2012 Maserati Quattroporte V8 Engine Performance

The new 2012 Maserati Quattroporte stands out from the crowd.Pininfarina’s most recent creation is the ideal synthesis of luxury andsportiness. It is a car that excels in terms of technology andcraftsmanship.
The Maserati Quattroporte is the only largeluxury saloon that guarantees both elevated on-board comfort levels andthrills with its authentic granturismo performance. Getting behind the wheel of the Maserati Quattroporte meanstravelling in comfort that matches that of a refined drawing room. The4.2 litre V8 engine delivers startling handling and seamless gearchanges. The Quattroporte always delivers pitch perfect performancethat blends luxury with a thrilling driving experience.Theengine is capable of producing 405 bhp and powers the MaseratiQuattroporte to excellent performance figures for a luxury saloon: atop speed of 167 mph and a 0-62 mph acceleration time of 5.6 seconds.

2012 Maserati Quattroporte

2012 Maserati Quattroporte

The Maserati Quattroporte’s stylish looks are down toPininfarina, the famous coachbuilder. New technological features andrevised aerodynamics combine harmoniously to render the elegantMaserati flagship model even more desirable and unique. Thefront end is dominated by the new grille with the traditional Tridentlogo in its centre. The grille’s convex vertical slats give the car anassertive poise and hint at the potential that lies beneath the bonnet.The front lights, like those at the rear, make use of LED know-how togive the Quattroporte an even more striking look. TheQuattroporte is a car with a strong personality that combines power andelegance. Its unmistakeable lines are completed by the side spoilersand the 19” Neptune wheel rims.

2012 Maserati Quattroporte Interior

The interior of the new Maserati Quattroporte has raised thebar when it comes to comfort. This improvement is down to the radicalchanges made to the driving position, the seat set up, themulti-functional steering wheel with its sports grip, the commands nowsituated on the centre console, the revised instruments and, near thechic clock, the addition of a small storage compartment on the centretunnel. The Quattroporte haselectronically adjustable seats that can be set to fourteen differentpositions (including the seat back in four different ways). Thedriver’s seat has three memory settings and an easy entry/exit system(that pushes the seat back and lifts the steering column). Owners canalso opt for the front seat comfort pack that provides heating,ventilation and massage functions. Passengersin the back can relax and enjoy the ride in a well-insulated cabin,free of any annoying vibrations. The Quattroporte offers an array ofrear seat positions thanks a multitude of functions including theirindependent, electronic movement. The separate lengthways shift (10cm)and reclining movement means that passengers will have no troublefinding a comfortable position. The rear seats can also be fitted withheating, ventilation and massage capability, as an option.

2012 Maserati Quattroporte

2012 Maserati Quattroporte

2012 Maserati Quattroporte he spacious, 450 litre boot has an even shape and isespecially roomy widthways (it can fit in three or four golf bags,depending on their size). Every inch of room in the bootcan be exploited thanks to the luggage set specifically designed forthe Quattroporte and available as an option. Boot space has been foundto accommodate the puncture repair kit that includes a pump. A 17”spare wheel can also be housed under the boot floor, on request. Thereis a range of other standard equipment that comes with the newQuattroporte, including a cooler compartment hidden inside the frontarmrest, two glass holders that tuck away into the rear armrest and anelectronic blind for the rear window.

2012 Maserati GranCabrio Exlusive Experinces

The Maserati GranCabrio is designed for those who take pleasure from good taste andwho appreciate Italian power and elegance. However, they do not want tobe limited by using the car just as a couple or not being able to atall because there is a new addition to the family. In the 2012 GranCabriothe joy of sharing experiences reaches previously unattainable heights. The open-top, four-seater GranCabrio offers the chance to share afantastic driving experience with those you love, one enhanced by topquality materials, the aroma of prestigious woods and refined leather.Gran Cabrio is Maserati’s exclusive take on the need to live excitingexperiences in company as opposed to the mania of owning things justfor the sake of it. The Maserati’s renowned traditions and experience, tying the new vehicle tothe GranTurismo concept and bringing to life past GranSports. At thesame time, the name underlines how much the car differs from everymodel that has preceded it. The GranCabrio redefines the idea of acabriolet.

Maserati GranCabrio

The Maserati GranCabrio manages to be both dynamic and elegant. The cardraws its inspiration from the GranTurismo, an example of the perfectsynthesis of modernity, sensuality and passion. The flanks also feature chrome elements that give the GranCabriosome added gloss. One particularly goodlooking feature is thecontinuous chrome trim that encircles the cabin and integrates with thethird rear stop light. Towards the back of the car, thetriangular light cluster is formed by 96 LEDs with a wide diffuser thatfurther underlines the car’s athletic poise. This sporty feel is alsoseen in the generous 20” wheel rims that reflect the Trident design.Theshape of the GranCabrio is the result of extensive aerodynamic testingaimed at limiting the drag typical of droptop cars. The GranCabrioboasts a Cx coefficient that is one of the best in its class: 0.35 withthe hood up and 0.39 with it down. The spoiler and rear diffuser bothcontribute to obtaining top draw roadholding.

2012 Maserati GranCabrio

2012 Maserati GranCabrio

The Maserati GranCabrio is powered by a 4.7 litre V8 that delivers 440bhp, has a six-speed ZF automatic transmission and hydraulic torqueconverter. The Maserati GranCabrio features a six-speed, ZF automatictransmission with a hydraulic torque converter to give extremely fluidgear shifts while maintaining the characteristics of the sporty V8engine. The transmission has four modes and is also fitted withself-adapting control that adjusts the type of gear change to thedriving style and road conditions. In Manual mode, gear changes are sequentially made by the driver via the steering column mounted paddles or the gearstick.

2012 Maserati GranCabrio Interior

The engine on the Maserati GranCabrio is an eight cylinder, 4691ccV90° capable of developing 440 bhp at 7000 rpm and with a peak torqueof 490 Nm at 4750 rpm. The power unit uses the advanced technologytypical of all Maserati engines. This allows the declared power figuresto be reached, ensures smooth gear changes and a quiet engine. Thetiming is actioned by two overhead camshafts per bank and four valvesper cylinder controlled by hydraulic tappets. The overhead camshafts onthe aspirated side are controlled by a low pressure, continual phasevariator, a technical solution that, together with the optimisation ofthe combustion chamber, allows 82% of the maximum torque from 2500 rpmfor a superb overtaking, even in high gears.

Maserati Birdcage 75th Concept Inspiration Ferrari Enzo

To give this Maserati Birdcage 75th  its full and lengthy title, you're gawping at the Pininfarina Maserati Birdcage 75th. Seventy-five being the number of years the world's longest-established styling house has been in existence. Its back catalogue is impressive enough - including, as it does, most of the finest Ferraris, the Peugeot 205 and every generation of Alfa Spider. Maserati Birdcage 75th  Design Inspiration partially came from a previous Pininfarina show car - the 1970 Modulo. This insanely low, white-painted plastic wedge forced its driver to sit almost fully reclined on the floor, surrounded by a cockpit canopy that rotated forwards on spindly aluminium struts. It was powered by the most extreme engine then available, a five-litre Ferrari V12.

Maserati Birdcage 75th

Maserati Birdcage 75th

The Maserati Birdcage 75th body was designed by Pininfarina to celebrate the company's 75th anniversary. A documentary called "Sleek Dreams" was filmed about the six-month design process. The exterior is made of carbon fiber with diffusers at the rear and 2 spoilers that automatically raise at speed. The windshield is made of perspex and extends almost from the front to the back of the car; this is a necessity because of the driver's low seated position - if the windscreen ended higher, they would be unable to see the oncoming road. This visibility problem is compounded by typical concept-car omissions like wing mirrors.

Maserati Birdcage 75th

Maserati Birdcage 75th Driver Interior

The Maserati Birdcage 75th is built on the carbonfibre chassis of a Maserati MC12 GT1 race car and shares many components, most notably the engine. The Birdcage 75th is powered by the Ferrari Dino F140 V12 engine of the MC12 and the Enzo Ferrari mid mounted at 65°th's engine has been tuned for racing and as a result produces around 700 brake horsepower. The Maserati Birdcage 75th was a concept car created by automobile manufacturer Maserati and designed by Pininfarina and the design team, including Jason Castriota under the guidance of Ken Okuyama at Pininfarina. It was first introduced at the 2005 Geneva Auto Show. It was named to honor the classic Maserati Birdcages of the 1960s and Pininfarina's 75th anniversary.

Maserati MC12 Excellent Design and Higher Top Speed

Maserati MC12 Designed for high level road use, it can exceed 330 kmh/205 mph at full throttle, sprinting from 0 to 100 kmh in just 3.8 seconds. Although easy and pleasant to drive on the road, the MC12 is also a brilliantly dynamic car. It handles very sweetly and fluidly yet the driver can still feel all the power of a genuinely sporty thoroughbred under the surface. The new model adds the definitive flourish to Maserati’s return to the racing circuits after the recent and highly successful debut in the Daytona 24 Hour Race, of the Trofeo Light. Under the guidance of engineer Giorgio Ascanelli, Maserati’s Racing Division is currently developing the new car to meet the rules of the major international championships.

Maserati MC12

The Maserati MC12 is a two seater sports car produced by Italian car maker Maserati to allow a racing variant to compete in the FIA GT Championship. The car entered production in 2004 with 30 cars produced (five of which were not for sale). A further 25 were produced in 2005 making a total of 50 cars available for customers, each of which were pre-sold for €600 000. Maserati designed and built the car on the chassis of the Enzo Ferrari but the final car has much larger size and a lower drag coefficient. The Maserati MC12 is longer, wider and taller and has a sharper nose and smoother curves than the Enzo Ferrari, which has faster acceleration, better braking performance (shorter braking distance) and a higher top speed.

Maserati MC12

The top speed of the Maserati MC12 is 330 kilometres per hour (205 mph) whereas the top speed of the Enzo Ferrari is 350 kilometres per hour (217.5 mph) The MC12 was developed to signal Maserati's return to racing after 37 years. The road version was produced to homologate the race version. One requirement for participation in the FIA GT is the production of at least 25 road cars. Three GT1 race cars were entered into the FIA GT with great success. Maserati began racing the MC12 in the FIA GT toward the end of the 2004 season, winning the race held at the Zhuhai International Circuit. The racing MC12s were entered into the American Le Mans Series races in 2005 but exceeded the size restrictions and consequently paid weight penalties due to excess range.

Maserati MC12

In line with the Maserati MC12’s performance-oriented design, it is supplied exclusively with the six-speed Maserati Cambiocorsa transmission offering computerised gear selection. The driver doesn’t need to touch the clutch with this electro-hydraulic gearbox and instead selects the gears using the paddles mounted behind the steering wheel. The transmission’s two modes are selected at the touch of a button. The Sport mode will be the driver’s most frequent choice and includes a good dose of traction control, while the Race setting enhances the kind of sporty behaviour typically seen on the track. In Race mode in fact, the system delivers much faster gear-changing and also activates the ASR.

Maserati MC12 

Development of the Maserati MC12 began while Maserati was owned by Ferrari in order to create a race car for Maserati that would be eligible to compete in the FIA GT. Its initial name was the MCC, meaning Maserati Corse Competizione, and development under the direction of Giorgio Ascanelli was planned to be simultaneous with that of the MCS, the road going version. The body shape was developed from an idea by Giorgetto Giugiaro during wind tunnel testing, though the majority of styling was by Frank Stephenson.

Maserati MC12 Interior

The MCC had a very similar body shape to the Maserati MC12 but there were several key differences, most notably the rear spoiler. Andrea Bertolini was the chief
test driver throughout the development (although some testing was done by Michael Schumacher), frequently testing the MCC at the Fiorano Circuit. As the MCC was developed further, word of the MCS ceased and eventually the final name, Maserati MC12, was announced.

The Maserati MC12 car is based heavily on the Enzo Ferrari, sharing the same Ferrari Dino V12 engine with slight modifications, the same gearbox (but renaming it Maserati Cambiocorsa) and the same chassis and track (length of axle between the wheels). The Maserati MC12 has its own bodywork which is wider, longer and slightly taller leaving the windshield as the only externally visible component shared with the Enzo. This extra size allows for greater downforce across the whole body, adding to that of the two metre spoiler.

Engine of Maserati MC12 (630 bhp @ 7500 rpm)

The Maserati MC12 cabin boasts an easily removable top, which instantly converts the MC12 from a coupe to a spider. The cabin itself is the epitome of elegance and sportiness. It is simple and understated, typical of an extreme car yet also displaying the meticulous care and finish that has become a classic Trident signature. There is exceptional harmony between the high tech-effect carbon features, the perforated leather trim and the stunning yet high-grip tough technical fabric.