The 'Trident' brand want to be reckoning again

The Italian ‘trident’ brand, Maserati is on the road to refresh its entire model line up by 2013. The company currently builds and sells only three cars, the luxury sedan Quattroporte, luxury coupe GranTurismo and the GranTurismo convertible.

All the new replacement models will be based on a brand new rear wheel drive platform which was first developed for Alfa Romeo flaghsip but plans for the same has been scrapped. This new platform makes extensive use of lightweight aluminium and is hybrid capable as well. Maserati might also offer all wheel drive as an option with some models.

Coming back to the refresh first up there will be a brand new entry level model which will slot below the Quattroporte and is due for 2013. The new model will compete with high performance sedans like the BMW M5, Jaguar XFR, AMG Mercedes and RS and S versions of the Audi’s road going cars. The new platform will also be used for the Quattroporte replacement.

Source: MotorAuthority via Automotive News

GranTurismo will be the first model to get a refresh in the year 2011. The recently introduced GranTurismo convertible will continue to be sold with minor refreshes through the year 2012. The first half of 2012 will debut the brand new Quattroporte replacement which will come with a downsized V6 engine in addition to the top-end V8’s, automatic start-stop system and ZF’s 8-Speed automatic transmission to bring them up to speed with the competition.

These refreshes are a part of Maserati’s larger goal of selling 10,000 cars per year in the near future. The company sold just 4911 cars during last year, a whopping 43% dip in sales and 85% drop in overall profits to $13.8 million.

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