The Chinese tradition and its fascinating charm have always been of great appeal for Italy along the history. There are many examples of mutual cultural exchanges in art and science, as well as intense commercial relationships based on luxurious and precious products like the ones imported to Italy through the “Road of Silk”.

Today from Italy, the country renowned worldwide for its style, a glorious automotive brand arrives at Shanghai, in China, with its unique and distinctive charm: Maserati.

Starting the trading relationship with China, currently the economy with the highest growth rate in the world, represents for Maserati both a great honour and an important challenge. It’s the honour of gathering interest among the Chinese entrepreneurial community, whom Maserati is finally meeting at the Shanghai Motorshow, and the challenge of launching here a brand of great heritage and tradition, a symbol of lasting values of exclusivity and sportiveness, in a market that is sure to become one of primary importance for Maserati.

Today, Maserati’s flagship product is the attractive and mighty Quattroporte, exhibited on the Maserati stand at the Shanghai Motorshow. The Quattroporte is designed to combine Italian style and elegance with powerful performance, and it represents the synthesis of all Maserati values. This powerful 5-metre long saloon, artfully designed by Pininfarina, features state of the art technology with Transaxle layout. This layout is typical of high performance sports cars: the 400 bhp V8 engine, capable of a 0-100 km/h acceleration in 5.2 seconds, is placed behind the front axle while the gearbox is mounted in unit with the differential at the rear. This allows a 47% front - 53% rear weight distribution, an extraordinary result in the executive saloon segment as it maximises traction during acceleration, gives great stability in all conditions and provides exceptionally dynamic qualities.

Representing all this contents the symbol of the Quattroporte’s sporty soul, its luxurious side is perceived at first glance, when looking at its harmonious silhouette and roomy interior, enriched with Poltrona Frau leather upholstery and precious woods like Mahogany, Rosewood and Briarwood all specially selected and hand-crafted, combined with the precision of cutting-edge technology.

Another symbol of today’s Maserati style and technology is the MC12 supercar which can be admired on the stand at the Shanghai Motorshow in its enchanting pearlescent white and blue livery. A total of 50 MC12s have been produced, all of which have been sold worldwide, including China. The MC12 racing version, which derives from the road going car, has already won a number of races in the 2004 FIA GT International Championship, including Zhuhai, China.

The symbol of Maserati is Neptune’s (God of Seas) Trident. With the same energy of this mighty natural element and with a passion for beauty and technical challenges, Maserati has always played a leading role in the automotive world and has recently celebrated its first 90 Years of tradition and success. With the same energy, determination and confidence, Maserati is ready to face the challenges of future years, with the strong belief that true car connoisseurs from China will contribute to make the Trident brand grow to always higher levels.

A Chinese racing driver behind the wheel of an MC12

The International Press launch of the road-going MC12 took place in Balocco, Italy, in March 2005. On this occasion Maserati invited young Chinese racing driver Tengyi Jiang to get behind the wheel of an MC12. He was no stranger to the Maserati world, having already driven a Maserati Trofeo at the official opening of the Shanghai F1 circuit and in Imola, Italy.

He drove the MC12 on the hard testing circuit of Balocco, both on the high-speed bowl, and on the handling circuit. Tengyi Jiang was amazed by the car performance and as he climbed out of the MC12 he said: “It’s amazing, incredible! This is the first time I’ve driven such a powerful car. In less than ten seconds you reach 200 km/h, its brakes are really effective and the car sticks to the road as if it was glued to it! The feel you get from the car is sensational, it’s like driving a race car. At high speeds, even during extreme acceleration, the car is fantastically stable, you feel in total control, especially when cornering, where the grip is outstanding. It’s very difficult to bring the MC12 to the limit, because the more you push, the more it promptly reacts so that you feel you can go even faster”. Tengyi Jiang wishes to drive the MC12 racing version, too.

The Maserati product range

Maserati arrives at the Shanghai Motorshow on the wave of commercial and sporting successes achieved in its 90th anniversary year. The Trident Marque is now looking to the future with enthusiasm and determination, the start of a highly significant new phase that will see it develop even further.

The Quattroporte had an immediate success, gathering at once media and customers’ attention from all over the world. Playing a leading role on all markets, since its launch at the Frankfurt Motorshow, it has so far collected 18 major international awards in 18 months. It was declared “Limousine of the Year” in the UK, “Best Imported Saloon” in Germany, “Best Imported Car” by the prestigious Japan Automotive Hall of Fame Association. In the US, the Quattroporte was named “Best of the Best”, and its collaboration with Neiman Markus, the famous American luxury group was an astonishing success. All 60 NM Limited Edition Quattroportes were sold in only three minutes through the NM call centre.

The Trident flagship model also became an instant favourite with American opinion leaders, sports people, and TV and film stars. It has also sold exceptionally well in Italy, taking a massive 55% share of its market segment there in 2004.
 
Maserati revived the tradition of the great luxury Italian car with this new Quattroporte, designed to marry timeless style and elegance with a temperament that delivers top class performance and driving pleasure, characteristics that have long been the trademarks of authentic Trident cars. In fact, the Quattroporte has once again become the limousine of choice for Italy’s leading political figures, including the Italy’s President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, continuing a tradition begun with the early versions.

The latest arrival from the Trident marque, the GranSport is considered by both the British and American press as the best sports car of its generation. Its innovative interior has also been greatly appreciated. Clients and readers outside Europe also agree. In fact, leading magazines in Japan and Hong Kong, where prestige cars are very much in vogue, have declared the GranSport the top sports car on the market over its fiercest competitors, while the Australian motoring press advised its readers to “turn off the stereo and simply revel in the thrilling power and rumble of the engine”.

The GranSport has also received an extremely warm welcome from younger, sportier Maserati clients. Its characteristics are lowered ride height, extreme aerodynamics derived from wind tunnel studies, a powerful V8 engine delivering 400 hp that roars a sound studied by professional sound technicians, new 19” wheels reproducing the Trident icon, and racing inspired interior featuring carbon fibre details, leather and an innovative material called Britex, derived from the fashion industry and improved by Maserati.

Ready to capture the most passionate eyes, the MC12, in its pearlescent Fuji white and Blue livery, shines on the Shanghai stand. With its carbon and monocoque chassis, this amazing supercar features a V12 engine capable of 630 hp, a top speed of 330 km/h, 0 to 100 km/h acceleration in 3.8 seconds and 0-1000 metres in 20.1 seconds. Derived from the road going version, the MC12 Racing made its debut in the FIA GT Championship last year, winning twice with Andrea Bertolini and Mika Salo in Germany (Oschersleben) and China (Zhuhai), in front of team mates Johnny Herbert and Fabrizio De Simone. Completing the range (although not on display here in Shanghai) is the Maserati Spyder 90th Anniversary, first unveiled at the Paris Motorshow in 2004: this is a limited edition series, featuring a numbered plaque inside the cabin. The model was created specifically to celebrate the marque’s history and boasts paintwork in a new Blue Anniversary colour. The exterior has a special aerodynamic kit, most strikingly a carbon roll-hoop, and a special high-tech interior spec. It will go on sale in the United States where only 90 units will be available, coupled with a further 90 for the other markets in the world.

Maserati in China

Besides this car, which is a true collectors’ item, an ongoing success is represented by the sportier products: Maserati Coupé and Spyder . Their lines and technical contents have also been recently renewed , and they now feature a two-tone interior and a new larger front grille. Both cars are highly successful in their own right and became the reference models in their market segments. Both China and Italy have inherited great civilization and traditional friendship, people of these two countries have great interest in each other’s history, culture, art, sports, and many other areas.
 

Today, Italy’s opera, fashion, cuisine, football, leather products, etc. are well known in China, and Italy’s industrial design has established high reputation in China market. To Chinese consumers, Italian style does not only mean beautiful design, but also reflects Italian people’s innovative creativity, enthusiastic personality, refined craftsmanship, and classic aesthetic developed from their long history. In China market, Italian designers have been applauded for their elegance, originality, and perfection.

As a newly emerged car market in the world, China has become a stage for all carmakers and automobile design masters. For Maserati, which has more than 90 years history of producing racing cars and exclusive sports cars, Chinese consumers are looking forward to see these cars with a uniquely Italian combination of luxury, elegance and sportiness. The uniqueness of the Maserati brand is its sporty performance combined with elegant style and supported by a prestigious heritage, a mix which cannot be copied by other brands.

Although without any major marketing activities in China before, we can still see newest Maserati models in the streets in Beijing, Shanghai, and some other cities in China. That means the trendsetters in China market have already taken a step forward and started to enjoy the excitement of driving an exclusive sport car that provides you with good taste and the driving feeling as if you are on the racing track. The top of this experience is a driving with the Quattroporte the sole elegant saloon with a real sporty soul.

At present, Maserati is represented in major Chinese cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hangzhou, Xiamen, etc., and started to provide systematic technical training and special equipments to its Dealers. With these facilities, Chinese customers will receive high quality services that make them assured on the road. According to the plan, Maserati will also establish other dealerships in cities such as Chengdu, Chongqin, Qingdao, Fuzhou, etc. in the near future.

Maserati in the past and today

The Maserati World is one of great refinement, timeless style, strong emotions and individual choices, which are typical of those people with clear objectives. It’s a world made of dreams that come true and Maserati cars have always been the symbol of real exclusivity, combined with an authentic sporty soul.

Sharing the same great passion, the four Maserati brothers who founded the company in 1914, have always promoted edging technological innovations: the first engine in a magnesium alloy, the innovative hydraulic brake system first used in motor racing, introducing air conditioning as standard on a saloon car, the Quattroporte designed with Pietro Frua in 1961, are only some examples.

The Maserati myth has thus found its special place in the Automotive History, thanks to its racing victories on circuits all over the world and to its incredible drivers, such as Stirling Moss, Tazzio Nuvolari and Juan Manuel Fangio. The Trident Marque clocked up more than 30 Formula GP races, an F1 World Championship Title for both driver and constructor as well as two victories in the Indy 500, still the only Italian company to achieve this ambitious goal. In addition to these successes of the past Maserati made a welcome return to motor racing in 2004, winning two races in the prestigious International FIA GT Championship in Oschersleben, Germany, and in Zhuhai, China, with the MC12 n.33 driven by Andrea Bertolini and Mika Salo. That very car will be sold at a public auction by Sotheby’s next June together with other historical Maserati models. Very famous people can be numbered among Trident customers, like the Shah of Persia, actors, international Institutions representatives in the past, and today some of the most famous lyrics singers, Vips working in the art, show, sport, top management field.

The radical renovation and extension of the Maserati complex (including the offices and showroom) is now complete and its facilities are functioning at maximum efficiency. Maserati currently employs approximately 800 people, including the Maserati Corse (Racing Activities) staff.

It has also recently opened several showrooms around the world both in order to boost the Trident’s presence on consolidated markets and as part of its launches on new markets. Maserati has just opened a new showroom on Park Avenue in New York, for instance, to service its very solid American market, as well as others in Moscow, Shanghai and, soon in Shanghai.

Maserati is now present in 56 countries worldwide and boasts a sales network of over 280 dealers. Maserati has also established further directly controlled branches on its main markets. At the start of 2004, it opened Maserati West Europe in Paris to manage all of the Trident’s commercial activities in France, the Benelux countries, Spain and Portugal. On October 1 last, Maserati UK Ltd opened its doors to service the British market.

Also on that date, the sales and assistance network for the Middle Eastern region (Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt and Kuwait) came under the direct management of the headquarter.

The company is present in China as part of a joint venture, created last year, which is under the direction of Mr Anchisi. During the last month of 2004, its organization was completed and now is ready to start selling Maserati cars.

2004 proved extremely positive on the sales front with over 4,600 cars registered. This translates into a leap of over 60% on the figure for 2003. This has been due to the international great success of the Quattroporte and to the positive trend of the sportier models like the Coupé and the GranSport, which have grown by around 4% in the last quarter alone.

Besides new products’ launch and its direct control on its most strategic markets, Maserati strong growth in sales has been caused by its expansion onto all of the new markets with the greatest car sales potential, including Russia and China, and, in the very extreme case of Dubai, have resulted in a record sales of Trident cars shot up by 492%.

Maserati's worldwide racing programme for 2005

In 2005 Maserati Corse races in several championships: International FIA GT, featuring a Chinese race in Zhuhai on October 23rd , the Italian GT and the demanding and prestigious American LeMans Series (AMLS). In the FIA GT Championship where car manufacturers are not allowed direct entries, Vitaphone Racing team is running two Maserati MC12s (with drivers Michael Bartels/Timo Scheider on car no.9 and Fabio Babini/Thomas Biagi on car no.10 and so is JMB (with drivers Andrea Bertolini/Karl Wendlinger on car no.15 and Philippe Peter/Roman Rusinov/Chris Burcombe on car no.16.

In the Italian GT reigning champions Piergiuseppe Perazzini and Gabriele Matteuzzi are also racing a Maserati MC12.  A sixth MC12 is racing in the AMLS with our official Maserati drivers: Andrea Bertolini, Fabrizio De Simone and Fabio Babini (the latter only in endurance races).

However, Maserati’s racing commitments do not end there. The Modenese constructor is also organising the third edition of the Trofeo Vodafone Maserati Europa and the second Trofeo Brasile, in collaboration with the local importer, for its client racers. The all-in formula of the Trofeo has proved extremely popular with gentlemen drivers to whom it gives an opportunity to race on Europe and Brazil’s top circuits.

The new Trofeo GranSport car, derived from the road-going GranSport, will be used in the European series. The car is the result of Maserati’s experience in the last two editions of the Championship and is inspired by the production GranSport. However, the car’s overall aerodynamics have been significantly improve by modifications to its front, flat under-tray and rear spoiler. In line with its improved performance, its brake have also been upgraded too.

The Trofeo GranSport’s V8 power unit delivers 425 hp at 7,200 rpm, thanks to new engine mapping and an increase in the limiter to 8,000 rpm. Its Pirelli tyres are also a new size and compound. The Trofeo GranSport is over 25 kg lighter than the previous Trofeo car thanks to newly honed bodywork and interiors and thus delivers significantly improved performance across the board, as evidenced in recent development tests.

Last but not least, several private teams will also be lining up an updated development of the Maserati Light car in the Italian GT Championship and the Grand Am series in which the car did extremely well last year in its category.

Racing has always played an essential role throughout Maserati’s history. From the Trident’s victory in Formula 1 in 1957 to the Indy 500 to other major wins, it has written many glorious chapters in the story of European and American racing. In 1939 and 1940, Wilbur Shaw drove a Maserati Tipo 8CTF to victory on two consecutive occasions in the Indy 500, making Maserati the first Italian constructor ever to win “the world’s most famous race.”

Shaw’s car was dubbed the Boyle Special, after his sponsor, and is now exhibited in the Hall of Fame at the circuit. In the early 1960s, the Camoradi and Cunningham teams also enjoy some great triumphs, courtesy of the legendary Birdcages and drivers such as Lucky Casner, Masten Gregory, Stirling Moss and Dan Gurney.