Tuesday 23rd January 2007

First new Masers leave Modena

Quattroportes cluster in group shot

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Maserati has made a bit of an event of the first Quattroporte Automatics to head for their customers, as the first batch of 70 cars leaves Modena.

Maserati dealerships in France, Germany, Spain, Portugal and Belgium, as well as those in Italy, will be the first to take delivery. Italian dealer representatives opted to take delivery of the vehicles from Modena personally.

A week from the presentation at the Detroit Motorshow, the new Quattroporte Automatic took pride of place at Modena’s prestigious Military Academy. The vehicles then wound their way through the streets of Modena to Piazza Grande where chief executive Roberto Ronchi handed over the keys of the cars to the European dealer representatives.

At the end of the ceremony, all 70 Quattroportes left Piazza Grande for their respective destinations.

In the UK, the £77,000 Quattroporte Automatic officially goes on sale on 14 February 2007.

[britten_mark]

Looks like the mafia are changing their company car fleet...

[littlebro]

Looks like you had to order in Black if you wanted one of the first few....

[Mosi]

"All but 3 of the new Maserati's promptly broke down within 10 miles of the event"

[CUE99T]

lotta car for 77k is it not?

would rather have that than a merc or other large saloon. I presume the S-class merc is it's main competitor?

[littlebro]

Mosi said:

"All but 3 of the new Maserati's promptly broke down within 10 miles of the event"

LOL! Very good.

[scotty_917]

If I was in the market for a luxury saloon I'd easily take one of these over the offerings from Mercedes, BMW, Jaguar, Audi, et al....Bags more character than all those 'prestige' marques put together

[Griffter]

If I'd bought a new Maserati, I'd want to be the first person to drive it any real distance.

[Al 450]

Personally I think it's a beautiful car and it would be my daily driver should my numbers come up.

[rpa.janwell]

Hmm, looks a bit like an advert for fleet hire or Dubai taxis.

[bunglist]

How come the cars have been released in mainland Europe and not in the UK.

Just shows how much a part of Europe we really are doesn't it!!!!!!!!

[flossythepig]

bunglist said:

How come the cars have been released in mainland Europe and not in the UK.

Just shows how much a part of Europe we really are doesn't it!!!!!!!!

I think it may have something to do with the steering wheel. Get the initial production niggles out of the way before worrying about the extra problem with right hand drive.

[oagent]

Now thats how to release a new car!
Now this gorgeous car has the gearbox it deserves to turn it into the biggest money spinner for Maserati.

[kingb]

so what was the problem with the old gearbox??

[Horse_Apple]

kingb said:

so what was the problem with the old gearbox??

It was an old army unit that had 5 reverse gears?

[sleep envy]

Horse_Apple said:

kingb said:

so what was the problem with the old gearbox??

It was an old army unit that had 5 reverse gears?

yes folks, he's here all week

possibly with the same gag

:|

[bennno]

CUE99T said:

lotta car for 77k is it not?

would rather have that than a merc or other large saloon. I presume the S-class merc is it's main competitor?

even more for £35k in 2 years time.

benno

[sprinter885]

Griffter said:

If I'd bought a new Maserati, I'd want to be the first person to drive it any real distance.

Is that so you could at least get some time in before it goes kapput??

[mr_tony]

bennno said:

CUE99T said:

lotta car for 77k is it not?

would rather have that than a merc or other large saloon. I presume the S-class merc is it's main competitor?

even more for £35k in 2 years time.

benno

unfortunately not Was hoping the initial QP's would be at sensible money by now - but 2004 cars are at best coming in at 49,995. I doubt the auto will get anywhere near 50% in 3 years unless they start churning them out by the bucketload (fingers crossed cos I want one!)...

[jeremyc]

mr_tony said:

bennno said:

CUE99T said:

lotta car for 77k is it not?

would rather have that than a merc or other large saloon. I presume the S-class merc is it's main competitor?

even more for £35k in 2 years time.benno

Unfortunately not Was hoping the initial QP's would be at sensible money by now - but 2004 cars are at best coming in at 49,995. I doubt the auto will get anywhere near 50% in 3 years unless they start churning them out by the bucketload (fingers crossed cos I want one!)...

You need to look harder - Autotrader has them starting at less than £45K. Still not huge depreciation, but getting there.

G'wan, you know you want to .....

Bagsy first pax ride

[V8 Vette]

Nice valentines day preessy. I hope Nicole Kidman has my address for delivery