By ©Automedia

February 2003

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While its design will be a radical departure from the boxy shape of the current car, it won't be exactly like the 1:10 scale model that was shown during an event in Tokyo in May 2002. Sources say overall length is 5.10 metres which would make it longer than a short wheelbase Mercedes S-class.

The car is expected to be a real stunner that makes German luxury cars as the BMW 7-Series and Mercedes S-class look staid. Since the new Italian will not have a speed-limiter, it will also be much faster than the German competition, reaching top-speeds close to 300 km/h. Interior is believed to match the well-proportioned Pininfarina design, too, with leather, wood and Alcantara as well as the latest in audio, navigation and telematics.

Even with America being Maserati's most important market, there are no plans to offer an automatic gearbox alongside the Cambiocorsa-robotized manual gearbox. Power is provided by Maserati's 4.2-litre 385-HP V8 which will be tuned to provide more low and mid-range torque.

The new Quattroporte aims to take half of all Maserati sales by the time volumes reach 9000 units a year in 2006.

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