25.10.2004 Maserati have presented a highly sporty, comprehensive line-up at the Salão de São Paulo, led out by a stunning bright-yellow GranSport and the amazing MC12 GT-racer

Maserati have presented a highly sporty, comprehensive line-up of their burgeoning range at the 2004 Salão de São Paulo with week.

Pride of place has gone to a stunning, bright-yellow GranSport, the 'extreme' version of the Coupe, and the MC12 racer, resplendent in Maserati's traditional dark blue colours. Completing the sporting theme is a Trofeo GT, which is being campaigned locally in a popular one-make series.

The GranSport, first seen at the Geneva Salon earlier this year, is an ultimate take of the Coupe theme. An aggressive bodykit, which comprises of deeper spoilers, side skirts that arch out, and a new, slim boot spoiler, give this car a real edge.

The Coupe's 4.2-litre V8 engine has seen its power boosted from the original 390bhhp to 400bhp, thanks to special development work to reduce internal attrition and careful work on the intake manifolds and valve seats.

The engine has been combined with a new sports exhaust system, which boasts a slightly unusual design of its twin chrome exhausts, and which has been designed to give enthusiasts that instantly recognisable deep, full-bodied rumble. Thanks to an electronically controlled pneumatic valve system, even more can be made of the exhaust by pressing the “Sport“ button on the central console too

The GranSport is expected to be very popular addition to the range in Brazil, and interest is already reportedly strong.

Little can be said about the MC12, a car that has focused attention on the marque like on other. Since it rumbled out into the open on a wet, misty day in January at Fiorano, its raw carbon-fibre finish giving it a menacing air, it has made people gasp.

The MC12 makes a statement of intent that cannot be mistaken. Maserati are back, and their rivals better sit up and take notice.

True to its promise, the MC12 has proved as fast as it looks. It's FIA GT Championship debut saw both cars finish on the podium, while its second race, in Germany, saw it claim victory, ending a four decade absence for the Italian sportscar maker from the winner's circle.

Maserati see Brazil as an important market long term, and part of its investment has been the introduction of the 'Trofeo Brasil', a one-make series for identically prepared Trofeo GT racers. Emphasising this country's prominence in the marque's future plans is the fact that this is the first time the series has been exported outside Europe.

So far it has been a great success. The last of six rounds took place at Interlagos over the weekend, part of the prestigious Brazilian Grand Prix weekend. A closely fought series that has pitched youth against experience, other tracks visited include the former GP circuit at Rio de Janeiro, as well as the recently refurbished Curitiba circuit.

A white Spyder is also on the stand. However it is not the 'Model Year 05' version unveiled last month at the Paris Salon, but the long-running original.

The range is completed by the handsome Quattroporte saloon. Launched onto the Brazilian market back in July at the famous Museu da Casa Brasileira, close by in São Paulo, Maserati have high hopes for this car.

According to Francisco Longo, President of Maserati Brazil, “The Quattroporte is going to take a major slice of the Brazilian luxury saloon market." He conservatively estimates that they will sell at least twenty five of these luxurious cars this year.

The Brazilian press have been enthusiastic about the Quattroporte. “The creativity of the designers is impressive as they have managed to combine the traditional with the sporty punch offered by the Quattroporte”, said Rafael Borges, a reporter from Carsale, one of the largest car websites in Brazil, at the time of the summer launch.

This upbeat showing from Maserati was rounded out by a visit to the stand that was paid by Brazil's F1 star Rubens Barrichello, in town to drive his Ferrari in yesterday's Grand Prix.

by Iinuma Wesley in São Paulo