“Even though our rivals – such as the new Audi A8 – are getting longer, we have to keep it as a sporty alternative,” he said.
Ramaciotti also declared that the current grille would stay. Maserati’s CEO, Harald Wester, said the car will be offered with four-wheel drive and stop/start technology.
The Quattroporte, scheduled for 2012, will be 15% lighter than the current model, with fuel economy improving and CO2 emissions dropping by 25%. In addition to stop/start, four-wheel drive, downsized V6 and V8 engines and 8 speed ZF automatic gearbox will be offered.
Wester said the addition of four-wheel drive will help the Quattroporte compete with German rivals. However, the Quattroporte will have a younger brother. Expected to debut in Autumn 2011, the four-door coupe will take on the BMW M5, Mercedes CLS AMG, Jaguar XF-R and the forthcoming Audi RS7.
The car will be designed in-house by Fiat Centro Stile under the control of Lorenzo Ramaciotti.
Maserati is still deciding where it will produce this model. Maserati’s Modena factory has no capacity, however, coachbuilder Bertone's Turin factory is a favorite.