The Italian Maserati Collezione Cento, a permutation of Quattropode, is a limited 100 car production. Cento features, 400-hp V-8 engine, a 20-inch wheels, chromed grille, Poltrona Frau "Cuoio" colored leather and 10-inch touch screen monitors in back of each front seat. Rear seat passengers can use them with the keyboard housed in the center armrest to browse the internet or watch movies. That rear armrest also features iPod dock, USB port, Bluetooth connectivity and auxillary line-in.
Check out the official PR and high res pics after the jump
Maserati looks to the future with an even richer offering
Maserati looks back on a year of great achievements, with over 7000 vehicles delivered,
mainly thanks to its flagship the Quattroporte, on show in Detroit as a super-luxe
limited edition. Meantime, with orders totaling 2333 in just six months, the Maserati
GranTurismo is still firing the public's imagination.
Modena - 13 January 2008. From production through to sales, Maserati's figures
for 2007 speak for themselves: a production record was set in October, when 850
vehicles left the Modena plant - equivalent to the annual production of just a few
years ago - while December ended with a record of over 1000 vehicles registered.
Through 2007, 7353 cars were delivered to customers, 33,3% more than previous year,
via a network of 272 dealers in 59 countries on 5 continents: the US market was
in first place, with 2600 vehicles delivered in 2007, 20,5% more than the preceding
year, followed by Italy with 714 vehicles, a 40% increase compared to 2006. In third
place was the United Kingdom (611), whose close rivals throughout the year were
Germany and Japan. These markets were followed by Switzerland, France, China (eighth
place), Arab Emirates and Australia.
2007 was also a hugely satisfying year in financial terms. Pending the arrival of
the official figures from the FIAT Group, expected at the end of the month, we can
look back on the exciting results recorded during the third quarter, when the company
earned revenues of euro 141 million , up by 33% compared to the same period in 2006.
Total revenues during the first 9 months amounted to euro 485 million , an
increase of 29.3% and profits of euro 6 million from ordinary operations -
the exact opposite of the result for the previous 12 months, in which euro
6 million was the loss recorded. Looking at the period from January to September,
the comparison is even more pronounced: euro 6 million profit in 2007, euro
32 million loss in 2006.
These commercial and financial successes are mainly due to the Quattroporte model,
restyled for the last Detroit Motor Show with the introduction of automatic transmission,
in addition to the Duo Select. Winner of 40 international awards, approximately
15,000 have been delivered since its launch.
Of all the Quattroporte delivered in 2007, 74% were automatic models and the remainders
were Duo Select, in the following versions: Executive GT, Sport GT and Sport GT
S, launched at the Frankfurt Motor Show with automatic transmission only.
A study of the figures for the period from January to September 2007 in the eight
largest international car markets (in Europe: Italy, Great Britain, Germany, France
and Switzerland), and the USA, Japan and Australia, reveals that the Quattroporte
is the fourth most popular car in its category (on average), and the second-highest
seller in the five European countries. In detail, the best performances were achieved
in Italy and France, where the Quattroporte is top of its segment, while in Switzerland
and Australia it is second.
QUATTROPORTE "COLLEZIONE CENTO"
To start 2008 with a novelty, Maserati has brought to Detroit its flagship sedan
with super-luxe dress - the Quattroporte "Collezione Cento" - of which just 100
will be produced: comfort, technology and luxury all rolled into one, dressed for
the occasion in a sophisticated Italian outfit - in the brand-new ivory color, with
a livery on the sides that enhance the sinuous lines of the Quattroporte. On the
exterior, the 20" wheels are fitted with polished rims, adding the perfect touch
of sophistication and elegance. The chromed honeycomb front and side grilles also
bring out the executive flagship nature of this sedan.
The interior is no less spectacular. Everything exudes luxury, from the Poltrona
Frau "Cuoio" colored leather seats with diamond-shaped stitching and matching buttons
in the centre to the polished Weng wood inserts on the steering wheel, center console
and receptacle. The mother of pearl inlays are a true delight, adding an unusual
gleam to the name of the vehicle and the trident on the gear shift knob. Cuoio colored
leather is also used for the superior-weight overmats, enhanced by Beige contrasting
edges. The interior's concept was exclusively presented to Maserati customers last
year at Frankfurt's Motorshow: the "Collezione Cento" is born from on the basis
of their feedback and comments.
Technology is another area where the Collezione Cento scores highly. Back seat passengers
in the new Quattroporte find themselves in a multimedia paradise controlled by the
Maserati Multimedia Entertainment system. The technology is housed in the rear center
armrest, which contains an AUX-IN socket, iPod docking station, SIM card seat and
USB port so that passengers can view photographs, videos or listen to MP3/WMA tracks
contained in other peripherals. The car's sound system or the special Bluetooth
headsets can be used for listening.
The armrest also features a built-in keypad for Internet browsing and email access,
which can be folded. And because image also counts, especially when it comes to
luxury, there are two real eye-catchers built into the back of the front seats:
two 1.04" touch screens complete with a CD/DVD player built into the back of the
centre receptacle.
The 100 lucky owners will be guaranteed luxury and exclusivity, thanks to the numbered
plate built into the the dashboard molding.
The Quattroporte Collezione Cento is fitted with a 4244 cc engine (400 bhp) paired
with hydraulic automatic 6-speed transmission that guarantees the same performance
as the Quattroporte Automatica range.
QUATTROPORTE GT S, A FLAGSHIP WITH ATTITUDE
The Quattroporte Sport GT S deserves a separate mention. The ultimate expression
of the Trident's sporty flagship vehicle, it made a triumphant entrance at Frankfurt
earlier in the autumn.
The Sport GT S is a car for those looking for the might and muscle of the racetrack
in a luxury sedan. With automatic 6-speed transmission, it stands out for its remarkably
dynamic on-road behavior and uncompromising handling. Two real gems are hidden beneath
the panels of this car from Modena: the single-calibration shock absorbers, the
new lower, stiffer suspension, and the innovative braking system developed from
the dual-cast brake disc, the result of a partnership with Brembo, used for the
first time in the automotive industry on the Quattroporte Sport GT S.
The car also has a more aggressive look, with black being the dominant color: black-chrome
honeycomb mesh grille, twin exhaust pipes finished in black, door handles to match
the bodywork and seven-spoke 20" wheel rims in the new Dark Chrome finish. As for
the interior, it is every bit as striking: carbon detailing with a new aluminum
weave design, restyled front seats for improved comfort, great stability for chest
and legs in racing mode, and the traditional Poltrona Frau leather combined with
Alcantara.
GRANTURISMO, GREAT SUCCESS The success of the Maserati GranTurismo is now
well-established. The high-performance sports car from the House of Trident continues
to amaze and captivate the international market. Its world dbut in Geneva nine
months ago has been followed by launches in each of the 59 countries in the Maserati
network. The launch program was completed at the end of the year with the introduction
of right-hand drive. By the end of 2007, the GranTurismo is parked in the garages
of no fewer than 1326 customers, with orders totaling 2333.
The reasons behind its success are plain for all to see: the exclusive, exquisite
lines penned by Pininfarina conceal a sporty, aggressive vehicle with a sparkling
performance, suitable for everyday driving thanks to its excellent handling. Total
comfort is guaranteed by the excellent quality of materials, attention to detail
and spacious interior. The rear seats can comfortably accommodate two adults, even
on long journeys.
The engine compartment houses a V8 4.2 engine (405 bhp at 7100 rpm), capable of
a top speed of 285 km/h. With acceleration of 0-100 in 5.2 seconds, an exciting
drive and thrilling performance are guaranteed.
Just a few months after its launch, the GranTurismo has already collected four international
awards, two of which were won in the United States.
The success of the Maserati GranTurismo began 60 years ago, when the Modena manufacturer
launched 58 models of the A6 Gran Turismo styled by Pininfarina. Ten years later,
it was the turn of the first standard GranTurismo, the 3500 GT, a car which marked
a turning point for the company as it shifted its attention from racing cars to
road going production, turning out 1983 models of the 3500 GT in seven years. Those
days may be long gone, but they have been well and truly revived with the 2007 version
of the GranTurismo.
ECO-COMPATIBILITY
Environmental issues, fuel and emissions reduction are central themes on the Maserati
agenda. While preserving the Trident tradition, in other words cars that guarantee
high performance to reflect the characteristics and content of Maserati models,
the company is also researching ways to reduce fuel consumption and is paying more
attention to environmental concerns. The designs of recent models have already led
to considerable fuel savings, with a reduction of 9% (non-urban driving) for the
Quattroporte Automatica and the Quattroporte Sport GT S, and a further 3% for the
newly-launched GranTurismo.
MASERATI IN NORTH AMERICA 2007 was a significant year for Maserati in the
United States and Canada. With the successful introduction of the GranTurismo and
Quattroporte Automatic, Maserati now has a product that is not only competitive
and credible, but industry leading in terms of design, performance and desirability.
In North America Maserati has reached a level of accomplishment it has never enjoyed
before. Over the past 3 years, Maserati retail sales have grown by 26%. The critically
acclaimed Quattroporte continues to set sales records for 2007. The elegant four
door sedan was up approximately 56% in a segment that was largely down. The new
Maserati GranTurismo has been designed to target this price segment as well. Early
indications lead us to believe the GT will enjoy great success as well.
Maserati North America expanded its reach in 2007 with the opening of several new
dealerships bringing the total to 54 dealers across North America, an increase of
18% over the past 3 years. 2008 will also be a year of growth for the Maserati dealer
network, continuing the strategy of careful and controlled expansion into target
rich markets. Maserati North America is proud to have the top selling dealer in
the world, The Collection in Coral Gables, Florida. The west coast is the leading
region for sales in North America followed by the Southeast, then the New York Tri-State
area.
MASERATI FINANCIAL SERVICES
In 2007 Maserati North America also accomplished a significant business initiative
with the establishment of a captive finance unit, Maserati Financial Services. MFS
was created by a CNH Capital, the financial services business company of CNH Global
N.V. (NYSE:CNH), a firm under the control of the parent company Fiat SpA (FIA.MI;
NYSE:FIA) and a maker of agricultural and construction equipment,
Maserati Financial Services provides competitive financing for all Maserati models
and a range of financial instruments to help to consolidate further Maserati's position
in North America.
Maserati Financial Services operates as a stand-alone division of CNH Capital, with
a staff of specialists dedicated to serving the purchasing needs of customers.