Maserati Quattroporte revealed

Maserati has revealed the first pictures of the all-new Maserati Quattroporte, a large performance car designed to take on models like the Porsche Panamera and Aston Martin Rapide.

There aren’t many confirmed details yet, but expect it to use lightweight aluminium panels, rather than the heavy steel of the outgoing car.

There’s a completely new design that incorporates both a longer wheelbase and a longer overall body, to help increase boot space and rear legroom.

Power should come from a Ferrari-sourced 4.7-litre V8. Expect to see it producing more than the current car’s 424bhp. For the first time, Maserati could also introduce a smaller V6 engine – and possibly even a diesel – to help boost sales.

Maserati powertrain director and former Ferrari engine boss Paolo Martinelli said: “The new engines that will be mounted on the next generation of Maserati vehicles are not only more powerful, or more exciting to drive than ever – but also more fuel efficient than ever before.”

The company’s CEO, Harald Wester, did say that the new Quattroporte was a very important part of Maserati’s plans to increase total sales to 50,000 units a year by 2015. That’s compared to the 6,159 cars it sold in 2011.

The Quattroporte will be unveiled to the public at the Detroit Motor Show in January, and should go on sale shortly after, with prices starting from around £85,000.

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