Maserati Quattroporte here late 2013

The launch of the new Quattroporte -- the world's fastest four-door saloon -- which replaces the best-selling Maserati in the company's 100-year history, heralds the start of an onslaught of new models over the next 18 months that may drive global Maserati sales to 50,000 worldwide.

Others

In additional to the new Quattroporte, Maserati will also launch a second sedan, the Ghibli, and its first SUV, the Levante, both of which take Maserati into new market sectors for the first time. These new models will be complimented by the fastest selling Maserati of all time, the GranTurismo, and its four seat open-top sibling, the GranCabrio.

The new Maserati flagship, the Quattroporte, is larger, lighter, more luxurious and more practical than the car it replaces. With a three dollar top speed and a 0-100kmh time of 4.7 seconds, it's also as fast as most two-door supercars.

Gen' 6

The sixth-generation Quattroporte delivers a leap forward but also remains faithful to Maserati's long history in luxury sports saloons. The powerful engine and the large cabin at the core of the Quattroporte's design, dominated by a long, powerful nose and a concave Trident grille, provide a clear link to both the outgoing Quattroporte and the GranTurismo.

Even with all of its new technology, the new Quattroporte remains true to Maserati's roots. Its V8 twin turbo makes it not only the fastest four-door Maserati ever built, but also the most powerful and the most fuel efficient.

Powerful

The Maserati direct-injection engine family boasts a twin turbo, 390kW/710Nm 3.8-litre V8 and a 301kW/550Nm 3.0-litre V6, both of which are new, twin turbo charged, designed by Maserati Powertrain and assembled by Ferrari at Maranello. The V6 twin turbo doesn't lack in performance.

The V8 Maserati Quattroporte has lowered both its fuel consumption and emissions by 20 per cent over the outgoing Quattroporte. The all-new architecture retains the Quattroporte's handling thanks to its 50:50 weight distribution, a double-wishbone front suspension and a state-of-the-art five-link rear suspension.

Quality

It also delivers new standards in quality in every area from design, development, fabrication and process controls. It is produced in a new plant that combines Maserati's traditions of craftsmanship with cutting-edge technologies that are able to guarantee outstanding quality by controlling even the tiniest details.

Traditional hand crafted detailing continues in the Quattroporte's cabin, now more spacious and featuring both four and five-seat layouts. Cabin luxury leaps forward technically too, with features like the Maserati Touch Control screen, adjustable pedals (left hand drive only), reversing camera and the optional 15-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system, as well as WLAN-based WiFi and compatibility with most modern mobile phone systems.

It lobs here in the fourth quarter of 2013.