Just days before the Australian International Motor Show opens its doors on Thursday 13 October, Maserati has announced that Sydney will be the first place to see two new versions of the Maserati Quattroporte after they made their world debut in Frankfurt last month.

"We have spent several weeks negotiating to bring these cars to Australia and they are, in fact, the very first right hand drive cars to be built, prior to full production starting next year," says Edward Butler, General Manager for Maserati in Australia. "It has been absolutely touch and go as to whether the cars would arrive in time for the show; they arrived just four days before we have to move them into the exhibition centre. With the show as our first major event following our company assuming responsibility for this legendary brand on the 1 October, the arrival of these two cars could not have been more eagerly anticipated!"

The two new versions of the remarkable Quattroporte performance saloon assume the role of range topping models for Maserati, with the Executive GT setting a new benchmark for distinctive luxury, while the Sport GT further emphasises Maserati's performance heritage.

MASERATI QUATTROPORTE EXECUTIVE GT

Distinguished by a blend of elegant eye-catching colours and refined wood veneer finishes for the interior, the Executive GT includes the following accessories: Chrome mesh grille, side chrome grille, external identification plate, 9-spoke 19" ball-polished wheel rims, wood and leather steering wheel, roof section in Alcantara and a series of features dedicated to providing maximum comfort levels for passengers (among them comfort pack for the rear seats and stowable rear table in wood or titanium). Further personalisation options are available.

MASERATI QUATTROPORTE SPORT GT

The aggressive look is captured in the carbon fibre interior, 20" wheel rims with new design, external identification plate, sporty steering wheel and handbrake grip, aluminium pedal covers. Among the dynamic features, the latest gearbox software for a 35 per cent faster gear shifting, newly designed exhaust system delivering an even more sporty sound and specific Skyhook software for electronic suspensions and shock absorbers.

THE MASERATI QUATTROPORTE RANGE

The Maserati Quattroporte was launched in 2003, blending elegant comfort with the performance expected of a car carrying the legendary Maserati Trident and provided by a quadcam 4.2 litre V8 engine boasting 294 kW or 400 bhp.
 

Exemplary handling and roadholding is delivered by a drivetrain and chassis that includes a rear transaxle that means ideal weight distribution and an all-independent suspension with the 'Skyhook' continuously variable suspension control and Maserati Stability Programme (MSP). Thus, the Maserati Quattroporte can whisk its occupants in total comfort and luxury to 100 kmh in 5.2 seconds and on, where the law permits, to a top speed of 275 kmh. One figure reveals the ultimate luxury offered by the Quattroporte; Four Million. That is the number of different combinations of trim, paint and interior finishes it is possible to have in the Quattroporte. For example, inside the owner of a Quattroporte can define different finishes for the seats, the piping on the seats, the carpet, the roof lining, the wood trim on the dashboard, the roof lining, the two different sections of the dashboard, the door trims and the centre console. There are 11 different leathers and four different wood finishes, including mahogany, rosewood and briarwood. And, if that is not sufficient, then Maserati can produce a Quattroporte in any colour or finish required by a customer.

Of course the Maserati Quattroporte is fully equipped. For example it does not just have an AirCon system, the Quattroporte has a ventilation system that allows individual temperature setting left and right in both the front and rear areas of the passenger compartment. The Quattroporte doesn't just have an audio system, it has a Bose Hi-End concert hall sound system that has been designed specifically for the acoustic qualities of the Maserati Quattroporte, with the exquisite sound quality delivered by neodyminium speakers.

With this unique specification and its unmistakable style, the Maserati Quattroporte has provided the celebrated Italian car maker with one of its most successful models in its history. So how is it possible for these two new versions of the Quattroporte to improve on this exquisite luxury performance sedan? By focusing more sharply on the two primary aspects of the Quattroporte's soul, with the new Maserati Quattroporte Executive GT enhancing the luxury features of the Quattroporte, while the Sport GT variant provides a new, sharper performance persona.

The two new versions of the Maserati Quattroporte will arrive in Australia and New Zealand in the middle of 2006 when local specifications and prices will be announced.