Maserati presented a stand packed with stylish, understated luxury sportscars at the 30th Bologna Motor Show, as they celebrated international racing success. For Maserati, 2005 was a triumphant year in the FIA GT. The Trident company claimed the Constructors' Cup and the team title. The historic victory in the 24 Hours of Spa added to the roll of honour. There was a series of great wins on some of the most demanding European circuits, from Magny Cours to Oschersleben and Istanbul. The return to competition in the United States, with an MC12 in the American Le Mans Series, was significant as the USA is Maserati's biggest market. Maserati had not sit on top of the motorsports world since 1957, when Juan Manuel Fangio's won the F1 world championship title.

The formula that has proved successful over the past three years will not change. But in 2006 the Trofeo Maserati Europa will have a new name. On the occasion of the Bologna Motorshow, a contract was signed with the champiosnhip's new main sponsor: the Swiss company Audemars Piguet. Audemars Piguet is the oldest watchmaker in the world and, since 1875, has produced intricate timepieces decorated with the finest jewels. A Trofeo in the new white livery is on display at the Maserati stand alongside the Vitaphone Racing Team MC12 that won the FIA GT team title.

At the end of November, Italy became Maserati's second biggest market. The data, supplied by UNRAE and updated on 26 November, showed that 587 vehicles had been registered in Italy compared to 549 in 2004. This is an increase of 7%. The Trident company's biggest market is still the United States. Germany is now in third position with Great Britain in fourth. Naturally, the Quattroporte is the most sought after Maserati in Italy. The latest figures reveal that 370 Quattroportes have been registered, compared to 296 in 2004, for a 25% increase. An early review of 2005, based on the first eleven months, shows a 25% increase in sales compared with the same period in 2004. With a presence in 57 countries around the world, Maserati can count on a network of over 280 dealerships.
 

There are directly controlled subsidiaries in the main markets - United States, Canada, Great Britain, France and Switzerland - and a joint venture in China.

Competition has always been central to Maserati's tradition and it remains so today. Maserati thus presented its entire sports range on the stand in Bologna, where it featured two Italian premieres: the GranSport Spyder and the Quattroporte Sport GT. Common to all Maseratis is the transaxle system - the Trident company being the only one to offer this technology on all its models.

The enormous success of the coupé version of the GranSport has now been adopted by Maserati in producing an open model, the GranSport Spyder. This open top car maintains the GranSport's temperament and aggressive look. The new GranSport Spyder features a pronounced front spoiler, side skirting elegantly integrated into the design of the car and 19" wheel rims. The interior is a blend of carbon, leather and BrighTex fabric. No other car of this class uses carbon so extensively for its interior. The GranSport Spyder is the fastest droptop in the world in its category.  It will go on sale from March 2006.

With its sportier set up, the Quattroporte Sport GT delivers a punchier drive with swifter gear changes. Activating the 'Sport' switch reduces gear change time by 35%, an improvement made possible by the use of the latest electro-actuated transmission. Skyhook technology is used to control the suspension and, thanks to its unusual exhaust system, the Quattroporte Sport GT powerful V8 has a more sporty sound. There are new 20" rims, a carbon finish to the interior and dashboard and competition-type aluminium pedals. Maserati's sporting tradition is evident from the exterior with the black grille and side air vents.