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Maserati Racing

Maserati racing history

Maserati is one of the world’s most notorious brands for speed, luxury, and style. Founded by Alfieri Maserati in Bolagna, Italy Maserati cars have been gracing Italian roads and beyond – including the streets of Naples, Cape Coral, and Fort Meyers, Florida - since 1914.

Maserati Cars: The Current Lineup

Maserati cars, though varied in features, all sport the Maserati trident, stunning curves, and a look that just screams speed. The models have changed over the years, but the current lineup of Maserati cars includes the Quattroporte, Ghibli, GranTurismo, and Levante.

The Levante is Maserati’s first fully scheduled for release SUV – presales have already been solid, though much of this Maserati car’s specific details are still held in speculation. The Ghibli is the lowest priced Maserati, with pricing starting at just $66,900; this is in stark contrast to the Quattroporte, the Maserati sedan, priced starting at $102,500. The GranTurismo is the fastest of the Maserati cars in the lineup, reaching top speeds of 185 miles per hour and accelerating from zero to 60 in just 4.7 seconds.

Maserati Racing: 100 Years Of History

The history of Maserati racing dates back to the brand’s origins with a rich history that continues to build today. In 1926, the Maserati Tipo 26, driven by Alfieri Maserati, won the Targa Florio 1,500 cc class and placed ninth overall. Maserati secured additional victories in the Targa Florio in 1937, 1938, 1939, and 1940. Pre-World War, Maserati racing claimed numerous successes, including wins at the Indy 500 in 1939 and 1940, among others.

Though efforts paused during the war years for obvious reasons, Maserati rejoined the racing circuits after the war’s end, going on to claim numerous victories. Maserati clinched second place in the 1956 Manufacturers Championship, including a win at the 1000 km in the Nurburgring and with the Maserati 300S at the 1000 km Buenos Aires. In 1957, Maserati again claimed second at the Manufacturers Championship with wins at Sebring and with the Maserati 300S at the 1000 km Buenos Aires and the. The Maserati cars continued to place at the Manufacturers Championship in 1959, 1960, and 1961.

Beyond the wins for Maserati racing at the Manufacturers Championship, Maserati also raced in the Touring circuit as well as with Formula One racing where it participated during the 1940’s, 50’s, and 60’s. Its Formula One presence is particularly notable, as Maserati racing efforts secured nine Grand Prix wins for the factory team as well as a world title with individual driver Juan Manuel Fangio.

Present Day Maserati Racing

Today, Maserati continues its history in racing, primarily with the Trofeo. The Trofeo Maserati runs international circuits with numerous races, including regular and endurance with various classes. To participate, drivers must rent or purchase a Trofeo car which is for track use only. This one-make race allows for individual and team racing and will again be held for 2014.

Whether you are interesting in Maserati racing for sport or one of the Maserati cars to hit the roads of Naples, FL, with Maserati, you are destined for love, speed, and sport.

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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.