From left: Majdi Joudah, Maserati brand manager; Abdullah Suboh, Maserati marketing manager; Khalid Elabed, general manager of Fast Auto Technic; Consul General of Italy Simone Petroni; Sheikh Mohammed Raffa; Florian Mack, Maserati's area manager for Middle East & India. JEDDAH – The new generation of luxurious ‘Maserati Quattroporte' was officially launched Monday in Jeddah by Fast Auto Technic (Fast) – sole dealer of the renowned Italian cars Maserati in Saudi Arabia – amid high expectations due to strong Saudi economic fundamentals. Florian Mack, Maserati's Area Manager for Middle East and India, told the Saudi Gazette during the unveiling that the volume of sales for the all-new “Maserati Quattroporte” is forecast to “triple” as compared to the preceding year, noting that the first shipment of the “sporty luxury car” to the Kingdom “is almost sold out.” He said Quattroporte sold in the Middle East cornered eight percent of the 6,000 Maserati units sold globally last year, adding that Saudi Arabia and the UAE represent the brand's leading markets in the region. Mack further said that Maserati “is very positive” about the turnover in the luxury and premium brand, adding that the brand is “very successful in the competitive sector.” Though very careful not to reveal any sales figure in Saudi Arabia and the wider region, he said the new Quattroporte, which is “stronger, more efficient, larger and faster, but lighter that its predecessor” would win more praise and attract more car enthusiasts. Besides, it consumes less fuel “in spite of its 530 hp and 307 km/h top speed where its fuel consumption is 20 percent less than its precedent.” The new Maserati flagship, which was officially unveiled at Detroit Motor Show early this year, is regarded by automotive spectators as a revolutionary technology in luxury sedan segment. Refined technical solutions, an explicit attention to the most challenging targets in terms of performance, comfort, efficiency and safety are the key elements of the all-new Maserati Quattroporte. Maserati engineers have worked - with a competence matched only by their passion – in chassis designing and engineering, weight reduction, ergonomic enhancement to develop a car capable of fitting different powertrain architectures and transmission configurations for the most diverse driving conditions but always maintaining Maserati's trademark best-in-class driving comfort. Under the hood lies the new generation of V8 and V6 engines from Maserati, which is characterized by power and effectiveness. In addition, the car presents the 4WD system which is called “Q4”, available only in the V6 models – an unprecedented feature in Maserati cars. “By launching the new Quattroporte, Maserati enhances its leading position in luxury sedan supercars segment, which it was devised and known by, based on its fame as maker of luxury cars,” Maserati said in a statement. In addition to its performance, Maserati Quattroporte' growth in Saudi Arabia will be based on its stylish design and high quality which based on Maserati long heritage that goes back to more than one hundred year. Mack further said the “sporty luxury car”, which has a tag price ranging from SR540,000 to SR580,000, differs from other brands in the same category as the new Maserati Quattroporte “is a high-performance vehicle with unique driving characteristics following classic and iconic Maserati style.” Khalid Al-Abed, General Manager of Fast Auto Technic, said the new generation of Quattroporte will play a major role in increasing sales of Maserati cars in Saudi Arabia due to its advanced technicality, as well as the significant development in its features and specifications both internally and externally, coupled with its performance. “Exactly 50 years ago, Maserati took a revolutionary step by installing the most successful Maserati car race engine in a sedan car, where this stop had not only changed the march of Maserati but succeeded in introducing a new category in the automotive world. The Quattroporte is the first car in this segment that combines sporty performance with comfortable seating for more than four adults,” Al-Abed added. The innovative Maserati proprietary engines of the all-new Maserati Quattroporte have all been designed and developed by Maserati and Ferrari engineers in the heart of Italy's motor valley. They are going to be produced in the Ferrari plant in Maranello that has been synonymous with cutting-edge technology and passion for well over 60 years. “The result is the all-new Maserati Quattroporte, a luxury sports sedan that reaches new heights in terms of performance and handling, driving enjoyment as well as respect of the world we live in,” the statement added. Mack noted: “The new Quattroporte truly reflects the essence of Italian car design in terms of concept and dynamics. In general, simple design lines and high quality material were used in the new Quattroporte along with close attention to the details.” – SG
