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Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Mercedes-Benz SLK 250 BE B25S by Brabus
S4 / 1.796 cc / 240 PS / 273 ft/lb (370 Nm) @ 2.000 - 4.300 / turbo / 0 - 62 mph (100 km/h): 6,2 s / Vmax: 154 mph (248 km/h)
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2011 Maserati Quattroporte
2011 Maserati Quattroporte
2011 Maserati Quattroporte
2011 Maserati Quattroporte
2011 Maserati Quattroporte
2011 Maserati Quattroporte
2011 Maserati Quattroporte
2011 Maserati Quattroporte
2011 Maserati Quattroporte
When most companies go about creating their flagship sedan conservative feelings can prevail. Most of these companies (i.e. Mercedes, BMW, and Audi) have been building a large four-door sedan for decades. They tend to go with a don’t fix what’s not broken mantra when updating the look, design, and feel of the car lending to a sense of evolution rather than revolution when a new model appears.
Maserati had the luxury of not really having to please anyone when they decided to build their 4-door sedan, the Quattroporte. Designers and engineers wanted the sedan to evoke more emotion than others in its class and have accomplished just that. Looking at today’s 2011 Quattroporte, it’s hard to believe that essentially the same model has been in production for six years now. It is still stunning to look at and cannot really be compared to anything in terms of design except perhaps the new Aston Martin Rapide.
After winning a slough of awards throughout its production, the Quattroporte will enter 2011 with some updates, a baby brother, and the same Ferrari sourced V8 that we all enjoy so much.
Hit the jump for more details on the 2011 Maserati Quattroporte.
2011 Maserati GranTurismo Wallpaper
2011 Maserati GranTurismo Picture and Wallpaper
2011 Maserati GranTurismo Picture and Wallpaper
2011 Maserati GranTurismo Picture and Wallpaper
2011 Maserati GranTurismo Picture and Wallpaper
2011 Maserati GranTurismo Picture and Wallpaper
2011 Maserati GranTurismo Picture and Wallpaper
2011 Maserati GranTurismo Pictures
2011 Maserati GranTurismo Interior And Exterior
2011 Maserati GranTurismo Interior And Exterior
2011 Maserati GranTurismo Interior And Exterior
2011 Maserati GranTurismo Interior And Exterior
2011 Maserati GranTurismo Interior And Exterior
2011 Maserati GranTurismo Interior And Exterior
Maserati > Maserati Models > GranTurismo > Exteriors printsizesize
The Maserati GranTurismo design: elegance enveloping room for four
The grand touring coupé reinvented with a balance of grace and aggression
However you look at it, the Maserati GranTurismo expresses dynamic tension and a sporty edge: the large oval grille, the bodywork that seems to be drawn tight over the frame like a figure hugging dress, right down to the rear flanks. Pininfarina has created an elegant and sensual look around the idea that is the GranTurismo project. Sportiness is combined with true space for four. This sleek appearance, combined with solidity and grace, provokes a fascinating mix of sensations.
Unique and unmistakably Maserati, the GranTurismo’s grille features concave vertical slats. A chrome Trident logo is suspended in its center. The front headlights are an aggressive addition to the radically sloping front bumper, a stylistic element that has long distinguished Maserati coupés. In the space between the crests of the front fenders is the traditional long, low hood. The bonnet’s classic ‘V’ shape is a feature that is echoed throughout the car.
The traditional Maserati design element of three chrome-ringed air vents set behind the front wheels lend the GranTurismo an even more vibrant feel. The car’s lines were designed to lead the eye fluidly over its curves, from the stunning front end to the sweeping rear.
Moving further down the side of the GranTurismo, the oval version of the Maserati logo (known as ‘Saetta’) stands out on the rear pillars. The elegant shape concludes at the rear light cluster, featuring LED lights, in a daring triangle. Wide aerodynamic diffusers sit under the sculpted bumper.
The styling themes continue inside the cabin, as can only be done when a car is designed as a singular piece by a talent such as Pininfarina. Inside the V design element can be seen in the dashboard below the Maserati clock, and is also picked up in the seat design, uniting the interior and exterior.
The GranTurismo transcends style and instead enters into the rarefied world of true beauty.
2011 Maserati GranTurismo
The new Maserati GranTurismo, styled by Pininfarina, made its worldwide debut first as a 2008 model. The new coupe is powered by a 4.2-liter V8 engine and delivers a nimble weight distribution of 49 percent at the front and 51 percent at the rear.
The engine delivers 405 horsepower at 7,100 rpm and 339 pound-feet of torque at 4,750 rpm. Power is transmitted to the rear wheels via a six-speed automatic with paddle shifters for the manual control mode.
All of this power helps this luxury sports car get up to 60 miles per hour in 5.1 seconds, with a top speed of 177 mph.
Described as a "muscular and sporty car that can be enjoyed every day," the GranTurismo is fitted with an automatic gearbox and equipped with an adaptive control system which adjusts the gear-shifting mode to the driving style and the driving conditions. It is designed with "particular attention to comfort" and enough room for four people.
Maserati's tradition of the Gran Turismo concept dates back to 1947 when the Trident Company, following its clients' demand, unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show its first Gran Turismo, the A6, designed by the great Pininfarina. It was the first Maserati road car and was produced in 58 units.
The interior is truly built with luxury in mind, and comes in an unbelievable 8 million different possible color and trim configurations. The electronically controlled front seats strike a balance between comfort and support needed for spirited driving, and are covered in Poltrona Frau leather upholstery.
The Easy Entry system powers the front seats forward to allow ample space for rear passengers to climb on board and share in the roomy and refined atmosphere.
The cabin has been handcrafted and the care taken in its construction is clear. The finish is clean but exquisitely refined, from the subtle chrome rings that surround the dashboard and steering wheel switches to the Trident logo on the headrests and the Alcantara used on the back of the gearshift paddles.
The standard Bose Surround Sound audio system further improves on-board enjoyment for those looking to take a break from cell phone discussions and city noises. The placement of the eleven speakers was studied intensively in order to adapt them to the cabin's acoustics.
Open the trunk and equal care can be seen in the luggage space that can hold up to two regular-sized golf bags or the exclusive five-piece luggage set created especially for the Maserati GranTurismo by Salvatore Ferragamo.
Pricing starts at $118,000, making the GranTurismo a rival to the BMW M6, Aston Martin Vantage, Mercedes CL-Class, and even more expensive models like the Bentley Continental.
2011 Maserati Quattroporte Review
2011 Maserati Quattroporte Review
Aside from some minor cosmetic tweaks to the mid-level model, the Maserati Quattroporte returns for the 2011 model year as stunning as it’s ever been over its six years in production.
2011 Maserati Quattroporte Review
The Quattroporte (“four-door” in Italian, of course) made its debut in the 2005 model year and still looks every bit as rakish and ravishing as it did on Day One. The smoothly sculpted roofline tapers into an elegant tail, marking a high point in the perpetual compromise between a sporty stance and elegant sedan bodywork. The rich interior adds to the mystique, with plenty of wooden trim and detailed piping on the leather seats.
2011 Maserati Quattroporte Review
Unlike the bigger German sedan rivals, the Quattroporte is more like a four-door sports car. XF and the new A7 are good for comparison: the slightly harsh ride of the Q-Porte over rough surfaces is something to be overlooked, as is the somewhat cramped back seat, while the note of its 400-horsepower, 4.2-liter Ferrari-derived engine is something to be savored. The engine wails brilliantly at its 7500-rpm redline, and through its six-speed automatic transmission, pushes the base Quattroporte to 60 mph in about 5.5 seconds. A 425-hp Quattroporte Sport GT S model can hit the same mark in about 5.0 seconds. Both stride to speed in a hurry, though at 4400 pounds, they’re clearly overcoming a weight problem. The transmission comes with a manual shift mode and paddles for shifting; they’re located behind the somewhat small steering wheel.
2011 Maserati Quattroporte Review
Huge Brembo brakes give it the stopping power of a true supercar, though, and its independent suspension lends it a nimble feel–though the Skyhook air suspension is recommended to take the edge off the sometimes brittle ride quality.The Quattroporte’s cozy interior suffers from limited head room in back, but the front seats have ample room surrounding them. The trunk is large enough only for one full-size suitcase and a couple of soft-sided weekend bags.
2011 Maserati Quattroporte Review
There aren’t any independent crash-test results for the Quattroporte, but with seat-mounted side airbags up front and head-protecting curtain bags covering the front and rear, the car at least covers the bases. Anti-lock brakes and stability control are standard, as are great bi-xenon HID headlamps.
2011 Maserati Quattroporte Review
For the exclusivity of owning a Maserati, you’ll pay a steep price–higher than the competitive . You’ll also have to exercise some patience, since the sedan is built to order–and orders can take four to six months to complete.
The Design of Maserati Quattroporte
The Design of Maserati Quattroporte
The Design of Maserati Quattroporte
The Design of Maserati Quattroporte
The Design of Maserati Quattroporte
The Design of Maserati Quattroporte
The Design of Maserati Quattroporte
The Design of Maserati Quattroporte
The Design of Maserati Quattroporte
The Quattroporte’s lines are enhanced by advanced technology
The Maserati Quattroporte’s stylish looks are down to Pininfarina, the famous coachbuilder. New technological features and revised aerodynamics combine harmoniously to render the elegant Maserati flagship model even more desirable and unique.
The front end is dominated by the new grille with the traditional Trident logo in its centre. The grille’s convex vertical slats give the car an assertive poise and hint at the potential that lies beneath the bonnet. The front lights, like those at the rear, make use of LED know-how to give the Quattroporte an even more striking look.
The Quattroporte is a car with a strong personality that combines power and elegance. Its unmistakeable lines are completed by the side spoilers and the 19” Neptune wheel rims.
