Just days before its official unveiling at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, images of the new SUV concept from Maserati have been leaked onto the Web.

The image, that appeared in an online pocket guidebook for the show, came with the description that the new SUV model due for launch in 2013 is expected to feature a 4.7-litre V8 engine under the bonnet producing around 335kW of power. The engine is also likely to be backed up by an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission. However, the SUV will be tuned more for speed than actual heavy off-road duty.

The luxury off road vehicle based on the Jeep Grand Cherokee, will have new bodywork and a bespoke interior. The image showcases typical Maserati design features from the latest models with the vertical slat front grille, fender vents, and angular headlights.

The price is yet to be revealed but it’s expected to be priced higher than its top spec Jeep counterpart at an estimated amount of $80,000 to $100,000.

Most likely to match the likes of Audi A6, BMW 5-Series and Mercedes E-Class, this new luxury vehicle is expected to carry a Chrysler-sourced engine lineup, with the options of  a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 (based on the Pentastar 3.6-liter V6) and a 300 hp (224 kW / 304 PS) 3.0-liter V6 diesel from the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

The sedan was initially projected to be an Alfa Romeo, but was then changed to form a Maserati flagship. This decision came about because Maserati  has a better sales network across the globe and can have  premium price tags. The price range of this sedan will be between €55,000 and €70,000 ($79,000 – $100,000).

Meanwhile, the Restyled Quattroporte (code-named the M156) can offer you more legroom, if that is what you are looking for. Considerably larger than the present edition, the car will rival the Audi A8, BMW 7-Series and Mercedes S-Class.  Power will be derived from the 4.7-liter V8 – integrated with direct injection technology – that gives an output of 475 hp (354 kW / 482 PS).

We also  hear that the car will sport an all-wheel-drive, start/stop technology and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The debut date is still under wraps, but we are told the price would range between €125,000 and €150,000 ($180,000 – $215,000).

Yet another model waiting in the Maserati stables is an SUV model based on the Jeep Grand Cherokee. This model is expected to equip a 450 hp (336 kW / 456 PS) 4.7-liter V8 and possibly a  3.0-liter V6 diesel engine. The SUV will sport an exceptional exterior styling and custom-made interior features. The concept  is anticipated to make it to the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. But, we might have to wait for a year-and-a-half to see the on-road edition.

Italians have a reputation for creating beautiful objects. They’re a nation that seemed to sacrifice almost everything for the sake of aesthetics; older Italian cars had a formidable reputation for being undriveable, unrealiable, but one look and you were quite possibly in love.

I should know, I am Italian. Although the most beautiful thing I have ever created was a wooden birdfeeder for a grade school project. But I digress. The motorvehicle over which you are currently drooling is the Maserati GrandCabrio Sports. The GranCabrio was no lay-about, so quite why they needed to make it faster is beyond me.

As you are well aware, the GranCabrio is by far and away the most beautiful Cabriolet ever built. Fact. There is drama, beauty and power in spades. Like dating a lingerie model who enjoys kickboxing. And just in case that was a little boring for you, they’ve cranked it up a bit.

Borrowing the 4.7 litre V8 from the Maserati GranTursimo Stradale, which looks and sounds like a thunderstorm in a Bond film, the GranCabrio gets uprated brakes, suspension and a new aerokit to deal with the extra power.

The naturally aspirated alloy V8 delivers 331kW, or 450hp, to the rear wheels via an improved 7 speed flappy paddle transmission. I imagine the engineers at Maserati were peering over the shoulders of their compadrés at Ferrari when they designed that one.

Because Italians are the sort of people who wave supercars past instead of arresting the drivers (Switzerland, I’m looking at you here) the GranCabrio has a new exhaust system to make it louder beyond 2500rpm. For your aural pleasure, please enjoy this video of one minute of pure Maserati sound. Glorious.

The GranCabrio Sports is on sale right now, prices are unconfirmed which means you probably have to ask. And you know what they say about that. If you have to ask, don’t bother.

Ciro De Siena – OverdriveTV

Full Specifications for the Maserati GranCabrio Sports

Body

High-strength steel monocoque, under-body aluminium cross bracing

Layout

Front-mid-engine, rear-drive

Engine

4.7-litre all-alloy V8

Power

450hp (331kW) @ 7000rpm

Torque

510Nm @ 4750rpm

Capacity

4691cc

Bore x stroke

94mm x 84.5mm

Compression ratio

11.25:1

Maximum engine speed

7200rpm

Oil delivery

Wet sump

0-100km/h acceleration

5.2 seconds

Top speed

285km/h

Fuel consumption – Urban

22.5 litres/100km

Fuel consumption – Extra-urban

9.8 litres/100km

Fuel consumption – combined

14.5 litres/100km

CO2 emissions

337 grams/km

Transmission

Six-speed automatic (ZF 6HP26) with MC Auto Shift

Ratios

First:                4.171:1

Second:            2.340:1

Third:               1.521:1

Fourth: 1.143:1

Fifth:                0.867:1

Sixth:               0.691:1

Reverse:          3.403:1

Final Drive:      3.73:1

Differential

Asymmetric limited-slip (25% in traction, 45% in release) with bevel drive

Steering

Engine-speed sensitive power steering, rack-and-pinion.

Turning circle

12.3 metres

Length

4881mm

Width (with mirrors)

2056mm

Width (without mirrors)

1915mm

Height

1353mm

Wheelbase

2942mm

Front track

1586mm

Rear track

1590mm

Front overhang

873mm

Rear overhang

1066mm

Boot/trunk capacity

173 litres

Fuel capacity

75 litres

Dry weight (EU)

1887kg

Kerb weight (EU)

1980kg

Weight distribution (roof closed)

49% front/51% rear

Weight distribution (roof open)

48%/52%

Brakes

360mm front discs, 330mm rear discs

Tyres

245/35 ZR20 (front); 285/35 ZR20 (rear)

Other Maserati vehicles that proudly bear the initials are the racing version the company’s GranTurismo coupe, and also a road worthy option of the racer called the MC Stradale. Now, the Quattraporte gets to join the gang.

The new offering is a four-door, and it is definitely not another road version of the car that is racing in the circuits.

The Quattraporte MC Sport is the Quattroporte Sport GT-S, which has received more trim, aluminum pedals and carbon fiber interior accents. Although not much else has been changed, this could be the first step in many that Maserati might be taking.

We are yet to confirm whether the upcoming car would be the much anticipated Estoque. If you would remember, we had earlier been told that the company had plans to launch the Estoque in 2011, but was forced to halt the decision due to the global economic recession.

If plans to launch the Estoque reach the final stage, it would most likely feature a 5.2-liter V10 engine with approximately 550 PS (405 kW / 542 hp) and 540 Nm (398 lb-ft) of torque and it would compete with potential rivals like Aston Martin Rapide, Porsche Panamera Turbo, and next-generation Maserati Quattroporte.  We have for you a series of pictures of the car in concept stage. Take a look:

(Via WCF)

The Maserati GranCabrio, which is more of a convertible version of the GranTurismo S, comes powered with a 4.7-liter V8 engine that delivers 323 kW (440 hp) and 490 Nm of torque. This beauty can accelerate from 0-62 mph in 5.4 seconds to a top speed of 175 mph, all thanks to a six-speed ZF automatic gearbox.

This new model of Maserati offers customers a choice of 14 different exterior colors, in addition to an assortment of leather upholstery and a variety of dashboard trims.

Customers also have the option to buy a bespoke four-piece leather luggage set and a trolley suitcase which can be fixed to the rear seats.

The Maserati GranCabrio was supposed to be unveiled officially at next month’s Frankfurt Auto Show but just to add to the enthusiasm, Maserati has gone ahead and made the details public a month before. The Pininfarina-designed GranCabrio has been beautifully converted into an open soft-top machine that comes with a cloth roof which deploys over the four-passenger compartment, eventually keeping the weight down. Just for the records, the Maserati GranCabrio is the first four-seat convertible in the history of the company. Maserati proudly boasts about the longest wheelbase (on the market) of the car. Under the hood you find a 4.7-liter 433-hp V8 from the GT S which is mated to a ZF six-speed automatic. You surely need to be at the Maserati corner in Frankfurt to see this beauty in “person”. [via Autoblog]

Unveiled this year at the NAIAS in Detroit, the new Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S is finally ready for sale. Running on a tweaked 4.7-litre V8 engine mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission (with a manual drive mode), the luxury sports sedan outputs 440 hp and a peak torque of 490Nm. With a new sports exhaust system and an agressive bodywork that is all about aero-dynamics, the new Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S blast off to 100km/h in 5.1 seconds. Now where’s the recession when you need it, because that little beast is going to feature a lavish interior with Alcantara and leather interior, aluminium sports pedals and a carbon fiber interior trim. And yes it’s going to cost you a whopping amount of cash to bring it to your garage.

For those who own a Maserati GranTurismo S and could use a bit more power (and more aggressive looks), then Novitec Tridente has it for you. Their latest tuning program would turn your GranTurismo S into a super-car unlike any other on the market. The upgrade adds to the ECU and exhaust to bring the total power of the 4.7 liter V8 engine to an immense 600bhp. But what can you expect from the wicked folks at Novitec, who’s been doing Maserati Quattroporte mods for some time now? An undeniably sexy vehicle that is nothing below fantastic, we’d sure love to get behind the wheel of this beast. [via gtspirit.com]

In October the wicked chaps from Swizz Team will deliver the much anticipated GranTurismo MC GT4 racer to its consumers. But since there’s time to spare, the company has decided to make its own Maserati Quattroporte and race it in a local Italian touring car league called the Superstars Series. With F1 driver Andrea Chiesa to pilot the first car and another likely F1 wheel-wielder to take up the second car, watch out for the Quattroporte to make an impact when it hits the streets. We’re definitely sold on that design.