MASERATI AT THE FRANKFURT MOTOR SHOW: UPDATES TO THE PRODUCT RANGE AND NEW CONTENTS

September 15, 2015 by Maserati

Updated product range with Euro 6 engines, new contents and the market launch of the 'Zegna Edition' interiors for the Ghibli and Quattroporte saloons.

Frankfurt, 15 September 2015 – In a year of consolidation and in the run-up to the launch of the Levante SUV scheduled for 2016, Maserati lines up its complete Model Year 16 (MY16) product range for the first time in Europe. With the MY16 range, Maserati upgrades all current engines to the Euro 6 standard and adds exclusive new contents for the Ghibli and Quattroporte saloons.

Apart from the engines, the area of the saloons to benefit from the most innovation is that of the traditional customisations, thanks to the exclusive Ghibli and Quattroporte interior packages bearing the Ermenegildo Zegna signature, not to mention new mouldings and ornamental stitching on the headrests.

Other areas to benefit from new contents are driver aids and safety, with the Blind Spot Alert and Rear Cross Path system, user-friendliness with the Power Boot (motorised boot opening and closure, also featuring hands-free activation), the sound system with the debut of a Harman Kardon system and an update to the existing Bowers & Wilkins system, and the user-car interface, which now includes voice commands by means of the Siri smart personal assistant in combination with iOS devices. Further improvements in terms of acoustic insulation allow the Maserati saloons, Quattroporte and Ghibli, to meet the needs of their demanding customers more effectively.

The stand displays 3 versions of the Ghibli, the sporty executive saloon, and 2 versions of the Quattroporte, the Maserati luxury limousine now in its sixth generation; the GT range is represented by the GranTurismo MC Stradale Centennial Edition and a GranCabrio Sport.

THE NEW FEATURES OF THE MODEL YEAR 16

EURO 6 ENGINES

For both Quattroporte and Ghibli gasoline engines (V6 Twin Turbo from 330 up to 410 hp and V8 Twin Turbo with 530 hp), the introduction of EURO 6 homologation brings up to 12% reduction in emissions, consumption and unchanged performance compared to previous EURO 5 engines, while the MY16 gasoline engines also benefit from the introduction of the Start & Stop system.

On the V6 Diesel engines, emissions and consumption figures, as well as performance, remain unchanged, while the Euro 6 homologation introduced AdBlue technology, with a dedicated on-board tank placed below the rear tank.

On the GranTurismo and GranCabrio ranges, where the naturally aspirated V8 engines already had emission levels in line with the prescribed standards, the upgrading to Euro 6 did not generate any changes in fuel consumption or emission figures.

'ZEGNA EDITION' INTERIOR PACKAGE

The Ermenegildo Zegna interior exclusively for Maserati combines fine leather with 100% natural fibre Zegna Mulberry silk inserts on the seats, door panels, roof lining, sunshades and ceiling light fixture. The seat covers and door panels receive an added touch of luxury with stitching in a contrasting colour. The headrest is embroidered with an eye-catching Trident, the Maserati brand emblem.

Available in three colour variants for the interiors of the Quattroporte and Ghibli, this exclusive 'Zegna Edition' outfit will be the most exquisite of all Maserati customisations.

The interior offering includes a choice of colour combinations: the Ermenegildo Zegna silk, available in Anthracite colour only, can be combined with three different shades of luxurious fine leather, for three individual looks:

◾Black colour fine grain leather / Anthracite Ermenegildo Zegna Silk / contrasting grey stitching on seats, dashboard, door panel and headrest

◾Natural colour fine grain leather / Anthracite Ermenegildo Zegna Silk / contrasting grey stitching on seats, dashboard, door panel and headrest

◾Red colour fine grain leather / Anthracite Ermenegildo Zegna Silk / contrasting grey stitching on seats, dashboard, door panel and headrest

To focus on details, in the 'Zegna Edition' version the outsides of the seats are in extra fine grain leather with contrasting, light grey stitching, matched to an Anthracite central silk insert with a micro-chevron weave of vertical rolls on the central seat and backrest area. Within this area, the central roll, with leather tapes on the sides, features a special macro-chevron weave adding to its three-dimensional feel and technical look.

On the door panels, the central parts are covered with Zegna silk Jersey and embellished by a diagonal roll pattern, with ton-sur-ton ornamental stitching and alternating rib embroideries. The same fabric is used to cover the car's roof lining and sunshades, the latter carrying grosgrain 'Ermenegildo Zegna Exclusively for Maserati' brand labels on the inside. The sophisticated, luxury finish of the car interior is also expressed by the headrests, featuring an embroidered Trident emblem and contrasting stitching.

This extended, exclusive product offering for the Maserati saloons is available for all markets, on all Quattroporte and Ghibli versions.

NEW QUATTOPORTE AND GHIBLI CONTENTS

Blind Spot Alert & Rear Cross Path

Available upon request for both Quattroporte and Ghibli, the Blind Spot Alert uses visual and audible signals to alert the driver when a vehicle enters the blind spot zones; this important safety feature has been introduced to avoid collisions during lane changes. The system monitors blind spot areas using two radar-based sensors, located inside the rear bumper fascia; when a vehicle approaches from behind, the LED warning signal embedded into the side mirrors lights up while an acoustic alert can also be heard.

The Rear Cross Path function is designed to assist the driver when reversing, and is particularly useful when backing out of a parking space, when oncoming vehicles cannot be seen. By means of sensors fitted on each side of the rear bumper, a system detects any vehicles heading towards the car and alerts the driver visually and acoustically. The system is active at speeds from a minimum of 3 km/h to a maximum of about 16 km/h, typical of parking areas, and provides a useful checking function.

Power Boot Lid with Hands-Free Mode

With the introduction of the Power Boot lid, included in the Quattroporte GTS and available upon request for the other versions of both Quattroporte and Ghibli, the light aluminium boot lid can now open or close on its own. Thanks to electric actuators and a motor-operated locking device, the system allows automatic control of the boot lid, with a selection of activation options to suit different situations: from inside the car, using the car remote, using the buttons on the boot lid or in Hands-Free mode.

With Hands-Free mode, the boot can be opened or closed by simply moving a foot underneath the rear bumper; a special sensor picks up the movement and opens or closes the boot. In this case and for safety reasons, the lid will only open or close if the 'Passive Entry' system acknowledges the presence of the key.

Siri Personal Assistant

Thanks to the Apple chip integrated in the MTC, in MY16 vehicles a useful on-board feature that exploits iOS functionality has been introduced: the Siri 'smart' personal assistant, already incorporated in Apple devices. Based on Bluetooth technology, Siri allows users of Quattroporte and Ghibli (both standard) to perform tasks on iOS connected devices (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch) and make requests using voice commands. The advantage is that Siri uses natural language to understand commands. For safety reasons, when the car is on the move Siri deactivates all applications which use visual content or require user interaction, replying to commands given or questions asked with voice feedback only.

Audio

The audio system has been completely renewed with MY16 and brings on board the new Harman Kardon system as a standard feature on all Quattroporte versions and upon request on Ghibli; it gives outstanding power and sound quality, based around 10 speakers and a 900W 12-channel amplifier. The door woofers and the subwoofer installed underneath the rear shelf are also of new design for a more powerful sound.

The optional Bowers & Wilkins Premium Surround audio system is as good as it gets in production car hi-fi systems, with the new Clari-Fi function from MY16.

The Clari-Fi function is an advanced solution designed for digital music and capable of restoring the artistic details lost in digitally-compressed songs. Clari–Fi scans all types of compressed audio files for lost music details, supporting MP3, AAC, Satellite Radio, Playback and Streaming Music Services and intelligently corrects waveform deficiencies based on existing music information and audio source quality. By recapturing the missing highs and lows, restoring the vocals to their natural tone, returning to a true stereo sound and removing unwanted distortions and artifacts, these features exclusive for the Bowers & Wilkins Premium Surround audio system set a new benchmark in automotive audio.

Other features

Interior: while the standard equipment is sumptuous, Maserati also provides an exceptional degree of personalisation with a vast range of materials for the client to choose from, including wood, carbon fibre, leather, Alcantara, as well as coloured stitching in contrast with the leather colour, for areas such as the upper dashboard, doors and seats and, with the introduction of MY16, also headrest contrast stitching with embroidered Trident upon request. A lacquered Black Piano trim - already available for the MY16 Quattroporte - is also available for MY16 Ghibli for areas such as the central tunnel cover or the door inserts.

Photo credit: Maserati
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