Category: Featured

The MC Sport Line customization program focuses on the racing vocation of the Maserati, fresh from its latest international triumph in the FIA GT championship with the duo Bertolini-Bartels in the land of Juan Manuel Fangio.

Maserati has developed a special series of new options named “MC Sport Line”, which makes its worldwide debut at the Bologna Motor Show, with new contents that add to Maserati’s already extensive range of personalized features on offer. The MC Sport Line is designed to enhance the sporty DNA of Maserati vehicles for those customers who like to display their passion for racing through a dynamic look and a choice of technical solutions that increase the driving fun without compromises.

The name “MC Sport Line” sums up the experience acquired on the track by the Maserati Corse department, whose contribution to the design of the functional components has been invaluable. The world of motor racing also inspired Maserati’s designers when it came to styling, hence the extensive use of carbon fiber, very popular among racing enthusiasts thanks to its direct connection with racing competitions.

The GranTurismo S, the ultimate expression of Maserati performance on roads, was the model chosen to present to the public the first proposals of the “MC Sport Line” catalogue, which will be extended in the GranTurismo range and then cover the entire Maserati line-up during the course of 2009.

From early 2009, GranTurismo S customers will not only be able to enhance the sporty look of their vehicle’s exterior and interior – but even offer mechanical solutions.

Aerodynamics can be modified thanks to the addition of front and rear carbon-fiber spoilers, which benefit from track tests conducted on the GranTurismo MC Concept; the new aerodynamics not only optimizes the vertical load but gives the car a very distinctive appearance, as do the side skirts with central panel finished in matt black, adding a dynamic edge to the side view.

The sporty look of the exterior can be completed with the mirror housing and door handles, also made from carbon fiber. The same dark shade is reflected in the glossy black 20″ wheel rims that match the dark line of the exterior perfectly.

The carbon fiber door sill bearing the words “MC Sport Line” tells you that you are entering a different environment, in which carbon fiber characterizes the door panels, dashboard and central tunnel.

The steering wheel rim is also made from carbon fiber, as are the control stalks for the electro-actuated transmission and the body of the instrument panel, dashboard and door panels, featuring carbon molding. Looking at the central tunnel, carbon fiber dominates the entire section, acting as a backdrop to enhance the brilliance of the chrome. The “MC” pedal block complete with kickplate to the left is machined from a solid aluminium piece.

Under the “skin”, the suspension has been stiffened thanks to new, stiffer springs, shock absorbers and anti-roll bars; the new suspension set-up is synchronized with a specific Maserati Stability Program software, allowing the driver more freedom. The car is now 10 mm lower than the GranTurismo S, resulting in a performance on the road of the GranTurismo S that is absolutely uncompromising in terms of handling and driving enjoyment.

All the features listed are available either as part of the customization package, following the indications of Maserati designers; or individually, to cater for the personal tastes of each customer.

FIA GT
Triumph of Maserati MC12 and Vitaphone Racing Team

The last event in the FIA GT International Championship, held on 23 November at San Luis in Argentina, gave Andrea Bertolini and Michael Bartels their second Drivers title after the one they both won in 2006 on the Adria circuit.

Thanks to this success, the German team at the wheel of the Maserati MC12 conquered both the Teams and Drivers title for the GT1 class of the international FIA 2008 Championship.
Ten trophies have been collected in the FIA GT championship since 2005 with the Maserati MC12 as common denominator. Specifically:

· 2 Manufacturers Cup
· 3 Drivers titles (Bertolini-Bartels in 2006, Thomas Biagi in 2007, Bertolini-Bartels in 2008);
· 4 Teams titles (since 2005 with no interruption, always with the Vitaphone Racing Team);
· 1 Citation Cup in 2007 with the gentleman driver Ben Aucott.

On December 8th, FIA GT champions Andrea Bertolini and Michael Bartels will be at the wheel of the Maserati MC12 of the Vitaphone Racing Team on the racetrack of Area 48 for an exhibition that will include a pit stop simulation.

Maserati and the Environment

Maserati has implemented a development plan for the next 5 years designed to reduce consumption and CO2 emissions, and to protect the environment.

The designs of recent models have already led to considerable fuel savings. From 2005 onwards, consumption for the Quattroporte has been reduced by more than 20% overall (NEDC combined cycle). The CO2 reduction compared to the previous Gran Sport model is 10% for the GranTurismo S (NEDC extra-urban cycle).

On the new Quattroporte S with its 4.7 engine, exhaust/evap emissions and fuel consumption have been aligned with future Euro 5 regulations for Europe and LEV2 standards for the USA, partly thanks to the adoption of an innovative metallic matrix catalyzer with perforated sheets (Turbulent PE Catalyst), which is both permeable and reliable but does not affect performance. The use of this solution has evened out the distribution of pollutant particles, reduced pressure, improved resistance to high temperatures and the transfer of gases.

Maserati also uses environmentally-friendly, easily recyclable materials made from natural substances, especially for the parts of the interior, which are most in contact with the driver and passengers (natural textile fibers, wood and leather).

Maserati cars are mindful of the “design for recycling” concept, which is centered around making cars easy to dismantle at the end of their working lives, so that materials can be identified and separated for re-use.

Maserati’s Figures for 2008

Maserati will be at the Bologna Motor Show having delivered in the first eleven months of 2008 approximately 7,700 cars to customers, an increase of 22% and a figure which confirms a major consolidation despite the general negative economic landscape.

With over 4,700 cars delivered since the start of 2008, the GranTurismo – on the strength of a full year – has been hugely successful. The same is true of the GranTurismo S version, destined for a niche Maserati customer closer to the world of racing. The GranTurismo S was launched last March, and is equipped with a 440 323 kW 4,7 engine and electro-actuated transmission with MC-Shift.

After five successful years with over 15,000 cars sold and 47 international awards won, the Maserati Quattroporte, the car which invented the “Sport Luxury Sedan” segment, saw the new model being introduced in September. Sales of the new and previous versions have so far reached over 2,900.

Thanks to the unmistakably skilful touch of Pininfarina, the Maserati Quattroporte has been honed with a fresher, more modern design that still denotes the class, exclusivity and elegance of Maserati. There are now two models in the range: the Quattroporte, with its classic V8 engine (4,2 liters and 295 kW) and the Quattroporte S with a new V8 engine (4,7 liters and 317 kW), both with 6-speed automatic transmission.

The Italian market is the second-largest after North America. A total of 779 cars were delivered in Italy during the first eleven months of the year, a 27% increase compared to 2007. The Italian national sales structure thus consolidates its leading position within the European markets, a leadership achieved through a network of 31 Maserati dealers and show rooms.

Italy is followed by Great Britain, Germany, Japan, China – in record growth – France, Switzerland, Australia, the Arab Emirates and Hong Kong.

In the first nine months, Maserati’s revenues amounted to ¿596 million, up 22.9% compared to the same period of the previous year.
There was a 25% increase in deliveries to the network compared to the first 9 months of 2007, and this performance is even more significant considering that the target markets for Maserati vehicles shrank by about 15%.

In the first nine months of 2008, the result of ordinary activities was ¿31 million, with a 5.2% ratio to income – a significant increase on the ¿6 million (1.2% of revenues) achieved during the same period last year.

Although the outlook for 2009 is a cautious one due to the general economic crisis under way and in particular the critical situation which the automotive market is currently experiencing, Maserati feels ready for the challenge it will face in the next twelve months. Notwithstanding the current global situation which is creating much turbulence, we believe that we are prepared: we have designed an industrial system that can adjust to demand; our industrial capacity has the needed flexibility to react in real time; and we are intensively developing our future. There are challenging times ahead, but Maserati, this Maserati, is ready to meet them.