Earlier this week, Maserati has revealed the latest generation of its flagship Quattroporte sport luxury sedan ahead of the upcoming 2013 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
While the outgoing model still remains considerably attractive alongside the BMW 7-Series, Mercedes-Benz S-Class, and the Porsche Panamera, there is no denying that the current flagship has aged. Now, the Italian automaker has released a substantial image gallery that highlights features of the new 2013 model.
Official performance specs remain under wraps for now but according to Maserati Powertrain Director Paolo Martinelli, "Passion and state-of-the-art technology, both at the heart of all the new Maserati engines that will be mounted on the next generation of Maserati vehicles, have produced engines that are not only more powerful than ever, or more exciting to drive than ever - but also more fuel efficient than ever before."
On the latter, sources have also suggested that a new turbocharged V6 powerplant with rear- and four-wheel-drive will join the high performance V8 to improve the efficiency of the Quattroporte's engine range.
Beyond engine efficiency, expect the new Maserati Quattroporte to extensively apply lightweight aluminum and other weight-saving materials to keep the mass low without compromising passenger safety in the event of a crash.
While the next-generation Quattroporte boasts cutting edge mechanicals as well as a significantly lighter and stronger structure, its exterior design is more evolutionary than revolutionary.
According to Head of Maserati Design, Lorenzo Ramaciotti, "Its style was born out of the guiding design principles of Maserati: harmony of shapes, dynamism of lines and Italian elegance. More generous in size when compared to the previous model, the new Quattroporte has a design that is at once graceful and sinuous, fashioned to bring out the sporty nature of the car."
Ramaciotti also adds, "Some of the elements characterising the previous model have been purposely maintained: the front grille, the three side vents and the triangular C pillar. At the same time new style and functional features have been introduced: the strong belt line that runs through the entire side of the car giving the new Quattroporte a look and feel that is at once muscular and elegant, with frameless doors and three side windows."
Visually, the new Maserati Quattroporte seems larger and likely rides on a longer wheelbase for an improved ride quality. However, we are hesitant to admit that the new Quattroporte is what Ramaciotti called "Italian elegance." While the Quattroporte isn't ugly, its soft, ambiguous design is missing a certain degree of excitement that suggests that the Quattroporte is as performance oriented and as exotic as Maserati describes.
Moving onto the interior, Ramaciotti describes, "Inside, the design of the Quattroporte aims at essentiality, stressing the simplicity of lines and the full functionality of the on-board instrumentation. Functional elements are blended with soft quality surfaces made of prestigious woods and refined leathers."
Check out the images of the next-generation 2013 Maserati Quattroporte in the gallery images below. While we find the design of the new Quattroporte a bit underwhelming, we're confident that its ultimate performance specifications will do more than its part to prove us otherwise.
