MASERATI PLANS TO UNVEIL M156
The Italian automaker, Maserati, expects that the two new models, the luxury crossover and the sedan along with the redesigned Quattroporte sedan will lift its annual sales to around 20,000 units. The company is also working on a luxury crossover and a smaller sedan that will compete with the premium German vehicles.
Maserati is planning to reveal a successor to its Quattroporte which is code-named M156, during the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show. The Maserati M156 will be powered with the 4.7-liter V8 engine, even though other engines are also considered for the vehicle.
Maserati has code-named M157 is also under development, it is a smaller sedan. The vehicle which is expected to be a threat to BMW 5 Series and Mercedes E-Class models is expected to hit the roads not later than 2014.
2012 ASTON MARTIN V8 VANTAGE S
Power for the Aston Martin V8 Vantage S comes from a 4.7L V8, which has been re-engineered to deliver 430-hp and 361 lb-ft of torque. The engine is mated to a new round-up developed 7-speed Sportshift II transmission specifically designed for the Vantage S with seven short ratio gears. Aston Martin says that the transmission is twenty percent quicker than its Sportshift. The V8 Vantage S also benefits from its own sound with a new exhaust muffler, quickened steering rack ratio of 15:1 compared to 17:1 on the standard car and a larger diameter front brake disc with new six-piston front brake calipers, new dynamic stability control (DSC) system and bespoke Bridgestone tires.
The S variant features a unique exhaust muffler specifically tuned to aurally define its sporting intent. A revised map opens the bypass valves earlier in the rev range at 3500 rpm and even earlier in ‘Sport’ mode producing more crackle on the overrun.
The Vantage has established itself as one of the world’s most beautiful cars; distinctively Aston Martin, elegant yet with controlled aggression and perfectly proportioned with a low purposeful stance. The Aston Martin V8 Vantage S capitalises on the beauty of the Vantage and fuses it with the taut design cues from the V12 Vantage which hint at the car’s heightened performance potential.
The rear bumper features a hand-made carbon fibre diffuser aiding the flow of air exiting from the underside of the car to maintain an area of low pressure at the rear of the car which helps to reduce lift and improve high speed stability.
The tailored Vantage S’ interior hints at the car’s dynamic capabilities, defined by a distinctive three-track stitch detail on the inside of the doors and on the seats. A new folded leather design runs along the new stitched tracks echoing the gills of a shark hinting at the power and agility of the Vantage S.
Both the Vantage S coupe and Roadster are hand built at Aston Martin’s global headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire alongside the V8 Vantage and V12 Vantage. Each Aston Martin V8 Vantage S takes in excess of 185 man-hours to build including 50 man-hours to paint and 70 man-hours to hand trim the interior. Each car undergoes meticulous attention to detail in not only the build phase but quality control and handover processes too.
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