Maserati and Ferrari stands at the Frankfurt Auto Show. (photo: sgPond)
Spectacular
Quattroporte launch at Frankfurt
QP designer Sergio Pininfarina shaking hands with CEO Luca di Montezemolo. Maserati
works operations manager Antonello Perricone in the center. (photo: sgPond)
Although attendees of the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance were given a special, invitation-only "sneak preview"(at which TMC organized the vintage QP display) on August 13-17, the Frankfurt Show provided the spectacular setting for the official launch and quite a few surprises besides the stunning new Quattroporte itself. (Note that there are now special "previews" taking place in cities around the U.S. See our Events listing or the special Maserati Event page for the upcoming schedule.)
At the third press conference of the day Luca di Montezemolo, Ferrari-Maserati Gruppo CEO, announced a technological agreement with VW/Audi Group to open the possibility for exchange of ideas and/or key technologies. Amongst those discussed that Audi was interested (and impressed by) was the new QP platform and transaxle (possibly for the Audi A8), and for Maserati, the Audi 4-wheel drive technologies. This agreement does not signify that these exchanges are imminent to take place, only that there exists the possibility assuming each side is willing in a particular exchange. Ferrari is not part of this agreement and there is no equity involved.
Following this conference I attended a small round-table question and answer session which was organized just on behalf of American journalists at which were present Mr. Montezemolo, Antonello Perricone (operations manager of the Maserati factory), Sig. Felice (operations manager of the Ferrari factory), and Maurizio Parlato (head of Ferrari-Maserati North America). In it Mr. Montezemolo discussed his plan to follow Maserati history in producing a works racing effort, great sports cars, and luxury sedans. "At this moment" he stated, "Maserati is being sold in 44 countries worldwide." His plans for the marque include re-entering racing in the worldwide GT championship next year. Soon a new GT class race car built on a brand new Maserati chassis will debut and reenter racing as the first factory-sponsored effort since the late 50s. There are plans for a small number of cars (20-25) to be sold to significant collectors.
