Monday 13th January 2020

Maserati rolls out range-wide Royale treatment

New special editions get Bowers and Wilkins stereo, unique paint and new wheels, available from £79k

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New decade, same Maserati. Despite the promise of the long-awaited Alfieri arriving later this year, the rest of the fabled manufacturer's line-up remains rather uninspiring. With the Gran Turismo recently retired and the Quattroporte no longer available with a V8, the marque has been reduced to finding simpler ways to keep its range in the headlines.

The Royale series may just be the latest in a long line of 'special edition' Maseratis, then, but is worthy of our attention because, well, it's mid January and the rest of the automotive world is still recovering from its New Year hangover. Paying tribute to a 1986 special edition of the Quattroporte - a machine which featured a blue and green colour scheme, luxury leather upholstery and extensive use of wood - the new limited-run trimline brings several of that car's defining themes up to date for modern customers.

While only 51 examples of that car were produced, Maserati needs to sell more than that in 2020, so will make 100 Royale'd Ghiblis, Quattroportes and Levantes respectively. The unique designation will be available on cars fitted with 3.0-litre V6 engines only - that's the 275hp diesel and 350hp or 430hp petrol units - and comes in a choice of two colours: Blu Royale and Verde Royale.

A set of 21-inch Anteo Staggered Anthracite or Titanium Anthracite rims will be available on the saloon cars, both with silver brake calipers. Wheel options for the Levante haven't yet been confirmed. Interiors are based on Maserati's GranLusso trim, and feature high Gloss inserts - Metal Net for the Levante, Ebony for the Ghibli and Black Piano for the Quattroporte - a special "One of 100" plate, Bowers & Wilkins sound system, electric sunroof and privacy glass.

Royale series cars also come equipped with several usually-optional packs as standard, including Cold Weather, Premium and Driving Assistance Plus, ensuring that "whether driving down city streets or taking part in an exclusive grand tour, high-powered luxury will be met with greater-than-ever safety on the road." Jolly good.

First deliveries are scheduled for March, with prices starting at £78,900 for the Ghibli, £103,150 for the Quattroporte and £85,300 for the Levante. Remember, though, only 100 of each will be produced no matter the demand, so if you prefer your Maseratis Royale then you'd best order now.

[anonymous-user]

The initial message was deleted from this topic on 06 October 2021 at 11:23

[Blib]

100 said:

Shame. I wish they would bring out a new GranTurismo and supercar even.

A smaller GranTourismo replacement would be good, in my opinion.

[Gecko1978]

to my mind masarati occupy that tricky spot where jaguar also pitch themselves, a sort of more exclusive rival to BMW Mercedes Lexus Audi Alfa even but not quite as a good all rounder as thoes brands premier cars etc.

100 of each model....I.doubt you will need to rush to order one and this comes from someone who suspects we may get a levantte next time round.

[BVB]

Beautiful colour. I'm with Maserati on not releasing new models too often. If it aint broke, don't fix it. Look at Aston, they are still making the DB7 if you ignore the name changes.

[Miserablegit]

I’ll have a Royale with cheese


I do like Maserati but they shouldn’t be making anything diesel powered.

[Fulla]

Miserablegit said:

I’ll have a Royale with cheese


I do like Maserati but they shouldn’t be making anything diesel powered.

You beat me to it...Royale with cheese...:-)

[breezer_42]

BVB said:

Look at Aston, they are still making the DB7 if you ignore the name changes.

What on Earth are you talking about?!

[rare6499]

Didn’t they discontinue the V8 GTS? Or am I making that up.

Still think a late GTE of the previous shape is the one to have...

[greysquirrel]

Gecko1978 said:

to my mind masarati occupy that tricky spot where jaguar also pitch themselves, a sort of more exclusive rival to BMW Mercedes Lexus Audi Alfa even but not quite as a good all rounder as thoes brands premier cars etc.

100 of each model....I.doubt you will need to rush to order one and this comes from someone who suspects we may get a levantte next time round.

I thought the same, probably 2 years worth of orders ;-)

[GoodCompany]

BVB said:

Look at Aston, they are still making the DB7 if you ignore the name changes.

Eh?

[dvs_dave]

breezer_42 said:

BVB said:

Look at Aston, they are still making the DB7 if you ignore the name changes.

What on Earth are you talking about?!

Aye, the fella is talking bilge. DB7 was a dressed up Jag XK.

Perhaps he meant DB9 and it’s VH platform, in which case he’d closer to the truth as that soldiered on up until only a few years ago under various guises, until it was replaced with the DB11.

Anyway, back on topic; They’re rolling a turd in glitter with this one. It’s an overpriced sub-standard product that is comprehensively outclassed by the competition. Totally an image over substance product, along with their usually tragically stereotypical owners.

Edited by dvs_dave on Tuesday 14th January 04:57

[anonymous-user]

It would've made more sense to make the last Granturismos in this colour rather than tart up their work horse models.

Edited by anonymous-user on Tuesday 14th January 03:49

[stuckmojo]

Somehow not as exciting as the previous model. The overall proportions aren't as nice.

And about the GT, to me it looks like that new Ferrari Roma is what the Alfieri was going to be. Looks like they took over the design again after the California or whatever the new version of that is called.

Edited - I meant Ferrari Roma

[GTEYE]

stuckmojo said:

Somehow not as exciting as the previous model. The overall proportions aren't as nice.


Edited - I meant Ferrari Roma

I presume you realise this isn't a new model, its been around since 2013. Just that the world didn't really notice.

I struggle to see any appeal in Maserati these days, sure the leather seats look great, but the cars are generic and generally miles of class leadership.

The Ghibli diesel was a real low - like a 530d but kind of worse in every respect. The buying public weren't daft.

[TheOrangePeril]

So that's what they call a 1/4 pounder with cheese in Europe.

[Roma101]

Hate to say it, but this smacks of desperation. Still, it might work for them.

Also, the article could be a bit more clear on price. The article says that, in respect of the QP, prices for this special addition start at £103k. Does that mean that the base QP (the 350 hp one) tarted up is £103k and that the tarted up top of the range 430 hp QP is more expensive still? If so, the 430 hp one is probably going to cost about £113k! Which is about £25k more than the non tarted up top of the range QP.

As nice as it looks and no doubt feels, that is a lot of money for some wheels, paint, options, badge etc, especially when compared to the competition.

[ntiz]

I really do t get why Fiat wont let Maserati be the luxury/GT equivalent of Ferrari.

The quatraporte could be 150k+ car with the V8 out of the 488. Less volume but more exclusivity and profit. The brand deserves to be in the same ball park as Bentley and Aston Martin. It seems to me they keep them down just to keep Ferrari happy.

The Ghibli could be the entry level car again with the V8 and Ferrari know how to give the M5 a bloody nose. Cement them as something special.

Just sad when they have been dragged down to 530d level. It’s the company that built the birdcage and dominated the earlier years of F1.

[Raudus42]

I'd love to see;

A new Merek - small, mid engine, could be hybrid or even EV.

A new Khamsin - stunning looking, graceful yet powerful looking.

[swisstoni]

What a fabulous brand, just waiting for a bit of $.

[Black S2K]

Quattroporte looks as wonderful as ever - even better in that colour scheme.

Pity there's no V8 any more, but times change.

There's a guy near here who uses a Ghibli as a taxi. I so admire the sheer bonkersness of that.