NEWSFLASH: For immediate release 23 December 2003



MASERATI REVEALS QUATTROPORTE UK PRICE AND SPECIFICATION

Quattroporte on-the-road UK price set at £69,995 including three-year service package.

UK deliveries of right-hand drive, 170 mph saloon scheduled for May 2004.

Maserati’s new Quattroporte will cost £69,995 on-the-road when it goes on sale in January. Right-hand drive production of the new flagship model for Maserati begins in March 2004 with UK deliveries of this Italian luxury saloon expected in late spring.

The on-the-road price of a Quattroporte includes a comprehensive standard specification, a three-year full ‘peace of mind’ service package that is unique to Maserati, and a Navtrak vehicle tracking system.

As standard, the Quattroporte specification includes: Bi-xenon headlamps, automatic headlamp and windscreen wiper operation, 18 inch alloy wheels, Poltrona Frau leather interior, six airbags, laminated glass in all windows, powered front and rear seats, Blaupunkt Info Centre with satellite navigation, high power Bose sound system, dual-zone climate control, cruise control and a high-spec anti-theft alarm.

Two options packages will be available – Sport and Executive – and a range of 25 individual options range from metallic paint (£505), coloured brake callipers (£388), rear parking sensor (£447) and powered sunroof (£1,163), to a tailor-made five-piece leather luggage set (£2,468) designed to make maximum use of the 450 litre boot.

The service package includes:

1st Service at 6,250 miles (10,000 km), technical inspections, oil and oil filter replacement and road test.

2nd Service at 18,750 miles (30,000 km), as the first service, but with the addition of air and pollen filter replacements and suspension and tracking alignment checks.

3rd Service at 31,250 miles (50,000 km), as the second service, but with addition of new spark plugs, and replacement of the gearbox, differential and compressor oil, power steering and cooling system liquids, and the climate filter.

The Quattroporte technical specifiation encompasses a 400 bhp V8 engine tuned to generate more than 75% (250 lb ft) of torque from 2,500 rpm, double-wishbone suspension with Maserati’s unique electronic Skyhook multi-mode damping control, Maserati Stability Control, the gearbox in unit with the rear-differential, to create a 47% front, 53% rear, weight split, and an electro-hydraulically actuated, Maserati Duo Select six-speed fully automatic gearbox with manual-mode gear changes using the steering-wheel mounted paddles.

Customers will be offered a choice of 15 exterior paint finishes and 10 leather interior colours. Like other models in the Masearti range, Quattroporte will enjoy a 3-year warranty and it is expected to be classified in insurance group 20. Maserati UK anticipates the availability of between 100 and 150 cars during the year.

Ends...

For further information please contact:

Silvia Pini
Media Relations Manager
Maserati UK
Tel 01784 486607 - Fax 01784 486279
E-mail: silvia.pini@maserati.co.uk


NEWSFLASH: For immediate release 24 November 2003

MASERATI QUATTROPORTE IS ONE OF THE WORLD’S ‘BEST THINGS’



Picture courtesy of CAR magazine

GQ Magazine rates Quattroporte top car among ‘100 Best Things in the World’


Order book for latest Maserati is filling up fast in the UK and Europe

The new Maserati Quattroporte is among the "coolest ‘objets de luxe’ on the planet" – according to the latest edition of men’s lifestyle magazine GQ. In its December edition, on sale now, the magazine presents GQ’s annual harvest of ‘The 100 Best Things in the World Right Now’ and the Maserati comfortably beats every other car to claim 21st place in the 2003 rankings.

GQ’s judges summarised the Quattroporte’s selection with the following words: "At last, an Italian assault on the luxury executive car market… superlative saloon should prove a powerful competitor… has high-spec interiors and all the expected gadgets and gizmos."

Maserati’s new Quattroporte relaunches the concept of the Italian luxury saloon, combining driving pleasure and performance, with style and elegance – the characteristics of a true Maserati. Quattroporte is designed to be a luxurious limousine with a passionate Italian nature, a genuine driver’s car – utterly involving and sporty, entertaining in every circumstance, to be driven and enjoyed everyday, in all weathers and capable of generating rewarding emotions rather than being merely coldly functional.

The magazine’s ‘100 Best Things’ is a splendidly diverse collection, spread over 26 pages ranging from girls, gadgets, gear and more girls – all sporting the sharpest looks of the year. Topping the list is the eye-catchingly curvaceous moulded fibreglass Hara Chair (£825), designed by Giorgio Guridi for Kundalini.

The GQ listing also includes first class hotels and restaurants, top models like cover-girl Ana Beatriz Barros, film stars, Roma’s young hot-shot goal scorer Antonio Cassano, Kylie Minogue’s latest album Body Language and many more.

GQ is exhibiting a selection of the ‘100 Best Things in the World’ at London’s luxurious Berkeley Hotel until the end of December.

Worldwide demand for Quattroporte soars

Since its world debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in early September, the all-new Maserati Quattroporte has really captured the public imagination all around the world. In Britain, Maserati UK already has firm orders for 60 cars.

The new flagship model for Maserati reaches dealer showrooms in Europe during January 2004, with right-hand drive production and UK availability from late spring. Prices and final specification for the Quattroporte on the British market will be announced by January and Maserati UK anticipates the availability of between 100 and 150 cars during the year.

Ends… Newspress Editors’ notes

Maranello Concessionaires Ltd, an Inchcape Company, is the official distributor of Ferrari and Maserati cars in the UK.

For further information please contact:

Silvia Pini

Media Relations Manager

Ferrari and Maserati UK

Tel. 01784 486607

Fax 01784 486279

E-mail: silvia.pini@maserati.co.uk

Website: www.maserati.co.uk






NEWSFLASH: For immediate release 17 October 2003

NEW SHOWROOM OPENS AT MASERATI HQ



The all-new Quattroporte by Pininfarina graces the Maserati showroom


The new showroom at Maserati headquarters was officially inaugurated on 7th October in the presence of Ron Arad and Maserati’s CEO and Managing Director, Antonello Perricone.

The Casa del Tridente is renowned for the smooth lines of its high performance luxury vehicles and for the fact that it excels in everything it turns its hand to. The design of the refurbished production workshops complements that of the new showroom; the structures sit harmoniously side by side, their form the perfect mix of tradition and modernity. To reach the high goals it sets itself, Maserati employs partners of international standing: from Pininfarina for the new Quattroporte to the celebrated designer, Ron Arad, for the showroom.


The Scuderia Serrenissima Tipo 63 from the Panini Collection

Arad was born in Israel in 1951. He studied both in his homeland and later in England, where he established Ron Arad Associates. Arad quickly established himself as one of the best contemporary designers. Working mainly in interior design, he became known for his use of unusual forms. He now teaches in London after a period of lecturing in Vienna. Arad has exhibited his work all over the world: at the Pompidou Centre in Paris, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and London’s Victoria & Albert Museum. The Tel Aviv Opera is one of his most significant projects.

For Maserati, Arad designed the new showroom’s interior and, amazingly, the futuristic loop - a huge, parading circular work. Its construction was complex as it is composed of 21 separate sections and was built on a wooden frame with radiating branches, similar to an aeroplane wing. The whole loop is coated in a unique mix of fibreglass and carbon. The structure is 80 metres long, 33 metres of which are taken up by the main axle alone. It weighs all of 10 tons - most of which is suspended, being self supporting.

The complete Maserati range is displayed on the loop while on the showroom floor there is an area dedicated to some classic models from the past. The Officine Alfieri Maserati personalisation area and the merchandising area are also housed inside. Clients will be able to take delivery of their vehicles here if they so desire and the space can also be used for exhibitions and conventions.

Text & Photos: Maserati Media






NEWSFLASH: For immediate release 13 October 2003

SALES OF MASERATIS IN THE UK
REACH BEST EVER LEVELS




Maserati worked its magic on the UK market in September, recording its best-ever sales month. A total of 70 Maserati Coupés and Spyders were registered. The previous UK sales record month was established in September 2001, when registrations reached 51.

Commenting on the UK's most successful sales month, Philip Mills, Operations Director for Maranello Concessionaires, said: "We are delighted with this result, which shows that the popularity of the Maserati brand is growing strongly in the UK. Demand for the fabulous Maserati Coupé, which was launched 16 months ago, is particularly strong, accounting for 84% of September's sales."

Maserati was founded in 1914 in Bologna and Maranello Concessionaires Limited has held the UK distribution rights since 1998. Total sales for the highly desirable Maserati range in this country have reached 2,248 since 1980.

Newspress Editor's Notes:

  • The Maserati Coupé brings together all of the most desirable elements of a Grand Tourer. Fitted with a 4.2-litre V8 normally-aspirated engine, which it shares with the Spyder, the Coupé provides record performance for a production Maserati with a top speed of 177 mph and a 0 to 62 mph acceleration time of just 4.9 seconds.

  • The Maserati Spyder is a striking two-seater convertible which combines elegant Italian styling with breathtaking performance. Styled by Italdesign-Giugiaro, the Spyder was the first Maserati to be developed entirely under the supervision of company owners Ferrari.

  • The latest addition to the Maserati range is the new Quattroporte: a luxury saloon which delivers sporty-drive and sumptuous four-seater comfort. Fitted with a 400 bhp V8 engine and Maserati DuoSelect six-speed gearbox with automatic and manual modes, the Quattroporte has a top speed of over 170 mph and goes from 0-62 mph in 5.2s. It will be on sale in the UK from late spring 2004.

    Issued on behalf of Maserati UK by PFPR Communications Ltd. For further information please contact:

    Silvia Pini, Media Relations Manager, Maserati UK.

    Tel: 01784 486607

    Fax: 01784 486279

    Email: silvia.pini@maserati.co.uk

    Website: www.maserati.co.uk

    		•






    NEWSFLASH: For immediate release 3 October 2003

    SUPERB NEW FERRARI & MASERATI
    DEALERSHIP OPENS IN SWINDON




    A superbly equipped new dealership showcasing the finest exotic Italian sportscars is now open for business in Swindon. The purpose-built, state-of-the-art Ferrari and Maserati facilities at Dick Lovett (MHT) Limited, will enable the company to offer customers of both marques the highest levels of service.

    The extensive, 800 m2 dealership brings together sales and after-sales operations for new and pre-owned cars, service and repair workshops, plus a retail shop for Ferrari and Maserati merchandise and branded accessories – all under the same roof, located just three minutes drive from Junction 16 of the M4.

    The re-creation of the Ashworth Road, Bridgemead, facility represents a £2.2 million investment by the Dick Lovett Group. It is determined to improve on the high standards of personal service and product expertise established by the small, but greatly respected Northleach-based, Ferrari and Maserati dealership MHT, which it acquired in April 2002.

    "The relocation to our spacious new premises in Swindon will allow us to offer an even better service to existing and new customers in the future," comments Dealer Principal, Julian Wraight. "Technical experts have transferred from Northleach to our new site, and we have gone to great lengths to ensure that we offer a truly outstanding combination of expertise, experience and personalised service for Ferrari and Maserati owners at our more accessible, self-contained facility."




    The Swindon Ferrari and Maserati dealership has room to display 15 new and pre-owned cars, while the workshop, which boasts the very latest technical and diagnostic equipment, has servicing bays for 10 vehicles.

    Mr Julian Wraight, who previously worked for both MHT and Dick Lovett, heads a 20-strong team which includes Chief Engineer Peter North, who has over two decades experience with MHT, and After-Sales Manager Duncan Manning – almost 20 years with Dick Lovett Porsche.

    Although already open for business, the official launch of the Dick Lovett (MHT) Ltd Swindon facility is scheduled for 10 October. The Dick Lovett Group is planning to open its second Ferrari and Maserati dealership in Cardiff, in December.

    Newspress Editors’ Notes

  • The Swindon and Cardiff Ferrari and Maserati dealerships are the latest developments in the family-owned Dick Lovett Group’s 44-year history. Founded by Dick and his wife Stella in 1959, the original business sold motorcycles in Swindon and employed five people. Their son Peter joined the expanding business when he left school, raced cars successfully in the UK and Europe during the 1970s and 80s, and went on to become Group Chairman. Today, the Group employs over 400 people in Bristol, Swindon, Hungerford and Cheltenham operating 16 car dealerships, representing seven brands.

  • Prior to its recent refurbishment, the Ashworth Road facility housed the Dick Lovett Group’s Mercedes-Benz outlet.

    Issued on behalf of Maranello Concessionaires Limited by PFPR Communications Limited.

    For further information please contact:

    Silvia Pini, Media Relations Manager, Ferrari and Maserati UK

    Tel: +44 (0) 1784 486 607

    Fax: +44 (0) 1784 486 279

    Mobile: +44 (0) 7764 157 270

    Email: silvia.pini@maserati.co.uk

    		•



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