20.11.2004 This weekend's MPH04 extravaganza at Earls Court is giving the London public the chance to see the new 'Model Year 05' Maserati Coupe, as well as the GranSport and Quattroporte

This weekend's MPH04 extravaganza at Earls Court is giving the London public a chance to see the new 'Model Year 05' Maserati Coupe, as well as the GranSport and Quattroporte.

The Maserati Coupe and Spyder were mildly facelifted during the autumn, injecting the two popular models with a new lease of life to carry them through to the introduction of their replacements, set to arrive during the latter half of next year.

The United Kingdom is a key market for Maserati, and one that they are targeting vigorously as part of their re-launch strategy. Recently, the Ferrari-Maserati Group brought their import operation here back under their own wing.

The trio of Maserati models at the MPH04 Motor Show have been presented by the giant London prestige dealership, H.R.Owen, who, as well as handling the Trident brand in central London, include Ferrari, Lamborghini and Rolls Royce amongst their franchises.

The Maseratis are being displayed on a section of the sprawling H.R.Owen stand dedicated to the Italian brands, the Coupe, GranSport and Quattroporte, sandwiched between the Ferrari and Lamborghini line-ups.

The main visual change to the MY05 Coupe and Spyder is a larger front grille which evokes famous models from Maserati's rich history. It follows a modern trend first set by the Quattroporte saloon, and more recently by the Coupe's more aggressive cousin, the GranSport. The new grille features thick horizontal slats in place of the previous mesh, again a feature that brings it into line with the big super-luxury saloon.

The rear bumper, drawn from the GranSport is also new to the two new models. It is much more purposeful looking and sportier, helping to give the range a slightly harder edge. It features wide air intakes shielded by a black, tight mesh grille.

The link with the Quattroporte is reinforced in the Coupe’ with the placing of the classic oval and arrow badge on the rear side panels, as styled by Frua in 1963. With the Year 05 model, the interior can be contrasted with different coloured leathers for the central zone of the seats and dashboard, and the upper door panels.

The instrumentation boasts new, sporty blue and white graphics that are easier to read. The aluminium coloured kit on the console and the door mouldings will now be standard. The centre tunnel as also been redesigned.

The GranSport, first seen at the Geneva Salon earlier this year, is a Coupe that offers more power and harsher looks, aimed squarely at potential buyers who find the standard Coupe too tame.

Maserati UK report strong interest in the GranSport, which made its British debut at the Motor Show Live, this country's leading bi-annual motor show, held at the Birmingham NEC during the early summer. First deliveries of the 400bhp V8-engined sportscar are now being made to customers.

The third model being shown at MPH04 is the Quattroporte saloon. Like the GranSport, the large four-door saloon made its official public debut at the Motor Show Live back in June.

A luxurious sporting saloon with the heart of a sportscar, the Maserati Quattroporte went on sale in the UK earlier this year. It delivers sensational, refined performance, with an on-the-road price of £69,995 that includes a three-year servicing package. 

The award-winning V8-powered four-door saloon has a uniquely balanced weight distribution, 47 per cent front - 53 per cent rear, and responsive handling that cannot be beaten in its class.

by Edd Ellison at MPH04 in London