In a year of consolidation and in the run-up to the launch of the Levante SUV scheduled for 2016, Maserati has, for the first time in Europe, lined up its entire product range in the Model Year 16 (MY16) versions. With the MY16 range, Maserati has upgraded all current engines to the Euro 6 standard and added exclusive new features for the Ghibli and Quattroporte sedans.
Apart from the engines, the traditional bespoke customisation is the area where the sedans benefit most from innovation. This is thanks to the exclusive Ghibli and Quattroporte interior packages bearing the Ermenegildo Zegna signature, as well as new mouldings and ornamental stitching on the headrests.
Other areas to benefit from the range update are: driver aids and safety with Blind Spot Alert and Rear Cross Path system, user-friendliness as a result of Power Boot (remote, motorised boot opening and closure, including hands-free activation), the sound system with the debut of a Harman Kardon system including an update to the existing Bowers & Wilkins system, and the user-car interface, which now includes voice commands by means of the Siri smart personal assistant in combination with iOS devices. This is aided by further improvements to the acoustic insulation of the Quattroporte and Ghibli.
The Maserati stand displays 3 versions of the Ghibli, the sporty executive sedan and 2 versions of the 6th generation Quattroporte, luxury limousine. The GT range is represented by the GranTurismo MC Stradale Centennial Edition and a GranCabrio Sport.
THE NEW FEATURES OF THE MODEL YEAR 16
EURO 6 ENGINES
For both Quattroporte and Ghibli petrol engines (V6 Twin Turbo from 330 up to 410 hp and V8 Twin Turbo with 530 hp), the introduction of EURO 6 homologation brings up to 12% reduction in emissions, consumption with unchanged performance compared to previous EURO 5 engines, while the MY16 petrol engines also benefit from the introduction of the Start & Stop system.
With the GranTurismo and GranCabrio ranges, where the naturally aspirated V8 engines already had emission levels in line with the prescribed standards, the upgrading to Euro 6 did not generate any changes in fuel consumption or emission figures.
“ZEGNA EDITION” INTERIOR PACKAGE
The Ermenegildo Zegna interior designed exclusively for Maserati, combines fine leather with 100% natural fibre Zegna Mulberry silk inserts on the seats, door panels, roof lining, sunshades and ceiling light fixture. An additional touch of luxury was added to the seat covers and door through stitching in a contrasting colour. The headrest is embroidered with the iconic Trident, the Maserati brand emblem.
The interior offering includes a choice of colour combinations: the Ermenegildo Zegna silk, always in Anthracite colour, can be combined with three different shades of luxurious fine leather, for three individual looks:
- Black colour fine grain Leather / Anthracite Ermenegildo Zegna Silk / contrasting grey stitching on seats, dashboard, door panel and headrest
- Natural colour fine grain Leather / Anthracite Ermenegildo Zegna Silk / contrasting grey stitching on seats, dashboard, door panel and headrest
- Red colour fine grain Leather / Anthracite Ermenegildo Zegna Silk / contrasting grey stitching on seats, dashboard, door panel and headrest
In more detail, in the “Zegna Edition” version the outsides of the seats are in extra fine grain leather with contrasting, light grey stitching, matched to an Anthracite central silk insert with a micro-chevron weave of vertical rolls on the central seat and backrest area. Within this area, the central roll, with leather tapes on the sides, features a special macro-chevron weave adding to its three-dimensional feel and technical look.
On the door panels, the central parts are covered with Zegna silk Jersey and embellished by a diagonal roll pattern, with ton-sur-ton ornamental stitching and alternating rib embroidery. The same fabric is used to cover the car’s roof lining and sunshades, the latter carrying grosgrain “Ermenegildo Zegna Exclusively for Maserati” labels on the inside. The sophisticated, luxury finish of the car interior is also carried through to the headrests, featuring an embroidered Trident emblem and contrasting stitching.
The exclusive “Zegna Edition” interiors are available in three colour variants for the Quattroporte and Ghibli, customisations and are set to become the pinnacle of the Masersati customisations. This exclusive product offering for the Maserati saloons is available for all markets, on all Quattroporte and Ghibli variants.
NEW QUATTOPORTE AND GHIBLI CONTENTS
Blind Spot Alert & Rear Cross Path
Available upon request for both Quattroporte and Ghibli, the Blind Spot Alert alerts the driver with visual and audible signals when a vehicle enters the blind spot zones; this important safety feature has been introduced to avoid unwanted collisions during lane changes. The system monitors blind spot areas using two radar-based sensors, located inside the rear bumper fascia; when a vehicle approaches from behind, the LED warning signal embedded into the side mirrors lights up while a chime alert can also be heard.
The Rear Cross Path function is designed to assist the driver when reversing, and is particularly useful when backing out of a parking space, when oncoming vehicles cannot be seen. By means of sensors fitted on each side of the rear bumper, the system detects any vehicles heading towards the car and alerts the driver by means of lights and a chime. The system is activated at speeds from a minimum of 3 km/h to a maximum of about 16 km/h, typically during parking.
Power Boot Lid with Hands-Free Mode
The Power Boot lid is included in the Quattroporte GTS and available upon request for the other versions of both Quattroporte and Ghibli, This feature enables the light aluminium boot lid to be opened and closed remotely. Thanks to electric actuators and a motor-operated locking device, the system allows automatic control of the boot lid, with a selection of activation options to suit different situations: from inside the car, using the car remote, using the buttons on the boot lid or in Hands-Free mode.
With Hands-Free mode, the boot can be opened or closed by just moving a foot underneath the rear bumper; a special sensor picks up the movement and opens or closes the boot. In this case and for safety reasons, the lid will open or close only if the “Passive Entry” system acknowledges the presence of the key.
Siri Smart Personal Assistant
Thanks to the Apple chip that uses iOS functionality contained in the MTC, from MY16 the Siri “smart” personal assistant, already incorporated in Apple devices has been introduced. Based on Bluetooth technology, Siri allows users of Quattroporte and Ghibli (both standard) to perform tasks on iOS connected devices (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch) and make requests using voice commands. The advantage of this is that Siri uses natural language to understand commands. For safety reasons, when the car is on the move Siri deactivates all applications which use visual content or require user interaction and replies to commands given or questions put to it with voice feedback only.
Audio
From MY16 The audio system is totally new and brings on board the new Harman Kardon system as a standard feature on all Quattroporte versions and upon request on Ghibli. The system gives outstanding power and sound quality, based around 10 speakers and a 900 W, 12-channel amplifier. The door woofers and the subwoofer installed underneath the rear shelf have also been redesigned to deliver a more powerful sound.
With the new Clari-Fi function intruduced from MY16, the optional Bowers & Wilkins Premium Surround audio system is as good as it gets in production car hi-fi systems.
The Clari-Fi function is an advanced solution especially designed for digital music and is capable of restoring the artistic details lost in digitally-compressed songs. Clari-Fi scans all types of compressed audio files for lost music details, supporting MP3, AAC, Satellite Radio, Playback and Streaming Music Services and intelligently corrects waveform deficiencies based on existing music information and audio source quality. By recapturing the missing highs and lows, restoring the vocals to their natural tone, and removing unwanted distortions and artifacts, rthe Clari-Fi function returns the music to true stereo sound. These features are exclusive to the Bowers & Wilkins Premium Surround audio system and sets a new benchmark in automotive audio.
Other features
Interior: while the standard equipment is sumptuous, Maserati also provides an exceptional degree of personalisation with a vast range of materials for our clients to choose from, including wood, carbon fibre, leather, Alcantara, as well as coloured stitching in contrast with the leather colour, for areas such as the upper dashboard, doors and seats and, with the introduction of MY16, headrest contrasting stitching with embroidered Trident are available on request; a lacquered Black Piano trim – already available for the Quattroporte – is also available for Ghibli’s MY16 for areas such as the central tunnel cover or the door inserts.
