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The Maserati Assembly Plant - If The Maserati Brothers Could See Us Now

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Three hundred and eighty miles north of Naples, Italy is the town of Modena, home of the Maserati manufacturing center. Modena has served as host to the Maserati brand since 1940 and from the exterior it appears that very little has changed at the plant. The old brick buildings look like, well old brick buildings. The new buildings, like the four story new car parking lot, also look like old brick buildings, intentionally. But when you step inside those old brick buildings it's like stepping into a new dimension. It starts in the reception area that features an elevated big "blue loop" that mimics the Maserati oval and serves as a display stand for every model Maserati builds. The walls are covered in Maserati memorabilia from the past 100 years and there is even a retail shop that offers up Maserati gear. This reception area is the finest Maserati showroom you will ever see. When you step into the assembly area your first impression will be one of light and almost clinical cleanliness. It's an assembly line facility and it sounds like an assembly line facility (except for the Italian pop music that is piped in throughout the facility) but it looks like a lab from the future. The old brick exterior is hiding a highly advanced industrial interior.

Maserati Assembly-Part Man, Part Machine, Part Magic

The assembly process is an orchestrated blend of old world craftsmanship, skilled automotive technicians, robotic assistance and computerized management. Make no mistake, it is the talented Italians who build these beauties the robotics and computerized logistics just make the job easier for them. The most prominent feature of the assembly lines is the overhead robotic cradles that lift, move and lower the Maserati shells down the line. The cradles can tilt the shells up to 900 to make access easier and to provide for more efficient installation of parts. Each model has its own line but they all use the same "25 minute" task method. The assembly process is broken down into tasks that can be accomplished in 25 minutes or less. Each task pad is manned by the craftsmen and technicians for that particular task and the parts required for that individual vehicle are sorted and delivered by computer. When 25 minutes are up the cradle lifts the vehicle and moves it to the next pad. The end result is that every model that Maserati makes, the GranTurismo, the all new Ghibli and the flagship Quattroporte roll off the assembly line every 25 minutes. What magic is involved you ask? When that twin turbocharged V6 or V8 engine is started and that banshee wail comes out of the exhaust pipes you'll have your answer. Once the cars come off the line they begin a series of exhaustive tests to ensure each one is ready for delivery.

Fastest Growing Brand In North America

There's a reason that Maserati wants a new car every 25 minutes. Maserati has become the fastest growing brand in the U.S, and the introduction of the new Ghibli ensures that trend will continue. Modena is some 5,094 miles from that "other" Naples, the one we call home, so there is an issue of getting enough Maseratis to dealers to keep up with demand. maserati interior At Naples Luxury Imports we are lucky enough to have a good inventory of GranTurismos, Quattroportes and Ghiblis but if you live in Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Estero, Bonita Springs or Naples and you're interested in the unique driving experience that Maserati provides we encourage you to browse our inventory and then visit us while we still have a great choice of vehicles. Contact us to arrange a test drive. We'll guarantee you'll enjoy your time behind a Maserati wheel. Schedule your service appointment today to have us inspect your luxury vehicle tires.

Written By: Jason Reidel

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The Maserati Levante: An SUV with the Soul of a Race Car

The long-awaited addition to the luxury SUV class, the Maserati Levante first appeared at the 2016 Geneva Motor show. Debuting on one of the largest scenes in the automotive world, surrounded by numerous other models also making their debut, the Levante shone. Surrounded by theatrics, with a baptism from Ferrari head Lapo Elkann, it was a fitting bow for a vehicle that Maserati boss Harald Wester has said is Maserati’s “biggest business opportunity.” more Unlike many bloated luxury SUVs on the market, the Levante values streamlined efficiency and style. While some manufacturers are stuffing oversized, gas-guzzling engines into their SUVs, the Levante will utilize a twin-turbocharged V6 engine that will be capable of producing 424 horsepower. This engine will still allow for conservative gas mileage, thanks to a well-adjusted eight-speed automatic transmission. Don’t confuse efficient with slow though, as the Levante is expected to keep pace with an acceleration time from zero to 60 miles per hour of 5.2 seconds. Full-time Q4 intelligent four-wheel drive will allow the Levante to handle poor weather and road conditions, and even provide quality off-road capabilities that are expected to better those offered by other luxury SUV models from Bentley and BMW. Five different levels of ground clearance are offered, plus an extra one for parking. Of course, with Maserati, it isn’t all about the performance. The exterior flows and curves, imitating the easterly Levant wind that blows across the Mediterranean Sea and that the Levante is named for. Muscular rear fenders hint at the performance capabilities, while a tapering roofline gives the Levante a profile that seems closer to a tall fastback sedan. A roof spoiler and sporty quad exhaust pipes – similar to the cars offered by Maserati - accent the rear. Up front, the Maserati trident shines in the center of a large, vertically-divided grille that is set between narrowed headlight assemblies. It is a front end that has a clear family resemblance with the Quattroporte and Ghibli sedans – a resemblance further helped along by the presence of Maserati’s three front vents that are seen on all of the company’s vehicles. Inside, the luxury is at the level you have come to expect from Maserati. The finest materials are available for upholstery and trim, including high-quality leathers, wood accents, and even the option of silk from the world-famous Zegna wool mill. The cabin is spacious, providing enough room for five full-sized adults to fit comfortable, even for a longer journey, and the rear cargo bay offers plenty of storage, able to swallow up luggage, golf clubs, groceries, or anything else that may need to be hauled along. Maserati is also using the Levante to debut the latest generation of its 8.4-inch Touch Control touch screen infotainment system. Inside, the luxury is at the level you have come to expect from Maserati. The finest materials are available for upholstery and trim, including high-quality leathers, wood accents, and even the option of silk from the world-famous Zegna wool mill. The cabin is spacious, providing enough room for five full-sized adults to fit comfortable, even for a longer journey, and the rear cargo bay offers plenty of storage, able to swallow up luggage, golf clubs, groceries, or anything else that may need to be hauled along. Maserati is also using the Levante to debut the latest generation of its 8.4-inch Touch Control touch screen infotainment system. The good news is, here in the United States, we won’t have to wait much longer for the stateside debut of this impressive vehicle – it will appear soon at a dealership near you. While all Levantes will be assembled at the renowned Mirafiori assembly plant in Turin, you will be able to purchase them right here, at Naples Luxury Imports. Speak with one of our staff, we will be happy to keep you updated as to when the Levante becomes available for purchase, and to work with you to find the proper model with the features that fit your sense of style.

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Mystery of the Maserati Crossover

Is a Maserati Crossover coming to a showroom near you? Industry blogs were buzzing recently, as patent images showed that Maserati does, in fact, have plans in place for a sleek, sporty crossover SUV. It’s called the Maserati Levante, and it isn’t expected to hit the market until 2017. But fortunately, the leaked images gave us our first look at the first-ever Maserati crossover. Needless to say, the Levante is a perfect example of Maserati’s commitment to style, design grace and performance. more Following the leak, FIAT Group CEO Sergio Marchionne confirmed that work had begun on the Maserati CUV some time ago, and Marchionne said that the Levante will start being produced next year in Italy. Everyone here at Naples Luxury Imports was thrilled with the news, because it’s the Italian automaker’s first foray into the booming premium crossover space, which is currently owned by Porshe and Land Rover. Here are a few things you can expect: So what can you expect from the Maserati Levante? As far as exterior, the Levante features a swooping roofline that gradually tapers towards the rear. The crossover features a low-center-of-gravity stance, so it appears more ready to pounce than the Porshe Cayenne, which will be one of the vehicle’s main competitors. Plus, the Levante will feature a rear fascia with Maserati’s signature tail lamps, a rear spoiler and quad exhaust. The Levante crossover will feature a distinctly Maserati profile. Looking at the design drawings, the Levante clearly shares styling details with Maserati’s signature four-doors, the Ghibli and the Quattroporte. That includes a front fascia with a geometric, slatted front grille, sculpted headlamps and grated air dams. Plus, the fenders feature a trio of vents on both sides, a signature Maserati style detail that’s shared with the Ghibli, GranTurismo and the Quattroporte. Since the drawings are just black-and-white sketches, it’s difficult to tell exactly what the Maserati Levante will look like when it hits the production line in Italy. But it’s safe to say it will be a sporty, low-profile small SUV. What kind of power will the Levante have? Right now, engine specs for the crossover are just speculation, but FIAT Group has provided some hints about what consumers might expect. In Italy and throughout Europe, the Levante is expected to be released with a turbocharged diesel engine with six-speed, manual transmission. Those details aren’t likely to be available in the U.S. Instead, according to information released by Maserati, the Levante will be released with two available V6 engines with different tunes. There will be a 350 and 450-horsepower options available, with a V8 580-horsepower beast available beginning in 2018. When Will Maserati Unveil the Levante? These leaked Levante sketches are just patent designs, and it’s likely that the finalized concept will undergo slight adjustments. We’ll just have to wait and see, but when will the final Maserati Levante reach the market? Maserati has been mum on the details, but industry publications are speculating we’ll have to wait about six months. All signs are pointing to the 2016 Detroit Motor Show for the Levante’s grand unveiling, and it will likely become available for customers in late 2016. As for pricing, Maserati hasn’t yet revealed pricing, but the Levante is expected to start at around $100,000. Maserati has set a goal of selling up to 15,000 Levante crossovers each year, before making a push for 75,000 cars in 2018. In other words, Maserati is committed to this model, and it’s bound to rival crossovers from Porsche and Land Rover. At Naples Luxury Imports, we were excited to see these initial design drawings, and we can’t wait until next year’s Detroit Motor Show.

Maserati Quattroporte Zegna

Introducing the Maserati Quattroporte Ermenegildo Zegna Limited Edition

Since first being introduced to discerning buyers the Maserati Quattroporte has always created a perfect symbiosis of pure power and elegant design. The Limited Edition Maserati Quattroporte Zegna could be compared to a hand cut and tailored silk suit, while its German cousins are more of a simple and very conservative double-breasted business suit. The new Limited Edition model truly symbolizes all that we have come to expect from this magnificent Italian automaker and is sure to please discerning drivers in the Naples, FL area. more Who is Ermenegildo Zegna? Ermenegildo Zegna is one of the most respected and world famous fashion designers working exclusively for today's wealthy elite. If you find that you have not yet heard of this elite fashion house, it may be because the only way to visit one of the fine boutiques where their clothing is sold, is by invitation only. With this in mind, it is easy to see how the Limited Edition Maserati Quattroporte Zegna has been crafted to appeal to those who have impeccable tastes. The Ermenegildo Zegna Limited Edition has been crafted with a wide range of exquisite materials and incredibly smooth flowing lines. Thanks to this and many other features, the Quattroporte is sure to appeal to a wide range of buyers in and around Fort Myers and Cape Coral.  As you walk up to the Quattroporte Zegna your eyes can't help but to be drawn to a paint job that is one of the most expensive ever used on an automobile. Maserati has layered aluminum pigments in the paint that not only provide incredible depth to the Platinum Silk finish, but also give the impression that it is made from an unbelievably smooth layer of aluminum weave. There is more to the Ermenegildo Zegna Limited Edition Maserati Quattro than a spectacular finish. The Inside Is a Beautiful Blend On the inside you will find colors that are warm and inviting along with seating that blends modern function with classic looks seamlessly. The seats are covered with a fine grain leather and wool upholstery that has been crafted from the exact same wools used to craft Zegna's finest suits. They are much finer than the furniture found in most people's homes. Wood trim is crafted from open pore walnut, and you will receive a spare bolt of cloth with your new Quattroporte just in case you should happen to spill your espresso. Nothing has been left to chance as there are 19 other custom accessories included with every one of these spectacular automobiles. Raw Italian Power Unleashed Of course no true Italian luxury car would be complete without plenty of power hiding under the hood. It is in fact (or at least if it isn't, it should be) a law in Italy that all cars built in Italy are intended to be driven as though the German hordes were invading and there was only one road out of town. For this reason alone, you will find that the 523 horsepower V8 engine under the hood produces a massive 524 lb-ft of torque. All of this power propels the Limited Edition Maserati Quattroporte Zegna from 0-60 mph in a heart stopping 4.6 seconds. And if this is not enough the Quattroporte tops out at an unbelievable 191 mph, perfect for the Autobahns of Germany or your local Interstate. For the 2015 model year, Maserati has plans to build no more than one hundred of these amazing cars, but you can count on them selling fast as they are part of the 100th anniversary celebration of this vaunted Italian automaker. If you are ready to buckle yourself into a Limited Edition Maserati Quattroporte Zegna visit Naples Luxury Imports at 900 Tamiami Trail, North Naples, FL 34102, visit us online at naplesluxuryimports.com.