Category: Maserati

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Australian new car pricing – July 1977

Leyland Moke
Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow II

If you were after a little runabout in 1977 the cheapest new car on the market was the Leyland Moke ($2,995). On the other hand, if you were well to do, the most expensive car money could buy was the Bentley T or the near matching Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow (both $58,950).

The Moke was also the least powerful car on the market with just 37kW (50hp) on tap from its 1.0 litre four-cylinder engine. The leadfoots among you would have been more likely to have had your eye on the svelte 239kW (320hp) Maserati Khamsin, which would have set you back $44,000.

At least that’s the deal according to the July 1977 issue of Wheels magazine. You can check out the price list after the break and make sure you click on each image for larger images.

Turns out the Moke was the better buy, though. These days if you wanted to get your hands on a 37-year-old Moke you’ll likely need a lot more than the original three grand asking price. Whereas picking up a similarly aged Roller or Bentley should come in well under its original sticker price.

[Pics: Shannons | Thanks to Stu for the tip]

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Maserati

Maserati Alfieri concept

Maserati Alfieri concept

Maserati is the latest car maker to celebrate its centenary and to celebrate that milestone this Alfieri concept was revealed at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this month. It’s pretty nice too, don’t you think.

Named after one of the founding Maserati brothers, the Alfieri was created at the company’s design house in Turin. Maserati says the 2+2 sportscar paves the way for its future design language.

Based on the GranTurismo MC Stradale platform the Alfieri is powered by a 4.7 litre V8 producing 460hp. While it’s strictly a concept car Maserati claims the stylish coupé is a fully functional prototype.

We like the treatment over the rear wheel arch the most. The curves in the shoulder line and glass work have been executed with near perfection.

Bravo Maserati, and happy birthday to you!

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2014 Geneva Motor Show in pictures – part 2

2014 Geneva Motor Show

Here’s your second batch of photos from the 2014 Geneva Motor Show, that makes it 155 photos in all. We start part 2 with the very cool Maserati Alfieri concept and end with the very cool Volvo Concept Estate. Cool!

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Maserati

Maserati makes Super Bowl debut with Ghibli

Maserati Ghibli Big Game Ad

Maserati used its Ghibli sports saloon to make its Super Bowl debut with a specially created Big Game Ad called Strike. Like most of the other car-related commercials made for Super Bowl XLVIII this ad promises much, yet doesn’t quite deliver.

Powered by a Ferrari-sourced 3.0 litre twin-turbo V6 engine the Ghibli has more than 400hp to play with. It will be on sale in Australia around the middle of this year.

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VIDEO: 1955 Belgian Grand Prix

1955 Belgian Grand Prix

Shell is celebrating its associtation with the 2013 Belgian Grand Prix by transporting us back in time to the 1955 race. They do this by making available a 30 minute documentary of the race and we suggest you find the time to watch before tonight’s instalment if you can.

It’s fair to say a lot has changed in Formula 1 in the last 58 years, as the image above shows. We’re sure you’ll recognise it but in case you don’t the photo is taken at the old pit complex, on the downhill run after La Source and you can see Eau Rouge and Radillion in the background.

Yes, that is a dog running across the track. No, there is no barrier between the track and pit lane. And, yes, it is raining at Spa! Although, that photo was taken during qualifying and the race was run in brilliant sunshine.

The race was completed on the old 14km Spa-Francorchamps layout and only Blanchimont, La Source and Eau Rouge/Radillion remain from the original layout. You can compare the old and current circuits HERE.

All that’s left to do now is sit back, relax and enjoy finding out how Juan Manuel Fangio went about claiming his fifteenth F1 victory.

[Thanks to Wes for the tip]

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Maserati Oh the humanity

Maserati car-bang all the rage in China

Maserati Quattroporte sledgehammered in China

Spare a thought for, or perhaps have a chuckle at, this Maserati Quattroporte owner in China who was so frustrated by the service from his Maserati dealership that he felt compelled to hire four feeble henchmen to smash his Italian thoroughbread to pieces with sledgehammers in protest.

The owner, identified only by his surname, Wang, explained: “I hope foreign luxury car producers acknowledge clearly that Chinese consumers are entitled to get the service that is commensurate with the brand.”

It’s understood Wang’s complaints included the Maserati dealer in Qingdao charging him for repairs, including new parts, even though used parts were used. Wang also claims the dealer scratched his car, to further add insult to injury.

In response the Qingdao dealer took to Chinese social media: “We deeply regret that before the two sides could reach a result via negotiation, the vehicle owner… smashed the world famous car in public… to cause a sensation.”

Wang bought his Maserati in 2011 for 2.6 million yuan (AU$430,000).

[Source: Channel NewsAsia]

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Maserati

50 LaMaseratis planned, but no HY-KERS

Maserati MC12

Maserati is planning to exploit its relationship with Ferrari once again and follow the proven route it took with the MC12 (pictured) by knocking-off the new LaFerrari hypercar.

While there will be 499 LaFerraris made Maserati plans to up the exclusivity factor and build just 50 of its clones, same as the MC12. However they won’t be a straight rip-off of the Ferrari, especially in the drivetrain department.

Maserati isn’t interested in any of the fancy hybrid HY-KERS rubbish, it’s said they will choose from these two options: a detuned version of the 6.3 litre V12 from the LaFerrari or they may raid their own parts bin and use the 3.8 litre V8 from the Quattroporte, adding to its performance by bolting on four turbos instead of two. Yes, four.

But there’s a catch. There’s always a catch. Because the LaMaserati (that’s a working title only) won’t have the HY-KERS bits it will be slower than the LaFerrari. All-up the LaFerrari produces 708kW and Maranello will ensure the LaMaserati won’t be allowed to better that.

Adding to LaMaserati’s on paper weaknesses will be its price. Maserati hopes to charge around the same as the LaFerrari (around €1m plus taxes) for its slower supercar, hoping the exclusiveness will be enough to lure those who missed out on getting a LaFerrari.

On the plus side the lack of HY-KERS should make it a bit lighter than the Ferrari.

[Source: Car]

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Earthquake brings temporary closures at Ferrari, Lamborghini and Maserati

An earthquake to the north west of Bologna in Italy has claimed the lives of at least 15 people and brought temporary closures to the Ferrari, Lamborghini and Maserati factories.

While the Maserati factory in nearby Modena did suffer some minor damage, it’s been reported the supercar makers stopped operations to allow workers to be with their families.

Last night’s earthquake was magnitude-5.8 and followed hours later by a second quake at magnitude-5.3. Last week the same region was affected by a magnitude-6.0 quake which killed seven people, leaving thousands injured.

Salvatore Iannizzotto from Modena police said: “The situation is one of great fear and uncertainty. The population was becoming more relaxed and slowly moving back into their homes. They have now left their homes again.”

Rescue workers are continuing to search for survivors and we wish them well.

[Source: Autoblog & ABC | Pic: Luca Bruno/AP]

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AIMS 2011 gallery: Everything else

Suzuki at AIMS 2011

Here’s all the left over bits from the Australian International Motor Show. The cars that didn’t quite have enough material for their own sub-gallery or, in some case, cars that usually don’t fit the AUSmotive niche.

The Suzuki Swift S-Concept you see above caught our eye. It looks quite sharp, don’t you think. Speaking of which, the Joss prototype is worthy of a second look. Can Australia really produce a world-class supercar?

You’ll see new metal from Bentley and Maserati. As well as the ‘all-new’ Ford Focus and those teeny weeny Mad Max concepts. Pretty mad looking they are, too.

The best France could offer was Peugeot this year, no Renault to be seen. The new 508 sort of looks alright, but the person responsible for the rear light detail on the 207 SW needs to be guillotined!

Japan popped in with the still menacing Nissan GT-R and Toyota FT-86II Concept. Incidentally, that seemed to be the only car on the Toyota stand that wasn’t prefixed by the word Prius.

And, finally, the Mitsubishi Concept PX MiEV probably the only concept car ever to feature massive Brembo brakes hidden behind chunky alloy wheels. Oh yeah, remember the first time you made a model car and there were bits of glue all over the place? Yeah, check out the front grille on the PX thingy if you can. Bit of a rush job, do you think?

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AIMS 2010: Photo gallery

AIMS 2010

Here is the AUSmotive photo gallery from the Australian International Motor Show industry day. There are 128 photos in all and you can simply click on each thumbnail to access a 2000px super image.

Highlights include a couple of track specials in the form of the awesome Porsche 911 GT3 Cup and the rear-engined V6 Renault Megane Trophy. Others to look out for are the Toyota FT-86G concept, the Ford Focus RS, a trio of Lamborghini Gallardos and the highly desirable Audi R8 V10 Spyder, which looks great in all white.

Dedicated articles on the following cars can be access by clicking on the links below:

A big thank you to Daniel McKenna who joined the AUSmotive crew at AIMS and brought you many of the pictures you see here.

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Maserati

Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale ready for Paris

Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale

Maserati will be showing off a new model at the Paris Motor Show—the GranTurismo MC Stradale. Details are pretty light on, but Maserati have stated the car will have 336kW (450bhp). That will make it the most powerful car in their current line up. Unsurprisingly, the GranTurismo will be the fastest new Maserati money can buy, and the lightest, as well.

The GranTurismo goes on sale in Europe in early 2011 and will launch in Australia towards the end of next year.

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Maserati Tipo 61 Birdcage achieves auction record

Maserati Tipo 61 Birdcage

Not content with letting Ferrari have all the headlines at the recent RM Auctions sale in Monaco, this absolutely stunning Maserati Tipo 61 Birdcage sold for over €2.4m (AU$3.5m). That’s the highest price achieved for a ‘Birdcage’. And isn’t it just one of the most beautiful machines you have ever seen.

The car’s ‘Birdcage’ nickname came from its innovative trellis construction that weighed just 36kg. The Tipo 61 was fitted with a 2.9 litre four cylinder good for around 186kW (250bhp). While earlier models used a 2.0 litre engine which produced 150kW (200bhp). With a kerb weight of just 600kg this would have gone like a rocket. And that’s exactly what it did winning the Nürburgring 1000km race in 1960 and 1961.

More detail available below.

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