MASERATI GHIBLI ON STAGE IN LOS ANGELES AT THE START OF THE “OPPOSITE OF ORDINARY” ERA
North American Debut for the Quattroporte Ermenegildo Zegna Limited Edition Concept
Los Angeles, 21 November 2013 – Maserati celebrates the North American roll out of the all-new Ghibli at the Los Angeles International Auto Show, following the highly successful worldwide launch of the Quattroporte in January. Also making its North American debut is the exclusive Quattroporte Ermenegildo Zegna Limited Edition concept featuring a unique colour scheme, special mirror polished rims on tone and an elegant interior upholstered in fabrics made in cooperation with the prestigious Italian fashion house.
The complete Ghibli range graces Maserati’s all new display, and simultaneously begins deliveries to the vastly expanding Maserati retail network. The four-seat GranTurismo MC Stradale, first unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March, also takes its bow in North America. All models will bridge Maserati towards the real challenge within the next few years in terms of product range expansion, production volumes and commercial and marketing strategy.
As Maserati embarks on its one hundred years of automotive history in 2014, the overriding promise for the next one hundred years is to continue to carve its own unique path, it will always be the absolute opposite of ordinary.
Maserati chose to unveil its new brand look and marketing communication in Los Angeles because of the inspiration it takes from this modern, trend-setting, ever-changing and artistic city. It inspires us to continue to be the absolute opposite of ordinary.
And while the all-new Maserati stand is an artistic interpretation of our brand image and its future, this art also stems from us tackling modern world efficiencies, technologies and quality manufacturing, head on.
NORTH AMERICAN ROLL OUT FOR GHIBLI
The all-new Ghibli marks a turning point in Maserati’s history; for the first time ever Maserati simultaneously presents two four-door saloon models.
The Ghibli’s design emphasises its more dynamic driving characteristics and expresses an altogether more aggressive personality, while still maintaining clear links with the larger Quattroporte.
The outline of the body gives this four-door saloon a coupé-like appearance, and the sinuous grill and headlights hint at feline aggression. The grill takes its inspiration from the current GranTurismo but traces its origins back to the classic A6 GCS of the 1950s.
The Ghibli also maintains Maserati’s distinctive C-pillar, which delivers much of the car’s coupé-like stance and carries the classic trident logo, carrying on a tradition dating back to 1963.
The side profile is dominated by a swage line that runs from the traditional Maserati air intakes behind the front wheels and finishes at the rear lights.
Inside, the Ghibli sets itself apart from the Quattroporte. Its unique dashboard design perfectly matches its sportier and more youthful character without losing any of the luxury expected from Maserati. The Ghibli succeeds in combining its sporty nature with the typical spaciousness of an executive model.
QUATTROPORTE ERMENEGILDO ZEGNA LIMITED EDITION
The Maserati Quattroporte Ermenegildo Zegna Limited Edition concept car unveiled at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show and on display in Los Angeles features a unique new look in colour scheme, materials and finish. The car, presented as a limited edition concept, is intended for development into a production version with the same personality and quality of the current range, yet enhancing its exclusivity.
Ermenegildo Zegna’s concept is the result of close collaboration between two companies that are linked by history, tradition and the spirit of exclusiveness.
The exterior of the Maserati Quattroporte Ermenegildo Zegna Limited Edition concept car features a special effect paint finish that simulates the fluidity and purity of metal, by using ultra-fine aluminium pigments. A gloss black primer amplifies the brilliance of aluminium pigments and creates a sensation of depth. The platinum metal colour effect finish is warmly nuanced to express the car’s classic and sophisticated, yet technically advanced character. The impressive liquid effect of the paint finish emphasises the sinuous lines of the body and accentuates the way in which one section flows into the next.
This special paint also applies to the 20” Mercurio rims, with an elegant mirror-polished finish that creates a chromatic contrast, both technical and sporty.
The material and chromatic research concept of the Maserati Quattroporte Ermenegildo Zegna Limited Edition is based on a play between the classical and the contemporary.
A leading role in this concept car is played by its interior. Classical warm hues like Moka and Greyige (Grey & Beige) are re-interpreted in a modern key to emulate Zegna’s latest men’s fashion collections, conveying a formal, sophisticated character. Interior components such as seats, door panels and roof lining are finished in genuine soft leather, in addition to a velvet-smooth, bright fabric that, due to Zegna’s vast experience and know-how, guarantees the level of performance needed for automotive applications.
The most interesting challenge posed by the project was to develop a fabric by “Zegna” for automotive applications, with the look of formal men’s wear. The fabric therefore had to have a typical masculine herringbone pattern and traditional weave, and also needed to have the feel, softness and prestige typical of Zegna cloth. Thanks to the unique fabric, created especially for the Quattroporte and offered in a warm Greyige colour and soft Moka and Greyige leather, and also to a new warm titanium treatment and antique look matt walnut finish, the car’s exclusive, harmonious and balanced interior is certain to satisfy the most refined and sophisticated customer.
Two precious plates obtained from aluminium ingot, bearing the words “Ermenegildo Zegna Exclusively for Maserati”, announce and promote the collaboration between the two companies. One plate is located on the outside of the pillar while the other, personalised with a limited series number, is applied to the central console. Hidden behind the sun visor, a real fabric label, made exactly like those sewn into the linings of Zegna suits, provides the customer with another discreet but distinctive indication of the level of care and attention dedicated to the design and finish of every aspect of this car.
The Maserati Quattroporte Ermenegildo Zegna Limited Edition is equipped with V8 twin turbo engine with 523 hp and a torque of 524 lb-ft, capable of a top speed of 191 mph and acceleration from 0 to 60 mph, in just 4.6 seconds.
MASERATI’S FIRST NINE MONTHS
Maserati shipped a total of 3,953 vehicles during the third quarter, more than double the 1,492 units shipped in Q3 2012. That significant result was entirely attributable to the performance of the new Quattroporte. The brand posted significant year-over-year gains in nearly all markets. At the end of September, Maserati had 7,900 orders for the Ghibli, launched in September, and 9,900 for the new Quattroporte.
Revenues totalled €444 million for the quarter, more than double the Q3 2012 level. Trading profit and EBIT came in at €43 million, representing a €30 million year-over-year increase. The significant year-over-year improvement was primarily driven by the sales result for the new Quattroporte.
For the nine months to September, brand shipments were up 63% over the same period in 2012 to 7,548 vehicles and revenues were 58% higher at €883 million. Trading profit and EBIT were €48 million, up €4 million over the nine months to September 2012.
