

Source: Edmunds

Photo from Flickr user Anonymous9000

© Gearhead Media - Please visit Automoblog.net for more great content.

readmore...

Maserati Unveils GranTurismo MC

To quote Lando Calrissian, “What have we here!?” What we have is Maserati’s new track special, the GranTurismo MC. It’s a track only car aimed at the well-heeled gentleman racer (or woman, for that matter). Sure, it’s nice, and we’ll dig into the details soon, but what’s really nice is to see Maserati return to the racing game, even if it’s in a limited way after all these years.

Maserati used to be a VERY serious player in the racing world. Maseratis won at the Indy 500, they were the car that the great Juan Manuel Fangio drove to his greatest victory every at the German Grand Prix at the ‘Ring in 1957, Tazio Nuvolari raced for them.

But Maserati has been a car company that’s been knocked from pillar to post, almost since its inception by the Maserati Bros. Financial troubles dogged them to an extent that would have made John Z. Delorean turn Tony Montana much faster. They’ve been bought, sold, nearly broken up, nearly folded altogether, bought by half-assed groups of non-Italian investors … if this would have been happening behind bars, you would have thought that Maserati was the new chubby white guy in HBO’s OZ.

Enter Fiat some time ago … who flew in and scooped up Maser, and saved them from a slow & ugly fate. And what do we, the gearhead, get in return? Totally cool cars, that’s what.

Take for example the car we have here, the Maserati GranTurismo MC. It’s an offshoot of the Maserati GranTurismo MC Concept and is based on the Maserati GranTurismo S road version, with electro-actuated gearbox system.

Privateers (no factory teams as of yet) will run the GranTurismo MC in some GT4 European Cup events during the second half of this season, and they’re going to be pretty well funded, since the car will run them 135,000 Euro + VAT. Maser is also looking to organize a European single-make cup race in 2010.

So, a step in the right (racing) direction from a venerable and august old marque. Now all Maserati need to do is start making purpose built racers at start running them out of the factory.

Sports cars at Le Mans sounds like a good place to start.

The press release from Maser:

OFFICIAL DEBUT OF THE NEW MASERATI GRANTURISMO MC

Le Castellet (F), 6 April 2009 - The new Maserati GranTurismo MC will be officially unveiled during the FIA GT “Media Days” at the Paul Ricard circuit. The new model is an offshoot of the Maserati GranTurismo MC Concept introduced last September in Monza and based on the Maserati GranTurismo S road version, with electro-actuated gearbox system.

On 17 and 18 March the car participated in the “Balance of performance”, two days of practices organized by SRO at the Paul Ricard circuit in order to analyze and balance the performance of the models that will be racing in the GT4 European Cup.

A Maserati GranTurismo MC entered by a private team is to participate in some GT4 European Cup events during the second half of this season.

A limited series of the Maserati GranTurismo MC produced for gentlemen drivers who wish to race in the 2010 GT4 European Cup and the national series, will be on sale as of October 2009. The indicative price is 135,000 Euro + VAT. The cars will be sold directly through Maserati Corse.

In 2010 Maserati intends to once again organize a European single-make cup race. The cars participating in this Cup shall naturally present specifications that will set them apart from the GT4-version Maserati GranTurismo MCs.

Maserati chose to create a model with GT4 features because GT4 is the category with the closest links to production models. There is a niche of GranTurismo road car owners who love racing and want to be able to test their mettle on a track driving a racing version of the same model they own.

The Maserati GranTurismo MC is the result of a development work carried out during many test sessions that started in the Summer of 2008.

Various drivers have taken turns developing the Maserati GranTurismo MC Concept from which the Maserati GranTurismo MC stemmed. With their strong professional and racing background, each and every one of them contributed to the creation of the final version.

The predominant part of the fine-tuning work was conducted by Andrea Bertolini, official Maserati tester as well as incumbent FIA GT Champion at the wheel of the MC12.

Bertolini worked together with Thomas Cremonini, Maserati series production tester, and Vitaphone Racing Team teammate Michael Bartels, also 2008 FIA GT champion.

During the most recent tests, the Maserati GranTurismo MC with GT4 specs was also tested by former F.1 driver Ivan Capelli.

With the creation of the Maserati GranTurismo MC, the tradition of the Trident logo car manufacturer who remains loyal to its origins — those of a company founded in 1914 to tune and subsequently build racecars — lives on.

The Maserati list of wins is abundant and it includes a two consecutive wins at the famous Indianapolis 500 in 1939 and in 1940, with Wilbur Shaw at the wheel of the 8CTF “Boyle Special”. This year is the 70th anniversary of that first success.

Juan Manuel Fangio won two F1 world titles in 1954 and in 1957 at the wheel of a Maserati 250F.

In the 1950s and 1960s cars with the Trident logo won a good many Endurance races, while the last victory in a Formula 1 GP was clinched by Pedro Rodriguez on a Cooper-Maserati in 1967.

In 2004 Maserati Corse started racing again internationally in the FIA GT Championship featuring the MC12; it achieved three victories at the prestigious Spa 24 Hours (2005, 2006, and 2008 Vitaphone Racing Team) and no less than ten absolute titles:

- Three FIA GT Drivers Championships in 2006 (Michael Bartels/Andrea Bertolini), in 2007 (Thomas Biagi) and in 2008 (Michael Bartels/Andrea Bertolini)

- Four FIA GT Teams Championships in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 (Vitaphone Racing Team)

- Two FIA GT Manufacturers Cups in 2005 and 2007

- One Citation Cup for gentlemen drivers in 2007 (Ben Aucott).

Race have always been the most demanding test-bench for all cars. Traditionally, reliability and performance are checked on track. It is in races that new technologies and materials are tested. And it is on the circuit that Maserati has decided to raise the much praised-sporty verve of its Maserati GranTurismo S to even higher levels to create the Maserati GranTurismo MC.

© Gearhead Media - Please visit Automoblog.net for more great content.

readmore...

Maserati Quattroporte Racer To Debut In Superstars Series [Racing News]

We were happy to toss the Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT-S around Italy, so we’re not surprised to hear someone is prepping one for the Superstars Series championship.

The Superstars Championship series is touring car racing at its best, with BMW 5-series of different generations captivating on Audis, Chrysler 300Cs, Cadillacs and other strange marques. Molto bene! Thanks to Scroggzilla for the tip!

Swiss Team brings the Maserati Quattroporte to its debut in Superstars Series with Andrea Chiesa

A prestige new entry joins the list of Superstars Series 2009 championship contestants. It is the Swiss Team, ready to bring to its outright debut the Maserati Quattroporte, entrusting it to a very skilful driver, with a noteworthy past in F1 and in Sport and GT categories, whose name is Andrea Chiesa who, except for a few fleeting appearances, for the fist interval in his rush will be at the wheel of a Touring car.

A challenge entirely original for the team set up at the end of 2008 but with a twenty-year background in car competitions, which aims to line up in joining a second car already during this give relish to (the other driver will be designed in a short age), fielding men of proven experience. Among them the chief mechanic, Giovanni Albertin, rally cars fitter since the first half of the seventies, thence involved with several key roles in Ferrari Challenge and in GT Series both in Italy and abroad.

That of the Trident is also a new brand in the championship for V8 Touring cars only and with respect to this reason the Swiss Team intrusting constitutes for sure, to all intents and purposes, a reason of special interest in the context of a varied and uncurbed competition.

“Ours is a triennial program, mainly supported by E-Light sponsor – explained Giovanni Albertin. The choice to take part in Superstars Series championship originates also from the fact that in this category the public is directly involved, because it is induced to identify its acknowledge every day car with those on footstep. The idea, after first races, is to line up a second car over. We favoured the Quattroporte pushed by Maserati blazon, also whether we will have to work at once on weight distribution and reduction. Sadev is developing expressly in favor of us a sequential gearbox and we expect to carry out first tests at the beginning of April.”

Andrea Chiesa, born in 1964, competed in three F.1 Grand Prix with Fondmetal-Ford in 1992, but claims also a resplendent past in F.3 (in what one. he supreme himself in 1987 right Italian vice-champion) and in F. 3000 in that raced for three years bewitching the Mediterranean Grand Prix in continuance Pergusa track in 1989. After leaving single-seater, more not long ago he was crowned N-GT Italian champion in 2004-2005 biennium and took also share in several editions of Le Mans 24 Hours. Superstars has grown year by year thus becoming, in my view, a valid other to GT – stated the experienced driver – the couple for a factor kindred to greater amount of affordable costs and for the appeal resulting from the presence of many models in addition to an winning international openness and media coverage. For 2009 I have power to only express that, with the exception of the circuits, we will have to discover time by dint of. time almost everything. I haven’t seen the car yet and both I and the team power of determination be proficient to have an idea of the available car potential only when we will bring it on track. The objective is to reach a good level of competitiveness and reliability which for sure are not missing to the others, being present in the championship since long time. The adventure of driving again a stir up drive car encourages myself because I’m convinced that the kind of driving won’face to boldness be so different from that of GTs I had in my hands in the last years, besides of course the dimensions, the weight and the aerodynamic load. Further on, speaking about the team, I already knew the people working on this project and their soundness. All this will bear with me to face my coming commitment with additional tranquillity.

The Maserati Quattroporte in a rear drive car by a front V8, 4.200 cc engine able to develop about 450 HP in its racing version. The weight, without the handicap due the use of a sequential gearbox (a Sadev placed in the car rear) is 1.430 kg. Tyres are Pirelli, according to regulations, while the bodywork, for an clear choice, mirrors almost totally that of the road version with a few small aerodynamic changes. At Swiss Team home are already working at full tilt on first Maserati Quattroporte assembly. The rendezvous is in a slightly more than one month, when the team will carry out the first test sessions in view of Imola first circularly on April 19.

readmore...

2008 Maserati GranTurismo Pictures

2008 Maserati GranTurismo

2008 Maserati GranTurismo pictures

2008 Maserati GranTurismo interior

readmore...

Stock 2008 Dodge Viper runs 10-second quarter mile

By Drew Phillips

The Dodge Viper isn't for everyone. It's raw and brutal, and it takes a certain type of person to appreciate the its outlandish personality. Regardless of whether you like or dislike Dodge's flagship supercar, it's hard to argue against its capabilities. The Viper ACR is unmatched around the Nurburgring, besting the Corvette ZR1 and much more expensive supercars like the Maserati MC12, Pagani Zonda F and Ferrari Enzo.

Apparently, it's quite a drag racer too, according to one owner who took out his brand new, bone stock Viper SRT10 Convertible with just 100 miles on the odometer and ripped off a 10.92-second quarter mile. Most media outlets have tested the Viper's 1/4 mile time in the 11.6- to 11.9-second range, so with the right conditions and a perfect launch, we can see how the run was possible. In this situation, it seems the owner managed to get those optimal conditions and pair it with a great launch, resulting in a record-breaking time slip.

readmore...

Lamborghini Estoque Gets The Ax

Lamborghini has just announced they’ve decided to call it quits on their much-ballyhooed Estoque high performance sedan. It was to be Lambo’s answer to Porsche’s Panamera as well as Maserati’s Quattroporte, or was it all just vaporware?

Look, I got nothing against practicality. You have to go get groceries and pick up three friends from the airport, that sort of practicality. Sadly, life cannot all be Ferrari Enzos and Caterham 7s. But I sort of have to draw the line with stuff like the Porsche Panamera. To me, that car, in addition to being misshapen and not very well executed, was just another sign of Porsche falling more and more out of consideration as a Serious Car Maker. First that God-awful and pointless Cayenne aimed at the Carmella Sopranos of the world, and now a fracking four door. What’s next guys, a sub-compact city car with a 2 cylinder engine?

So when the Estoque (that’s pronounce es-TOKE-ay, for you non-Iberians out there) hit the show stands, it gave me a queasy feeling more than anything else. Sure, the thought of me and three friends blasting from Milan to Paris in Lambo’s big, brutish sedan, DOES have a certain charm, but isn’t that what a Quattroporte is for? Or an S-Class?

Yeah, it’s nice to see Lambo get their beak wet in this area, stretch out a bit, see what lese they can do (as well as raid some sedan expertise from company parent Audi), but overall it struck me as an odd thing for them to be doing. A lot of friends said that they thought it was vaporware from the get go, little more than an attention getter from a company facing harsh economic times with a product line up that’s pretty much a textbook definition of the word “frivolous”.

So maybe it IS mission accomplished for the Lamborghini Estoque. Roll it out, get some press, and then say you decided to kill a car that was never going to see production.

Here is the full (if brief) Lambo press release:

23/03/2009 LAMBORGHINI ESTOQUE

In reference to recent press coverage commenting on cancellation of its Estoque project, Lamborghini has not taken any decision to produce its Estoque concept car, the four door performance saloon concept shown at Paris motor show in 2008.

As stated when the car was shown, Lamborghini believes that if a third model line should ever be added to its product line up, a four door luxury performance saloon could be a logical product strategy. No decision has been made to produce the Estoque.

Photo from Flickr user Wyemji

© Gearhead Media - Please visit Automoblog.net for more great content.

readmore...

2009 Maserati Gran Turismo MC Sport Line

Looks like Maserati is getting into some territory usually reserved for the customizers when it unveiled a new special edition at the Bologna Auto Show, the MC Sport Line. Starting with a GranTurismo S, Maserati adds front and rear carbon-fiber spoilers, side skirts with a matte black central panel, carbon fiber mirror housings and exterior door handles, and glossy black 20" wheel rims.



Maserati also added performance enhancing elements. The suspension has been upgraded to stiffer springs, shock absorbers and anti-roll bars. There’s also new software for Maserati’s Stability Program, which the company says allows the driver "more freedom".

Because this comes directly from Maserati everything is done in good taste. This makes it a much harder sell for some of the custom jobs out there. Although this MC Sport Line is based on the GranTurismo S, Maserati says it will bring the Sport Line features to the GranTurismo and then the entire Maserati line-up in 2009.

More pics ---> Top Speed

readmore...

Sergio Marchionne Has Chrysler’s Back

Fix It Again, Tony!  Or Sergio.

No, not in the case of repairing Fiat cars, but in helping to bring Chrysler back from the brink.

Sergio Marchionne, the CEO of Fiat S.p.A., the builder of Fiat, Lancia, Alfa Romeo, Maserati and Ferrari vehicles (listed from worst to best)

got his chance last week to pitch his proposal of a Fiat-Chrysler alliance to the Obama administration, imparting four important words to DC politicos: We can add value.

Big Meeting With DC Brass

According to the Detroit Free Press, Marchionne’s 2 1/2 hour meeting with the Treasury Department’s automotive panel (who holds the purse strings for Chrysler and GM) was Fiat’s chance to convince the feds that his company was “the one” to help rescue Chrysler. Marchionne explained that value is “…the real issue and it’s a necessary ingredient of the revival of Chrysler.”

Chrysler still wants federal financial assistance as it pursues its alliance with Fiat. A major part of that deal has Fiat providing Chrysler with a wide swath of fuel-efficient small and medium cars, two particularly weak areas for the company. In addition, Chrysler would gain access to a number of foreign markets via Fiat.

Chrysler Goes Foreign…Again!

Fiat would gain a 35% share in Chrysler without having to pay a penny. That arrangement has some politicians concerned because it would once again shift Chrysler’s control into foreign hands. Coupled with Daimler AG’s 19.9% share, foreign automakers would control 54.9% of Chrysler. The remaining 45.1% belongs to Cerberus minus the federal government’s stake in the business.

Marchionne has been seeking to gain entrance in the US market for Fiat and Alfa Romeo, two brands that were at one time sold in North America. Maserati and Ferrari have a presence here, while Lancia doesn’t.  The popular Fiat 500 would most likely be one of several Fiat models sold here, possibly under the Dodge umbrella.

Last year, Marchionne said that he foresaw the day when just six car companies would be large enough to survive for the long haul, each needing to produce a minimum of 5.5 million units annually in order to be profitable.

readmore...

Sergio Marchionne Has Chrysler’s Back

Fix It Again, Tony!  Or Sergio.

No, not in the case of repairing Fiat cars, but in helping to bring Chrysler back from the brink.

Sergio Marchionne, the CEO of Fiat S.p.A., the builder of Fiat, Lancia, Alfa Romeo, Maserati and Ferrari vehicles (listed from worst to best)

got his chance last week to pitch his proposal of a Fiat-Chrysler alliance to the Obama administration, imparting four important words to DC politicos: We can add value.

Big Meeting With DC Brass

According to the Detroit Free Press, Marchionne’s 2 1/2 hour meeting with the Treasury Department’s automotive panel (who holds the purse strings for Chrysler and GM) was Fiat’s chance to convince the feds that his company was “the one” to help rescue Chrysler. Marchionne explained that value is “…the real issue and it’s a necessary ingredient of the revival of Chrysler.”

Chrysler still wants federal financial assistance as it pursues its alliance with Fiat. A major part of that deal has Fiat providing Chrysler with a wide swath of fuel-efficient small and medium cars, two particularly weak areas for the company. In addition, Chrysler would gain access to a number of foreign markets via Fiat.

Chrysler Goes Foreign…Again!

Fiat would gain a 35% share in Chrysler without having to pay a penny. That arrangement has some politicians concerned because it would once again shift Chrysler’s control into foreign hands. Coupled with Daimler AG’s 19.9% share, foreign automakers would control 54.9% of Chrysler. The remaining 45.1% belongs to Cerberus minus the federal government’s stake in the business.

Marchionne has been seeking to gain entrance in the US market for Fiat and Alfa Romeo, two brands that were at one time sold in North America. Maserati and Ferrari have a presence here, while Lancia doesn’t.  The popular Fiat 500 would most likely be one of several Fiat models sold here, possibly under the Dodge umbrella.

Last year, Marchionne said that he foresaw the day when just six car companies would be large enough to survive for the long haul, each needing to produce a minimum of 5.5 million units annually in order to be profitable.

readmore...

Maserati MC12-Porsche Carrera GT-Mercedes SLR

{dmotion}x2tzif{/dmotion}

Dünyanın önde gelen otomobil firmalarından Maserati, Porsche ve Mercedes kendi sınıflarında en üst düzeyde olan modellerini birlikte sergiliyorlar.Spor araba tutkunlarının her zaman gözdesi olan bu modeller arasında biz seçimimizi yapamadık.Videoyu izledikten sonra belki siz kendi seçiminizi yapabilirsiniz.

readmore...

New Maserati MC12 wallpaper

New Maserati MC12 wallpaper

Maserati MC12 picture

Maserati MC12

readmore...

Maserati Gran Turismo S Automatic Headed For Geneva, Convertible To Follow [Geneva Motor Show]

Love the essence of additional power in the Maserati Gran Turismo S but bear malice to shifting boring old-timey transmissions? Good news! Maserati will have existence mating a six-speed auto to the 440 HP, 4.7 liter V8.

Until this point, the bigger, badder V8 only got an electronically actuated auto or a row-your-own transmission, leaving the auto to the weaker 4.2 liter V8. Now the trident throwers at Maserati are swapping in a ZF 6 urge auto for those too excited by involving transmissions.

In addition to the transmission news, Motor Trend is reporting the very little top version of the Gran Turismo will be popping up at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show so now you can get the drop dead gorgeous GT through a the open air driving of a drop top. We’ll subsist looking forward to seeing that little gem when it hits the stands.

MASERATI GRANTURISMO S AUTOMATIC TO BE UNVEILED AT THE GENEVA AUTO SHOW

Modena, February 23rd, 2009 – True to Maserati’s commitment to introduce a new model at each international car show, the GranTurismo S Automatic will première at the next Geneva Auto Show. The fresh Maserati GranTurismo S Automatic features a 4.7 V8 which develops 440hp (323kW) at 7000rpm. The maximum torque is 490Nm at 4,750rpm.

The major novelty is the combination of the automatic transmission through the greatest part powerful wet sump Maserati V8 on the GranTurismo – until at present offered as 4.2 l with automatic transmission and 4.7 l with an electro-actuated gearbox. Thanks to the combination of the 323kW produced by the powerful 4.7l V8 engine and the smoothness of the ZF 6-speed automatic gearbox, the Maserati GranTurismo S Automatic remains congruous with the original granturismo concept while at the same time sacrifice peak performance.

The gearshift strategy applied to the Maserati GranTurismo S Automatic inherits some widely appreciated elements of the Quattroporte Sport GT S, of that kind as the elimination of the kick-down in Manual mode.

The Skyhook suspension system featuring continuously adjustable dampers provides great driving comfort. Passive safety is further enhanced thanks to the introduction on the GranTurismo range of a new generation passenger air-bag with Low Risk Deployment functionality.

Consistent with the unmistakable design of whole Maseratis, the Maserati GranTurismo S Automatic features some marked stylistic differences which make it immediately recognisable: the new under-door mini-skirts featuring a prominent shape, which enhances the dynamism of its profile and the commencing 20″ wheel rims with “Trident” object, which recall the strength and beauty of the car.

A further enriched equipment increases the upon the body board pleasure for the driver and the three passengers, thanks to the Bluetooth® Wireless Technology, offered while criterion, and the iPod® interface, available upon petition for, which complete the Maserati Multi Media System.

[Sources: Maserati, MT]

readmore...

Maserati GranTurismo S Set For Geneva Motor Show 2009

The automatic GranTurismo S is expected to sell alongside the current Cambiocorsa automated manual version.

Bowing to customer demand, Maserati determine finally add each automatic transmission to its stunning GranTurismo S.

The ZF-sourced six-speeder is even now available in the standard GranTurismo and will be sold alongside the existing Cambiocorsa electro-actuated manual in the sportier GranTurismo S.

The gearbox software has been upgraded to feel the extra grunt from the 440hp 4.7L V8 but the unit is claimed to be smooth and correspondent to any changes applied to the accelerator pedal.

AutoTelegraaf reports that the gearshifts in the GranTurismo S are also slighter faster than in the standard GranTurismo.

The renovated automatic GranTurismo S will make its world debut at next month’sitting Geneva Motor Show.

Later in the year Maserati bequeath count up a new Spyder interchangeable GranTursimo to its lineup and there is also a rumor that there will be sportier GT S variant as well.

No changes are planned for the Cambiocorsa electro-actuated manual. For those unfamiliar with the unit, it features a twin disc clutch and triple cone synchroniser on the first and advance gears and a false cone on the other gears.

+ Sypker Teases C8 Aileron Supercar Ahead Geneva 2009
+ 2009 Geneva Preview: Rolls-Royce 200EX Concept Limousine
+ 2010 Ford Ranger Pickup Truck of Geneva 2009
+ 2009 Geneva Preview: 2010 Audi A4 allroad quattro
+ 2009 Geneva Preview: BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo Concept
+ 2010 Saab 9-3X World Premiere at 2009 Geneva Motor Show
+ Geneva 2009 Preview: Infiniti Concept Packs Louis Vuitton
+ Honda Accord Type S, S2000, CR-Z, FCX Preview at Geneva 2009
+ 2009 BMW Alpina B7 Spyshots Ahead of Geneva 2009

The transmission can be used in two ways: manual and automatic. Manual mode is for those who prefer a sportier, more involving driving experience with gear changes only made if the driver requests them in order to fully unlock the car’s performance.

In one or the other mode, however, gear transitions are nowhere not far from at the same time that smooth as a regular automatic.

readmore...

2010 AUDI TT-RS Sneak Peek Ahead of Geneva Debut

— The latest images confirm the car will have existence fitted with a fixed rear wing and carry the title of ‘TT-RS’.

Via carscoop, we’ve now got in addition than just teaser shots of the coming-to-Geneva Audi TT RS. We’ve now got all the unofficial details and the first fully-nude photos of Audi’s super-TT.

Last year we dictum Audi take the wraps off several variants of its sporty TT, with the unveiling of the TT-S, 2.0L TDI diesel-powered TT, and finally, the entry-level 1.8L TFSI model.

However, in that place’sitting one more TT variant in the works and it could potentially be the fastest production TT ever.

The new variant is the deed RS translation of the TT and these leaked official shots reveal a few very necessary clues from one place to another the car in front of its Geneva Motor Show debut.

The images confirm the car will be called the TT-RS and that it will tend hitherward with a fixed rear wing as opposed to the adjustable spoiler found on other thing mundane TT models.

The shots also show a new bumper design, revealing a look similar to that seen on last year’s striking V12 TDI R8 universal car.

Other details, such as the powertrain, continue exceedingly speculative. The pungent money is betting on an inline five-cylinder petrol engine displacing just 2.5L.

According to a previously leaked memo, the compact engine will output a healthy 340hp (253kW) and 332lb-ft (450Nm) thanks to the addition of a twin-turbocharging classification.

+ Maserati GranTurismo S Set For Geneva Motor Show 2009
+ Sypker Teases C8 Aileron Supercar Ahead Geneva 2009
+ 2009 Geneva Preview: Rolls-Royce 200EX Concept Limousine
+ 2010 Ford Ranger Pickup Truck of Geneva 2009
+ 2009 Geneva Preview: 2010 Audi A4 allroad quattro
+ 2009 Geneva Preview: BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo Concept
+ 2010 Saab 9-3X World Premiere at 2009 Geneva Motor Show
+ Geneva 2009 Preview: Infiniti Concept Packs Louis Vuitton
+ Honda Accord Type S, S2000, CR-Z, FCX Preview at Geneva 2009
+ 2009 BMW Alpina B7 Spyshots Ahead of Geneva 2009

This should see it accelerate from 0-100km/h in less than five seconds and easily reach an electronically controlled top speed of 250km/h.

Both a Coupe and Roadster will be launched and both cars will feature the same power output, quattro AWD and a six-speed transmission - though it’s not yet clear if it will be a dual-clutch unit or a traditional of the hand.

Other features listed in the memo include 18in aluminum wheels with a dual five-spoke design, twin-exit oval exhaust pipes, matte aluminum headlight housings, and a unique interior with Alcantara and leather trim.

First sales are scheduled to raise in Europe by the middle of the year and as yet not at all U.S. launch has been confirmed.

readmore...

Maserati Gransport V8 promotional video

Maserati Gransport V8 promotional video

readmore...

Mini Supercars - A Photo Gallery

Sometime last year, a few Photoshop gurus got together and made some very funny “mini” versions of their favorite cars. The trend caught on, and soon lots of people were taking their favorite cars, and through the process of image manipulation, made them mini versions of themselves.

Below, you will find a photo gallery full of these micro machines, in all of their hilarious glory. If you have any you’d like to share, please leave a comment.

Just click on the image for a larger version:

If you’d like to learn how to do this yourself, you’ll need to get Adobe Photoshop or a very similar photo editing program and follow these instructions.

Thanks to CelSydney for some of these photos. Check out his Flickr set for more.

© Gearhead Media - Please visit Automoblog.net for more great content.

readmore...